[Going2NZ]

My husband and I are thinking about taking the railway from Auckland to Christchurch just to see a bit of the country when we first get there. Maybe stop a few days in Wellington as well as spending time in Hamilton, Palmerston North, etc. In truth, I've read so much about many of these towns on this forum that I am very curious to see them for myself. Plus, since we haven't decided where we want to live (although we are leaning towards Auckland) we thought we could set up a few interviews along the way and make it a "working" trip just in case the opportunity of a llfetime is waiting for us en route.

Has anyone taken the railway or done something similar? If so, any advice?

Thanks!

Susan

[Milliemoo]

Hi,

The trains are fantstic...nothing like here in the UK. There's so much leg room you can't reach the seat in front with your feet! They also have a viewing carrige (sp) with huge windows. You'll see loads of the country, some fantastic views.

I went from Auckland to PN. This year when we visit on our honeymoon, we're doing the Trans Sceanic when we're in Christchurch.

Milliemoo :nice1

[GeorgeM]

In the SI there are just two routes - CHC to Picton and CHC to Greymouth, each of which has one train per day.

The journies are very pretty, but not much opportunity to get off and look at places en route unless you're happy for the travel to take several days - e.g. get off at Kaikoura one day and resume travelling the following one.

[Diny]

I've done the Auckland to palmerston North trip and it was blooming brilliant !!!!!!!

At the time I was travelling with my 2 young boys (then aged7 and 8) and I thought the long journey would be murder ........ how wrong was I. Even the kids loved every moment of it.

The train looked like something from a Miss Marple movie but as for comfort i9t couldn't be beaten.

You even get the odd commentary over the loud speakers drawing your attention to various points of interest along the way.

I would do the journey again in a flash and would recommend anybody else to do so too.

Good luck with the job hunting and if you do decide to stop off in Palmerston North give me a yell.

Diny

[Miffy]

I want to do the cost to cost train journey from chrchr over the alps sometime.

One thing I would add is that most of the trains here (especially in the South Isle) seem to be tourist trains and only run once a day for sight seeing trips.
They are not timetabled regular comuter public transport type trains, they just don't really exist. So carefully planning for your iteinery cos if you miss a connection you could be stuck for a couple of days.

[Going2NZ]

Wow, great replies. This sounds like a good idea after all. I will definitely set it up when we get over. So, adding the rail trip to my list...

Right now, my company is dragging its feet on laying off my group (shhhh, its a secret...we're not supposed to know ;) ) so Im not sure when I'll be over but I'm hoping for Sept at the latest.


Susan