The 10 Best Railways in New Zealand, New Zealand

March 21, 2022 Tonie Szymanski

New Zealand (/njuːˈziːlənd/ ( listen); Māori: Aotearoa [aɔˈtɛaɾɔa]) is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. The country geographically comprises two main landmasses—the North Island (Te Ika-a-Māui), and the South Island (Te Waipounamu)—and around 600 smaller islands. New Zealand is situated some 1,500 kilometres (900 mi) east of Australia across the Tasman Sea and roughly 1,000 kilometres (600 mi) south of the Pacific island areas of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga. Because of its remoteness, it was one of the last lands to be settled by humans. During its long period of isolation, New Zealand developed a distinct biodiversity of animal, fungal and plant life. The country's varied topography and its sharp mountain peaks, such as the Southern Alps, owe much to the tectonic uplift of land and volcanic eruptions. New Zealand's capital city is Wellington, while its most populous city is Auckland.
Restaurants in New Zealand

1. Awakeri Rail Adventures

1055 State Highway 2 Awakeri, Whakatane 3193 New Zealand 6480053747245 [email protected] http://www.whakatane.info/business/awakeri-rail-adventures#sthash.TYBRaCM9.dpuf
Excellent
89%
Good
9%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 414 reviews

Awakeri Rail Adventures

WE ARE OPEN 8 AM - 5.30 PM SEVEN DAYS PER WEEK Welcome to Awakeri Rail Adventures in sunny Whakatane. Travel along a piece of New Zealand's rich rail history and experience the natural beauty of New Zealand from the comfort of your own self driven rail cart cleverly adapted to be driven along the rail tracks.

Reviewed By bill12345678910

We did the Bushwalk and Snack Run trip. Met by, and taken on tour by Mel this was a great fun experience. Can thoroughly recommend this trip to anyone. We stopped to feed the chickens, stopped to walk a beautiful Kahikatea Tree Forest, had yummy Milo and fed a Weka while stopped in a little Bush Camp and then to the end of the line to turn around (great fun turning around!), and head back to the starting point. 2 to 4 persons per converted golf cart Easy for adults and teenagers to drive - no steering required ! We really loved it!

2. Dargaville Rail & River Tours

Excellent
78%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 58 reviews

Dargaville Rail & River Tours

Experience Dargaville surrounds from the comfort of a converted, self-drive Golf Cart.

3. The Pioneer Village

1A Recreation Road, Kaikohe 0405 New Zealand +64 9-401 0816 [email protected] http://www.pioneervillage.org.nz
Excellent
67%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
5%
Terrible
4%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 21 reviews

The Pioneer Village

Buildings include the Waimate North Courthouse built in 1862 which is the oldest courthouse in New Zealand, the Maioha Cottage built in 1875 and Utakura Hall and School built in 1891. Collections include the Fergie Neilson collection of Maori artefacts; Bill Pratt collection of gum-digging equipment and the Purdy collection of blacksmith tools. Machinery includes the only surviving Albion Cuthbertson Water Buffalo in New Zealand; one of only five in the world, a fully restored 1901 Burrell Steam Locomotive, a large collection of agricultural machinery and two fire engines. Rides available on diesel train carriage, 1901 3/4 size replica Grout cycle car, 1936 Leyland fire engine and/or 1901 Burrell Steam Traction engine. Bookings essential and subject to driver availability. Something for everybody!

Reviewed By ThereseJo - Houhora, New Zealand

This is a wonderful place to visit. The exhibits are informative and relevant. The staff were welcoming. Great coffee and chocolate cake. Well worth the $10/adult entrance. Thank you.

4. Whangarei Steam and Model Railway Club

500 State Highway 14, Whangarei 0179 New Zealand +64 9-437 6824 http://www.steamnorth.co.nz/
Excellent
67%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3 reviews

Whangarei Steam and Model Railway Club

5. Oamaru Steam and Rail

2 Itchen Street, Oamaru 9400 New Zealand +64 27 277 4678 [email protected] http://www.oamaru-steam.org.nz
Excellent
53%
Good
41%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
6%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 17 reviews

Oamaru Steam and Rail

Incorporated in 1986, we provide a vintage railway experience for both locals and tourists, as well as restore locomotives and rolling stock and associated rail infrastructure. All maintenance work and train operations are carried out by our volunteer crew. We run coal-fired steam and vintage diesel trains every Sunday (subject to volunteer staffing) in the Victorian Precinct in Oamaru, New Zealand.

Reviewed By 83114a

What a great little train ride, great value for money. I would definitely do it again and perfect if you have kids

6. TranzAlpine

Greymouth New Zealand +64 9-583 5780 https://www.greatjourneysofnz.co.nz/tranzalpine/
Excellent
73%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 80 reviews

TranzAlpine

Reviewed By 619jeffry - Essendon, Australia

We took the TranzAlpine from Christchurch to Greymouth. The trip across the Canterbury Plains by train was pleasant -- such a fertile farming area. Then we climbed up into the steep mountains, we simply don't have anything like this in Australia. Crossing New Zealand's South Island from east to west is quite an adventure. We arranged to pick up a car in Greymouth. By the way, the South Island is mountainous, get a strong car.

7. Northern Explorer

Ngaoho Place Auckland Strand Railway Station, Parnell, Auckland 1010 New Zealand https://www.greatjourneysofnz.co.nz/northern-explorer/plan/northern-explorer-stations/auckland-strand-railway-station/#
Excellent
80%
Good
10%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
10%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 10 reviews

Northern Explorer

Reviewed By burslem2017 - Ladysmith, Canada

Early start at Auckland strand rail station ,Our trip became full half way through the trip, Need to be a train avocado for the 11 hour trip to Wellington, through some of New Zealand beautiful inland countryside, Train food ok but do tend to run out of some items, Our train had a problem with the coffee machine , but the staff cope with instant.

8. Thames Small Gauge Railway

Brown St, Thames 3500 New Zealand +64 27 304 5664
Excellent
38%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
38%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 8 reviews

Thames Small Gauge Railway

9. The Glen Afton Line - Heritage Railway

1153A Rotowaro Road, Huntly 3771 New Zealand +64 7-828 4851 http://www.bushtramwayclub.com
Excellent
0%
Good
100%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 2 reviews

The Glen Afton Line - Heritage Railway

10. Mainline Steam Plimmerton

Wellington New Zealand +64 4-233 8131 [email protected] http://mainlinesteam.co.nz/
Mainline Steam Plimmerton

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