Hugh joined us for a great trip out today on the TranzAlpine train. It goes from Christchurch over to the west coast via Arthur’s Pass – the highest pass (up to 900 metres) over the Southern Alps.

Wet and chilly when took an Uber to the station at 7.30am, but the sun soon came out and we had a wonderful day. 

The scenery up to Arthur’s Pass is spectacular…high mountains – some snow capped this morning even in the height of summer!… steep gorges…wide, braided rivers… 

We had five hours at Arthur’s Pass to explore before the return trip. There’s a small village and several walking tracks, including one to ‘Devils Punchbowl Falls’ where after a climb of some 400 or so steps through lush beech forest you are rewarded with the impressive 130 metre Punchbowl waterfall.