The train does not reach very many parts of New Zealand, but it works for a few segments. I am not sure if your pass will really be worthwhile vs buying an individual fare.

Keep an eye out for sales airfares that appear on http://grabaseat.co.nz/ (Air New Zealand discount airfares).

Also driving is not especially difficult outside of Auckland and may be the most cost effective way to see the countryside for a family of three.

I don't think the train does justice to NZ. Many of the great places just don't have rail access.

If you don't want to drive - and driving is fairly easy, buses may give you better access.

The train system in NZ is very limited. You'll not see much of the country via train.

The train is often ignored, last time I looked it was a expensive way to travel. The train runs down the middle of the north island but does not stop anywhere overly interesting. I have not done that section but its suppose to be very scenic. You would miss out on the main North Island tourist traps such as Rotorua. But its a quick and relaxing way to "see" the north Island.

The train starts again in Picton > Blenheim > Kaikoura > Christchurch. I done that section a handful of times and its probably more scenic then driving but you get less chances to stop.

The last section is from Christhcurch over Arthur's Pass to the Westcoast, I think it ends in Greymouth.



Maybe:
Day 1: Auckland>Wellington (arrives 6:25pm)
Day 2: Wellington
Day 3: Ferry
Day 4: Picton/Blenheim (departs 1pm or 1:30pm from Blenheim)
Day 5: Kaikoura (Departs/arrive 3pm)
Day 6: Christchurch (arrives 6pm)
Day 7: Christchurch (Departs 8:15am) > Greymouth (arrives 12:45pm)


Six or Seven days traveling by train, then hire a car at Greymouth then drive south to see the Glaciers and across Haast pass for a few days in Central Otago before driving to your preferred airport (Queenstown, Dunedin or Christchurch) to fly back to Auckland.

Thanks for the info. It does not seem like the train will work for at least the north island due to its scheduled. We are now deciding on flying to the south island and then driving around to see the sights. Our next dilemma is whether to drive around and then fly back to the north island, or to continue to drive north and take the ferry. The ferry is the same if not more expensive than the flight and longer at 3 hours. Is the ferry enjoyable (scenic?) and does it tend to take much longer with lines and delays?

You only have 13 days so I would fly back to Auckland from the South Island.


Unless its rough the ferry is normally a bit quicker then schedule. You basically have to arrive a hour before the ferry leaves. The first half through the Marlborough Sounds is scenic, often see dolphins. Going across the strait itself is a bit boring.

Flying is almost cheaper and is much faster. Flying from Wellington into Nelson, Blenheim on discount fares normally costs around $89 and around $69 to fly into Christchurch. While the cheapest ferry option is around $55

Unfortunately apart from a few scenic tourist lines in the South Island our train system is now somewhat pathetic. Air fares are inexpensive so check out Air New Zealand and Jetstar websites, they often have special deals. Also look at Naked Bus, this is a good way for you to get to more of the popular sights and is very inexpensive. Why not fly to Dunedin first, travel across to Queenstown and make your way north instead of vice versa. This way you may also get a free rental car for two days Queenstown to Christchurch, then Wellington to Auckland, have a look at the main rental car sites for any deals. The car companies like to have their cars taken north again as most people go north to south as Auckland is the main airport.

Thanks for your help! We are going to drive down to Wellington then fly to Christchurch and explore the south island. I'm still undecided about Rotorua. We could fly rather than make a long drive in between Auckland and Wellington. Thinking about seeing the beaches in the cormmandel area then head to Wellington versus heading south along the North island to see caves and Rotorua. We have a two year old with us... worth seeing or tourist trap?

Also Jetstar has great deals-thanks for the tip!

IMO Rotorua is the highlight of any north island trip.

Cormmandel has its charms, but I do not consider it anything special. A great place for a domestic holiday.

diego -

Have you ever been to Yellowstone? If so, Rotorura could well be disappointing.

Rotorua is more then just the geothermal sites although they are the main attractions, it also has same of the best reenactments of historical Maori cultures. Plus the two wildlife parks gives good looks at same of our rarer species.

I completely disagree with you Melnq8 because besides the thermal areas Rotorua has lots of other interests as well. The kiwis at Rainbow Springs plus all the other native birds and flora there, the buried village at Lake Tarawera, the working Maori arts and crafts centre at Whakarewarewa, easily possible to take an infant to as well. Or the Agrodome to see the sheep dogs in action, there's lots in Rotorua yes, it's a tourist spot but hardly a tourist trap.

No worries golfernz1, all opinions welcome here. We didn't care for Rotorua, but many do.

Thanks for all the opinions- they are so helpful! My concern was that the geothermal sights may be more of a hassle with a very active almost two year old. Then we saw a very expensive $65 dollar entry fee for the hobbitown attraction. So my concern was that all the wildlife parks and thermal spas may all be quite expensive and not too worthwhile with such a young child. Also, I am pregnant and cannot really be around the volcanic fumes in Tongariro. I remember those signs in Hawaii with warnings. So, we were thinking of beaching it instead. If these assumptions are not correct, I love to hear all the opinions out there! Also does Rotorua smell stinky in the hotels/loging area?

<Also does Rotorua smell stinky in the hotels/loging area?>

It did when we were there. Can't remember exactly where we stayed though and it probably varies by location.

Not like it used to as the sulphur smell is lessened with all the piping off that the Ministry of Works have done over the years. Best for you to completely miss out Rotorua.

They are quite expensive, I think rainbow springs was around $30 for a 24hr pass. Did get discount vouchers from the hotel I stayed at which saved $5 from each attraction. Can not remember pricing for the other attractions but they are probably similar.

Unless you keep your child on a short leash, probably wise to stay away from the thermal parks due to the potential of falling into same of the pits.

A lot of people live and have babies in Rotoura, so I highly doubt the fumes are anything to be concerned about. But there are plenty of other attractions in the north island away from the fumes.

If you purchase from the info centre in Rotorua which is easy to find you can get 2 for 1 deals, last time in Rotorua in March this year I got Paradise Valley Springs and Te Puia dinner and Maori concert as a deal. So worthwhile to call in there first.

Thanks to everyone for all the great help! We are going to camp out in Coromandel for a couple of days and try to get rid of the jet lag. Then fly down to wellington and then the South island for the driving and scenic sites. Wish we had months so we could see it all!

The North and South Island trains/visits have different pros/cons.

North Is - variety of scenery, better temps, beaches, volcanic regions etc but there is only the one main train service. I'd take a bus mostly or a train to National Park from Auckland. From there you could do the Tongariro Crossing/head to Taupo and Rotorua etc.

South Is - fewer people, more scenery and sheep(!!), but better train journeys there - the TranzAlpine and Coastal Pacific trains are the main (only I think...)services.

Found this nzbyrail site the cheapest for tickets... but maybe try others too? http://www.nzbyrail.com/

These two trains run between Christchurch and Greymouth daily on a return trip basis(TranzAlpine) and also Coastal Pacific from Christchurch to Picton on a return basis.

Both great experiences plus have new carriages now on offer.
They take about 4hrs30mins for the TranzAlpine to just over 5hrs for the Coastal Pacific.

I did both trains - found the TranzAlpine is a relaxing journey and nice to see such lush scenery. Coastal train is great also - liked the beach scenery but you feel less away from it all.

Take your jacket and take some snaps when you go out on the outdoor viewing deck of either train - its a great 'wake you up' experience!

You will enjoy NZ for sure so you should take a look around!

I highly recommend the Auckland-Wellington train jorney on the 'Northern Explorer', and the ferry crossing Wellington to Picton and onward 'Coastal Pacific' train to Christchurch.

These make a great way to travel in comfort from Auckland-Wellington-Christchurch, not only for the scenery but for the history.

Be aware that the official Kiwi Rail Scenic Journeys website suppresses the cheaper fares if you browse with non-NZ IP address, so to get around this and buy the cheaper fares online, see the advice on www.seat61.com/NewZealand.htm under 'How to buy tickets'