11 Day Shared Rail Tour of NZ North Island

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
GVR Tour Train: Auckland/Hamilton - Tokoroa - Coach to Rotorua
2 stops
1
Today our Glenbrook Vintage Railway charter train, hauled by heritage diesel locomotives DC 4818 and DBR 1254, travels the historic Waiuku Branch Line before joining the North Island Main Trunk at Paerata for pickups at Pukekohe. We continue south through Franklin’s farmlands and the Bombay Hills, descending to Pokeno and Mercer alongside the Waikato River, passing swamplands and rolling countryside. In Hamilton, we collect more passengers before heading east on the freight-only East Coast Main Trunk Line. Departing Frankton, we pass beneath central Hamilton, cross the Claudelands Bridge, and run through Ruakura towards Morrinsville. Turning right, we follow the Piako River to Waharoa, then continue along the Kinleith Line to Tokoroa. From there, a coach takes us to Rotorua for the night, where we enjoy dinner at Skyline Rotorua’s Stratosfare Restaurant, overlooking the lake and Mokoia Island.
8 hours • Admission ticket included
2
Welcome Dinner - Included Activity
2 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 2
Rail Cruisers, Redwoods & Rotorua
3 stops
3
Today we depart central Rotorua and head around the western side of the lake before heading inland to Mamaku. Mamaku, originally Kaponga, was famous for native timber milling with the last mill closing in 2015. Mamaku was the highest point on the now-mothballed Rotorua Branch. On our arrival in to Mamaku we embark on our first 'rail-cart' experience with the RailCruisers on the old Rotorua Branch from Mamaku to Ngongotaha. We return to Rotorua taking a scenic drive around the town before arriving at the Redwoods Treewalk. Majestic and magical, the Redwoods Treewalk™ experience is truly a walk to remember. Suspended high above the forest floor, encounter 75-metre-tall redwoods as you walk across eco-suspended bridges and platforms intricately designed to honour and accentuate the stunning natural environment. Regarded by many as one of the best tree top walks in New Zealand. We return to Rotorua with the remainder of the afternoon free at your leisure.
8 hours • Admission ticket included
4
Included Actvity
3 hours • Admission ticket included
5
Redwoods Treewalk
Included Activity
2 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 3
GVR Tour Train: Tauranga - Ohakune
1 stop
6
Today we depart Rotorua by coach for Tauranga to meet our train at The Strand. Departing along the waterfront, we skirt estuaries and salt marshes before passing through the lush kiwifruit country of the Bay of Plenty. We then enter the 8.9 km Kaimai Tunnel — New Zealand’s longest — rarely used by passenger trains since the early 2000s. Emerging into daylight, we roll through Matamata-Piako’s dairy country and rejoin the North Island Main Trunk south of Hamilton. Crossing the Waikato, we traverse farmland, rivers, and valleys into the King Country. At Te Kuiti we begin our climb through the Poro-O-Tarao Tunnel, then from Taumarunui ascend the famous Raurimu Spiral to the central plateau. Passing beneath Mt Ruapehu’s slopes, we cross the soaring Makatote and Hapuawhenua Viaducts before arriving in Ohakune for the night—our accommodation just a short walk from the station.
8 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 4
River & Rails - PS Waimarie and GVR Tour Train to New Plymouth
2 stops
7
We depart Ohakune early by coach, travelling via Raetihi and State Highway 4 along the Mangawhero River through the rugged central North Island to Upokongaro. Here, on the banks of the Whanganui River, we board the P.S. Waimarie, the only operating coal-fired paddle steamer in the Southern Hemisphere. Enjoy a leisurely lunch cruise along Te Awa Tupua – the Whanganui River – before rejoining our train in Whanganui. Departing the city’s eastern suburbs, we cross the Whanganui River and climb the steep Westmere Bank. Descending into Patea, we follow the coast through Hāwera, taking in stunning views of Mount Taranaki. Skirting the eastern side of Egmont National Park, we arrive in New Plymouth, where our stop on the Coastal Walkway is just a short stroll from our accommodation.
8 hours • Admission ticket included
8
Included Activity
2 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 5
New Plymouth - Tawhiti Museum and Waitara Railway
3 stops
9
Today we explore the Taranaki Region, visiting the acclaimed Tawhiti Museum and the Waitara Railway. Tawhiti is renowned for its life-size exhibits and intricate scale models depicting South Taranaki’s past, all crafted onsite in its “body shop.” Highlights include Traders & Whalers—an underground canal boat ride through 1800s coastal history—and the Tawhiti Bush Railway, showcasing the region’s historic logging lines. Later, we visit the Waitara Railway Preservation Society, where volunteers operate vintage diesel trains on part of the original Waitara Branch Line. The journey from Waitara to Lepperton passes farmland and countryside, offering a glimpse into Taranaki’s rail heritage aboard restored rolling stock. We return to the hotel in the afternoon, with free time to explore at leisure.
8 hours • Admission ticket included
10
Included Activity
2 hours • Admission ticket included
11
Included Activity
2 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 6
GVR Tour Train: New Plymouth - Palmerston North
1 stop
12
Today we retrace our journey south to Woodville. Departing Napier, we pass through the lush orchards of Central Hawke’s Bay, hearing the locomotive work hard up the steep Opapa Bank. Between Waipukurau and Dannevirke we travel through historic towns that once thrived during the golden age of New Zealand Railways. At Woodville, we view the famous Balloon Loop before continuing down the rarely used Wairarapa Line. Crossing the Manawatū River and passing the Tui Brewery at Mangatainoka, we stop in Pahiatua for lunch and to visit the Railcar Society’s impressive collection. We then loop through Woodville again and journey via the scenic Manawatū Gorge to Palmerston North for the night, where dinner is served to celebrate our tour and shared experiences before returning north to conclude the journey.
8 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 7
GVR Tour Train: Palmerston North - Manawatu Gorge - Napier
2 stops
13
This morning we relocate to the railway station from our hotel and we depart north-east towards Napier on the Palmerston North – Gisborne line, powered again by Diesel Locomotive DBR1254. Passing through the breath-taking Manawatu Gorge, now only accessible by rail, we pass through Woodville where we stop briefly before we continue north-east. Rolling through the meandering countryside, north of Dannevirke we cross the six famous viaducts of Mangatera, Piripiri, Mangatewainui, Makotuku, Ormondville and Kopua. Taking a stop at Takapu we disembark and head to the beautiful and historic Oruawharo Homestead for a lunch befitting the backdrop of the grand homestead. The Pekapeka Wetlands signal our entry into the horticultural heart of the Hawkes Bay, often quoted as ‘The fruit bowl of New Zealand’ where we soon greet the coastline south of Napier, shortly before arriving into the heart of town. We are relocated to our accommodation in Napier’s scenic centre.
8 hours • Admission ticket included
14
Included Activity
2 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 8
Cape Kidnappers Gannet Colony - Winery
2 stops
15
Today we leave the Art Deco streetscape of central Napier and head south towards Cape Kidnappers and our day with Gannet Safaris. We start by travelling over a working farm and New Zealand's largest privately owned and funded wildlife sanctuary, stop several times at lookout points along the way. Learn about the local history and culture from our highly knowledgeable guides while taking in the sensational 360-degree views over Hawkes Bay. While at the plateau, one is within a few metres of the remarkable birds with their stunning golden crowns. No walking required. Before returniung to Napier we pay a visit to one of the local wineries for afternoon tea and to sample the fare.
8 hours • Admission ticket included
16
Included Activity
8 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 9
Napier Art Deco Tour
2 stops
17
Today is a leisurely day in Napier with a twist. This morning we split into groups and we have the opportunity to travel by vintage car around Napier and learn about the Art Deco scene and the 1936 earthquake that made Napier into the Art Deco capital. There is also plenty of free time and the opportunity to explore the town at your leisure.
4 hours • Admission ticket included
18
Included Activity
2 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 10
GVR Tour Train: Napier - Woodville - Pahiatua - Palmerston North
1 stop
19
Today we retrace our journey south to Woodville, passing through the orchards of Central Hawke’s Bay and hearing the locomotive work hard up the steep Opapa Bank. Between Waipukurau and Dannevirke, we roll through historic towns that recall the golden age of New Zealand Railways. At Woodville, we view the iconic Balloon Loop before continuing down the seldom-used Wairarapa Line. Crossing the Manawatū River and passing the Tui Brewery at Mangatainoka, we stop at Pahiatua for lunch and to explore the Railcar Society’s impressive collection. Returning via the Woodville Loop and the scenic Manawatū Gorge, we arrive in Palmerston North for our final night. Dinner is included this evening to celebrate the journey and shared companionship before returning north to conclude the tour.
8 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 11
GVR Tour Train: Palmerston North - Hamilton/Auckland
1 stop
20
Departing Palmerston North, we climb toward the central plateau via the 1980s electrification deviations of the North Island Main Trunk. Passing Taihape’s historic depot, we navigate the Turangarere horseshoe curve and continue through Waiouru and Ohakune, crossing the impressive Hapuawhenua Viaduct. Horopito Motors appears to our right before cresting the highest point of New Zealand’s railway at Pokaka. From National Park, we descend the engineering marvel of the Raurimu Spiral—dropping 130 metres over 7 kilometres—then follow the Whanganui River from Kakahi to Taumarunui. North of town, we pass the old Stratford–Okahukura junction and traverse the Poro-O-Tarao Tunnel into the Waikato. Rolling through Te Kuiti, views of Mt Pirongia greet us before Hamilton, where we farewell passengers. Following the Waikato River via Ngaruawahia and Taupiri, we climb Whangarata Bank to Pukekohe, ending our journey at Papakura before returning to Glenbrook.
10 hours • Admission ticket included

Additional info

• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Not recommended for travellers with limited mobility. You will need to be able to manage all of your own luggage.

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