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 Maori culture, geothermal landscapes and native wildlife on this morning sightseeing tour of Rotorua, ending with a scenic lake cruise.
The first stop on your tour is Te Puia, one of New Zealand's foremost cultural venues. Immerse yourself in Maori tradition, see master carvers and weavers at work, then enter the neighbouring Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley – an extraordinary landscape of geysers, steam and bubbling pools of boiling mud.
Meet New Zealand's national bird, the world famous kiwi, at Rainbow Springs Nature Park. See kiwi in the nocturnal viewing house and learn about conservation efforts to protect these endangered birds. You can also get up close to a wide range of native and exotic birds, fish, reptiles and other animals.
Then get a taste of New Zealand's agricultural industry at the Agrodome, a working farm where you can see all kinds of rural action! See sheep-shearing and watch sheep dogs being put through their paces in this entertaining and informative show about farming in New Zealand.
Your tour concludes with a one hour lunch cruise around Lake Rotorua on board a historic paddle boat, the Lakeland Queen. Take in the sights of Sulphur Bay, Hinemoa's Point, Mokoia Island and Kawaha Point, while enjoying a tasty buffet lunch.
Free WiFi available on board
