We wish to inform our valued passengers of an upcoming service change on the Northern Explorer train due to scheduled network maintenance.
Affected Dates:
27 June – 12 July 2025
19 – 30 September 2025
3 – 4 October 2025
Impact on Travel:
During these dates, the tracks between Auckland Strand Railway Station and Hamilton will be closed due to essential rail maintenance.
From Auckland to Hamilton: Passengers will transfer by bus from Auckland Strand or Papakura Station to Hamilton Station.
From Hamilton to Auckland: Passengers will transfer by bus from Hamilton Station to Papakura or Auckland Strand Station.
Scenic Routes Unaffected:
Rest assured, you will not miss a significant portion of the scenic route. The most picturesque parts of the journey are located south of Hamilton, and the train journey between Hamilton and Wellington will operate as usual.
Flexibility for Travelers:
To accommodate your plans, you may:
Reschedule your travel to a different date.
Request a 100% refund if you prefer not to travel during this period.
We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused by this disruption and remain committed to providing a safe and comfortable journey.
Enjoy a morning sightseeing tour of Rotorua, taking in four of its most popular visitor attractions.
Visit Te Puia and get an insight into Maori culture and traditions. Take a tour of workshops where master weavers and carvers are passing on their skills, then enter Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley and experience its extraordinary landscape of boiling mud and steam. A highlight is the famous Pohutu Geyser which shoots jets of vapour up to 30 metres into the air.
Then learn about rural life in New Zealand at the Agrodome, a working farm on the outskirts of the city. Learn all about our thriving agricultural industry with an entertaining show where you'll see sheep being shorn and sheep dogs showing off their amazing skills. Get close to a wide range of native and exotic wildlife at Rainbow Springs Nature Park, including New Zealand's famous flightless bird, the kiwi. Learn about these unique endangered creatures and sneak a peek at them in the nocturnal viewing house.
Travel on the Skyline Gondola up the side of Mount Ngongotaha. From 487 metres above sea level you'll have stunning panoramic views over Rotorua's main centre, Lake Rotorua and its environs. A delicious lunch is available at extra cost. You may like to experience the thrill of a luge ride (additional cost). Enjoy scenic forest views as you speed down the tracks in your luge cart. Choose from a range of tracks and set the speed yourself. Following your gondola experience, a transfer shuttle will take you back to your hotel.
Free WiFi available on board
