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  We really enjoyed this experience. So unique and well run. The chook run and cuppa with bickies was a nice touch. Highly recommend.

    avatar thumb Maps46140828527
    October 27, 2024

  • star rating  Paul was a great host which made for a fun trip. We were well looked after and Paul was full of very interesting facts. The weather was gorgeous which highlighted... read more

    avatar thumb Ginny C
    February 23, 2025

  • star rating  The perfect afternoon - We loved our rail adventure. The scenery, feeding the chooks, the bush walk, the quirky and unexpected dummies strategically located, chatting over a cuppa in the bush hut, it was... read more

    Jenny J
    July 25, 2024

  • star rating  The trip was fine. But I was bullied by everyone else on the tour about my Australian heritage.
    And I don’t even like rugby.

    avatar thumb banana m
    January 1, 2026

  • star rating  We did the 2pm Snack Run trip. Can thoroughly recommend this trip for friends and families, would probably best suit children over 5, stopped to feed the chickens, stopped to... read more

    77jasminc
    February 26, 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

Book Now