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.
Take a half-day tour from Rotorua to the Hobbiton Movie Set and take a tour of the farm that was transformed into a Middle-earth filming location. Your Hobbiton tour starts with a scenic drive across the Kaimai Ranges to the small town of Matamata. During your coach trip your local driver guide will entertain you with stories and information about the region and its history.
Just outside the town of Matamata is your destination: Middle-earth! Sir Peter Jackson and his team knew this private farm would make the perfect spot to build the village of Hobbiton for the award-winning The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movie trilogies. Take a guided tour and see the picturesque village you saw on screen in living colour before you.
See the Hobbit holes, the Green Dragon Inn, the Party Tree, the Mill and many other structures from the movies, while learning about how the set was built. You might even hear a few secrets from behind the scenes!
After your Hobbiton movie set tour, return to Rotorua, arriving at 1pm.
Free WiFi available on board
