*Arthur's Pass & Castle Hill day tour with Eastbound TranzAlpine Train - from Christchurch
- Duration: 8 Hours (approx.)
- Location: CANTERBURY
- Product code: 1-day-Arthurs+ReverseTrain
Leave the city behind and begin your alpine adventure with a seamless start to the day. Your guide will collect you directly from your Christchurch accommodation and travel west across the Canterbury Plains, passing through the rural farming district of Darfield as the landscape gradually opens and the mountains draw closer.
Continuing onward, you’ll arrive in the small township of Springfield, home of the famous giant pink doughnut—a quirky and fun photo stop inspired by The Simpsons and a light-hearted way to begin your journey into the high country.
From Springfield, the road climbs steadily into the alpine basins surrounding Lake Lyndon. Surrounded by golden tussock and wide-open mountain views, this peaceful lake offers a perfect spot to pause, breathe in the crisp alpine air, and enjoy the stillness of the landscape.
The journey then continues to Castle Hill / Kura Tāwhiti, a sacred Māori site and remarkable geological wonder. Wander among the iconic limestone boulders—towering, sculptural formations that rise dramatically from the grasslands and hold deep cultural significance.
As the road winds deeper into the Southern Alps, you’ll arrive at Arthur’s Pass National Park, where dramatic peaks, native beech forest, deep gorges, and the playful alpine kea set the scene. Enjoy time for short scenic walks, or choose an optional guided hike to the spectacular Devil’s Punchbowl Waterfall—a powerful 131-metre cascade plunging down a moss-covered cliff face and one of the park’s most iconic highlights.
After exploring Arthur’s Pass, your guide will take you to the Arthur’s Pass railway station and personally check you in for your unforgettable journey aboard the world-renowned TranzAlpine Train. Settle into your seat and relax as you experience one of the most scenic rail journeys in the world.
On arrival in Christchurch, your guide will meet you at the railway station and transfer you comfortably back to your accommodation, bringing a breathtaking alpine day to a seamless and memorable close.
