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  This was an excellent trip. Super friendly staff. The carts are great fun. The bush walk was amazing and the cup of tea a welcome addition. Would highly recommend as... read more

    jacquiland2017
    January 5, 2020

  • star rating  Lots of fun, and Paul added value for our 10 year old, letting her make announcements from the lead car. We enjoyed the bush walk and felt it was good... read more

    avatar thumb Claire M
    January 17, 2025

  • star rating  As Good As It Gets - December 2023 & a second visit to Awakeri Rail -
    The Awakeri Rail Adventure is about as good as it gets for authenticity – not simply ‘just‘a tourist mainstream visitor... read more

    Linton H
    December 28, 2023

  • star rating  Rail fun, facilities lacking - Was fun running the rail cars. Really enjoyed listening to Ben’s talk about the trees and walk through the bush was great. Was disappointed that when we stopped for bbq... read more

    Vacation52599592661
    February 23, 2025

  • star rating  Enjoyed a relaxing ride through the local farmland on the Awakeri Rail Trail, and LOVED it. Paul single handedly was the tour guide, "tea lady" and dish washer upper, and... read more

    avatar thumb Joanne I
    February 8, 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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