Important travel update regarding the Northern Explorer train

Between 15 January 2025 and 27 January 2025 and Between 12 April 2025 and 28 April 2025.

Essential upgrade work will be taking place on the Auckland network to prepare for the City Rail Link to open in 2026. The tracks between Auckland Strand Railway Station and Hamilton are closed for train travel for this portion of the line while the Rail Network Rebuild work takes place. 

We are very pleased to advise that the Northern Explorer service will go ahead as planned however the first 2.5 hours portion of your journey will be replaced by bus.  

The bus will follow the standard timetable: 

·         Auckland departure at 7.45am 

·         Papakura departure at 8.35am

·         Hamilton arrival at 10.10am 

The transfer bus will meet the Northern Explorer train at Hamilton Railway Station. The train will depart Hamilton at 10.15am and continue travelling to Wellington following the standard train timetable.  

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Cape Reinga & 90 Mile Beach Full Day Tour PIH-PIH ICPCRP (0710-1830)
You can't say you've seen New Zealand until you've travelled all the way to the top! Take this action-packed full day tour to Cape Reinga and discover the beauty of the Far North.

Set off from Paihia in the Bay of Islands and travel north through spectacular scenery. Your driver guide will keep you entertained with stories from Northland's history, from the arrival of the M?ori, through to the coming of European settlers and gumdiggers, to the present day.

During your tour you'll visit the Puketi Kauri Forest and meet a 2,000 year-old kauri tree, drive along through sand and surf on legendary Ninety Mile Beach, and speed down massive sand dunes on a boogie board at Te Paki Stream.

According to M?ori legend, the headland at Cape Reinga is the place where spirits leave New Zealand on their way to the underworld. Walk down to the lighthouse and see the Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean collide below you, and soak up the amazing atmosphere of this unique part of New Zealand.

Your tour also includes a traditional Kiwi lunch of fish n' chips - the perfect accompaniment to your Cape Reinga experience. A vegetarian option is also available.

Tour highlights

  • Cape Reinga
  • Ninety Mile Beach
  • Sand boarding at Te Paki Stream
  • Puketi Kauri Forest
  • Includes lunch of fish and chips
7:10 am, Maritime Building, Adjacent Wharf
6:30 pm, Maritime Building, Adjacent Wharf
Cape Reinga & 90 Mile Beach Full Day Tour
Tue 04 Oct
Wed 05 Oct
Thu 06 Oct
Fri 07 Oct
Sat 08 Oct
Sun 09 Oct
Mon 10 Oct
Service is unavailable today, please select further day.