TranzAlpine Train, Arthur's Pass and Castle Hill Day Trip

Highlights

Inclusions

Itinerary

1. Once we’ve collected you from your chosen location around 7:00 am, we transfer you to the TranzAlpine for one of the world's most scenic rail journeys. Enjoy breathtaking alpine vistas from panoramic windows or the open-air carriage. Your guide will meet you at Arthur's Pass Station to begin your mountain tour.

   Passes by

2. While you enjoy the rail journey, your guide travels ahead to meet you right on the platform at Arthur’s Pass Station. From there, we’ll drive to the Otira Viaduct lookout for spectacular views—including the vibrant red Rata flowers during summer. Keep an eye out for the cheeky Kea, New Zealand’s inquisitive alpine parrot! Our mountain exploration continues with a visit to the stunning Avalanche Creek Waterfall and several other scenic highlights within the National Park.

   45 min

3. For the highlight of your afternoon, we highly recommend the Devils Punchbowl walking track. A leisurely 1-hour return walk leads you through lush beech forest to the base of a thundering 131-metre waterfall. The sheer power of the water and the mist on your face make this an unforgettable alpine experience

   1 hAdmission included

4. After your walk, enjoy some well-earned downtime in the charming Arthur’s Pass village. You’ll have plenty of time to enjoy lunch at a local cafe, browse the historic visitor centre, or simply soak up the peaceful mountain atmosphere before we continue our journey

   1 hAdmission included

5. Our return journey to Christchurch takes a different route by road, offering scenery that the train tracks don't reach. Our first stop is the serene Lake Pearson. This high-country lake is famous for its glassy, mirror-like reflections of the surrounding mountains—a photographer’s dream and a perfect spot for a peaceful afternoon break.

   5 minAdmission included

6. Stop at Flock Hill: Discover the stunning 'Narnia' filming location. This site was featured in Disney's The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe as the primary battlefield—a spectacular setting surrounded by the rugged beauty of the Craigieburn Valley.

   10 minAdmission included

7. Our final highlight: Experience the 'Treasure from Afar' at Kura Tāwhiti. To the Ngāi Tahu iwi, this area holds Tōpuni status—a symbolic cloak of protection over its sacred values. As you walk the easy access track, look for traces of 500-year-old charcoal drawings and learn how these rocks were formed 30 million years ago when New Zealand was still under a shallow inland sea.

   45 minAdmission included

8. Leaving the mountains behind, we travel across the vast Canterbury Plains. We make one final, delicious stop in the rural town of Springfield to see the famous giant doughnut—a must-photo landmark! From there, it’s a relaxing final leg back to the city, where we say our goodbyes and drop you off at your chosen location.

   1.3 h

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.

Reviews

Ratings come from 499 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.

Showing reviews written in English.

• 5Fantastic day tour

  This is a varied day trip with a spectacular train ride (it’s well worth downloading the app for additional commentary on locations) then a mini bus ride to various locations in Arthur’s Pass National Park for scenic walks and sightseeing before returning to Christchurch.

  Mair_JOctober 2026via Viator

• 5Engaging drive and picturesque views.

  The driver kept us informed, pointed out iconic scenes from movies, and stopped for wonderful pictures. The train was nice, but the best part was the bus ride because he was engaging.

  Gianna_GOctober 2026via Viator

• 5Well Worth Doing

  Fabulous driver. So friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. A great experience. Loved the snacks. Thank you.

  Kylie_PSeptember 2026via Viator

• 5Excellent

  Excellent guide/driver. Helpful, considerate, knowledgeable.

  lincD9890UVSeptember 2026via Tripadvisor

• 5Great experience

  It was a wonderful experience with the tour guide Mr. Anuj, who is extremely attentive and hospitable. He treated us warmly and made the journey a very comfortable experience. Anticipating the cold and rainy weather on the day, he had ponchos and umbrellas ready for everyone. He even served compliemntary snacks and trated us to Hocky Pocky chocolates as well as other salty snacks and water. His driving, navigation and oratory are excellent and it is very clear that he is very passionate about his profession. Regarding the tour: The Tranzalpine train journey is well worth it, especially in the open air compartments, and the return in the shuttle is a good combination to finish the trip. Overall a great experience.

  Arun87September 2026via Tripadvisor

• 5Great tour guide, made...

  Great tour guide, made you feel like family. Made sure you got taken care of, provided snacks, umbrellas, ponchos, etc. would highly recommend. Gave some fantastic information without feeling overloaded.

  Christian_DSeptember 2026via Viator

Know before you go

How it compares in Christchurch

• Its from-price is close to the median of the 112 day trips we list in Christchurch.
• Its length is typical for the group.
• By number of reviews it ranks 2 of 112.
• The operator lists free cancellation on it.

About Christchurch

Christchurch is the South Island's largest city, a flat, green city on the Avon River with the Southern Alps and Banks Peninsula close by.

Christchurch was planned by English settlers in 1850 around a central square and the Avon River, which winds through the city past willows and lawns. Hagley Park and the Botanic Gardens cover a large green area beside the centre, and punts glide along the river. The Gothic Revival Arts Centre, built for the university, houses studios and cafés, and Canterbury Museum stands beside the gardens.

Top-ranked sights in Christchurch: Lake Pukaki, Lake Tekapo, TranzAlpine Train.

See all 343 experiences in Christchurch