3 ~~~ NZ's best kept secret | The Coastal Pacific train | Picton to Christchurch ~
m.youtube.com/watch?v=MI2U292bHiM&t=645s ~ 45:43 ~ 2023 ~ 41K Views ~ From the Window Seat
m.youtube.com/@fromthewindowseat/videosDiscover one of world's great railway journeys – the Coastal Pacific from Picton, at the top of New Zealand's South Island, to Christchurch.
This little known train is an incredible, half-day adventure along the spectacular east coast of New Zealand's South Island.
In this video, we’ll check out the Scenic Class carriages, try the on board food and drink, and take in the incredible views, from pink lakes and beautiful beaches to snow-capped mountains and rolling plains.
We’ll also learn a bit about the destructive forces that closed this line for almost two years.
Come along on what just might be, one of the best railway journeys in the world.
Stops include Blenheim, Kaikōura and Rangiora. The Coastal Pacific uses the Main North Line, sometimes called the South Island Main Trunk railway.
Coastal Pacific bookings, fares and timetable:
www.greatjourneysnz.com/scenic-trains/coastal-pacific-train/🚉 Train: The Coastal Pacific
🚉 Operator: Great Journeys of New Zealand (parent company: KiwiRail)
🚉 Locomotive: New Zealand DX class (DXB 5137)
🚉 Seat: Car C, Seat 5A (window)
🚉 Route: Picton - Christchurch (Main North Line)
🚉 Distance: 347.5 km
🚉 Travel time: 5 hours 50 minutes (scheduled)
🚉 Class: Scenic Class
🚉 Travel date: 4 November 2022
EQUIPMENT:
🚉 Cameras: GoPro Hero 10, GoPro Hero 8, iPhone 12 Pro Max, Panasonic HC-VX1
Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction
01:09 - Picton Railway Station and check in
02:11 - Train arrival and boarding
03:28 - Scenic Class seating, departure and crew announcements
06:21 - Route overview and lunch option
08:05 - Para Wetlands and Marlborough wine region
09:47 - Blenheim
11:13 - Redwood Pass and Awatere River
13:41 - Lake Grassmere Saltworks
15:50 - Reaching the Pacific Ocean
17:32 - Cafe car and afternoon tea
19:01 - Seal spotting at Ohau Point
20:16 - Mangamaunu Bay and the Kaikōura Ranges
22:14 - Kaikōura
25:24 - Tunnels and coastline
26:24 - 2016 Kaikōura earthquake
28:06 - Beautiful coastal views
31:00 - Okarahia Viaduct and final coastal views
32:57 - The Conway River and wine time
35:38 - The Canterbury Plains
39:15 - Rangiora
40:17 - Train fare and overall thoughts
42:08 - Arrival into Christchurch
44:11 - Canterbury Railway Station and final thoughts
45:06 - TranzAlpine preview