Description

The Antipodean Express captures Gregory Hill’s bold adventure from his home in Wellington to its exact antipode in rural Spain. Over 89 days and aboard 33 trains through 19 countries, he immerses himself in the romance and challenge of long-distance rail travel.

Beginning with New Zealand’s Northern Explorer and winding through volcano-fringed Java, East Asian landscapes and the heart of Europe, the journey traverses diverse cultures, terrains and train systems. From hilarious miscommunications in China to the grandeur of the Bolshoi Ballet, Hill paints a vivid portrait of travel by rail.

Throughout, the rails themselves carry stories: narrow gauges, overnight compartments, border crossings, and the thrill of movement through unfamiliar lands. Hill reflects on each of these with humour, curiosity and affection.

Whether you’re a rail enthusiast, travel story lover or simply someone who dreams of the rails, The Antipodean Express invites you to ride along and rediscover the world from the window of a train.