Weather: Windy in the early hours in Wellington, then sunny in Picton and finally part cloud/sunny along the way to Christchurch
Alright, we said our byes to the North Island (except the last leg in Auckland before we go back Singapore) and headed towards the South. At NZD130/pax, we took a 3hr Interislander Ferry which connected Wellington and Picton, and thereafter a 5.5hr Transcoastal train ride from Picton all the way to Christchurch (driving will take same duration actually). Almost half the train journey was along the coast where we saw seals lazing on the rocks while the other was inland route where we saw herds of cows and sheeps. Great views and it was a good break before I start driving again later ;)
Alright, we said our byes to the North Island (except the last leg in Auckland before we go back Singapore) and headed towards the South. At NZD130/pax, we took a 3hr Interislander Ferry which connected Wellington and Picton, and thereafter a 5.5hr Transcoastal train ride from Picton all the way to Christchurch (driving will take same duration actually). Almost half the train journey was along the coast where we saw seals lazing on the rocks while the other was inland route where we saw herds of cows and sheeps. Great views and it was a good break before I start driving again later ;)
Full-facilities ferry (from cafeterias to children's play area and cinema within - chargeable of course!)
Indoor seating area
Or if you prefer the sun....
Interior of Transcoastal train cabin. All seats are in cluster of fours facing each other, sharing a table. Very likely you will be sitting opposite strangers. Seats/aisle not as spacious as Eurail's ;pArriving in Christchurch:
We booked Super Shuttle who charged NZD6/pax to chauffeur passengers door to door. For those who did not make any prior transport arrangement, when you exit the train station, you could also hop on shuttles who also offered door-to-door transfer at just NZD5/pax, on a first-come-first-serve basis.
Accommodation:
Hotel SO, just 5min walk to Cathedral Square (town centre). I got it at NZD70/night through the wotif “Secret Deal”. No breakfast but they offered free wireless internet (quite slow though). It was a rather new boutique hotel, with modern furnishing, but the room was really tiny hahaa!! No window either! Can’t really complain for the price we paid for lah.. hehe!! Within the hotel, you can also find self-service laundry (NZD2/washing load and NZD2/drying load), gym as well as sauna (free). They also offered NZD10/meals from 12-2pm and 5-7pm. One thing to note was that they charge NZD15 per housekeeping service. We weren’t aware and asked for housekeeping on the 2nd day and only found out when we checked out. Very expensive housekeeping!!
We booked Super Shuttle who charged NZD6/pax to chauffeur passengers door to door. For those who did not make any prior transport arrangement, when you exit the train station, you could also hop on shuttles who also offered door-to-door transfer at just NZD5/pax, on a first-come-first-serve basis.
Accommodation:
Hotel SO, just 5min walk to Cathedral Square (town centre). I got it at NZD70/night through the wotif “Secret Deal”. No breakfast but they offered free wireless internet (quite slow though). It was a rather new boutique hotel, with modern furnishing, but the room was really tiny hahaa!! No window either! Can’t really complain for the price we paid for lah.. hehe!! Within the hotel, you can also find self-service laundry (NZD2/washing load and NZD2/drying load), gym as well as sauna (free). They also offered NZD10/meals from 12-2pm and 5-7pm. One thing to note was that they charge NZD15 per housekeeping service. We weren’t aware and asked for housekeeping on the 2nd day and only found out when we checked out. Very expensive housekeeping!!
Hotel SO - external view. I believe none of the room has window view.
The tiny room - smallest we've ever come across! To the right is the tiny bathroom; to the left is a tiny side-table with one chair. A short flimsy ironing board is available below the bed.
The tiny bathroom with tiny sink. Fortunately, the toilet bowl is not tiny hahaha!! The standing tiny shower area is on the left.
Sauna
Gym - pretty decent
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