Northern explorer train official great journeys of new. Take a trip back in time to explore the epic story of its construction, the heyday of the steam passenger train and the place of the iconic railway refreshment room in new zealand life. Travel by train in australia and new zealand rail tours. A guide to train travel in new zealand train routes, tranzscenic.
New zealands longest running passenger service, the northern explorer is a long distance scenic train service running between auckland and wellington, stopping at palmerston north, ohakune, national park and hamilton. Traveling by train in new zealand the overlander journey through the heart of new zealand s north island on the overlander which connects wellington and auckland. If the north and south islands that comprise new zealand were any more beautiful it would be necessary to invent new superlatives to describe them. Our three iconic trains, coastal pacific, northern explorer, tranzalpine and our interislander cook strait ferry offer a seamless connection between the north and south islands, and to many spectacular destinations along the way. Northern explorer train wellington 2020 all you need to. Journeys by train through new zealand graham hutchins on. The northern explorer is the great journeys of new zealand s auckland to wellington train. The country packs an incredible array of scenic beauty into two principal islands with a combined north to south distance equal to that of a. Yet guests who join great rail journeys in order to explore gods own country on an escorted rail tour will soon realise improving upon new zealand s filmstar looks is an impossibility. You can bring large equipment, such as surfboards, mountain bikes, or gear that would be too big to place on a bus or in a small car. Book one of our scenic rail or interislander ferry journeys.
Please ensure that the length is correct so that we allocate sufficient space. My trip started with coastal pacific from christchurch. The christchurchdunedin overnight express, headed by a jaclass locomotive, ran the last scheduled steamhauled service on new zealand railways nzr, bringing to an end 108 years of regular steam rail operations in this country. However, being one of the most scenic countries in the world, the kiwis put a lot of effort into their railways. A guide to train travel in new zealand train routes, tranz. New zealand has been described as taking the most picturesque landscapes from countries around the world and putting them all in one spot.
Feb 10, 2020 my train and ferry booking was done with the great journeys of new zealand, and intercity for the bus. Nov 09, 2009 new zealand train journeys are a popular option for travellers wanting to see a bit more of the country. Dec 27, 2019 train even though taking a train in new zealand is expensive and slow, the scenery is exceptional. Both tasmania and new zealand do lush forests and colourful mushrooms really well.
Get a flexi plus train fare with unlimited stops and date flexibility or grab a limited earlybird bargain with one of our northern explorer starter fares. Also, have a look at our amazing therapists and more details how to book. Rail travel new zealand rail journeys tourism new zealand. The northern explorer train service is a scenic rail journey through the five unique geographical. My train and ferry booking was done with the great journeys of new zealand, and intercity for the bus. I remember that back in 2000, i thought it was terrible that you couldnt catch a train to new plymouth, gisborne, whangarei, nelson, or alexandra. You can book your desired massage with our new online massage booking system. The longest of these journeys, and the one thats most likely to be considered as an alternative to flying or driving, is the overlander train between auckland and wellington. A history of the north island railway main trunk line since the first through train left wellington on 7 august.
Sit back and let us connect you to a rich diversity of people and places throughout aotearoa, new zealand. The coastal pacific travels through 22 tunnels and crosses 175 bridges, one of them being new zealands only roadrail bridge. Traveling by train in new zealand the overlander journey through the heart of new zealands north island on the overlander which connects wellington and auckland. Intercity bus national park village, overlander train national park village, we offer a free pickup and drop off to the train and bus station in national park village. The overlander train contains a queen bedroom and a single day bed in the living area, ideal for a couple or small family. Very long journey so take a book, ipod player, pillow, etc.
New zealand rail bus ferry travel new zealand train rail. Nov 28, 20 in 2006 the overlander passenger rail service between auckland and wellington on new zealand s north island was threatened with cancellation. Or if youre moderately computersavvy, you can use the following workaround to book supersaver and smartsaver tickets online from outside new zealand. The overland provides a comfortable, relaxing way to travel between the cities or to ease into a great holiday in melbourne, adelaide or their surrounding regions. The overland day service rail europe formerly rail plus. The wellington to auckland train service is a scenic rail journey on the northern explorer train through the heart of the north island, travelling between wellington new zealands arts and culture capital, through the central heartland of the north island to auckland, new zealands largest city home of the sky tower. Discover new zealand by rail the northern explorer train formally the overlander is a scenic rail journey through the heart of the north island travelling between auckland, new zealands largest city home of the sky tower, through the central heartland of the north island to wellington.
When people have talked about their travel experiences of new zealand, theyve always mentioned travelling by car. The country packs an incredible array of scenic beauty into two principal islands with a combined north to south distance equal to that of a trip from the canadian to the mexican border. The northern explorer is the great journeys of new zealands auckland to wellington train. Auckland to wellington by northern explorer scenic train. From auckland to wellington three days a week, returning on alternate days. Solscape offers a wide variety of massage therapies to holistic treatments. Train railway travel in new zealand tranz scenic alpine. Northern explorer train fares the great journeys of new zealand. Motor home motorhomes are usually built on a truck or bus chassis. A huge public outcry resulted in the service being saved.
A guide on new zealand national travel networks and routes lines system. The future for long distance passenger train travel in new zealand is now about creating an internationalstandard travel experience rather. The crossing backpackers accommodation in ruapehu, new zealand. New zealand rail nz train, bus and ferry travel networks. Rail new zealand auckland to wellington to auckland train. A guide to train travel in new zealand train routes. Yet guests who join great rail journeys in order to explore gods own country on an escorted rail tour will soon realise improving upon new zealands filmstar looks is an impossibility. The overland provides stopovers in adelaide, allowing travellers to connect with the indian pacific to perthsydney, the ghan to alice springsdarwin and the great southern to brisbane. Travel through new zealands unique landscapes, with the views from the overlander train showing you diverse countryside and volcanic region of the north island. The northern explorer replaced the overlander in 2012. All carriages feature panoramic viewing windows that allow you to see fantastic views of the countrys farmland as well as iconic natural landmarks like the world famous raurimu.
In fact, with all of the arrangements taken care of on your behalf, youre entirely free to sit back, relax and enjoy the very best of new zealand by train. The overlander was a longdistance rail passenger train between auckland and wellington in the north island of new zealand, along the north island main trunk nimt. The great journeys of new zealand operate a network of long distance passenger trains and interisland ferries. Southland has the kingston flyer, dunedin has the taieri gorge railway and auckland is the launching point for amazing boutique steam train trips around the whole country. In 2006 the overlander passenger rail service between auckland and wellington on new zealands north island was threatened with cancellation. Book trains in new zealand online international rail. Auckland to wellington by train great journeys of new. This journey is a scenic feast of new zealand, with the kaikoura mountain ranges on one side of your train and the rugged pacific ocean coastline on the other. The worst railway disaster in new zealands history occurred on christmas eve 1953, when the wellington. A journey through the heart of the north island by train. The northern explorer train operates wellington to auckland, wednesday, friday and sundays.
Oct 23, 2009 overlander train passes spiral steam train at bottom of raurimu spiral duration. However, being one of the most scenic countries in the world, the kiwis put a. Northern explorer train official the great journeys of new zealand. Travel to new zealand, plan and book your new zealand vacation. The northern explorer train service is a scenic rail journey through the five unique geographical regions of the north island travelling between auckland, new zealand s largest city home of the sky tower, through the central heartland of the north island to wellington new zealand s harbour capital and arts and culture centre. Other new zealand train trips our other rail experiences rely on the passion and dedication of enthusiasts. Kiwirail slashes number of overlander train trips nz herald. While travelling auckland to wellington, youll pass through new zealand s heartland through the grandeur of the volcanic central plateau, through majestic forests and rolling farmland, along rocky coasts and sandy beaches to see the country in. Our recycled 17 metre railway carriage with original timber floor and ceiling is a solscape classic. Overlander train passes spiral steam train at bottom of raurimu spiral duration. The overlander train contains a queen bedroom and a single day bed in the living area, ideal for a. Whether you are planning a weekend getaway or a longer trip, tour new zealands north island by rail and see it all while you sit back and relax. Train even though taking a train in new zealand is expensive and slow, the scenery is exceptional. Book kiwirail scenic journeys the great journeys of new zealand.
The wellington to auckland train service is a scenic rail journey on the northern explorer train through the heart of the north island, travelling between wellington new zealand s arts and culture capital, through the central heartland of the north island to auckland, new zealand s largest city home of the sky tower. Traveling in australia and new zealand has never been easier. Discover new zealand by rail the northern explorer train formally the overlander is a scenic rail journey through the heart of the north island travelling between auckland, new zealands largest city home of the sky tower, through the central heartland of the north island to wellington new zealands arts and culture capital. The journey through tongariro national park, with its three spectacular volcanic mountains tongariro, ngauruhoe and. Or if youre looking for affordable travel on your vacation, choose from several train vacation packages which allow you to meet new friends while taking in the scenery from a rail lounge. On a world scale, new zealand is a small country similar in size to great britain, but with a population of only 4. The northern explorer is the perfect way to travel the length of new zealand s north island, from our super city of auckland to new zealand s cultural capital city, wellington.
Northern explorer train official great journeys of new zealand. New zealand travelers guide located approximately 1,500 kilometres east of australia in the south pacific ocean, new zealand is roughly equivalent in size to great britain yet has only. Our northern explorer train the overlander travels through the heart of new zealands north island. Aucklandwellington overlander train scrapped nz herald. The service was replaced from 25 june 2012 by the northern explorer. New zealand train holidays and tours great rail journeys. The northern explorer new zealand train rail bus coach. From auckland to wellington three days a week, returning.
Tassie vs new zealand everyone i speak to who has travelled to tasmania from the mainland to hike the overland, three capes, or south coast tracks says one thing. Supposedly the overlander carries approximately 90 people per trip, which would be a comfortable load on a 96seater silver fern. National park, ohakune, palmerston north, paraparaumu, wellington, south island, picton, nelson via intercity, blenheim, kaikoura, rangiora, christchurch. Rail new zealand guidepost tours cultural and special. The advantages of train travel in new zealand are many. The northern explorer uses brand new ak panoramic sightseeing coaches built in kiwirails dunedin workshops in new zealand in 20112012.
Delightful description of the authors journey around new zealand on every public railway train in the country including the overlander. Covid19 update due to covid19 restrictions all train, bus and day tour services are postponed and unable to be booked until resumption of service is announced. The crossing backpackers accommodation in ruapehu, new. Auckland to wellington by northern explorer scenic train from nz. The lounge style seating is arranged at the very rear of this glass backed carriage enabling you to enjoy a totally unique overlander experience. The overlander train service between auckland and wellington will cease at the end of september. We take passengers across new zealand in comfort and style through some of the most scenic areas of the north and south islands. Travel through new zealand s unique landscapes, with the views from the overlander train showing you diverse countryside and volcanic region of the north island. You can enjoy the unique new zealand scenery, including some vistas inaccessible by car. Its expensive but fantasticwell worth itthe best thing i ever did.
New zealand train tours and tours great rail journeys. New zealand train journeys are a popular option for travellers wanting to see a bit more of the country. It said the service, which had run at a substantial. All carriages feature panoramic viewing windows that allow you to see fantastic views of the countrys farmland as well as iconic natural landmarks like the world famous raurimu spiral.
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