Northern Explorer Train Adventure, Wellington Railway Station, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
The Northern Explorer rumbles through the heart of the North Island on an epic journey that covers 680km of New Zealand’s finest scenery, as it travels between Auckland and Wellington.
Setting off from Auckland, our cosmopolitan City of Sails, the first chapter of the Northern Explorer’s epic journey is across the mighty Waikato Plains to Hamilton, famous for its gardens and the Hobbiton film set. The Northern Explorer then begins is journey into the rolling hills of King Country, stopping at Otorohanga in late morning.
In the early afternoon, the Northern Explorer begins its ascent onto the Central Plateau, where the snow-capped volcano of Ruapehu dominates the skyline. En-route you will find yourself winding tightly around the historic Raurimu Spiral that was designed in 1898 to make the 139 metre ascent onto the plateau possible, without a lengthy diversion.
As you travel through National Park, the eastern skyline will feature the distinctive volcanic cone of Nguarahoe, which starred as Mount Doom in the Lord of the Rings movie. Further south, the massive peak of Ruapehu will dominate the horizon as the Northern Explorer skirts around its foothills and over the dramatic Hapuawhenua Viaduct before stopping at Ohakune and heading out to Palmerston North.
The final stretch of this marathon scenic journey sees you clinging to rugged cliffs of the Kapiti Coast before easing into our twinkling harbourside capital city, Wellington. Your arrival is perfectly timed with the descent of early evening, when the city’s boutique bars and worldly restaurants come to life.
Epic New Zealand Culture & Adventure Route © Monika Newbound
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