Northern Explorer Train Journey from Wellington to Auckland | La Vacanza Travel

Northern Explorer Train Journey from Wellington to Auckland

Duration: 11 hours
Destination: New Zealand, Wellington, Wellington
from
153.36

Check Availability

  • 11 hours
  • Wellington
  • E-Voucher
  • Lowest Price
  • Not-Cancellable

Overview

New Zealand's longest running passenger service, the Northern Explorer is a long distance scenic train service running between Wellington and Auckland.  Experience the extremes of New Zealand's scenery, from the fertile farmlands of Waikato to the volcanic peaks of the Central Plateau and the sparkling Kapiti Coast.

Travel through rolling green farmland, past quaint country towns and along rocky coasts.

The journey through Tongariro National Park, with its three spectacular volcanic mountains, Tongariro, Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu, is a highlight, a place of extremes and surprises, where snow-blanketed fields, ancient lava flows and dense beech forests can be seen side by side. Traverse stunning river gorges and wind through the Raurimu Spiral near National Park, an amazing feat of railway engineering. 

While on board enjoy the journey in award winning world-class carriages with specially designed seats. Awaken your senses in the open air viewing decks or sit back and enjoy the GPS triggered audio commentary available through headphones at every seat. All trains have a licensed café carriage providing snacks and light meals (at own expense)

Inclusions
  • One Way Rail Journey
  • GPS triggered audio commentary
  • All taxes, fees and handling charges

Exclusions
  • Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
  • Food and drinks (available to purchase)
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Excess luggage charges (where applicable)
  • Infants must sit on laps
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Wheelchair accessible, please advise at time of booking if travelling with a wheelchair.
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult
  • Stroller accessible
  • Please arrive at least 20 minutes prior to scheduled departure and check in at the station to receive your boarding pass. Please have your Viator Voucher ready for inspection.
  • Service animals allowed
  • Near public transportation
  • Transportation is wheelchair accessible
  • Most travelers can participate
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
  • Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
Departure Point

Wellington Station, Bunny Street, Pipitea, Wellington 6011, New Zealand


Departure Time

07:55 AM


Return Details

Auckland Strand, Parnell, Auckland 1010, New Zealand

Voucher info

You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.

Duration

11 hours


User's Reviews

steve_h

22 Apr, 2024

Great experience throughout. Comfortable way to see a lot of then Island. Staff were very attentive.

L96KAgregp

21 Apr, 2024

Poor behaving and possibly drunk passengers were not managed by staff, ruining the trip for all other travellers. They serve boiling water drinks for passengers to carry through carriages on rickety rails past other customers. This is a recipe for disaster. I was scalded through this practice and the solution?I was handed a cold bottle of milk to put on a scald between my fingers! Hundreds of passengers, boiling water, rickety rails and no first aid kit?. Third world standards! Intercity busses are luxury compared to this.

AnnaCatharina_K

16 Apr, 2024

One of the best ways traveling through New Zealand! We loved the astonishing view and appreciated the nice staff.

Paxton_H

08 Apr, 2024

Very scenic from Wellington until you get to Hamilton then there is nothing to see. Would rate 9/10 just prepare for the long 11 hr journey.

cliveh817

04 Apr, 2024

We’d seen a programme and the trip looked great. Sadly the reality was different and with hindsight we would have flown. The scenery is nice for about 5 hours of the trip and the circular loop near the middle is an amazing engineering feat. The last 5 or 6 hours are very dull. The trip was meant to be 11 hours but took 12.5 hours due to a defective train. So we didn’t arrive in Auckland until 2030. We were lucky as we had a table of 4 but some of the air One sears didn't have great views in my opinion. The staff were very good.

User's Picture Gallery

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Relaxed, Scenic, Informative

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Great Experience 👍

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Long trip on the train but well worth it

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Nice scenery - but be prepared for a very, very long day from start to finish

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Long, nice and pricey.

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A very long day

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Brilliant experience

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North island scenic route

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Highly recommended!

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Perfect family journey

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Traveling in style

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Weekend away

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DON'T BOTHER

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Great way to see New Zealand's North Island.

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Northern Explorer - Just do it

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Not Worth the Time

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Warm scons and tea was a...

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Breathtaking Sentimental Train travel Loved it!!!

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11 hours was easy….

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Fabulous day

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Amazing trip on the Northern Explorer train with beautiful scenery

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Heading north from Wellington

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Auckland to Wellington full day scenic train

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Glorious Spring Day

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