The TranzAlpine train travels through a sea of invasive gorse

Pure TranzAlpine

Every year around 200,000 passengers traverse the magnificent Southern Alps on the TranzAlpine train.

The TranzAlpine is rated as one of the top ten train journeys in the world.

Once through the Otira tunnel and into the West Coast the train travels alongside both the Otira and Taramakau Rivers.

The beds of these two rivers are a sea of invasive gorse. Tourists pay dearly for this scenic experience in New Zealands "pure" wonderland of clean green. "hey honey see the pretty yellow flowers - aren't those power poles just so quaint - the folks at home will just love these shots" Who are we kidding? Just ourselves!

These images are taken just to the West of Jacksons and the rail line in the foreground is the Midland Line the route the TranzAlpine travels between Christchurch and Greymouth.

The final irony is that we speculate that it is likely to cost just about as much as all of the passengers have paid all of these years to clean up all of the mess they have been looking at!

The enormity of the huge problem of invasive plants in New Zealand needs the urgent attention of local Authorities & Government.

"The 100% Pure New Zealand brand does establish a level of expectation among potential visitors that New Zealand's natural environment will be clean and well cared for. Government, and our tourism agencies, recognize the importance of the natural environment in fulfilling New Zealand's marketing promise. This creates an incentive for all of New Zealand to take action to ensure we live up to the 100% Pure New Zealand promise."

Damien O'Connor, New Zealands Minister of Tourism
In reply to us 4 Dec 2007

Famous TranzAlpine train travels daily through this sea of invasive gorse!

Tranz Alpine train travels through a sea of gorse

Otira River route of the TranzAlpine - scenic wonderland of pure gorse!

Otira river valley scenic wonderland of gorse

More Rivers

| Willow Invasion | Hydro Schemes | Didymo |