THE TRANZ COASTAL

Picton to Christchurch

New Zealand's best kept secret! Unique in its nature, a picture postcard ride through some of New Zealand's most breathtaking coastal scenery. Departing Picton, deep in the heart of the Marlborough Sounds, the Tranz Coastal heads south, striking out across the Marlborough Plains home to New Zeal

and's finest Sauvigon vineyards and on to the East Coast. Landscaped by two tectonic plates meeting with awesome force, one diving beneath New Zealand thrusting the other skywards. The Tranz Coastal's constant companion will be the ultra deep South Pacific Ocean on the one side and the towering Kaikoura Ranges on the other. This natural seascape provides a ready environment for Whales, Dolphins, Seals, Albatross, Penguins and many other marine creatures.

Arriving in Kaikoura township ("Kai" meaning food and "Koura" meaning lobster), home to New Zealand's whale watching industry, this quaint little town provides the halfway stop.

After departing Kaikoura the Tranz Coastal travels along the coast before winding its way into Pegasus Bay and the Canterbury Plains, New Zealand's largest expanse of flat land finishing in Christchurch - the Garden City.