🇳🇿 New Zealand’s 3 Most Scenic Train Journeys – Tested & Approved!

🚞 1. Northern Explorer (Auckland → Wellington) ⏰ 12hrs | 💰 *From $199/adult* Must-See: 🌋 Tongariro Volcanoes: Winter snowfields / summer Mars-like terrain 🌀 Raurimu Spiral: Engineering marvel – watch the train corkscrew uphill 🐄 Farmland Valleys: Rolling pastures + deep gorges = living painting Stopovers: 📍 National Park Village: Hike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing (8hr epic!) Stay: Tongariro Lodge (cosy mountain cabins) 📍 Ohakune: Winter: Ski Mt. Ruapehu 🎿 + giant carrot statue 🥕 Eat: Volcanic mud-roasted lamb at The Blind Finch 🌊 2. Coastal Pacific (Picton → Christchurch) ⏰ 6hrs | 💰 *From $159/adult* Wow Moments: 🐋 Kaikoura Coast: Snow peaks + Pacific waves (whale sightings!) 🍇 Marlborough Vineyards: NZ’s best Sauvignon Blanc 💖 Pink Salt Lakes: Summer-only cotton-candy hues! Stopovers: 📍 Kaikoura: Whale watching (95% success rate!) + fresh lobster 🦞 Sleep: Oceanfront B&Bs with seal alarm clocks 📍 Blenheim: Bike through vineyards + Cloudy Bay wine tasting 10% off with train ticket! ⛰️ 3. TranzAlpine (Christchurch → Greymouth) – KING of scenic rides! ⏰ 5hrs | 💰 *From $189/adult* Epic Highlights: 🏔️ Southern Alps: 4 viaducts + 19 tunnels 🎥 Arthur’s Pass: LOTR-style valleys (*open-air carriage for 360° photos!*) 💙 Waimakariri River: Glacial blue ribbons Stopovers: 📍 Arthur’s Pass: Hike Devil’s Punchbowl Falls (1hr) + feed wild kea parrots Stay: Alpine Motel (wake to mountain views) 📍 Hokitika: Kayak emerald lakes + sunset glowworm caves #NZByTrain #ScenicRail #TravelSmart #AdventureWaitomo