When it comes to getting around New Zealand, my preference is for driving my own vehicle. I like the total freedom this affords and I thoroughly enjoy cruising quiet and scenic roads. There is also something to be said for being able to personalise the glovebox and seatpockets with CD's, maps, drinks and snacks and, as the journey progresses, discarding various items of clothing and a shoe or two on the backseat... just in case!
Yet, hiring your own vehicle does not preclude all other forms of transport, which can make a pleasant change to driving. The fact that New Zealand is split into two main islands rather enforces this idea since we don't yet hire out amhibious vehicles! The natural break in driving as you hop on the ferry across the Cook Strait also allows the perfect opportunity to experience a small portion of NZ by rail - route dependent, of course.
The TranzCoastal runs daily from Picton to Christchurch (and vice versa) via Kaikoura. Conveniently it is timed to fit in with the InterIslander ferry crossing - so much so that you don't even have to collect you luggage from the ferry before boarding the train - it's done automatically (well, probably by human hand, but you know what I mean). All you have to do is sit back and enjoy the ride as you glide past the Kaikoura Ranges to one side and the Pacific Ocean to the other. You can break the journey in Kaikoura for a night or two to include a whale watch excursion before continuing to Christchurch. Here, you can pick up another car or defer your driving adventure a while longer taking the spectacular TranzAlpine over Arthurs Pass to Greymouth. Perfect!
Rail travel is not the fastest mode of transport in NZ, but, for the leisurely traveller, its comfortable and fun and as ever, the views are spectacular. And you needn't worry about photographs being marred by glass reflections, since the viewing car has glass-less windows - ideal for photographers...
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