Hundreds of visitors, many from all over the world have enjoyed the experience!

Welcome to Awakeri Rail Adventures in Whakatane. Travel along a piece of New Zealand’s rich rail history and experience the natural beauty and adventure from the comfort of a rail-cart, cleverly adapted to be self-driven along the rail tracks. Our rail cars are FULL self drive – you are in complete control of your rail vehicle – you may stop any where you wish to take photographs (or pick up your hat).

Your adventure starts from Awakeri traveling at a leisurely 25 kilometeres per hour with family and friends along a piece of historic railway line. There are 4 bridges, numerous cuttings and bush scenes along the track.

Tours Contact Us

  • star rating  Paul is amazing he is the owner and nothing better than owner operated his knowledge is outstanding on the area. It is fun and very safe awsome for families with... read more

    avatar thumb Chantal K
    August 25, 2024

  • star rating  Paul was our guide. We had the best time. He was fun, informative and very likeable. It's great to see someone doing what they love. I would highly recommend this... read more

    avatar thumb Naomipineappletours
    August 19, 2025

  • star rating  All aboard  - This was an enjoyable tour left by Paul. You travel in a golf cart on a railway line through rural and bush settings.
    The first stop is a bush walk... read more

    Peter B
    November 25, 2023

  • star rating  Interesting experience- good mixture of rail travel, bush walk, snack break, and Chook feeding. Paul was very professional and funnily informative. Unexpected treat meeting top- ranking US official.

    avatar thumb David_and_Patricia_R
    January 27, 2019

  • star rating  We loved the whole rail ride experience! Super fun way to spend some quality family time driving on a rail track through a gorgeous landscape setting. Fun stops along the... read more

    avatar thumb arayahscompass
    March 16, 2025

Travel along a piece of New Zealand’s rich rail history and experience the natural beauty and adventure from the comfort of our rail-cart

Awakeri Rail Adventures offers three types of trips.

The first and most popular trip is the Bush walk and snack run 9am-12:30pm & 1pm-4.30pm. It covers 20 km of track and includes a guided short bush walk, a stop for a relaxing track-side snack and hot drink, as well as the opportunity to feed the chickens, ducks, and geese. This trip takes 2.5 to 3 hours and departs twice daily.

THE TWILIGHT TRAIN IS AN EVENING TRIP OPERATING IN THE SUMMER MONTHS ONLY, FOR VISITORS WHO HAVE OTHER ACTIVITIES EARLIER IN THE DAY. A FANTASTIC TRIP ON A SUMMERS EVENING. IT STARTS AT 5.30 PM AND CONCLUDES AT ABOUT 9PM .   (IT IS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR SMALL  CHILDREN.) FARES ARE THE SAME AS THE BUSH WALK AND SNACK RUN.

The third trip is the “Chicken Run.” Covering 10 km of track, it’s ideal for kids under 5 years old. Along the way, feed the chickens, explore an old railway hut, and meet “Pushy,” the 75-year-old bulldozer.

CHICKEN RUN & TWILIGHT TRAIN  ARE BY ARRANGEMENT ONLY BY CALLING – 08005374724
OTHER TRIPS CAN BE BOOKED ON LINE (OR CALL US)  

Conveniently located just down the road from Awakeri Hot Springs

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