The Antipodean Express

A journey by train from New Zealand to Spain

Published by Exisle Publishing
Distributed by Simon & Schuster

About The Book

An epic journey from New Zealand to Spain, celebrating the enduring romance of travel by train.

The journey of The Antipodean Express takes in 89 days of travel, on 33 trains, through 19 countries. It begins in New Zealand's North Island, weaves past the volcanoes of Java, through East Asia and on into Europe.

From hilarious miscommunications in China to cultural immersion at the Bolshoi Ballet, there are stop-offs with half a world’s worth of impressions, people, history, food, music and culture. Hill also describes most of the great trains of the Eurasian hemisphere, from New Zealand’s Northern Explorer to the Eurostar, and everything in between. The culmination is a day spent in the obscure Spanish village of Alaejos, locating the exact antipode of the author’s living room. The perfect end to a vast adventure.

About The Author

Gregory Hill is a former principal player in the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. Following his career in music, he indulged his secret passion for long-distance train travel, resulting in this epic journey.

Product Details

  • Publisher: Exisle Publishing (May 1, 2024)
  • Length: 296 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781921497155

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Raves and Reviews

“Enjoy travelling vicariously with some quirky companions? How about a journey from New Zealand to Spain undertaken almost entirely by train? Meet amusingly eccentric French horn player Gregory Hill and his German violinist wife Anne. Well-illustrated with maps and photos, this is a fun armchair journey with Gregory and Anne with musical interludes including the Bolshoi Ballet and the Paris Opera."

– Gourmet On The Road

“A railway adventure tracing a journey from the author’s home in New Zealand to its exact antipodes in rural Spain. The narrative recounts 89 consecutive days of travel with 33 trains through 19 countries. It describes most of the great trains of the Eurasian hemisphere, from New Zealand’s Northern Explorer to the Eurostar and everything in between. Full of people, memories, history, and places – anyone interested in travel, trains, food, music, and cultures will love taking this armchair journey.”

– Our Generation Magazine

“Well written and a thoroughly enjoyable story. Gregory Hill has a most wonderful sense of humour as he describes situations and people's foibles that they met on this epic journey. There were many times that I laughed, smiled or was sitting on the edge of my seat. It certainly is an enjoyable page turner.”

– School Days Magazine

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