Important travel update regarding the Northern Explorer train

Between 15 January 2025 and 27 January 2025 and Between 12 April 2025 and 28 April 2025.

Essential upgrade work will be taking place on the Auckland network to prepare for the City Rail Link to open in 2026. The tracks between Auckland Strand Railway Station and Hamilton are closed for train travel for this portion of the line while the Rail Network Rebuild work takes place. 

We are very pleased to advise that the Northern Explorer service will go ahead as planned however the first 2.5 hours portion of your journey will be replaced by bus.  

The bus will follow the standard timetable: 

·         Auckland departure at 7.45am 

·         Papakura departure at 8.35am

·         Hamilton arrival at 10.10am 

The transfer bus will meet the Northern Explorer train at Hamilton Railway Station. The train will depart Hamilton at 10.15am and continue travelling to Wellington following the standard train timetable.  

Our friendly New Zealand Travel Team is available from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm (New Zealand Time) Monday - Sunday, excluding public holidays.

For assistance and reservations during our opening hours contact our New Zealand Travel Team by email or phone.  To cancel a reservation, please email us at info@newzealandtravelteam.com before 72hrs or 3 days from the travel date.

Phone
You can call one of our English-speaking Consultants at +64 7 575 5049
Current New Zealand time: 

Within New Zealand:
Reservations only with payment -           0800-143-669

Travel planning and all other inquiries - +64 7 575 5049
Outside New Zealand: 
+61 1800 359 729      Australia Toll-free
+1   855 413 3019    USA Toll-free
+1   866 554 0304    Canada Toll-free
+44 800 0148106     United Kingdom Toll-free

Show Notification Close Notification

5 DAY SUGGESTED ITINERARY - AUCKLAND TO AUCKLAND

5 DAY SUGGESTED ITINERARY - AUCKLAND TO AUCKLAND

Travel Day 1: Auckland to Wellington
Depart: 7.45am – Arrive: 6.25pm
Travel by the Northern Explorer train from Auckland heading south passing through the farming landscape of the Waikato region to the rugged bush country ascending to the Volcanic Plateau via the famous Raurimu Spiral, passing the the Volcano’s of Mt Ngauruhoe and Mt Tongariro for a stop at Tongariro National Park.

From Tongariro National Park pass Mt Ruapehu the home of the North Island skifields of Whakapapa and Turoa, the ski town of Ohakune before descending through stunning river gorges to the rolling farming landscape of the Palmerston North region to Wellington – the Harbour Capital for 1 or more nights stay.

The Auckland to Wellington train service operates Monday, Thursday and Saturday.

Travel Day 2: Wellington to Christchurch
Depart: 9.00am – Arrive: 8.30pm
Travel on a Cook Strait ferry from Wellington, with it’s picturesque harbour, for a day time sailing, crossing Cook Strait the separates the North to South Islands, before entering the magnificent Marlborough Sounds. The 3 hour (92 kilometers) ferry journey is aboard the a modern ship with a range of on board facilities from eateries, a shop, movie theater, a games arcade, a large bar with live entertainment, numerous passenger lounges, open air decks and a friendly on board crew to assist you. Your Cook Strait ferry journey ends at Picton located in a sheltered marine harbour where you will have time to experience this charming small town. From Picton travel on the Coastal Pacific train south along the eastern coast of the South Island, passing through the local Marlborough vineyards, Lake Grassmere Salt Ponds and stopping at Kaikoura – famous for viewing whales and dolphins. From Kaikoura you travel south following the stunning coastline and the northern Canterbury Plains to the Garden City of Christchurch for 1 or more nights stay.

Travel Day 3: Christchurch to Greymouth Day Excursion
Depart: 8.15am – Return: 6.31pm
Travel between Christchurch and Greymouth, from one coast of New Zealand to the other and return on the TranzAlpine train. From your carriage you’ll see the fields of the Canterbury Plains and farmland, followed by the spectacular gorges and river valleys of the Waimakariri River, as you ascend through the Southern Alps to the alpine village of Arthurs Pass. From Arthurs Pass you descend through the Otira tunnel to the lush beech rain forests to the West Coast to Greymouth. After a hour stopover in Greymouth, The TranzAlpine train departs Greymouth heading east to the Southern Alps ascending up through the Otira tunnel to the alpine village of Arthurs Pass, then slowly descending through river valleys of the Waimakariri River, crossing the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch for 1 or more nights stay.

Travel Day 4: Christchurch to Wellington
Depart: 7.00am – Arrive: 5.45pm
This morning you board the Coastal Pacific train travelling north travelling through the north Canterbury plains before heading east to the coast and north along the rugged coastline the separates the majestic Kaikoura Ranges from the sea to Kaikoura famous for viewing whales and dolphins. From Kaikoura your journey takes you north along the coastline before turning inland passing Lake Grassmere Salt Ponds and the wineries of Blenheim to the Picton – the gate way of the beautiful Marlborough Sounds. At Picton, you board your Interislander ferry for your 3 hour (92 kilometre) journey on board a modern ship with a range of on board facilities from eateries, a shop, movie theatre, a games arcade, a large bar with live entertainment, numerous passenger lounges, 3 open air decks and a friendly on board crew to assist you. through the some of the Marlborough Sounds and out to Cook Strait before entering picturesque harbour of Wellington – The Harbour Capital and New Zealand’s capital city, for 1 or more nights stay.

Travel Day 5: Wellington to Auckland
Depart: 7.55am – Arrive: 6.50pm
This morning you board the Northern Explorer train heading along the Wellington’s coast line to the rolling farming landscape of the Palmerston North ascending up through stunning river gorges of the central North Island to the volcanic plateau passing Mt Ruapehu to National Park for a short stop. From National Park, your journey takes you along the volcanic plateau passing the the Volcano’s of Mt Ngauruhoe and Mt Tongariro before descending down the famous Raurimu Spiral to the rugged bush country and rolling framing landscape of the Waikato region and onto Auckland – the city of sails.

This service operates Wednesday, Friday and Sunday only.

Please note:  You must purchase a New Zealand Travel Team Rail Pass before you can make any travel sector reservations.
Itineraries are a guide only and times / schedules are subject to change. Accommodation is additional and not included with your pass.

Fare Type
Adult
Child
Pass Validity
Action
Rail Pass(5 Days in 1 Month New Zealand Travel Rail Pass)
NZ$1199.00
NZ$819.00
30 Sep 2022 to 30 Jun 2025