Northern Explorer

Travelling by rail is one of the most relaxing ways to explore New Zealand.

Wind through New Zealand’s North Island on a 10½hr journey between cosmopolitan Auckland and the capital of Wellington. Trains depart several times weekly, so perhaps break the journey at the village of National Park, home to the magnificent Mount Tongariro, a world renowned location for hiking the Tongariro Crossing.

Leaving the pretty harbour of Auckland early in the morning the Northern Explorer, follows the Waikato river and through verdant countryside that is said to have fired an adolescent Peter Jackson’s imagination for the Lord of the Rings before rising up onto the dramatic volcanic plateau with beautiful views of Mount Tongariro.

Passing over impressive viaducts & bridges the train follows the gorge of the Rangitikei River down to the sea running alongside the sand and surf of the Kapiti Coastline to the pretty harbour of Porirua and then journey’s end in Wellington in the early evening.