The Great North Island Steam & Diesel Rail Tour

Today, we bid farewell to Rotorua and journey by coach to Te Kuiti, where Steam Locomotive W^w 644 and our GVR Tour Train await. Stepping back aboard, we prepare for a spectacular day of steam travel through the heart of the North Island.

As we depart Te Kuiti, we leave behind the mighty Waikato and venture into the rugged beauty of the King Country. Soon, we cross the historic Waiteti Viaduct, the oldest on the North Island Main Trunk. Feel the rhythm of the locomotive as it works steadily, its beat echoing through the hills. The train begins its climb toward the Porootarao Saddle, a challenging section of track that has tested steam engines for generations.

With a rush of steam, we plunge into the darkness of the 1.5-kilometre-long Porootarao Tunnel, a gateway between the watersheds of the Waikato and Whanganui rivers. Emerging on the other side, the landscape opens up, revealing the meandering Ongarue River Valley below. As we continue, the landscape shifts, revealing rolling farmland, dense native bush, and remnants of old railway settlements. The train gently winds its way toward Taumarunui, a town that came to life with the arrival of the Main Trunk Line. Once a vital junction where passengers transferred between river steamers and trains, Taumarunui remains an iconic railway town, its history etched into the tracks beneath us.

With steam curling into the afternoon sky, we ease into the station, where Taumarunui’s rail heritage greets us at every turn. This is a place where time slows, and the spirit of the Main Trunk lives on.

Overnight: Alexander Motel (B, L, AT)

Our journey begins alongside the Whanganui River, a waterway steeped in Māori legend. The river served as a natural highway for generations, connecting settlements deep in the King Country to the coast. As we skirt the settlement of Piriaka, the land begins to rise, and W^w 644 digs in for the climb up the Kakahi Bank, now following the Whakapapa River, which flows from the snowfields of Tongariro National Park.

The small settlement of Owhango soon appears, its history tied to the timber industry. A century ago, sawmills here processed vast amounts of native timber, with workers relying on the railway to transport goods through this rugged land. We then pass Oio, a quiet remnant of the once-bustling milling town that supported railway workers and bushmen.

Then, we reach one of the most famous feats of New Zealand railway engineering; the Raurimu Spiral. This world-renowned section of track was the solution to an immense problem: how to gain 132 meters in altitude in just a few short kilometres without steep gradients that would defeat the locomotives of the time. Feel the power of the locomotive as we tackle the Spiral, a moment that has thrilled rail travellers for over a century.

At the summit, we emerge onto the Central Plateau, where the landscape shifts dramatically. The dense forests give way to open tussock lands, and the towering peaks of Tongariro, Ngauruhoe, and Ruapehu dominate the eastern horizon. These volcanic giants are part of the UNESCO-listed Tongariro National Park, a place of immense cultural and geological significance. For centuries, Māori have revered these mountains, and today, they stand as both sacred landmarks and a breathtaking backdrop to our journey.

Beyond the alpine village of National Park, we continue across the Waimarino Plateau. Here, we traverse some of the most spectacular viaducts on the Main Trunk Line. The Makatote Viaduct, soaring 79 meters above the river below, is a stunning feat of early 20th-century engineering. Soon after, we approach the Hapuawhenua Viaducts, both old and new. The original 1908 Hapuawhenua Viaduct, remains standing as a testament to the railway’s history, now repurposed as a walking and cycling bridge. Meanwhile, we cross the modern Hapuawhenua Viaduct, built in 1987, a sleek replacement that allows trains to glide high above the forested valley below.

As the afternoon casts it’s long light across the plateau, our train rolls into Ohakune. Once a bustling railway town, Ohakune’s history is deeply entwined with both rail and agriculture. Here, we pause for two nights, with time to breathe in the crisp mountain air, reflect on the journey so far, and prepare for the adventures ahead.

Overnight: Ruapehu Mountain Motel (B, MT, L, AT)

Today we have a leisurely pace, starting with a visit to the world-famous Horopito Motors, a family run business and the largest vintage automotive dismantler in Australasia. A visit here is sure to intrigue and bring back fond memories of days gone-by.

We retrace yesterday’s steps and watch our Steam Engine cross the mighty Makatote Viaduct and ‘chase’ it back to Ohakune. Again we ‘chase’ it to Tangiwai where there is time to reflect on NZ’s worst rail disaster before again catching our train cross the Whangaehu River and returning to Ohakune.

This afternoon we have a visit to the wonderful Ohakune Rail Museum where you can learn more about the Tangiwai disaster from the educated team of volunteers and locals. The remainder of the day is provided free at your leisure to explore the many short walks and township of Ohakune.

Overnight: Ruapehu Mountain Motel (B, MT, L)

As we depart Ohakune today, our journey begins with a gentle run toward the Whangaehu River, passing the site of the Tangiwai Disaster of 1953, a tragic moment in New Zealand’s history. The locomotive’s beat changes as we begin the climb up the Waiouru Bank, where the train steadily makes its way into the rugged terrain. We wind through the valley of the Hautapu River, a quiet and picturesque stretch of countryside, before reaching the dramatic Turangarere Horse Shoe Curve.

From here, we arrive in the town of Taihape. Leaving Taihape behind, we make our way toward the Rangitikei River valley. Beginning with the Toi Toi Viaduct we start of a series of stunning crossings as the land drops away below us to the Rangitikei River.  The Rangitikei North Viaduct, standing 81 meters high and stretching 160 meters across the gorge marks the first of the big three viaducts.

Our next viaduct, the Kawhatau Viaduct, stands 73 meters high and 160 meters long. Here, we catch a glimpse of the confluence of the Kawhatau and Rangitikei Rivers. Continuing on, we approach the final of the three viaducts, the Rangitikei South Viaduct. At 78 meters high and 315 meters long, this engineering marvel spans the river gorge with elegance and strength.

Further on we drift through the township of Managweka before bursting through the tunnel of the same name. As we emerge back into the open air we cross the impressive Makohine Viaduct. Completed in 1902, this steel giant stretches 229 meters long and rises 73 meters above the valley floor. Its striking presence has made it one of New Zealand’s iconic railway landmarks.

From here, we continue our journey, passing through Hunterville and the rail junction of Marton, linking the Main Trunk to the New Plymouth line. As we continue south, we travel through the gentle rolling hills of Kakariki and Halcombe, the scenery becomes softer, the land more open, until we finally arrive in the Manawatu region.

Our arrival at Palmerston North signals the end of our steam powered leg of the journey.

Overnight: Distinction Palmerston North (B, MT, L, AT)

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.

Rolling through the meandering countryside, north of Dannevirke we cross the six famous viaducts of Mangatera, Piripiri, Mangatewainui, Makotuku, Ormondville and Kopua. We make a stop in Waipukurau for lunch at a local eatery and time to stretch the legs.

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.

Overnight: Art Deco Masonic Hotel (B, MT, L, AT)

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 in to the Art Deco capital. There is also plenty of free time and the opportunity to explore the town at your leisure. In the afternoon we venture as out to one of the Hawkes Bay’s most notorius wineries for a tasting and tour.

Overnight: Art Deco Masonic Hotel (B, AT)

Today’s travel retraces our steps, back down to Woodville. Leaving Napier we once again roll through the lush orchards and growing areas of central Hawkes Bay. You hear the locomotive work hard as we head up the Opapa Bank, the steepest on this part of the line between Napier and Woodville.

Between Waipukurau and Dannevirke we pass through several old towns of New Zealand, now reminiscing at their glory days in the height of the New Zealand Railways.

At Woodville we get the chance to see the Woodville Balloon Loop, an iconic piece of rail infrastructure as we head on our journey further south, down the Wairarapa Line. This line is not used by any scheduled freight or passenger services. Having crossed the Manawatu River, and passing the famous Tui Brewery at Mangatainoka we stop at Pahiatua for lunch and time to look at the Pahiatua Railcar Society’s magnificent collection.

Here we relocate to a bus for our last leg of the journey, our departure from Pahiatua sees us climb through stunning native bush up to Mount Bruce and in to the Wairarapa.

Overnight: Copthorne Solway (B, MT, L, AT)

After a leisurely start to the day, we continue by bus through the Wairarapa to Featherston, near the foot of the former Rimutaka Incline. Here we stop for lunch and a visit to the Fell Locomotive Museum learn the history of this unique piece of railway engineering and the only Fell locomotive left in the world.

Departing Featherston we climb over the Rimutaka Hill into the Hutt Valley before we make a visit to the delightful Silver Stream Railway where we will embark on a journey along their line before a chance to look at the collection of locomotives and rolling stock that is preserved here.

From Silver Stream we finish our journey alongside the Hutt River before we arrive on the shores of the Wellington Harbour and our accommodation in Wellington for the night.

Overnight: Copthorne Solway (B, MT, L)

This morning we have an early relocation to Paekakariki to board our train to Palmerston North.

We leave the Kapiti Coast and coast along the rolling farmland and market gardens as we travel through the towns of Otaki and Levin. Skirting the foot of the Tararua Ranges and passing through the rural townships of Shannon and Tokomaru, we arrive back in to Palmerston North.

This afternoon we partake in the start of the festivities before relocating back to our accommodation. The evening is provided free at your leisure.

Overnight: Distinction Palmerston North (B, L)

Today our journey takes us on one of the steam and diesel excusions over the weekend of celebrations involving several heritage groups.

Further details of exact trips will be confirmed in due course – possible destinations to be confirmed later include Whanganui and Ohakune by steam and diesel.

Overnight: Distinction Palmerston North  (B, L)

Today our journey takes us on one of the steam and diesel excusions over the weekend of celebrations involving several heritage groups.

Further details of exact trips will be confirmed in due course – possible destinations to be confirmed later include Whanganui and Ohakune by steam and diesel.

Overnight: Distinction Palmerston North (B, L)

This morning our tour concludes, you are free to find your way home. For those flying to Auckland or elsewhere a shuttle will be provided to the Palmerston North Airport for connecting flights at 9am.

NZ5106 departing PMN at 10.25am for Auckland is suggested to travellers returning to Auckland.

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