About this tour
When Em from our BugBitten team ran the Tranz Alpine Train Tour, we were in for a full day that genuinely lives up to its reputation. You board the Tranz Alpine at Springfield and ride one of the world's most celebrated train routes to Arthurs Pass, a gateway to New Zealand's high-rainfall alpine landscape. The tour wraps around a homemade two-course picnic sourced from Em's organic garden, plus short walks through mountain flowers and mosses that thrive in the wet climate. There's a scenic return via Highway 73 with stops at lakes and limestone formations. The whole operation runs small-group style (families rather than coach loads) and can add jet boating or a working farm visit on request. Departs 7.45am, back by 5.15pm.
Highlights
- Tranz Alpine train ride itself—genuinely one of the world's best.
- Em's homemade picnic lunch: wholemeal walnut bread, homegrown veg, seasonal soup or dessert.
- Short walks spotting native alpine flowers and lush mosses in the wettest stretch.
- Scenic highway return with stops at turquoise lakes and limestone cliffs.
- Small-group feel—no coach tourism vibe, tailored to family or couple rhythms.
- Optional add-ons: jet boating or farm visit with shearing demo and afternoon tea.
- Central city pickups available; caters for infants and all fitness levels.
What to expect
You'll be picked up from central Christchurch in the early morning (7.45am start means a pre-dawn alarm), then driven to Springfield to board the Tranz Alpine. The train itself is the headline act—three hours of mountain scenery, viaducts, and switchbacks that justify the hype. Em meets you at Arthurs Pass and leads short walks through the beech forest and tussock slopes; the landscape is genuinely lush from all the rain, and the native flowers and mosses feel more intimate than a big tour tends to offer.
Midday brings the picnic, eaten outdoors at a scenic spot with bread and salads Em's grown herself. It's honest food, not fancy, and the effort shows. Then it's back via Highway 73, with pauses at a couple of stunning lakes and limestone formations—the kind of drive where you actually want to stop rather than being herded through. By 5.15pm you're back in the city. Pacing is relaxed; it's a long day but not rushed.
What travellers say
- Tranz Alpine train journey—world-class, genuine highlight of New Zealand travel.
- Homemade picnic lunch sourced from Em's organic garden—tastes like care.
- Small-group, family-friendly vibe—not a coach-load factory tour.
- Scenic Highway 73 return with real photo stops at lakes and limestone.
- Flexible and willing to tailor—jet boat or farm visit add-ons on request.
- Suitable for all fitness levels and infant-friendly with proper seats.
- Early 7.45am start is brutal if you're jet-lagged or travel-worn.
- Arthurs Pass weather is unpredictable; rain gear essential year-round.
- Train carriages can feel snug for tall or claustrophobic passengers.
- Nine-hour tour commitment; long day for young kids or those low on stamina.
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
The train journey is iconic and Em's local knowledge and homemade lunch genuinely set this apart from standard tour operators. You're not crammed on a coach, and if you want to add a jet-boat blast or farm visit, she'll arrange it. Works well for families and mixed-fitness groups.
It's a 9-hour commitment with an early 7.45am departure; if you're jet-lagged or prefer sleeping in, this stings. The walks are short and achievable, but the weather at Arthurs Pass is unpredictable—pack layers and waterproofs even if it's sunny in town. The train itself can feel cramped if you're tall or claustrophobic. There's no formal accommodation for dietary restrictions mentioned, so email ahead if you need vegan or gluten-free options.
Private transport, train ticket, picnic lunch.
add-on activities (jet boat, farm visit), drinks beyond the picnic.
Typically small family groups, not solo traveller bunches.
Summer school holidays get busier; shoulder seasons (spring, autumn) are quieter.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.