Arthur's Pass Discovery: TranzAlpine Train & guided walks
The train does the traveling. You do the walking
A 9-hour guided tour from Christchurch combines the TranzAlpine Train journey through the Southern Alps with short walks in Arthur's Pass National Park, including lunch and hotel pickup. The small group stays under eight people, which means your guide can adjust the pace and stops to what the group wants to do. A percentage of the tour price funds New Zealand wildlife and conservation.
Step-by-step itinerary
Arthur's Pass and TranzAlpine Train Tour
- Travel across Canterbury Plains
- View Waimakariri River braided riverbed
- Enter Arthur’s Pass National Park
- Join short guided walks in park
- Follow old stage coach route
- Travel down Otira Gorge
- View Cave Stream and limestone cliffs
- See Castle Hill rocks from highway
- Enjoy lunch at country hotel
- Return to Christchurch in luxury vehicle
- TranzAlpine Train Entry included 2h 30m
- Arthur's Pass National Park Entry included 4h
What’s included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off from centrally located Christchurch hotels.
- travel by TranzAlpine Train through the Waimakariri Gorge.
- a local guide in English.
- short guided walks in Arthur's Pass National Park.
- lunch at a country café.
- light refreshments throughout the day.
- return transport in an air-conditioned vehicle.
Times
- Every day 07:30 07:31
Before you book
Operated by Canterbury Trails
Prices and times updated yesterday
Traveler reviews
The experience
The day starts with hotel pickup in Christchurch and a drive to the train station. Once aboard the TranzAlpine, the landscape shifts from the wide Canterbury Plains into sub-alpine high country ringed by the Southern Alps. The train follows the Waimakariri River, where you can see the braided riverbed system that makes this gorge distinctive: the water spreads across multiple channels instead of flowing in one stream. This is the journey most people come for: the train does the work of getting you through terrain a car cannot navigate as cleanly, and you watch it unfold from your seat.
At Arthur's Pass, your guide meets you and leads short walks into the park's forests, rivers and mountain views. The itinerary also takes in the Otira Gorge, following the old stagecoach route from the 1860s, and stops at Cave Stream, where the water disappears underground through limestone cliffs. Castle Hill rocks (weathered limestone outcrops unique to this region) appear from the highway. Lunch happens at a country café and is included in the tour price. The walks are short enough that moderate fitness is the only requirement. Families with infants can bring a pram or stroller.
The return journey to Christchurch is by air-conditioned vehicle with your guide, not by train. This means the day has a shape: train in, walks and lunch in the park, drive back. Light refreshments are provided during the day. Because the group maxes out at eight people, the guide can answer questions and adjust stops without managing a crowd, and the van ride back gives space to talk about what you saw.
Is this one for you?Small groups of eight or fewer suit this tour if you want a guide who can adjust the pace and stops to what your group actually wants to do. The train journey and walks work well for families with young children, since infants can ride in a pram and the walks are short enough for moderate fitness.
Compare the 12 alternatives
Top questions
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 12 years); Infant (under 3).
What happens if it rains?
It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. No refund if you cancel.
What is the TranzAlpine Train and why does it matter for this tour?
The TranzAlpine is a scenic train that crosses the South Island from Christchurch to Greymouth, and this tour uses the section that winds through the Waimakariri Gorge and into Arthur's Pass National Park. The train is the only practical way to see the braided riverbed and the dramatic shift from plains to alpine landscape, and it carries you through terrain a road vehicle cannot access as directly.
How much walking is involved, and what kind of terrain will I be on?
The walks are short and guided by someone who knows Arthur's Pass National Park. You'll walk into rainforests, along rivers and up to mountain vistas, but the itinerary is built for groups with moderate fitness, so the distances and elevation are manageable. Families with young children can bring a pram or stroller.
What happens at lunch, and is it included?
Lunch is at a country café in the Arthur's Pass area and is included in the tour price. If you have dietary requirements, you can advise the operator at the time of booking so they can arrange something that works for you.
Does the tour include pickup from my hotel?
Yes, the tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off from centrally located Christchurch hotels. The guide will collect you in the morning, drive you to the train station, meet you again at Arthur's Pass, and return you to your hotel at the end of the day.
What makes a small group of eight people different from a larger tour?
With a maximum of eight participants, the guide can adjust the pace and stops based on what the group wants to do, answer questions without rushing, and provide a more informative experience than a larger group allows. The van on the return journey also feels less crowded.
Is there anything I should know about the physical demands or what to bring?
You'll need at least a moderate level of physical fitness for the short walks. The tour runs for 9 hours total, so comfortable walking shoes and weather-appropriate clothing are worth considering. Service animals are allowed on the tour.
Arthur's Pass Discovery: TranzAlpine Train & guided walks
9h · EN
from NZ$ 940 per person
≈ US$ 540 in your currency
Next, you choose your date and number of travelers and see the final price.