PictonNZWaitohi · Marlborough Sounds
Northbound Coastal Pacific train approaching its Picton terminus at the Dublin Street level crossing.

Getting around

The Coastal Pacific train

The seasonal scenic train between Picton, Blenheim, Kaikōura and Christchurch.

Photo: Matthew25187 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

KiwiRail's Great Journeys New Zealand runs the Coastal Pacific between Picton and Christchurch via Blenheim and Kaikōura, northbound in the morning and southbound in the afternoon. It is a seasonal service; check the current season on the official timetable.

  • Rainy-day option
  • Day trip
  • Near the ferry
  • No car needed
Show on the Picton map Open in OpenStreetMap Directions

At a glance

Route
Picton – Blenheim – Kaikōura – Christchurch; a one-day journey
Cost
See Great Journeys New Zealand
Season
Seasonal, not year-round. Great Journeys New Zealand's own pages did not state 2026–27 dates when we checked; a rail booking agent lists 1 Sep 2026 – 30 Apr 2027, daily except Christmas Day, marked 'to be confirmed'. Confirm on the official timetable.
Timetable pattern
Christchurch to Picton in the morning, Picton to Christchurch in the afternoon, timed to connect with the Interislander (Great Journeys New Zealand). Timetable by phone on 0800 872 467 or on the timetable page
Coastal Pacific passenger train rounding the Kaikōura coastline beside the sea and mountain ranges.
Coastal Pacific passenger train rounding the Kaikōura coastline beside the sea and mountain ranges. Alex Burgess / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

About The Coastal Pacific train

The train terminates at Picton station on Auckland Street, next to the Interislander terminal — it is designed to connect with the ferry. It is a genuinely scenic route and a good wet-weather day, but it is seasonal: it pauses over winter, and its exact dates change year to year, so confirm before building a trip around it.

Know before you go

  • Not a year-round service.

Photographs

Interior of a Coastal Pacific scenic carriage with panoramic windows, skylights, seating and passengers.
Interior of a Coastal Pacific scenic carriage with panoramic windows, skylights, seating and passengers. Daderot / Wikimedia Commons, CC0 1.0
A Coastal Pacific train crossing a street in Picton
The northbound Coastal Pacific crossing Dublin Street, about to terminate in Picton. Matthew25187 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
The interior of a Coastal Pacific carriage, seats and large windows
Inside the Coastal Pacific, which runs between Picton and Christchurch. Daderot / Wikimedia Commons, CC0
Rocky coastline with mountains behind at Kaikoura
The Kaikoura coast, on the road and rail line south to Christchurch. Scoro / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Cream and red-roofed railway station building beside a road
Picton railway station building on Auckland Street, February 2017. Ulrich Lange, Bochum, Germany / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Official information

Sources for this page

Location: OpenStreetMap contributors via Nominatim (Picton railway station, Auckland Street; feature).

Facts on this page were checked against the sources listed on 29 September 2026.

Something wrong or out of date? Tell us.

Nearby

Straight-line distances from Picton railway station, Auckland Street.

A harpoon cannon, projectile, rope and other whaling equipment displayed inside the museum.

Picton Heritage & Whaling Museum

Two thousand items of Māori, whaling and maritime history, on the site of the original Waitohi pā.

30 min – 1.5 hrsWalk from townKids0.1 km away
Picton Foreshore's palm-lined lawn beside the harbour, with benches, marina boats and a ferry in view.

Picton Foreshore

The lawn, the palms, the marina and the war memorial — where the town meets the water, and where everything starts.

15 min – 2 hrsWalk from townFree0.2 km away
Wide view of the museum entrance, exhibition building and adjoining dry-dock shelter.

Edwin Fox Maritime Museum

An 1853 teak sailing ship in dry dock on the waterfront — one of the oldest surviving merchant hulls anywhere.

45 min – 2 hrsWalk from townKids0.2 km away
Wide street-level view of Picton Library and Service Centre, including its timber facade, glazing, entrance and name sign.

Picton Library

The town's library and service centre, a block back from the foreshore.

20 min – 2 hrsWalk from townFree0.3 km away

Eat nearby

Only Scoop

Dessert · Takeaway · Picton Railway Station Building, 5A Auckland Street, Picton 7220 · 0 km

Subway Picton

Lunch · Takeaway · 3 Auckland Street, Picton 7220 · 0 km

The Waitohi

Pub · Lunch · Dinner · 7 Auckland Street, Picton 7220 · 0 km

Hours and menus live on pictonrestaurants.co.nz, which shares our venue data.