From Coast to Coast in New Zealand, Greymouth to Christchurch by mountain bike, Day 1
June 8th 2007 04:21
Day 1
It was a fresh but otherwise clear morning as I left my house at 6.45am to start the 40min cycle ride to Christchurch train station and at that time on a Sunday morning, I arrived at 7.25pm. My traveling companion for this trip was Steveo who arrived shortly afterwards.
The TransAlpine train was due to depart at 8.15am but we wanted to get there early to load the bikes on board. It is best to book ahead as I was amazed at just how many people arrived shortly after us. We got a one way ticket which cost me $69NZ due to the bike and Steveo $79NZ as he had a bike and trailer. With the bikes all securely stored, we located our seats and relaxed.
Steveo, bikes and trailer.
The TranzAlpine train travels between Christchurch and Greymouth, from one coast of New Zealand to the other. From your carriage you'll see the fields of the Canterbury Plains and farmland, followed by the spectacular gorges and river valleys of the Waimakariri River.
The TranzAlpine train then climbs into the Southern Alps before descending through lush beech rain forest to the West Coast town of Greymouth – a great base for visits to Punakaiki and the always popular glaciers. The TranzAlpine carriages are centrally heated in winter and air conditioned in summer, with 'Airline' style reclining seats and 'Table Group' (4 people around a table) seating. Both styles allow you to experience the amazing views through large panoramic windows, while enjoying the company of other passengers on-board.
An open air viewing carriage allows you to get even closer to the stunning scenery and provides many opportunities to photograph your favourite spots. There's a lot to look forward to!
The TranzAlpine train has a Buffet Carriage that serves hot/cold drinks, snacks and light meals on route. Your journey is 223.8 kilometres long and takes just four and a half hours. There are 16 tunnels, and 5 viaducts, the highest being the Staircase standing at 73 metres.
(net sourced)
Now I always enjoy train journey’s as it makes a nice change to relax and take in the views, rather than worry about having to drive your car everywhere. As the train pulled out of the station and quickly picked up speed as it headed through the outer suburbs of Christchurch. We were treated to the first real covering of snow on the alps and although it looked stunning, I was left thinking ‘Hang on, we have to cycle through that!’
The Southern Alps taken from Springfield station
We stopped at various small stations to pick up passengers before heading into the alps. There is an observation car which is open at the sides and allows for some good photographic opportunities but the wind chill had to be at least minus 10 as it was very cold!
The weather conditions were very changeable and in some places it was just a blanket of early morning mist, although once we passed through the Otira tunnel, the weather was very sunny and arriving into Greymouth in the afternoon winter sun was rather pleasant.
We had booked accommodation in the Sundowner motel which wasn’t bad for $75NZ a night. Once we had sorted everything out, I took a wander around looking for photographic opportunities.
At the station
Sundowner Motel
Now I studied A-geology so should really know all about this but cant recall its correct term, although it is very impressive and with the road signs giving a good idea of scale.
Old Greymouth building
Old dredging scoops on Greymouth quayside
At A Glance: Greymouth
Population: 15,000
Ethnicities: mostly of European descent; some indigenous Maori, small amounts of various groups from Asia.
Est.: Several centuries ago by Maori; then in 1864 by European colonials.
Location: South Island, west coast
Province: Westland
Former Names: Mawhera (widespread river mouth),Crescent City, Blaketown, Greytown
Named After: the Grey River (and Sir George Grey)
Industries: timber and bituminous coal; breweries; sawmills; coal-gas engineering plants; railway workshops; concrete and furniture manufacturing; some sheep and cattle raising; some dairying
Nearby towns: Hokitika (24 miles [39 km] south);
Westport (94 miles [151 km] north)
(net sourced)
As each post will be quite long, I will divide them into days, so next post will be day 2, Greymouth to Otira, which was approx 85km.
Hal
It was a fresh but otherwise clear morning as I left my house at 6.45am to start the 40min cycle ride to Christchurch train station and at that time on a Sunday morning, I arrived at 7.25pm. My traveling companion for this trip was Steveo who arrived shortly afterwards.
The TransAlpine train was due to depart at 8.15am but we wanted to get there early to load the bikes on board. It is best to book ahead as I was amazed at just how many people arrived shortly after us. We got a one way ticket which cost me $69NZ due to the bike and Steveo $79NZ as he had a bike and trailer. With the bikes all securely stored, we located our seats and relaxed.
Steveo, bikes and trailer.
The TranzAlpine train travels between Christchurch and Greymouth, from one coast of New Zealand to the other. From your carriage you'll see the fields of the Canterbury Plains and farmland, followed by the spectacular gorges and river valleys of the Waimakariri River.
The TranzAlpine train then climbs into the Southern Alps before descending through lush beech rain forest to the West Coast town of Greymouth – a great base for visits to Punakaiki and the always popular glaciers. The TranzAlpine carriages are centrally heated in winter and air conditioned in summer, with 'Airline' style reclining seats and 'Table Group' (4 people around a table) seating. Both styles allow you to experience the amazing views through large panoramic windows, while enjoying the company of other passengers on-board.
An open air viewing carriage allows you to get even closer to the stunning scenery and provides many opportunities to photograph your favourite spots. There's a lot to look forward to!
The TranzAlpine train has a Buffet Carriage that serves hot/cold drinks, snacks and light meals on route. Your journey is 223.8 kilometres long and takes just four and a half hours. There are 16 tunnels, and 5 viaducts, the highest being the Staircase standing at 73 metres.
(net sourced)
Now I always enjoy train journey’s as it makes a nice change to relax and take in the views, rather than worry about having to drive your car everywhere. As the train pulled out of the station and quickly picked up speed as it headed through the outer suburbs of Christchurch. We were treated to the first real covering of snow on the alps and although it looked stunning, I was left thinking ‘Hang on, we have to cycle through that!’
The Southern Alps taken from Springfield station
We stopped at various small stations to pick up passengers before heading into the alps. There is an observation car which is open at the sides and allows for some good photographic opportunities but the wind chill had to be at least minus 10 as it was very cold!
The weather conditions were very changeable and in some places it was just a blanket of early morning mist, although once we passed through the Otira tunnel, the weather was very sunny and arriving into Greymouth in the afternoon winter sun was rather pleasant.
We had booked accommodation in the Sundowner motel which wasn’t bad for $75NZ a night. Once we had sorted everything out, I took a wander around looking for photographic opportunities.
At the station
Sundowner Motel
Now I studied A-geology so should really know all about this but cant recall its correct term, although it is very impressive and with the road signs giving a good idea of scale.
Old Greymouth building
Old dredging scoops on Greymouth quayside
At A Glance: Greymouth
Population: 15,000
Ethnicities: mostly of European descent; some indigenous Maori, small amounts of various groups from Asia.
Est.: Several centuries ago by Maori; then in 1864 by European colonials.
Location: South Island, west coast
Province: Westland
Former Names: Mawhera (widespread river mouth),Crescent City, Blaketown, Greytown
Named After: the Grey River (and Sir George Grey)
Industries: timber and bituminous coal; breweries; sawmills; coal-gas engineering plants; railway workshops; concrete and furniture manufacturing; some sheep and cattle raising; some dairying
Nearby towns: Hokitika (24 miles [39 km] south);
Westport (94 miles [151 km] north)
(net sourced)
As each post will be quite long, I will divide them into days, so next post will be day 2, Greymouth to Otira, which was approx 85km.
Hal
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Comment by D. Armenta
The Florida Keys and Everglades
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L.A.M.P.
What are camping regulations like in NZ, Hal? Must one camp at designated spots, or can one make one's own camp?
Comment by kiwiauthor
Firstly thanks for taking the time to read my posts and to leave comments, much apreciated. Now I'm sure your'e right there and guess if I did a search I could come up with the correct term, but yes its pretty impressive.
As to camp regs, to be honest I'm not sure although the Kiwis are very laid back and not over zealous on things like that.
If we had been caught out in the open during the cycle trip, we would have found a sheltered spot somewhere and if it appeared to have been on a private landowners property then if unable to ask permission, would just leave it as we found it.
Due to the nature of the terrain you would really want to camp generally in campsites as the bush is very dense and if you camp on flatter ground by a river, these can rise quickly, although we had to when stuck in the bush during the post a Walk on the Wild Side. Although we camped outover night on the top of Avalanche Peak in Arthur's Pass National Park and no one seemed to mind, or maybe they just thought we were out of our minds? lol
Hope this helps
Hal
Comment by D. Armenta
The Florida Keys and Everglades
The Black Sheep Chronicles
What constitutes bad manners?
The male mystique
Debate Fan
L.A.M.P.
Thank you!
D.