Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
LOCAL TRANSPORT TO/FROM THE TRACKS
Local transport to and from tramps is generally pretty good, and it's possible to spend
a season tramping without ever having to rent a car or stick out your thumb. For each
tramp we have identified the best ways, and operators, for getting to and from the
tracks.
The most common way of reaching a trail is with the tramper buses, vans or mini-
buses that service tracks around Mt Aspiring, Fiordland, Abel Tasman, Kahurangi, Eg-
mont, Tongariro and Whanganui National Parks, and Great Barrier Island. Many have
regular routes and scheduled stops, while others are on-demand. During the summer
tramping season you can often arrange to split the fare with another party.
There are also several places where water transport is more convenient than travel-
ling on land. Regular launch and water-taxi services operate along the Abel Tasman
Coast Track, departing from Marahau and Kaiteriteri. Water transport is also available
to tracks in the Marlborough Sounds, Lake Te Anau, Doubtful Sound, Lake Hauroko,
Lake Waikaremoana and Stewart Island.
Local Transport
BUS, TRAIN & TRAM
NZ's larger cities have extensive bus services but, with a few honourable exceptions, they
are mainly daytime, weekday operations; weekend services can be infrequent or nonexistent.
Negotiating inner-city Auckland is made easier by the Link and free City Circuit buses. Christ-
church has a free city shuttle service and the historic tramway. The main cities have late-
night buses on boozy Friday and Saturday nights.
The only city with a decent train service is Wellington, with five suburban routes.
TAXI
The main cities have plenty of taxis and even small towns may have a local service.
Train
NZ train travel is about the journey, not about getting anywhere in a hurry or particularly
Capital Connection
Weekday commuter service between Palmerston North and Welling-
ton.
Coastal Pacific
Summer service between Christchurch and Picton.
Northern Explorer
Between Auckland and Wellington.
