The Whale Train Trips

The Journey:

Departing Picton Station, the Whale Train is powered by the vintage red and white, classic Da1431 locomotive (to haul our original renovated Victorian carriages) and travelling up the Picton Elevation – one of the steepest gradients in the country at 1-in-37 this incline. Upon reaching the plateau, the journey then takes on a more sedate nature and the train meanders alongside the Para Wetlands, home to an abundance of birds, game fish and unique wetland vegetation.

Crossing the Wairau River, which is a key water source for Marlborough’s Vineyards and sits as an entry to the magnificent Wairau Valley with the distant southern mountains in the backdrop.

A sea of vineyards shoulders the Train on the stretch through the town of Blenheim – clear evidence that Marlborough is indeed home to 80% of New Zealand’s wine production, most famously the sauvignon blanc variety. South of Blenheim, The Marlborough Flyer then traverses the rolling southern hills of Marlborough, snaking through the Dashwood Pass, bursting into the beautiful Awatere Valley, and more magnificent seas of vineyards with the often snow-capped peak of the majestic sentinel, Mount Tapuae-o-Uenuku in the background.

Then cross the Awatere River on the historic Awatere Road Rail Bridge built in the same period as the carriages.

The landscapes then open up to greet the Pacific Coastline for the journey to Kaikoura, a town acclaimed for its abundant marine wildlife, famed resident sperm whale population and dramatic mountain backdrops. Towering over Kaikoura, the ‘Guardians of the Seas’ - the mountains of the Southern Alps, rise majestically from the deep trenches of the Southern Ocean with the railway line wedged in between.

Of particular interest is the remnants of the 2016 Kaikōura 7.8 magnitude earthquake which has left clear evidence of its sheer power and destructive capabilities, along this breathtaking stretch of shoreline. This is equally matched by the impressive and incredible engineering solutions that restored the state highway and railway in record time.

The Whale Train has viewing balconies at both ends of each heritage carriage, a convenient viewing position, ideal for photo opportunities and fresh mountain air.

Absorb the history, stories and culture of the region with our onboard commentary.

There is the option for your journey to be a day trip or a weekend train excursion (depending on your date selection).

* Station departures are only available for selected dates.