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
Experience stunning scenery above and below ground on a sightseeing day tour from Rotorua to the fascinating Waitomo Glowworm Caves.
Leaving Rotorua in the morning, travel through lush farmland, enjoying commentary from your local driver guide, who will point out sites of interest like Fitzgerald Glade, where trees have formed a tunnel of natural greenery arching over the road.
On arrival in the small town of Waitomo in the King Country, take a 45-minute guided tour through the world famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves, which were discovered in 1887 and are now one of New Zealand's most popular tourist attractions. See vaulted caverns, stalactites and stalagmites and hear how these limestone formations were created over millions of years. Your tour ends with a boat ride through the Glowworm Grotto, a subterranean cavern illuminated by the lights of thousands of tiny glowworms – it's magical!
After your Waitomo Caves tour we retrace our steps and return to Rotorua, arriving in the early afternoon. A picnic lunch may be booked (optional extra) and enjoyed on board the coach. The tour concludes on arrival in the geothermal hotspot of Rotorua.
Tour details
Half day tour
Operates daily
Departs and returns: Tourism Rotorua
Tour includes
Luxury coach travel Rotorua - Waitomo - Rotorua
Guided tour of Waitomo Caves
Fitzgerald Glade
Free WiFi available on board
