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. Travel through new zealands unique landscapes, with the views from the overlander train showing you diverse countryside and volcanic region of the north island. 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. Rail new zealand guidepost tours cultural and special. Aucklandwellington overlander train scrapped nz herald.
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. Its expensive but fantasticwell worth itthe best thing i ever did. It said the service, which had run at a substantial. The overlander train contains a queen bedroom and a single day bed in the living area, ideal for a. Other new zealand train trips our other rail experiences rely on the passion and dedication of enthusiasts. Supposedly the overlander carries approximately 90 people per trip, which would be a comfortable load on a 96seater silver fern. Very long journey so take a book, ipod player, pillow, etc. 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. 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. Delightful description of the authors journey around new zealand on every public railway train in the country including the overlander. A journey through the heart of the north island by train.
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. Travel to new zealand, plan and book your new zealand vacation. My train and ferry booking was done with the great journeys of new zealand, and intercity for the bus. Journeys by train through new zealand graham hutchins on. Auckland to wellington by northern explorer scenic train from nz. On a world scale, new zealand is a small country similar in size to great britain, but with a population of only 4. Book kiwirail scenic journeys the great journeys of new zealand. New zealand rail nz train, bus and ferry travel networks. The lounge style seating is arranged at the very rear of this glass backed carriage enabling you to enjoy a totally unique overlander experience. Nov 28, 20 in 2006 the overlander passenger rail service between auckland and wellington on new zealand s north island was threatened with cancellation. 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. 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.
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. Solscape offers a wide variety of massage therapies to holistic treatments. The overland day service rail europe formerly rail plus. 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 northern explorer uses brand new ak panoramic sightseeing coaches built in kiwirails dunedin workshops in new zealand in 20112012. 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. 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. A huge public outcry resulted in the service being saved. 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. Also, have a look at our amazing therapists and more details how to book. You can enjoy the unique new zealand scenery, including some vistas inaccessible by car. The northern explorer replaced the overlander in 2012. The worst railway disaster in new zealands history occurred on christmas eve 1953, when the wellington.
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. 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. The overlander train contains a queen bedroom and a single day bed in the living area, ideal for a couple or small family. Both tasmania and new zealand do lush forests and colourful mushrooms really well. 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. The journey through tongariro national park, with its three spectacular volcanic mountains tongariro, ngauruhoe and. 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. The northern explorer train service is a scenic rail journey through the five unique geographical. Oct 23, 2009 overlander train passes spiral steam train at bottom of raurimu spiral duration. Nov 09, 2009 new zealand train journeys are a popular option for travellers wanting to see a bit more of the country. Northern explorer train official great journeys of new zealand.
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. New zealand has been described as taking the most picturesque landscapes from countries around the world and putting them all in one spot. From auckland to wellington three days a week, returning on alternate days. A guide to train travel in new zealand train routes, tranzscenic. A history of the north island railway main trunk line since the first through train left wellington on 7 august. 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. Traveling in australia and new zealand has never been easier. 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. The advantages of train travel in new zealand are many. 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. New zealand train tours and tours great rail journeys. 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. Northern explorer train official great journeys of new.
Auckland to wellington by train great journeys of new. Auckland to wellington by northern explorer scenic train. Rail new zealand auckland to wellington to auckland train. The crossing backpackers accommodation in ruapehu, new. The overlander train service between auckland and wellington will cease at the end of september. Book trains in new zealand online international rail. However, being one of the most scenic countries in the world, the kiwis put a. Northern explorer train fares the great journeys of new zealand. 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. 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. The service was replaced from 25 june 2012 by the northern explorer. We take passengers across new zealand in comfort and style through some of the most scenic areas of the north and south islands. 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 zealands north island on the overlander which connects wellington and auckland.
Our northern explorer train the overlander travels through the heart of new zealands north island. From auckland to wellington three days a week, returning. The northern explorer train service is a scenic rail journey through the five unique geographical regions 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 harbour capital and arts and culture centre. 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. Motor home motorhomes are usually built on a truck or bus chassis. New zealand train holidays and tours great rail journeys. New zealand train journeys are a popular option for travellers wanting to see a bit more of the country. National park, ohakune, palmerston north, paraparaumu, wellington, south island, picton, nelson via intercity, blenheim, kaikoura, rangiora, christchurch. 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.
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. 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. Please ensure that the length is correct so that we allocate sufficient space. 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. Northern explorer train wellington 2020 all you need to. Overlander train passes spiral steam train at bottom of raurimu spiral duration. 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. Kiwirail slashes number of overlander train trips nz herald. Train even though taking a train in new zealand is expensive and slow, the scenery is exceptional. Travel by train in australia and new zealand rail tours. A guide on new zealand national travel networks and routes lines system.
The great journeys of new zealand operate a network of long distance passenger trains and interisland ferries. The northern explorer new zealand train rail bus coach. Feb 10, 2020 my train and ferry booking was done with the great journeys of new zealand, and intercity for the bus. You can book your desired massage with our new online massage booking system. A guide to train travel in new zealand train routes, tranz. The northern explorer train operates wellington to auckland, wednesday, friday and sundays. The crossing backpackers accommodation in ruapehu, new zealand. 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. 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. My trip started with coastal pacific from christchurch. The wonderful northern explorer train is easily the best way to get from downtown auckland to city centre wellington, stressfree and in comfort at ground level, stopping off at the tongariro national park for a couple of days if you like. Northern explorer train official the great journeys of new zealand.
The coastal pacific travels through 22 tunnels and crosses 175 bridges, one of them being new zealands only roadrail bridge. Train railway travel in new zealand tranz scenic alpine. Our recycled 17 metre railway carriage with original timber floor and ceiling is a solscape classic. The northern explorer is the great journeys of new zealands auckland to wellington train. 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. In 2006 the overlander passenger rail service between auckland and wellington on new zealands north island was threatened with cancellation. The future for long distance passenger train travel in new zealand is now about creating an internationalstandard travel experience rather. The northern explorer is the great journeys of new zealand s auckland to wellington train. When people have talked about their travel experiences of new zealand, theyve always mentioned travelling by car.
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