New train service to replace the Overlander

KiwRail is making changes to the train service between Wellington and Auckland to transform the service into an internationally recognised tourism product. Read more...

Overlander

Auckland central

The Overlander is around 12 minutes’ walk away from central Auckland's iconic Sky Tower and even closer to the waterfront

Britomart Transportation Centre

This modern terminal is the arrival and departure point for the Overlander and regional transport

Journey of changes

See changes at nearly every turn as you travel on the historic Main Trunk line

Underground wonders

Explore Waitomo's magical glowworm caves from Otorohanga or Te Kuiti

Shades of the shire

Lush green King Country landscapes - hills fit for Hobbits

Raurimu Spiral

This feat of railway engineering designed in 1898 enables the train to climb 221 metres in less than 6 kilometres.

World Heritage views

Mount Ruapehu, one of three active volcanoes in the World heritage Tongariro National Park

Above the Rangitikei

Follow the dramatic Rangitikei gorge with the help of huge viaducts

Manawatu’s green heartland

The train once ran through Palmerston North's main square to get to the station

Sunsets and sunrises

Spectacular sunrises and sunsets can often be seen as the Overlander travels the Kapiti coastline

Wellington Railway Station

Wellington Station is right in New Zealand's buzzy and accessible harbour capital
Auckland
Wellington

Book now

Tickets can be purchased on board from the Train manager on the day of travel, or from a Capital Connection ticketing agent.

Try our Trip Explorer and find out more about how you can put the train in your trip

Through the heartland

This remarkable, ever-changing daytime journey between Auckland and Wellington takes you into the North Island’s heartland, through lush green farmland, native forests, over stunning river gorges and across New Zealand’s Volcanic plateau.

Highlights include Tongariro National Park and the Raurimu Spiral, a truly amazing feat of railway engineering.

For the timetable scroll down this page.

Hop on and off our tourist trains where and when you like, as many times as you want to, for the duration of your chosen Pass

Wellington

NZ’s creative, cultural and compact capital

Auckland

Start or stop off in the heart the city

The Capital of Cool

Get your fill of Wellington’s fun, food and festivals

"Fantastic journey from Auckland to National Park for 2 weeks and return trip. Loved the scenery, the train and the staff were very friendly."

Robert

Newark upon Trent, UK

National Park

A World Heritage setting

Wellington Station

Arrive and depart from the heart of the capital

Zealandia

Wellington’s sanctuary in the city for rare NZ wildlife

Walk Wellington

Get up close to everything

Interislander

Connecting Wellington and Picton by sea

Sounds Air

Connecting Wellington and Picton by air

Otorohanga
and Te Kuiti

Travel to the typical towns of heartland
New Zealand

Britomart Station

Auckland has the impressive Britomart station, follow the signs underground to find the Overlander waiting on Platform Three.

Kiwiana

Things New Zealand- on show all over Otorohonga

EXPLORE

Auckland

EXPLORE

Wellington

King Country

Sheep rule here: Te Kuiti is the sheep-shearing capital of NZ

EXPLORE

National Park

Waitomo

Explore an underground wonderland

EXPLORE

Otorohanga

EXPLORE

Te Kuiti

iSite

Find activities, transport and accommodation

 Overlander timetable

until 24 June 2012

The following timetable operates 3 days (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) from Friday 4 May 2012 to Sunday 24 June 2012.

 

Auckland - WellingtonWellington - Auckland
Auckland depart 7.25 am   Wellington depart 7.25 am
Middlemore* depart 7.48 am Paraparaumu* depart 8.20 am
Papakura* depart 8.15 am Levin depart 9.05 am
Pukekohe* depart 8.30 am Palmerston North depart 9.45 am
Hamilton depart 9.50 am Feilding depart 10.00 am
Otorohanga depart 10.25 am Marton depart 10.25 am
Te Kuiti depart 10.40 am Taihape depart 11.23 am
Taumarunui depart 12.00 pm Ohakune arrive 12.25 pm
National Park arrive 12.50 pm Ohakune depart 1.00 pm
National Park depart 1.20 pm National Park depart 1.45 pm
Ohakune depart 2.00 pm Taumarunui depart 2.35 pm
Taihape depart 3.05 pm Te Kuiti depart 3.55 pm
Marton depart 4.10 pm Otorohanga depart 4.10 pm
Feilding depart 4.35 pm Hamilton depart 5.00 pm
Palmerston North depart 5.00 pm Pukekohe+ depart 6.10 pm
Levin depart 5.40 pm Papakura+ depart 6.30 pm
Paraparaumu+ depart 6.15 pm Middlemore+ depart 6.45 pm
Porirua+ depart 7.00 pm Auckland arrive 7.20 pm
Wellington arrive 7.25 pm

 

*stops only to pick up passengers
+stops only to set down passengers

 

Overlander timetable

from 25 June 2012

Operates 6 days a week From Monday 25 June 2012 to 30 September 2013 and departs Auckland on a Monday, Thursday and Saturday and departs Wellington on a Tuesday, Friday and Sunday excluding Wednesdays and Christmas Day.  This service will pick up passengers from Auckland, Hamilton, National Park, Ohakune, Palmerston North and Wellington stations.

 

Auckland - WellingtonWellington - Auckland
Auckland depart 7.25 am   Wellington depart 7.25 am
Hamilton depart 9.50 am Palmerston North depart 9.45 am
National Park depart 12.55 pm Ohakune depart 12.30 pm
Ohakune depart 1.35 pm National Park depart 1.15 pm
Palmerston North depart 4.35 pm Hamilton depart 4.30 pm
Wellington arrive 7.00 pm Auckland arrive 6.50 pm

 

Note: Timetables shown are subject to change at short notice. The train may depart intermediate stations earlier if all booked passengers are onboard. Passengers are advised to be at all stations at least 20 minutes before the time shown.