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.
The Christchurch to Kaikoura day excursion is a scenic rail journey between Christchurch - the South Island's largest city to Kaikoura - home of whale watching and dolphin swimming.
Your journey takes you north through some of New Zealand's finest horticultural and farmland areas of the Canterbury Plains before travelling along the narrow Pacific Ocean coastline with views of marine wildlife such as seals and penguins to the town of Kaikoura.
You'll have 6 hours to either explore this marine town. We recommend the Whale Watch Excursion departing at 10.30 am and returning at 1.15 pm ( additional cost )
The Coastal Pacific carriages have advanced air bag suspension system for quieter and smoother travel, un-tinted, non-reflective, panoramic side and roof windows to capture the dramatic coastal and mountain views of the South Island, GPS triggered journey commentary in five languages at your seat via passenger headphones, plus overhead information displays.
All carriages are centrally heated, air-conditioned with on board washroom/toilet facilities, forward facing or 'Table' (4 people around a table) seating allowing you to share experiences through large panoramic windows.
There is an open air viewing carriage where all your senses are awakened with the clean, fresh, sea air and a Café Carriage with a selection of alcoholic and hot/cold drinks, snacks and light meals.
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