This 423-mile Train Route Is One of the Most Scenic in the World-Crossing Volcanoes, River Gorges, and a National Park

"The Northern Explorer is the only way to experience the full diversity of the North Island of New Zealand in a single day by rail. The journey travels through Tongariro National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site with active volcanoes, including Mount Ruapehu. Along the way, you'll also see Ngāuruhoe, the volcanic cone that starred as Mount Doom in The Lord of the Rings."

"From Auckland, the Northern Explorer passes through an extinct volcanic cone, the Orakei Basin, on a narrow elevated section of track. In the winter, Ruapehu is home to some of the North Island's most popular ski slopes. In summer, the Tongariro Crossing is one of New Zealand's best day hikes, taking about eight hours."

The Northern Explorer is a scenic 11-hour train journey spanning 423 miles between Auckland and Wellington through New Zealand's North Island. The route traverses volcanic plateaus, rugged river gorges, and climbs over 2,600 feet in elevation, passing through Tongariro National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site with active volcanoes including Mount Ruapehu and Ngāuruhoe. Many landscapes served as filming locations for The Lord of the Rings series, including stands-in for the Anduin River and Mount Doom. The journey stops at Hamilton, Otorohanga, Taumarunui, Ohakune, and Palmerston North. An open-air viewing carriage allows passengers to experience the volcanic landscape directly without glass barriers.

Read at Travel + Leisure