Service Announcement: Northern Explorer Bus Replacements – Auckland to Hamilton/ Hamilton to Auckland

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.


For further inquiries or assistance with your travel plans, please contact our New Zealand Travel Team.
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
 
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Itinerary Details

Day 1 GreatSights - Rotorua to Auckland incl. Hobbiton & Waitomo Day Tour GS11HW (0815 1845) Bus Service - Auckland to Rotorua 0815 - 1845

Service : Bus Service

Depart City : Auckland

Arrive City : Rotorua

Depart Time : 08:15:00

Arrive Time : 18:45:00


Hotel Address :- Rotorua

Hotel Name :- 3-star Rotorua Hotel or Motel

Hotel Check In :- Day 1

Hotel Check Out :- Day 4

Day 2 GreatSights - Rotorua Sights: Te Puia, Rainbow Springs & Agroventures Tour ROT ROT GS39A (0725 1215) Day Tour - Rotorua to Rotorua 0725 - 1215

Service : Day Tour

Depart City : Rotorua

Arrive City : Rotorua

Depart Time : 07:25:00

Arrive Time : 12:15:00

Day 3 InterCity Coach Lines / GreatSights - Tauranga Wellington IC7701 (0700 1735) Bus Service - Rotorua to Taupo 0850 - 0955

Service : Bus Service

Depart City : Rotorua

Arrive City : Taupo

Depart Time : 08:50:00

Arrive Time : 09:55:00


Service : Bus Service

Depart City : Taupo

Arrive City : Napier

Depart Time : 13:05:00

Arrive Time : 15:10:00


Hotel Address :- Napier

Hotel Name :- 3-star Napier Hotel or Motel

Hotel Check In :- Day 3

Hotel Check Out :- Day 5

Day 4 InterCity Coach Lines / GreatSights - Napier Wellington IG6367 (1330 1945 Bus Service - Napier to Wellington 1330 - 1915

Service : Bus Service

Depart City : Napier

Arrive City : Wellington

Depart Time : 13:30:00

Arrive Time : 19:15:00


Hotel Address :- Wellington

Hotel Name :- 3-star Wellington Hotel or Apartment

Hotel Check In :- Day 4

Hotel Check Out :- Day 7

Day 5 GreatSights - Wellington City and Bays Tour (morning) WLG WLG GSWW1 (0900 1200) Day Tour - Wellington to Wellington 0900 - 1200

Service : Day Tour

Depart City : Wellington

Arrive City : Wellington

Depart Time : 09:00:00

Arrive Time : 12:00:00

Day 6 Interislander Ferry - Wellington Picton (Aratere) Ferry Service - Wellington to Picton 1445 - 1755

Service : Ferry Service

Depart City : Wellington

Arrive City : Picton

Depart Time : 14:45:00

Arrive Time : 17:55:00


Hotel Address :- Picton

Hotel Name :- 3-star Picton Hotel or Motel

Hotel Check In :- Day 6

Hotel Check Out :- Day 8

Day 7 KiwiRail Great Journeys of New Zealand - Coastal Pacific Picton to Christchurch Train Service - Picton to Christchurch 1415 - 2030

Service : Train Service

Depart City : Picton

Arrive City : Christchurch

Depart Time : 14:15:00

Arrive Time : 20:30:00


Hotel Address :- Christchurch

Hotel Name :- 3-star Christchurch Hotel or Motel

Hotel Check In :- Day 7

Hotel Check Out :- Day 10

Day 9 GreatSights - Mount Cook Day Tour: Christchurch to Queenstown GS62 (0720 1825) Day Tour - Christchurch to Queenstown 0730 - 1830

Service : Day Tour

Depart City : Christchurch

Arrive City : Queenstown

Depart Time : 07:30:00

Arrive Time : 18:30:00


Hotel Address :- Queenstown

Hotel Name :- 3-star Queenstown Hotel or Motel

Hotel Check In :- Day 9

Hotel Check Out :- Day 13

Day 10 GreatSights - Milford Sound Day Tour + Buffet Lunch ex Queenstown G76L (0720 1945) Day Tour - Queenstown to Queenstown 0720 - 1945

Service : Day Tour

Depart City : Queenstown

Arrive City : Queenstown

Depart Time : 07:20:00

Arrive Time : 19:45:00

Day 12 InterCity Coach Lines / GreatSights - Queenstown Wanaka IC8832 ( 0800 0945)(NOT OPERATING) Bus Service - Queenstown to Wanaka 0800 - 0945

Service : Bus Service

Depart City : Queenstown

Arrive City : Wanaka

Depart Time : 08:00:00

Arrive Time : 09:45:00


Hotel Address :- Wanaka

Hotel Name :- 3-star Wanaka Hotel or Motel

Hotel Check In :- Day 12

Hotel Check Out :- Day 14

Day 13 InterCity Coach Lines / GreatSights - Queenstown Franz Josef GS9824 (0810 1615) Bus Service - Wanaka to Franz Josef 1010 - 1615

Service : Bus Service

Depart City : Wanaka

Arrive City : Franz Josef

Depart Time : 10:10:00

Arrive Time : 16:15:00


Hotel Address :- Franz Josef

Hotel Name :- 3-star Franz Josef Motel

Hotel Check In :- Day 13

Hotel Check Out :- Day 16

Day 15 InterCity Coach Lines / GreatSights - Fox Glacier Greymouth GS9830 (0830 1315) Bus Service - Franz Josef to Greymouth 0915 - 1315

Service : Bus Service

Depart City : Franz Josef

Arrive City : Greymouth

Depart Time : 09:15:00

Arrive Time : 13:15:00


Service : Train Service

Depart City : Greymouth

Arrive City : Christchurch

Depart Time : 14:05:00

Arrive Time : 18:31:00