HomeWellingtonDay toursClassic sightseeing train journey in North Island, New Zealand: Wellington - Hamilton - Auckland (one-way)
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Classic sightseeing train journey in North Island, New Zealand: Wellington - Hamilton - Auckland (one-way)
Join-in tour
Meet at meeting point
Conditional cancellation
From
£160.80
per person
Select package
Highlights
A very simple and effortless way to travel with great value, featuring open-air carriages for free sightseeing, breeze-catching, photography, and riding through the fields in complete relaxation
You can see many local features and customs of New Zealand as the train passes through cities, towns, pastures, rivers, volcanoes, lakes, fields, forests, and walking trails along the route
Exceptionally safe, the VIP carriage includes authentic local meals plus morning/afternoon tea service. Featuring massive observation windows and spacious, comfortable seats for a fatigue-free journey.
Package and price
Date of use
2026-11-01
2026-11-04
2026-11-06
All
Local timeCurrency: USDPrices shown are the lowest prices for the current date
Package
Wellington - Auckland (standard seat, meals not included)
FromUS$160.80
Wellington to Auckland (VIP cabin with meals)
FromUS$337.89
Wellington - Hamilton (standard seat, meals not included)
FromUS$160.80
Wellington to Hamilton (VIP with meals)
FromUS$337.89
Booking information
FromUS$160.80
per person
Book now
Overview
Departs from Wellington
Starts at 07:25 and ends at 19:00
Reception (English)
Transportation options: Train
Details
Meet at meeting point
07:25 meet at Wellington Station, Wellington Details
Northern Explorer Train Details
Enter attraction
Enter attraction
Entry tickets included
From 7:55 am Wellington to 7:00 pm Auckland, approx. 11 hr in total (one-way)
10 minutes
Breakfast
At your own expense
The VIP carriage includes authentic local breakfast
30 minutes
Transportation via Train
Arrive in the Palmerston North area at approx. 10:00 am
Travel time: Approx. 2 hours
Brunch
At your own expense
The VIP carriage includes morning tea service with coffee, tea, beverages and light snacks
20 minutes
Mount Taranaki Details
View from outside
View from outside
Free attraction
Entry tickets included
Gaze upon New Zealand's famous perfectly conical volcano, Mount Taranaki, also known as "Little Fuji".
30 minutes
Hapuawhenua Viaduct Details
View from outside
View from outside
Entry tickets included
The Hapuawhenua viaduct, this magnificent curved viaduct is a photography hotspot
10 minutes
Transportation via Train
Arrive in Ohakune at approx. 12:45 pm, entering the central region of New Zealand's North Island and passing through the famous Tongariro National Park.
Travel time: Approx. 2 hours30 minutes
Lunch
At your own expense
The VIP carriage includes authentic local lunch specialties
45 minutes
Mt Tongariro Details
View from outside
View from outside
Free attraction
Entry tickets included
New Zealand's magnificent active volcanoes - Ngauruhoe, Ruapehu and Tongariro - are revered by the Maori people as the three sacred mountains.
40 minutes
Mount Ruapehu Details
View from outside
View from outside
Entry tickets included
The gentle Mount Ruapehu, often snow-capped, dominates the skyline.
20 minutes
Mt Ngauruhoe Details
View from outside
View from outside
Entry tickets included
Featuring the unique Ngauruhoe volcanic cone, which portrayed Mount Doom in "The Lord of the Rings"
20 minutes
Afternoon tea
At your own expense
The VIP carriage includes afternoon tea service with coffee, tea, beverages and light snacks
20 minutes
Transportation via Train
Around 4:25 am, we arrived in Hamilton, the capital of the Waikato region. The rural scenery gradually unfolded along the way, showcasing the famous Waikato pastoral area.
Travel time: Approx. 1 hour40 minutes
Waikato River Details
View from outside
View from outside
Entry tickets included
The longest river in New Zealand and the country's "mother river" - the Waikato River
5 minutes
Transportation via Train
Leaving the famous dairy region of Waikato in New Zealand and arriving at the outskirts of Auckland, Papakura.
Travel time: Approx. 50 minutes
Dinner
At your own expense
The VIP carriage includes an authentic local specialty dinner
45 minutes
Transportation via Train
Arrive at the final stop of the scenic train ride - Auckland, at approx. 7:00 pm, concluding this classic North Island scenic train journey.
Travel time: Approx. 1 hour
Return to designated point
19:00 return to Northern Explorer: Scenic Train Auckland - Wellington,
Auckland station address: 66 The Strand, Parnell, Auckland, 1010 (Accessed via Ngaoho Place)
All times are in local time and may change due to weather, road conditions, or other factors. Thank you for your understanding.
What's included
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