Purpose-built carriage offers new level of luxury on famous NZ train

Great Journeys New Zealand, the tourism division of KiwiRail, operates three of New Zealand’s most scenic rail journeys – TranzAlpine, Northern Explorer and Coastal Pacific.

Passengers can enjoy a new level of luxury with the launch of a purpose-built carriage for “Scenic Plus” class passengers on the 223-kilometre TranzAlpine journey. As further Scenic Plus carriages are completed the experience will be rolled out across the Northern Explorer and Coastal Pacific.

“Its stylish interiors, comfortable seating configurations, and large panoramic windows enhance the experience of travelling through some of the world’s best scenery,” said Adele Wilson, KiwiRail chief customer and growth officer.

Along with the stunning views, passengers will also feast on regional-inspired cuisine, with the new carriage offering a paddock-to-plate dining experience with a unique menu for each route based upon the land it travels through.

To elevate the experience the dining menu, which is freshly prepared from a custom-built kitchen carriage, is matched with local wines. For example, guests on the TranzAlpine will enjoy slow-braised Canterbury lamb paired with wine from the family-operated Melton Estate near Christchurch.

If the view from the window is all chiselled mountains and rugged coastlines, the interior of the Scenic Plus carriage is elegant and meaningful. The ceiling depicts the backbone of the toroa (a type of albatross), developed by NZ-based Maori artist Ephraim Russell, while a “coiling bird” theme represents the manuhiri (guests) onboard.

To complete the immersive experience each Scenic Plus journey is brought to life with host storytelling combined with a new onboard infotainment app providing GPS-triggered information.