Southerner (New Zealand train)

The Southerner
Overview
Service typeInter-city rail
LocaleLower South Island, New Zealand
PredecessorSouth Island Limited
First service1 December 1970
Last service10 February 2002
Current operatorGreat Journeys New Zealand
Former operatorsNew Zealand Railways Department (NZR) (1970–1987)
InterCity Rail (1987–1995)
Tranz Scenic (1995–2002)
Route
TerminiChristchurch
Invercargill
Stops12
Distance travelled591.6 km
Average journey time9 hours
Service frequency1 per day, in each direction (1999)
Line usedMain South Line
Technical
Track gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

The Southerner was a passenger express train in New Zealand's South Island between Christchurch and Invercargill along the South Island Main Trunk, that ran from Tuesday 1 December 1970 to Sunday 10 February 2002. It was one of the premier passenger trains in New Zealand and its existence made Invercargill the southernmost passenger station in the world. The service returned for a limited time in May 2025.