Travel Down Memory Lane With The Return Of The Southerner

Great
Journeys New Zealand is reviving a popular rail route next
year for a strictly limited time only, allowing guests to
relive a nostalgic journey from days gone by.

With
return trips daily from 17-20 May 2025, the train journey
will trace part of the historic rail route between
Christchurch and Dunedin.

“The journey gives
travellers a rare opportunity to immerse themselves in
history, heritage, and Scottish charm on a
once-in-a-lifetime adventure,” says General Manager Great
Journeys New Zealand and Commuter Rail Tracey
Goodall.

“The Southerner was a premier passenger
express train that once connected Christchurch and
Invercargill via Dunedin, travelling along the Main South
Line. Operating from 1 December 1970 to 10 February 2002, it
was a staple of rail travel in the South Island,” says Ms
Goodall.

“The Southerner was renowned for offering a
comfortable and scenic journey, making Invercargill the
southernmost passenger station in the world. Its legacy as
one of New Zealand’s most beloved train services endures,
and now it is returning to offer a new generation the chance
to experience part of this historic route once
again.”

Guests will travel through
stunning landscapes, from the expansive Canterbury Plains to
the rugged Otago coastline, with breathtaking views of the
Southern Alps and Pacific Ocean.

The
unique experience offers two options: Scenic
Class for a comfortable ride through some of New
Zealand’s most stunning landscapes, or Scenic
Plus, which elevates the journey with a premium carriage
and dining experience.

To secure their spot, guests
can book now through an online
booking form, with the opportunity to enhance their
experience with one of three package options.

Our overnight
option allows travellers to discover the city of Dunedin
returning north the next day with overnighter departures on
the 17th, 18th and 19th May.

Departing Christchurch on
17th May is our exclusive
two-night
Dunedin package, complete with accommodation and local
activities. Included in this package is the return train
journey, two nights hotel stay, and a guided tour of Larnach
Castle with high tea.

Our final two-night
package is presented by Great Journeys New Zealand and
Taieri Gorge Excursions. Departing Sunday the 18th May,
customers get to experience The Southerner heading South on
Sunday, a 5 hour return journey into Taieri Gorge on Monday,
returning north on Tuesday.

Find
out more and book here. https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/short-breaks-and-packages/the-
southerner-returns/

Booking
form can be found here – https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/short-breaks-and-
packages/register-the-southerner/

Great
Journeys New Zealand is the tourism division of
KiwiRail that brings together its three Scenic train
journeys including the award winning TranzAlpine
(Christchurch/Greymouth), Northern Explorer
(Auckland/Wellington) and Coastal Pacific
(Picton/Christchurch). Delivering to KiwiRail’s
overarching purpose of creating stronger connections for a
better New Zealand, Great Journeys New Zealand has increased
its rail tourism offering with a range of short break
packages and multi-day guided tours. Developed for both
domestic and international visitors, the packages and tours
allow travellers to step off the beaten track and explore
what each region has to offer with activities, food and
beverage options and pre-organised accommodation. Great
Journeys New Zealand commits to the Tiaki
Promise and encourages customers and businesses
to care for people and
place.

© Scoop Media

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