Experience the beautiful Taumarere River from one of our Vintage engines, we have 6 different locomotives in service and alternate these across our operation. Experience the history and nostalgia of vintage rail and breathtaking scenery.
Experience a journey along the beautiful Taumarere River on one of our Vintage engines, we have 6 different locomotives in service and alternate these across our seven-day operation. Experience the history and nostalgia of vintage rail. Guards on every journey share the local history and personal connection to the railway and our beautiful environment.
Summer timetable Trains depart Kawakawa at 10:00am, 12:30, 3:00pm. Autumn-Winter- Spring Trains depart Kawakawa station at 10:00am and 2:00pm.
We stop at Taumarere Station (to pick up bikers/walkers) and finish at Whangae Tunnel located approximately 2/3 point between Kawakawa to Opua. The returning train will also stop at Taumarere before completing the trip at Kawakawa Station. It takes approximately 120 minutes for the full return trip to Kawakawa. Note there is a 10-minute photo stop at Taumarere, neither location can be reached by car. You can only train, walk or cycle into these historic sites.
Cyclists need to book the train connection separately and cycle-connection fares will apply. Bay of Islands Vintage Rail also have a booking office in Paihia and a coach bus service connecting visitors to Kawakawa Station in time for each train. This needs to be booked separately online or from the Paihia booking office. We also operate every day the Cruise Ships are in the Bay of Islands, and have a Cruise and Coach package available online or from our Paihia booking office.
Please be sure to select the correct BOARDING location - Kawakawa or Whangae Tunnel (only if you are walking) and whether you are going ONE WAY or RETURN to original location. If you have any enquiries please email: admin@bayofislandsvintagerailway.org.nz