Northern Explorer Train Journey from Wellington to Auckland
Overview
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New Zealand's longest running passenger service, the Northern Explorer is a long distance scenic train service running between Wellington and Auckland. Experience the extremes of New Zealand's scenery, from the fertile farmlands of Waikato to the volcanic peaks of the Central Plateau and the sparkling Kapiti Coast.
Additional Info
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Wheelchair accessible, please advise at time of booking if travelling with a wheelchair.
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Please arrive at least 20 minutes prior to scheduled departure and check in at the station to receive your boarding pass. Please have your Viator Voucher ready for inspection.
Cancellation Policy
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
What To Expect
Travel through rolling green farmland, past quaint country towns and along rocky coasts. The journey through Tongariro National Park, with its three spectacular volcanic mountains, Tongariro, Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu, is a highlight, a place of extremes and surprises, where snow-blanketed fields, ancient lava flows and dense beech forests can be seen side by side. Traverse stunning river gorges and wind through the Raurimu Spiral near National Park, an amazing feat of railway engineering. While on board enjoy the journey in award winning world-class carriages with specially designed seats. Awaken your senses in the open air viewing decks or sit back and enjoy the GPS triggered audio commentary available through headphones at every seat. All trains have a licensed café carriage providing snacks and light meals (at own expense)
What‘s Included
All taxes, fees and handling charges
GPS triggered audio commentary
One Way Rail Journey
Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
Food and drinks (available to purchase)
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Excess luggage charges (where applicable)
Options
Scenic Plus
Scenic Plus
Includes Food and Beverage
Scenic
Wellington to Auckland: 10.5 hour train journey from Wellington to Auckland
Reviews
521 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Spectacular.
DianaandPeter,Mar 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00The train trip from Wellington to Auckland on the Northern Explorer was a highlight of our trip to New Zealand. Everything went well. Check in was easy and efficient. Seats were comfortable. We shared a table with a couple who were from Hamilton and were able to give us lots of information about the places that we passed through. The scenery was amazing. Rich, lush countryside and mountains. Sudden dramatic gorges, rushing rivers and impossible viaducts. Views of volcanoes alongside cattle, sheep and turkeys. I wish we could do it again and maybe one day we will.
Take a flight
Wanderer44191386899,Feb 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.0011 hours stuck in a seat I had no choice over next to a smelly toilet. If we had flown it would have been a quarter of the price and time and we could have selected our seats. I get motion sickness and would not have booked had I known I would be made to travel backwards. Several of us complained about the smelly toilet and were told we were imagining it. Scenery no better than an average country train line in the UK.
Sensational Seven
William T,Feb 23, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00It is an enjoyable although long day, there is some amazing scenery. The information provided during the trip was interesting.
Dissapointing Journey
Inspire24032063485,Feb 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00Very dissapointing journey from making my reservation untill arriving in Wellington. Reservations were hopeless unable to seat my partly disabled father with us. Luckily the train manager Lea was on the ball and managed our request the last minute. Pre ordered breakfast, lunch & dinner which turned out packaged food instead of daily menu @ $200pp disappointing. First 5 hours from Auckland no scenery only factories. Buffet car has long queue and no uncomfortable
Jenny from Australia
Jennifer R,Feb 14, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00A great trip. Absolutely amazing countryside. Loved it. Very relaxing. Nice food in cafe. Loved the open carriage
Awesome experience.
Christine R,Feb 4, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00A very nice experience on the train. Scenery was breathtaking, and we loved the 10 hour ride. Gir dine lovely photos! Our train was clean, boarding was a breeze and staff were courteous and pleasant.
Really not worth….
David N,Feb 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00… your time nor money. We only (?) did an 8 hour stint but the number of exceptional views were dwarfed by the vast majority of mundane views. Staff were friendly but only two rubbish collections in 8 hours ??
Scenic train ride Wellington to Auckland
Mike T,Feb 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Traveled Wellington to Auckland 2/1/2026 in Scenic Plus. Service staff were 5 stars, unfortunately forgot the lady and gentleman’s names. Wonderful views from our comfortable seats and open air viewing car. Toilets clean. You don’t go hungry, with regular meals and snacks - all top notch (frittata breakfast, salmon lunch, lamb dinner, cheese plate and deserts in between) and not overly large portions, so while you are constantly fed, I did not feel like I over ate.
Great trip
Connector01099220843,Jan 18, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had the most wonderful experience on this trip going scenic plus. Beautiful scenery, great staff, beautiful food and drinks including wine. Would definitely see NZ this relaxing way again and highly recommend
Great views with one disappointment
Laurelin M,Jan 15, 2026
- Review from Viator
3.00Good, beautiful views, but disappointed that there was no information about us having to change from the train to the bus to get to Auckland.
From NZ$253.75
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Operated by Great Journeys New Zealand