Views from this train are so spectacular, it doesn’t matter where you sit

The journey

Auckland to Wellington with a scheduled journey time of 10 hours and 40 minutes aboard the Northern Explorer, with locomotive DFB7282, overhauled and re-classified in 2017. Operated by the Great Journeys New Zealand division of Kiwi Rail, the Northern Explorer departs Auckland at 7.45am on Monday, Thursday and Saturday. One for the railway enthusiast, this epic journey follows the length of the historic North Island Main Trunk Railway.

The Northern Explorer passing Kapiti Coast just north of Wellington.

The class

All carriages on the Northern Explorer are Scenic Class, only the seat configuration varies. Most are in forward-facing pairs on either side of an aisle, while some are arranged in bays of four (two facing forward, two facing back) with a shared table. From May, a new class – Scenic Plus dining experience – is set to make its food-focused debut.

Carbon emissions

32.2 kilograms (+/- 15 per cent variance) for each rail passenger on this diesel-hauled route compared with 150 kilograms for an airline passenger.

Passing beneath Mount Ruapehu.

Boarding

Auckland Strand Station is a tiny outpost within a whistle toot of Auckland’s former 1930s main railway station. Check-in is through two converted shipping containers and passengers are advised to arrive at least 20 minutes before scheduled departure. Too easy bro’.

My seat

My comfortable aisle seat comes equipped with a fold-down table, charging point and headphones for listening to the excellent onboard commentary. There’s plenty of legroom and the panoramic windows with transparent shelving and skylights allow for an uninterrupted view of the landscape. There is no Wi-Fi on board. Specific seats can be requested (best bet is by phone a couple of days before travel), but the scenery is so abundant, it doesn’t really matter where you’re sitting.

Crossing Hapuawhenua Viaduct with a view from the open carriage.

Baggage

Passengers are allowed one item of checked baggage up to 23kg and a second one up to 7kg. One small day pack (no wheels) and one handbag/and or personal items such as camera, coat and umbrella are permitted as carry-on.

Food + drink

Meals and snacks are available for purchase from the Scenic Cafe, including a selection of wines and beers. I choose pancakes with pear and cherry compote, vanilla mascarpone and Manuka honey for a late breakfast. Everything is pre-packaged and microwaved on demand. A choice of 10 varieties of tea makes me happy.

One more thing …

I’ve made arrangements to get off at Taumarunui (4 hours and 40 minutes) to spend a few days exploring the Forgotten World and the wider Ruapehu region, before reboarding to complete my trip to Wellington. Great Journeys New Zealand make this easy.

The verdict

It’s all about the scenery. At 648 kilometres in length, the Northern Explorer travels from Middle Earth, through the Raurimu Spiral, over viaducts and beneath three mighty volcanoes before making a hero’s finish along the Kapiti Coast. The open-air viewing carriage puts you right in the action.
Phone [phone] or within NZ, 0800 872 467. See greatjourneysnz.com

Our rating out of five

★★★★½

The writer was a guest of Visit Ruapehu and Great Journeys New Zealand. See visitruapehu.com