UPDATED 3.21pm: St Arnaud locals say this afternoon's five-point-seven magnitude quake rolled through the town in two waves.

The earthquake was centred 40-kilometres south east of St Arnaud, and was 62 kilometres deep.

Alpine Lodge owner Alexandra Unterberger said it gave the hotel's guests a bit of a surprise.

"I was sitting at reception and two guests approached - I felt it but they didn't. I asked if they felt it and they said no, but then the bigger hit came."

Alexandra Unterberger said it felt just as bad as a six-point-two earthquake that hit the town in April last year.

It was felt as far north as Wellington, with people on social media saying the shaking continued for some time. 

Comments on the Newstalk ZB facebook page indicate it was also felt as far south as Christchurch.

Blenheim resident Diane Cagney said she felt four gentle quakes while sitting in her chair - then a second to two later - it hit.

"It was short and sharp and that was it, it was really quite horrible to feel. But it didn't last long, until I got up and walked to the door it had stopped.

Emergency services say they've had no calls in response to the earthquake in St Arnaud. 

KiwiRail say there have been no reports of damage to any railway lines.