NZ, April-May 2010, The Overlander

Pui came back from Bangkok April 27th. We went with Patrick to the airport to pick her up. She had a comfortable flight, and I was happy to meet her again.

Pui came from 35 C° plus in Bangkok to Auckland 15 C°, quite a thermal choc.

For Pui to enter NC, she needs (for a change) a visa we have to get in Wellington at the French Embassy. Like for Rome, there are many ways to get there; Plane, car, or train.

We heard about the Overlander, this train start’s at seven in the morning from Auckland and arrives at seven in the evening in Wellington. We chose to go by train to discover the NZ landscapes on April 29th.

That’s what the brochure says:

“-We cover 681 km, cross 352 bridges and travel thru 14 tunnels. Kicking of in Auckland we head south over lush farmland and bush-clad mountains. We then climb the impressive feat of engineering that is the Raurimu Spiral and arrive upon the volcanic plateau.

If it's a clear day, you'll see Mount Ruapehu, Mont Ngaruho, and Mount Tongario-all active volcanoes. The train stops at National Park each day. Down from the plateau, the scenery becomes leafy and green. Keep a look out for the dramatic white cliffs and Viaducts of the Rangitikei River. And when we're closer to Wellington, watch out for Kapiti Island.-“






It was not exactly like in the brochure, we started with fogy conditions and some rain up to the national park. The second part had better conditions.

At one stage the rails make a spiral to gain height in confined space. It’s called the Raurimu Spiral.



It reminded me the Gothard tunnel in Switzerland.


It was a nice relaxing voyage.

Beautiful landscapes, just at the end of voyages the comments from the staff about the surrounding ended in the dark because heading to winter time, the sunset falls earlier.