We were super lucky with the weather - it was PERFECT winter conditions, blue sunny skies and lovely white snow on the mountains. When we got to Arthurs Pass it was actually snowing a little bit - but by the time we were back at sea level in Greymouth it was sunny again!
The train left Christchurch and wound it's way through the Canterbury Plains, we saw lots of farms, cows and sheep, it then follows this really cool river (Waimakariri) - lots of gorges and viaducts and tunnels. Then after going through the mountains you pop out on the other side and it's totally different flora and fauna - almost rainforest like in places.
Canterbury Plains with Southern Alps in the background...
A very good day out and i can recommend it to anyone who is in this area - we might do it again in summer to see the difference but everyone has said how it's much better in the winter. Enjoy the photos, it was total torture getting them as you had to go out to the viewing carriage, which had no windows, to get good ones. This of course meant being outside and it was winter and we were going about 60mph at least. Windy, windy, windy - but worth it, and somehow very amusing!
Little bit of the Wairmakariri in the moutains...
Snow at Arthurs Pass...
River again on the way back to CC...
And i know everyone is dying to know what we are up to this weekend... well in about an hour we are off to go bone carving. Yes, bone carving. Sit on the edge of your seats and wait for that one!!
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