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.
This full-day sightseeing tour will appeal to adventure seekers! Experience the ultimate alpine adventure with a scenic coach trip, adrenaline-charged jet boat ride, off-road exploration and a spectacular train journey to top it all off.
Leaving Christchurch, travel by coach through the Canterbury Plains to the Waimakariri Gorge. Experience the thrill of a 45-minute jet boat ride along the crystal clear 'Waimak' River. Your experienced guide will navigate through shallow waters and rapids and get your heart racing with 360° spins. Next, take a rugged four wheel drive journey across Mt Torlesse Station, a working sheep and cattle farm at the foot of the Southern Alps. Get an insight into faming in New Zealand as you traverse back country terrain amid stunning scenery.
Enjoy a delicious lunch in a countryside café before continuing through the Canterbury high country, stopping at glacier-fed Lake Pearson and passing by locations made famous in The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe and The Lord of the Rings films. At Arthur's Pass, high in the Southern Alps, board the TranzAlpine train, then sit back and relax on one of the world's top six rail journeys for a stunningly scenic ride back to Christchurch.
Tour details
Full day tour
Operates daily
Departs and returns: Rolleston Avenue
Tour includes
Canterbury Plains by coach
Jet boating on the Waimakariri River
Four-wheel drive journey through high country terrain
Famous TranzAlpine train journey
Notes: Please advise at time of booking if infants are travelling
