We are pleased to announce that the Northern Explorer and Coastal Pacific trains will be returning to the tracks this spring and summer and the Tranz Alpine will resume services once we move to Covid- 19 Alert Level 1.
The Northern Explorer running between Auckland and Wellington will recommence its normal weekly timetable from Thursday 01 October.
The Coastal Pacific returns from Tuesday 13 October, running between Christchurch and Piction and returning the same day on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
The TranzAlpine running between Christchurch to Greymouth will resume service once we move to Covid-19 Level 1. It runs on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays.
Cook Strait ferry bookings and some daytours and bus routes are also open for sale. Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any queries on 0800 143 669 or info@newzealandtravelteam.com
We understand that Covid-19 continues to add uncertainty in planning, and indeed all the train services rely on the country returning to Alert Level 1. Should there be cancellation of services due to Covid 19 restrictions, we will offer affected customers a transfer to an alternative date, a credit for 12 months, or a refund, regardless of the fare purchased less a $30 processing fee for the entire reservation.
Two of New Zealand's most popular attractions can be found in the Central North Island: the Hobbiton Movie Set and the amazing Waitomo Caves. Now you can see both of them in one day on one great value InterCity day tour from Auckland!
Sit back and enjoy the lush rural scenery as you head south from Auckland central to a magical Middle-earth location: the private farm outside Matamata which has become famous worldwide as the filming location for Hobbiton in Sir Peter Jackson's award-winning Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movie trilogies.
Take a guided tour of the Hobbiton Movie Set and learn about how this breathtaking film set was created in impressive detail. You'll see Hobbit Holes (including Bilbo's house at Bag End), the Party Tree, the Green Dragon Inn, and hear behind-the-scenes secrets from filming.
After your tour, sit down to lunch at the Green Dragon Inn (included in your tour) and enjoy a feast worthy of Bilbo's birthday party!
Then cross the countryside to the township of Waitomo and head underground into a world of stalactites, stalagmites and twinkling lights: the Waitomo Glowworm Caves.
During your 45-minute tour of this natural wonder, you'll travel through underground tunnels and see vast caverns made from incredible limestone formations. Learn about how the caves were created over millions of years, and experience the magic of an underground boat ride through the Glowworm Grotto - gliding silently through the darkness while glowworms twinkle overhead.
After your Hobbiton and Waitomo Caves day tour, return to Auckland, arriving in the early evening.
Please note that bus travel is onboard our scheduled InterCity services and does not include commentary.
