New Zealand North Island Railway Adventure

This morning after breakfast, we’ll take a coach tour across the Auckland Harbour Bridge to Northcote on the other side of the bay to view the city from a different angle. It’s then an easy jaunt to visit Cornwall Park and the One Tree Hill Monument, a 30m tall obelisk, located on a site of great importance to Maori, and of considerable significance as a symbol of biculturalism and respect between Maori and Pakeha (non-Maori people).

Back in the city we visit the iconic Sky Tower to soak up the landscape from 328 meters above the CBD, before enjoying a harbourfront lunch together right beside the Maritime Museum.  Your afternoon and evening are then free – you can visit the Maritime Museum or return to your hotel for some rest and relaxation ahead of the start of our magnificent rail adventure tomorrow.

For those wanting to explore some more on their own, your tour leaders will help with directions to the incredible Museum of Transport and Technology, the Auckland Art Gallery and Auckland Museum. Or you may like to take yourself on a journey back in time and visit some of Auckland’s outstanding colonial-era homes that are open to the public.

Overnight: Sky City Hotel, Auckland (B, L)

There’s time for a bit of a sleep-in and a lazy breakfast this morning before we head south out of Auckland by private coach to explore the trains and treasures of the Glenbrook Vintage Railway.

The next few hours offer a gentle, relaxed time to enjoy the atmosphere of a typical New Zealand branch line from bygone days, including a special steam train charter on one of their classic locos. Your privately chartered tour will include a guided visit to the workshops, photo run pasts, some lunch and refreshments and time just relaxing on board the heritage train as it ambles through the lush Waikato countryside.

After soaking up this rail history, we’ll drive the short distance to our hotel in Karaka. After checking in and freshening up, we’ll enjoy dinner together in the hotel restaurant.

Overnight: DoubleTree by Hilton, Karaka (B, L, D)

Today after breakfast at our hotel we transfer back to Glenbrook to board our special historic train charter for the beginning of our rail adventure down the North Island. Once we’ve settled into our private carriages and met the crew and the locals who are joining us for this adventure, we’ll head out from the Glenbrook branch and onto the main line to the centre of the North Island at Ohakune.

After passing through our first tunnel we follow the scenic Ongarue River to the once bustling town of Taumarunui. From here it is all uphill to the famous Raurimu Spiral taking us up to the central plateau. Departing National Park we cross the mighty Makatote Viaduct, skirting Mt. Ruapehu and crossing the grand Hapuawhenua Viaduct. Lunch will be hosted on board the train as we roll along.

We make numerous short stops for pickups and photo opportunities on this leg of our journey, but for most of the time we glide through the rolling farmland, skirting wonderful rivers, gorges and valleys as we traverse the Waikato area before entering the King Country. Known for its rugged and diverse landscape, the King Country is very significant in New Zealand’s history. The term “King Country” dates from the New Zealand Wars of the 1860s, when colonial forces invaded the Waikato and forces of the Māori King Movement withdrew south of what was called the aukati, or boundary, a line of hilltop fortifications alongside the Puniu River. Land behind the aukati remained native territory, with Europeans warned they crossed it under threat of death.

It’s early evening when we arrive in Ohakune where we’ll detrain, make the short walk to our hotel and check in.   

Dinner this evening is at a local restaurant.

Overnight: The Peak’s Motel, Ohakune, or similar (B, L, D)

Today after breakfast and checking out of our hotel, we leave Ohakune and work our way further down the North Island main trunk line to Marton. Shortly after leaving Ohakune, we cross the Whangaehu River, passing the site of the 1953 Tangiwai rail disaster, when the railway bridge collapsed, causing the carriages to plummet into the flooded river, killing 151 people.

From here, we start our descent from the central plateau with several crossings of the Hautapu River before arriving into Taihape. South of Taihape we cross the North Rangitikei, Kawhatau and South Rangitikei viaducts, the latter being the highest viaduct on the North Island Main Trunk. A short while later we arrive at Marton, the junction of the line to New Plymouth.

At Marton our locomotive changes ends, and we continue our day’s travel, on the Marton – New Plymouth Line, where the Turakina tunnel, shortly followed by the Fordell Tunnels, are some of our first points of interest on this leg of our journey. The line west undulates over the rugged countryside near the South Taranaki Bight and as we roll along you’ll view the Eastern side of Mt Taranaki. This countryside is famous for dairying and the rich volcanic pasture is the backbone of the region’s rich agriculture. We arrive at Eastown on the outskirts of the coastal township of Whanganui, where we stop with time in the town to enjoy a wander and have some lunch on your own.

Departing the eastern suburbs of Whanganui, we cross the Whanganui river before starting our climb up the formidable Westmere Bank, which is the steepest grade in the country. Descending the grade into the township of Patea from the mouth of the river, we continue onward to Hawera and the start of our mountain views. We navigate the eastward side of the Egmont National Park before arriving at New Plymouth, our home for the next two nights. Dinner this evening is a short walk from the hotel.

Overnight: Novotel, New Plymouth, (or similar)  (B, D)

Today is yours – a whole free day to relax, mooch around the hotel or get out and about in New Plymouth. Our centrally located hotel is a great stepping out point, either on foot or by public transport.

Named after the English city of Plymouth, in Devon, from where the first English settlers to New Plymouth migrated, and with the dramatic backdrop of the conical shape of Taranaki Maunga (Mountain), New Plymouth is a vibrant and contemporary city, known for its sunny climate, art galleries, picturesque parks, stunning gardens and decadent dining. There are options galore for your free day!

A short distance from the hotel is the very pleasant Coastal Walkway which runs along the foreshore to Kawaroa Park. Another easy walk from the hotel takes you to Pukekura Park, one of New Zealand’s premier botanical gardens, covering 52ha (128 acres) right in the heart of New Plymouth. The park has an international Green Flag award and is a Garden of National Significance. Just a couple of blocks from the hotel is the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery and the West End precinct full of cafes, shops and galleries.

For the gardeners amongst you, a special highlight for you might be the esteemed Taranaki Garden Festival, held in early November each year, showcasing some of New Zealand’s finest gardens and the benefits of the deep rich volcanic soil of the region.

For those with a keen interest in the rail history of the region you have the option to join a tour to the Waitara Railway Preservation Society, established in 1999 to operate a heritage railway over the former Waitara Industrial Line railway. We’ve chartered the train for the run to Lepperton and back – a great opportunity to hear the story of the line’s operation and revival while lapping up the scenery.

Overnight: Novotel, New Plymouth, (or similar)  (B)

This morning after breakfast and checking out, we’ll start today’s leg by retracing our journey towards Marton and then on to Palmerston North.  Looking out your picture window, you’ll be enthralled by the lush rolling countryside and mountain views as we travel through the towns of Inglewood, Stratford, Eltham and on to Hawera. Passing Stratford you’ll get a glimpse of the southern connection to the mothballed Stratford – Okahukura Line. Our lunch is provided by a local group on the station at Waverley.

South of Hawera we travel past the country’s busiest milk factory at Whareroa – Fonterra. Established in 1972, this site produces the largest volume of dairy ingredients from a single factory anywhere in the world and plays a significant role in the economic and social fabric of the region.

Passing through Patea, we skirt the Waipipi Wind Farm, a real vision of the future, generating 133MW from 31 wind turbines over 980 hectares, before commencing our descent into Palmerston North, our home for the evening.

Upon arrival in Palmerston North, we’ll transfer directly to our hotel and check in, after which the evening is yours to explore the street art and restaurants of Palmerston North or simply relax at the hotel.

Overnight: Distinction Palmerston North Hotel (B, L)

After breakfast at the hotel and checking out, we transfer to the railway station, board our special train and depart Palmerston North for Napier on the Palmerston North – Gisborne line.

Travelling through the breath-taking Manawatu Gorge, now only accessible by rail, we pass through Woodville and roll through the meandering countryside north of Dannevirke, crossing the six famous viaducts of Mangatera, Piripiri, Mangatewainui, Makotuku, Ormondville and Kopua, before the Pekapeka Wetlands signals our arrival into the horticultural heart of the Hawke’s Bay area known as ‘New Zealand’s Fruit Bowl’.  This region is renowned for growing most of the country’s avocados, apples, kiwifruit and stone fruit and is a verdant wine region.

As well as the odd photo stop along the way, we’ll pause for free time for lunch in one of the charming towns on the route, Waipukarau, nestled on the banks of the Tukituki River.  We’ll be greeted by the magnificent coastline south of Napier, shortly before arriving into the heart of town in the mid afternoon.

We’ll transfer directly to our hotel to check in, giving you time to start exploring street after street of stunning and beautifully-restored Art Deco buildings for which Napier is famous before rejoining your fellow travellers for dinner.

Overnight: Scenic Hotel Te Pania, Napier (B, D)

Today is a free day to make the most of your central location in one of the most charming cities in New Zealand. After a devastating earthquake in 1931 that killed 260 people and virtually flattened the town, Napier was completely rebuilt in the Art Deco architectural style of the day and is now famous for being one of the most complete collections of Art Deco buildings in the world.

You can take one of the many self-guided Art Deco Walking tours on offer, browse in the charming shops, or head out to any one of the numerous wineries in the region to participate in the Food and Wine Classic held in June and November each year. The region is home to the stunning Mission Winery, New Zealand’s oldest winery and the birthplace of New Zealand Wine. Established in 1851 by French missionaries with the blessings of the Pope, it is still owned and operated by the Marist Brothers.

You’re also welcome to join our special train on its local shuttles planned for Napier to Dannevirke and return.

It goes without saying you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to dinner options in this food and wine mecca.

Overnight: Scenic Hotel Te Pania, Napier (B, D)

After breakfast and check out, we’ll again hand our luggage over to our support crew and board our special train.  Leaving Napier, we once again roll through the lush orchards and growing areas of central Hawkes Bay as we retrace our steps to Woodville. You’ll hear the locomotive working hard as we head up the Opapa Bank, the steepest part of the line between Napier and Woodville. Between Waipukurau and Dannevirke we’ll pass through several old towns of New Zealand, reminding us of their important role in the glory days at the height of the New Zealand Railways.

At Woodville we’ll get the chance to see the Woodville Balloon Loop, an iconic piece of rail infrastructure which allows trains to enter and exit the branch line in any direction without changing the loco. We then head on our journey further south, down the Wairarapa Line, a special treat for us as this line is not used by any scheduled freight or passenger services. Having crossed the Manawatu River, and passed the famous Tui Brewery at Mangatainoka, we’ll stop at Pahiatua for lunch and take the time to look at the Pahiatua Railcar Society’s magnificent collection. The Pahiatua Railcar Society is dedicated to the restoration of railcars and other locomotives and rolling stock formerly operated by the New Zealand Railways Department. It is notable for possessing the sole remaining examples of the RM class 88 seater and Wairarapa railcars.

After saying goodbye to our special train and crew from the Glenbrook Vintage Railway, we’ll continue onto Masterton by coach to explore the town, settle into our hotel and enjoy dinner together at the hotel.

Overnight: Copthorne Resort and Hotel, Masterton (B, L, D)

After a gentle start over breakfast at the hotel and checking out, we’ll board our private coach and head down the road to Featherston, a charming and historic town nestled at the foot of the formidable Rimutaka Incline. There’s a number of museums and heritage precincts here which we’ll explore before visiting the fascinating Fell loco museum to hear the story of the unique rail operation required to haul trains over the range. The amazing museum volunteers will host lunch for us, after which we’ll continue on to Wellington, stopping once at the NZ Railway Loco Society’s museum at Silver Stream to view the collection and restoration projects.

After we check into our hotel in the nation’s capital city for the next  2 nights you will have the rest of the afternoon and evening at leisure.

Overnight: Rydges Hotel, Wellington (B, L)

Today we embark on a full-day excursion of this wonderful capital city, including a chance to ride the historic Wellington Cable Car (which is actually a funicular railway) from the heart of the city centre up through the hillside terraced houses of Kelburn to the lookout perched high above the city. Here we’ll have some free time to explore the 25ha Wellington Botanic Gardens and enjoy lunch at the café or beyond and you may also wish to visit the nifty Cable Car Museum nearby.

After lunch, we’ll visit the wonderful Te Papa Museum, New Zealand’s national museum. A celebration of the history and culture of this magnificent country, the museum showcases Māori and Pacific cultural treasures, New Zealand’s extraordinary natural world, its colonial history and its most important works of art. The eclectic collection ranges from  the world’s largest specimen of the rare colossal squid, 4.2 metres long and weighing 495 kilograms to dresses and textiles dating back to the sixteenth century, to the New Zealand Post Archive with around 20,000 stamps, to the Elgar Collection, a valuable collection of English and French furniture and paintings, dating back to the seventeenth century. There is truly something here for everyone!

After returning to our hotel and having some time to freshen up, we’ll gather for a farewell dinner to celebrate the completion of our North Island Adventure together.

Overnight: Rydges Hotel, Wellington (B, D)

Our tour finishes after breakfast at the hotel.

However, you may wish to consider extending your time in the wonderful land of Aotearoa by joining us on our great South Island Railway Adventure, ‘South Island by Rail, Road and Sea’, departing Wellington tomorrow.