National Park to Wellington
Depart 12.50pm/Arr 7.25pm
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Palmerston North to Auckland
Dep 9.45am/Arr 7.20pm
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Palmerston North to Hamilton
Dep 9.45am/Arr 5.00pm
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Wellington to Auckland
Dep 7.25am/Arr 7.20pm
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Wellington to Hamilton
Dep 7.25am/Arr 7.20pm
Online Fares & Reservations

Wellington to National Park
Dep 7.25am/Arr 12.55pm
Online Fares & Reservations

The Overlander train is a scenic rail journey through the heart of the North Island travelling between Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city - home of the Sky Tower,  through the central heartland of the North Island to Wellington - New Zealand’s arts and culture capital. 

Along the way, you see fantastic views of New Zealand farmland and the rugged native bush landscape before ascending up the world famous Raurimu Spiral to the volcanic plateau passing the majestic volcanoes of Mt Tongariro, Mt Ngauruhoe and Mt Ruapehu - the home of the North Island Skifields - Whakapapa and Turoa, descending down through stunning river gorges to the farming landscape of the lower North Island and rocky sea scapes to Wellington – all from our panoramic windows or open air viewing decks allowing you the best possible views.

Along the way you pass the Central North Island ski towns of National Park and Ohakune, that provide world class skiing and snowboarding on Whakapapa and Turoa skifields, popular with young and old alike. 

All carriages on The Overlander train are centrally heated/air conditioned, with '2 Seat-Aisle-2 Seat' forward facing reclining seats with head rests, onboard Toilet/Washroom facility and large panoramic windows giving sweeping views of the magnificent North Island. 

The Overlander train has a Café Carriage, offering a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, snacks and light meals.

The Overlander train Observation Carriage includes a mix of seating including lounge style seating. The lounge style seating is arranged at the very rear of this glass backed carriage enabling you to enjoy a totally unique Overlander experience.

The Overlander train is a reserved seating 'One Class'  non-smoking service.

You can use your Scenic Rail Pass to travel on the Overlander train, between any of the 'Point to Point' travel destinations between Auckland and Wellington. By adding a Cook Strait ferry crossing between the North to South Islands, you can continue journey south to Kaikoura - home of whale watching and dolphin swimming and Christchurch - the gateway to the South Island.

The Overlander train operates -

*  Friday, Saturday and Sunday: Until 25 June 2012.

The Overlander train service will be replaced by the Northern Explorer train service from 26 Jun 12.

Click for the Overlander train timetable.

Travelling on the Overlander train is a genuine kiwi rail experience through the North Island's unique scenic beauty.

There are connecting bus and coach services from Hamilton to Rotorua and Tauranga as well as bus and coach services from Auckland and Wellington to other North Island destinations

From Auckland you can explore the beautiful Bay of Islands and the thermal wonderland of Rotorua with a range of suggested 'Flexi' bus and coach pass travel itinerary options.

There is no overnight passenger train/rail service between Auckland, Hamilton, National Park, Ohakune, Palmerston North and Wellington.