21. XC Train & Christchurch (again)

Leaving Queenstown we buzzed up the coast to Franz Josef, which boasts Franz Josef Glacier as its main (and possibly only) attraction. With sketchy weather & a lack of interest in seeing another glacier, Mike & I used the time to do laundry & have an impromptu meal with a NZ couple travelling in their RV.

Another two hours' drive north found us in Greymouth, where we surrendered our car and caught the TranzAlpine Scenic train that would take us back across the country, through the southern alps, to Christchurch.

The TranzAlpine train travels coast-to-coast through the 'Great Divide' of the alps, transversing 139 miles in just under 5 hours. (No, this is definitely not a bullet train). It is, however considered one of the world's great train journeys. The mountain range was beautiful to be sure, but based on our prior 3 weeks of stunning mountain/lake landscape views, (plus being a little travel-weary), we took it all in stride. A few pix attached.

We had one day in Christchurch before catching our evening flight back to Auckland. We jumped on the tourist trolley for a tour of the city's architecture (an eclectic mix of the old and new) building murals and shops.Read more