Win a TranzAlpine trip of a lifetime Grownups NZ

We all know that New Zealand is a beautiful country and most of us probably would like to spend more time exploring our own backyard. Many of us talk about all the places we’d like to go and the things we’d do, but we never get around to following through on these plans.
Kiwis are lucky enough to have easy access to one of the world’s greatest train journeys: the five hour TranzAlpine route. The TranzAlpine, a Great Journey of NZ, transports you through the majestic Canterbury Plains, travels alongside the ice-fed Waimakariri River before reaching the stunning vistas of Arthur’s Pass National Park. Once here, you meander through the Southern Alps before entering the sub-tropical West Coast rainforest dotted with spectacular views of Lake Sarah and Lake Brunner.
On board
It’s easy to enjoy the spectacular views when you ride in comfort. Nobody likes being cooped in a stuffy space. Luckily, the TranzAlpine carriages provide spacious seating with plenty of leg room, air conditioning and the option of strolling to the open-air carriage to feel the breeze on your face. Use this opportunity to take some stunning photos without windows compromising the perfect shot.
If you get peckish there are plenty of options in the on-board licensed café, ranging from tasty snacks to hearty meals. For those of us who like to learn about the history of a place, there’s an audio commentary system which shares stories and information about the area.
Off the train
Although you might be perfectly happy soaking in the magnificent views from the comfort of the carriage, if you want to extend your journey there are plenty of options to get off the train and explore. Just make sure that you plan any stopovers in advance as there is only one train in each direction per day.
Arthur’s Pass is arguably one of the highlights of journey for many people – why not enjoy an overnight stopover? Whether you’re an intrepid adventurer up for an advanced overnight tramp, or you’re looking for a walk as short as 15 minutes, there are plenty of great options to stretch your legs and get amongst dense rainforest, alpine fields, and serene lakes.
Another option is spending a few hours (or days!) in the idyllic fishing town of Moana, perched on the edge of Lake Brunner. Moana is the penultimate stop, so if you’ve previously visited Greymouth you may prefer to end your journey in Moana to return to Christchurch a few hours later. Perhaps you could enjoy a stroll along the lakefront and find the perfect spot for a picnic lunch. If you’re staying longer and are feeling confident in your fishing ability, you could hire a boat and try to catch your kai!
Often people disembark with a whole new appreciation of the South Island’s majestic beauty. After 223 kilometers of New Zealand’s splendour, you’ll have memories to last a lifetime. What are you waiting for? Book one of the Great Journeys of New Zealand today. You’ll be so happy that you found the time to cross this incredible trip off your bucket list.
GrownUps are giving away ten return trips on the TranzAlpine (Christchurch to Greymouth). To enter, simple tell us why you’d love to do this trip.
We’ll be sending five lucky winners on a trip of a lifetime on the 30 June and five on the 14 July. To capture the memories GrownUps will have a videography team on the trip to ensure your trip is recorded to share the journey.