10 | Tuesday, August 1, 2017
New Zealand
WE'RE COMING TO
AU C K L A N D A N D TAU R A N G A
YO U A R E
INVII TED The Northern Explorer on the Waiteti Viaduct; Alexander Bisley on board. Pictures / Supplied
FREE INFO SESSION Tracking through
Join us to hear why
y Cruise Critic yet ag
gain voted Viking
Cruises the worlds best cruise line. Discover how we
reinvented ocean cruising, hear about our exciting new
g
beautiful country
ocean itineraries and our extensive river offerings.
Alexander Bisley rides the rail from Auckland to
Bring along your friends an
nd enjoy light refreshments Wellington and absorbs our spectacular scenery
during the day, or join us in the evening over
R
a glass of wine or beer.
oad trips and flying both
have their virtues; but
Special offers will be available.
KiwiRails Northern
Explorer is the most
memorable way to get
between Auckland and
Wellington. An alluring sunrise hovering
over Parnell augurs well, as the train
clips towards East Auckland. Till the sun
goes down just after Palmerston North
and panoramic vistas of majestic Te Apiti
Wind Farm through the Ruahines and
Tararuas the Explorer is the best way
to see our lands.
Back in the day, coming up from the
badlands of Wairarapa to see my
grandparents, the trains
were wildly below poten-
tial. Asset-stripping
Tranz Rail and co.
almost destroyed the
network, making
trains from ex-
communist countries
look like Japans or
Frances. Since
renationalisation,
KiwiRail has tried to
FREE INFO SESSION make the service appeal to
Kiwis and tourists, and theres
AUCKL AND TAURANGA been a dramatic turnaround.
The Northern Explorer has impec-
Tuesday 15 August Thursday 17 August
cable, genuine Kiwi hospitality from the
Pullman Auckland Mills Reef Winery
crew, led by Fiona. They comment, con-
cisely and helpfully, on key highlights of
SESSION TIMES
the trip, with right-on te reo Maori pro-
10am and 6:30pm Ocean Cruising nunciation (there are also headphones
12pm Europe River Cruising with a thorough running commentary).
Theres tasty kai on board, Wishbone
Sessions are free but spaces are limited so book now.
sandwiches I plump for chicken and
RSVP vikinginfo.eventbrite.com.au or call 0800 447 913
almond and hot cheesy potato gratin.
Kapiti Boysenberry and Passionfruit
magnums, and cups of tea. Formerly
forlorn station cafes bar Taumarunui
have whirred back into life: Ohakunes
even has a micro-brewery.
My fellow passengers come from many
walks of life and countries: Canadian,
Taiwanese-American, Puerto Rican-
NO KIDS | NO CASINOS | VOTED WORLDS BEST Singaporean, and thats just the comfy
seats around me. There are spacious
tables (with power outlets), where a
0800 447 913 VIKINGCRUISES.COM.AU
writer can get some serious work done.
OR SEE YOUR LOCAL TRAVEL AGENT In-between taking in the sights, I read
Andrew OHagans superb demolition of
Julian Assange, and W. Kamau Bells
travel
wise and hilarious thoughts on the awk-
ward state of the United States. Theres
a f*** of a lot of space in the North Island,
The Bugles Andy Zaltzman observed on
his trip. There are verdant hillsides, wild
turkeys, and frisky toitoi.
The open-air observation carriage is
the best way to experience the landscapes,
and get a revitalising dose of fresh air on
the 11-hour journey. People are relaxed
and happy. I meet and korero with Ross,
a fellow Ngapuhi, and a Northern
Explorer regular. Way better than flying
or driving, e hoa. Driving is stressful,
cant enjoy the scenery. And landing at
that Wellington Airport, jeez.
Another passenger shrieks
with delight when the Cen-
tral North Islands snow-
clad mountains
Tongariro, Ruapehu
and Ngauruhoe
hover into view, before
the Raurimu spiral,
famous engineering.
We enjoy eye-
catching and varied
angles of these magnifi-
cent mountains, as we head
through Tongariro National
Park. One of Aotearoas two world heri-
tage areas, it now attracts more than one
million tourists a year. Tuwharetoa Para-
mount Chief Te Heuheu gifted Tongariro
National Park to New Zealand. He wanted
these sacred lands to be protected so all
could appreciate them.
The train makes a longer stop at
National Park, the nations second-
highest altitude railway station, so we
can enjoy the views. On this late May day
theres snow on the ground at National
Park, and right through to Ohakune and
Waiouru through the exciting bridges
and viaducts and the comforting beech
trees my favourite section of the trip.
Ruapehu, all 2797m, is resplendent.
I have one significant criticism. Due to
Nationals underfunding, KiwiRail is
phasing out electric trains for greenhouse
gas-spewing, dirty diesels.
This could damage the pristine experi-
ence, and further mocks the 100% Pure
New Zealand slogan.
greatjourneysofnz.co.nz/northern-explorer