Ep 309 - New Zealand: South Island by Rail

In this episode, fly with Ernest to Aotearoa for a great journey around the stunning South Island of New Zealand by rail, making plenty of new friends along the way!

The adventure starts with a cruise into the South Island on the Interislander Ferry. After enjoying some of the local wineries, Ernest visits one of Marlborough’s other tourist attractions, the Omaka Aviation Heritage Center, where Raechel Brown shares the history of some of the aircraft. 

On the Coastal Pacific Railway, Ernest heads south between the mountains and the sea towards the magical village of Kaikoura, where there’s a community of farmers, fishermen, and foragers who are committed to sharing delicious, sustainable food. Here, Ernest meets with Fiona Read at Hapuku Kitchen to get hands-on in the garden and for a farm-to-table culinary experience. The next stop is the Whaleway Station at Kaikoura, where tour guide Abba Kahu takes Ernest on an unforgettable whale-watching journey on the Pacific Ocean. 

Next, Ernest hops on the Tranzalpine Train for one of the world’s greatest railway journeys across New Zealand’s Southern Alps. On the train, Ernest chats with Kellyanne Bullen about her experience working on the Tranzalpine and the beautiful sights she sees on a daily basis. Ernest is then joined by Joe Wright for a scenic boat ride to Lake Mapourika, in Westland Tai Poutini National Park. Joe shares with Ernest his involvement in protecting the wildlife in this incredible land. Then Ernest takes a steep helicopter ride to the peaks of Franz Josef Glacier,  a mountain more than seven miles long and where the views are literally breathtaking!

Ernest then joins storyteller Te Rua Mason at Arahura Marae to learn the history and significance of Pounamu Greenstone. Then, Ernest meets Kahu Raki at Te Tauraka Waka Marae, for more stories of Maori heritage and history.