Northern Explorer Train Journey from Wellington to Auckland
Description
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.
Tour Options
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Wheelchair accessible, please advise at time of booking if travelling with a wheelchair.
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- 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.
Reviews(526)
What a great trip. All the staff are friendly, informative and chatty. It was a long day and we all enjoyed the experience. Thank you Wilma, Eva, Sue, Leah and the lovely driver who sat down to answer all our questions!
Great scenery, good vibe, but let down by the low-quality reheated food from the cafe and the unpleasant state of the toilets by halfway through the trip. As a Kiwi I felt embarrassed that this was how we showcase our country. NZRail needs to pull its socks up.
Lovely comfortable train. Light and bright. Friendly staff and amazing views. Lots of useful commentary which you can also download from their App for more detail. The history of the railway and the towns along the way is interesting. The feats of engineering to make that line possible are awesome. We travelled the entire way from Wellington to Auckland.
It is a long adventure with many views of rolling hills of farm country. There were a few bridges with spectacular river views below. Exiting the train in Aukland was difficult as it was raining and windy with very little cover. We retrieved luggage and again back outside without cover to get a ride.
The meeting time was respected, the screening formalities and the baggage handling were perfectly carried out. The train was on time from Wellington.
The train trip from Wellington to Auckland on the Northern Explorer was a highlight of our trip to New Zealand. Everything went well. Check in was easy and efficient. Seats were comfortable. We shared a table with a couple who were from Hamilton and were able to give us lots of information about the places that we passed through. The scenery was amazing. Rich, lush countryside and mountains. Sudden dramatic gorges, rushing rivers and impossible viaducts. Views of volcanoes alongside cattle, sheep and turkeys. I wish we could do it again and maybe one day we will.
11 hours stuck in a seat I had no choice over next to a smelly toilet. If we had flown it would have been a quarter of the price and time and we could have selected our seats. I get motion sickness and would not have booked had I known I would be made to travel backwards. Several of us complained about the smelly toilet and were told we were imagining it. Scenery no better than an average country train line in the UK.
It is an enjoyable although long day, there is some amazing scenery. The information provided during the trip was interesting.
Very dissapointing journey from making my reservation untill arriving in Wellington. Reservations were hopeless unable to seat my partly disabled father with us. Luckily the train manager Lea was on the ball and managed our request the last minute. Pre ordered breakfast, lunch & dinner which turned out packaged food instead of daily menu @ $200pp disappointing. First 5 hours from Auckland no scenery only factories. Buffet car has long queue and no uncomfortable
A great trip. Absolutely amazing countryside. Loved it. Very relaxing. Nice food in cafe. Loved the open carriage
