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.
Experience New Zealand's unique indigenous culture, famous geothermal activity and be part of movie history on an action-packed day trip around Rotorua and the Central North Island.
Start with a tour of the top Rotorua visitor attractions: Te Puia, the Agrodome and Rainbow Springs. At Te Puia's cultural centre you'll learn about Maori culture and history, then visit the neighbouring Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley where you can see geysers, bubbling pools of volcanic mud and steam shooting out of the earth.
Then see Kiwi agriculture in action with a sheep-shearing display and sheep dog trials at the Agrodome, a working organic farm where you can learn all about farming in New Zealand. At Rainbow Springs Nature Park, see the famous New Zealand kiwi bird and other native birds, animals and wildlife.
After enjoying these highlights of Rotorua, your tour travels over the Kaimai Ranges to Matamata for your Hobbiton Movie Set tour. Visit the farm where Sir Peter Jackson built the village of Hobbiton for the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movies. Learn how the private farm was transformed into The Shire from Middle-earth and see Hobbit holes, the Green Dragon Inn and the Mill on a guided Hobbiton tour before returning to Rotorua.
Tour details
Full day tour
Operates daily
Departs and returns: Tourism Rotorua
Tour includes
Te Puia cultural tour and Thermal Valley
Agrodome sheep show
Rainbow Springs Nature Park
Tour of Hobbiton Movie Set
Free WiFi available on board
