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.
Our friendly New Zealand Travel Team is available from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm (New Zealand Time) Monday - Sunday, excluding public holidays.
For assistance and reservations during our opening hours contact our New Zealand Travel Team by email or phone. To cancel a reservation, please email us at info@newzealandtravelteam.com before 72hrs or 3 days from the travel date.
Phone
You can call one of our English-speaking Consultants at +64 7 575 5049
Current New Zealand time:
Within New Zealand:
Reservations only with payment - 0800-143-669
Travel planning and all other inquiries - +64 7 575 5049
Outside New Zealand:
+61 1800 359 729 Australia Toll-free
+1 855 413 3019 USA Toll-free
+1 866 554 0304 Canada Toll-free
+44 800 0148106 United Kingdom Toll-free
Take a day trip from Queenstown to Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park, home to New Zealand's highest mountain.
Leaving Queenstown, we travel north through the historic gold mining region of the rugged Kawarau River Gorge and past Cromwell, famed for its fruit-growing. Skirting the shores of Lake Dunstan, we cross the Lindis Pass to Omarama for morning tea (own expense). Continue through the rugged high country landscape of the Mackenzie Basin to arrive at Mount Cook Village, where you can gaze up at the 3,754 metre-high mountain Aoraki / Mount Cook, an important landmark in Maori mythology .
Enjoy the views from the iconic Hermitage Hotel as you eat a delicious lunch (optional extra), or explore the village and its scenic surrounds. There is also the chance to take off on a scenic flight over the park with its snowcapped mountains and ancient glaciers (additional cost, weather permitting – this flight can be arranged with your driver/guide on the day).
Following our lunch stop, we depart Mount Cook Village and retrace our journey to Queenstown, arriving in the early evening.
Tour Details
Half day tour
Operates daily
Departs and returns: Athol Street, Queenstown
Tour Includes
Kawarau River Gorge
Lake Dunstan
Mackenzie Basin
Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park
Mount Cook Village
Free WiFi available on board the coach
