Embark on the epic Northern Explorer journey from Auckland to Wellington, showcasing the diverse landscapes of New Zealand's North Island. Marvel at the fertile farmlands of Waikato, the volcanic peaks of the Central Plateau, and the stunning Kapiti coast. Experience historic engineering marvels like the Raurimu Spiral and the Makatote Viaduct, and choose between Scenic Class or the elevated Scenic Plus Classes onboard. Enjoy open-air viewing carriages to get closer to nature and indulge in locally sourced food and drink from the onboard Café.
This journey closely follows the path of the historic North Island Main Trunk railway. In the early 20th century, it took tremendous vision and perseverance to connect these two cities. Founded by Julius Vogel, the railway achieved what sailing never could - reducing the multi-day journey to less than one day travelled. However, constructing the line through demanding terrain proved extremely difficult and costly. It was an epic engineering feat that required nearly three decades to complete. Onboard, choose between Scenic Class and the elevated Scenic Plus Classes of travel. Get close to nature from the Open-air viewing carriages, and enjoy delicious, locally sourced food and drink from the onboard Café.
At the heart of our carriages' design are our spacious reclined seats, panoramic windows, glass shelves and skylights. These details bathe our carriages in light and deliver an incredible view of New Zealand's epic landscapes. We even sacrificed seat numbers to create spaciousness and extra-wide viewing angles.
Step into the outdoors by visiting the Northern Explorer Open-air Carriage. This incredible experience provides a unique way to explore New Zealand's great outdoors. Breathe in the mountain air and the scents of pine forest, get tanned in the sun, and get wet in the rain! The Open-air Carriages also provide uninterrupted views of New Zealand's epic scenery, making them the perfect place to snap away and take home some amazing photos.
Create your perfect train vacation from start to finish with our customization options. Customizing your train vacation gives you the ability to build the exact journey you want (and nothing you don’t).
