The Coastal Pacific train is a scenic rail journey between Picton - the gateway to the Marlborough Sounds, to Blenheim, Kaikoura and Christchurch - South Islands largest city. 

Your journey is a scenic feast, with the Picton mountain ranges on one side of your train and the rugged Pacific Ocean coastline on the other. Travel through some of New Zealand’s finest horticultural and farmland areas, plus seals and penguins from the comfort of your carriage.

Along the way you pass though the village of Kaikoura, where you can break your journey to take in the whale watching or dare to get closer and swim with the dolphins.

The Coastal Pacific carriages have advanced air bag suspension system for quieter and smoother travel, un-tinted, non-reflective, panoramic side and roof windows to capture the dramatic coastal and mountain views of the magnificent South Island, GPS triggered journey commentary in five languages at your seat via headphones, plus information displays and overhead HD video and are centrally heated/air conditioned for passenger comfort.

Each carriage has onboard washroom/toilet facilities, with '2 Seat-Aisle-2 Seat' seating either as reclining  forward facing seats with head and foot rests or 'Table Group' (4 people around a table) seating allowing to experience the amazing views of the magnificent South Island, through panoramic side and roof windows, while enjoying the company of other passengers.

The Coastal Pacific train has a café carriage offering a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, snacks and light meals and a viewing carriage.

The Coastal Pacific train is reserved seating 'One Class/Non Smoking' service.

The Coastal Pacific train does not operate of Christmas Day - 25 December.

There are connecting bus and coach services at Blenheim from Nelson.

The Coastal Pacific train connects with Cook Strait ferry sailings between Picton and Wellington.

For timetable information and online reservations from Picton.

There are no passenger train/rail services from Picton to Nelson.

From Christchurch you can explore the South Island's southern scenic beauty by choosing from a range of independent bus touring travel packages.