I opted for the Interislander ferry and the Tranzcoastal (now renamed as the Coastal Pacific) train.  I was able to book a throughfare so I checked in my bag as a foot passenger in Wellington, not to see it again until our arrival in Christchurch.  The ferry offers a sedate 3 hour cruise through stunning scenery.  The part of the journey crossing the Strait is less interesting as all you can see is water but this gives you an opportunity to have a walk round the ship, grab a bite to eat or lounge in one of the many comfy seats.  There is even an on-board cinema.  

Once you spy land it’s time to grab your spot on the observation deck.  This is the best part of the journey.  Enjoy basking in the sun as you cruise through the Marlborough Sound, Tory Channel and Queen Charlotte Sound before docking in picturesque Picton.  Just don’t forget your sunscreen as I ended my journey with a burnt face!  Not a good look.

I was expecting the hour long stop-over to enjoy the small harbour town of Picton however due to a mechanical breakdown I had about 3 hours.  Annoyingly because we were always waiting for news and didn’t know what time the train would finally turn up I had to spend a couple of hours hanging around the tiny railway station and the immediate area.  There’s only 1 train per day in each direction so I couldn’t afford to miss it, especially since my luggage would be on the train even if I wasn’t!

Finally the train arrived and everyone took their seats.  Since my trip KiwiRail have overhauled their coaches with the new panoramic windows allowing better photography.  My favourite part of the train was the open-air viewing coach.  According to KiwiRail’s website these coaches have also been replaced so I can’t comment on what they are like now but for my trip the open-air coach was a bit like a cattle pen but I loved it.  With the wind in my air I felt like I was actually travelling through New Zealand not cooped up in air-conditioned comfort.

We whizzed past fields with some of those famous sheep, hills, rivers and the Pacific Ocean itself.  The commentary told us to look out for seals on the rocks near Kaikoura but however much I squinted and scoured the beach I couldn’t spot one of these allusive creatures.  

Had the train departed Picton on time it was due to arrive in to Christchurch just after 6pm.  Our earlier delay meant that it was dark before we got in to our destination.  I had intended on getting a bus in to town but it was after 9pm, dark and I really hadn’t got my bearing.  I ended up getting in a shuttle bus, conveniently there were these minibuses waiting outside the station to take passengers in to town for a nominal per person charge.  Since I hadn’t planned on paying for dinner on the train I didn’t have enough cash.  Luckily the driver agreed to stop at an ATM in town.  He wasn’t very impressed when I then wanted change from a $50 note.  But what was I supposed to do?

It was late when I eventually arrived at my hostel, Base Backpackers, right in Cathedral Square.  This central backpackers was a great place to stay, unfortunately it has been closed since the terrible earthquakes that the city has fought to recover from.  It is hoped that the hostel will open again soon.

Pre-earthquake Cathedral Sqaure – unfortunately the cathedral was destroyed

Christchurch is a fantastic city and it’s important that tourists continue to make the journey.  To help visitors access up to date information following the earthquakes Lonely Planet have released the Christchurch chapter of their upcoming guidebook update as a free download.  Visit the fab Canterbury and Christchurch Tourism website for up-to-date information.  When you go to New Zealand please include Christchurch in your itinerary and consider my journey as you really feel immersed in the scenery.