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Beautiful beginnings and endings

Picton is the arrival and departure point for the Interislander, one of the world’s most scenic ferry rides

From the boat to the train

Follow the signs for 200 metres from the ferry terminal to Picton station

See, sip, sample

Blenheim is in the heart of New Zealand's biggest wine growing region. Stop off here and enjoy the local wine and gourmet food

Crossing 175 bridges

One of many bridges crossed on the journey

Between mountains and sea

Travel alongside mountans and surging sea, with the Pacific Ocean almost close enough to touch

Training ground for Everest

Across the Clarence River, this training ground for Sir Edmund Hillary can often be seen

Wild coastline

Keep an eye out for seals and other wildlife on the rocks

Surf spotting

The wild coastline creates picture-perfect spots where surfers often gather 

Whale watching central

The railway station is also a base for booking many of Kaikoura's wildlife encounters

Inland, over rivers

The Coastal Pacific sweeps inland, over broad braided rivers that attract jet boaters and rafters

Crossing the plains

Look out across the patchwork farmland of the Canterbury Plains, New Zealand’s largest continuous area of flat land

Spoilt for choice in Christchurch

Christchurch continues to offer visitors plenty to see and do in all directions
Picton
Christchurch

Book now

Tickets can be purchased on board from the Train manager on the day of travel, or from a Capital Connection ticketing agent.

Give a memorable gift with our Scenic Gift Voucher.

Alongside mountains and sea

This memorable journey between Christchurch and Picton stops at Blenheim and the renowned whale watching town of Kaikoura. Along 98 kilometres of ruggedly beautiful coastline you’ll get astonishingly close to the surging Pacific Ocean and steeply rising Kaikoura Ranges.

You’ll also travel through beautiful wine growing regions, across broad, braided rivers and the rich patchwork
farming landscape of the Canterbury Plains.

View the Coastal Pacific timetable.

The Coastal Pacific is our summer train 

The Coastal Pacific train operates over the extended summer season, with services running between October and April only.

The service is now closed for the winter months, it will resume again on Friday 27th September 2013, operating 7 days a week through to 4 May 2014.

Sit back and let New Zealand come to you

Windowwatch or head out to one of our open-air platforms.

KiwiRail Scenic Escapes

Try one of our train trips combined with iconic kiwi tourist experiences.

This trip is on my ‘best kept Canterbury
secrets’ list. 

Find out more…

Phil Keoghan, host

The Amazing Race, USA

Hop on and off our tourist trains where and when you like, as many times as you want to, for the duration of your chosen Pass

Our new carriages

Enhancing your comfort and scenic experience

Peckish?

Enjoy yummy snacks, meals and drinks on board.

Going with friends

Everyone gets to sit back, relax, and enjoy the journey.

Kaikoura

Where mountains, sea and wildlife meet

“Picton is just too special to pass by”

Timothy

New York, USA

Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre

“Knights of the sky”

 

Whale watch central

To go and watch whales look for the Kaikoura train station.

Crayfish

Also known as Koura in Maori, Crayfish abound in Kaikoura

Picton

Gateway to the North and South Islands

Queen Charlotte Track

One of NZ’s great walks

Interislander

Connecting Wellington and Picton by sea

I travelled on the Coastal Pacific to Kaikoura to see the whales for the day - such great scenery that I wouldn't have seen if I didn't take the train.

Amy

USA

Sounds Air

Connecting Wellington and Picton by air

Christchurch

Plenty of places to stay and activities to enjoy

Blenheim

World-famous wine and local gourmet food

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Kaikoura

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Blenheim

EXPLORE

Picton

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Find activities, transport and accommodation

About Us

Learn more about our services, trains, new carriages, food & drink and baggage allowance

 Coastal Pacific timetable

 

Christchurch - Picton Picton - Christchurch
Christchurch depart 7.00 am   Picton depart 1.00 pm
Rangiora depart 7.28 am Blenheim depart 1.33 pm
Waipara depart 7.56 am Seddon depart 2.02 pm
Mina depart 8.45 am Kaikoura depart 3.28 pm
Kaikoura depart 9.54 am Mina depart 4.37 pm
Seddon depart 11.18 am Waipara depart 5.30 pm
Blenheim depart 11.46 am Rangiora depart 5.57 pm
Picton arrive 12.13 pm Christchurch arrive 6.21 pm

 

Please note:

  • Timetables shown are subject to change at short notice.
  • The train may depart intermediate stations earlier if all booked passengers are onboard.
  • Check-in is 20 minutes prior to departure time shown above.
  • The service doesn't operate on Christmas Day.