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  A very entertaining ride then walk thru bush to gumboot fence.Pointing out the very old Kahikatea trees and other native trees in the reserve.
    Enjoyable couple of hours with a... read more

    avatar thumb Tom W
    June 23, 2025

  • star rating  This trip from Awakeri along an old railway track was such fun. Paul gave us our safety briefing and away we went in our converted golf buggy with everyone in... read more

    Taurus47
    February 10, 2020

  • star rating  Brilliant - Excellent highly recommend the kids absolutely loved it (10,7,5)
    Really well balanced with laughs, informative and nature.
    Have already recommended to others to go.

    steph82
    May 1, 2024

  • star rating  Highly recommended - My sister and I took a friend who was visiting from Scotland and we had a wonderful time on the Awakeri Rail Adventure. It is a fun and different... read more

    393viviennea
    March 4, 2023

  • star rating  We had booked about a year ago and they honoured the booking - two friends also joined us and we duly turned up at the station. Paul was great -... read more

    Grant N
    February 21, 2020

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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