The Kaimai Steam Express - Glenbrook Vintage Railway

Missed out on this trip?

Check out all the rest of the Steam Hauled trips we have coming up in September and October!

Step onboard our lovingly restored heritage coaches, hauled by Steam locomotive Ab 608 and diesel locomotives DBR1254 and DC4818. Settle into your seats to enjoy this special trip to Tauranga and return.

Our train will make its way down through the Waikato along the Main Trunk Line to Hamilton, before heading east on the East Coast Main Trunk for a rare opportunity to travel through the Kaimai Tunnel to Tauranga.

With free time in Tauranga, grab a bite to eat at a central city eatery or stroll the water front.

A mix of motive power! Steam locomotive Ab 608 leads us through the Waikato morning to the western side of the Kaimai Tunnel. Our diesels take over for the run through the tunnel to Tauranga and back. On the western side Ab 608 awaits our return to take us home.

Heritage atmosphere, steam power, Bay of Plenty scenery, and the romance of travelling by rail.

The Kaimai Steam Express | Waiuku/Glenbrook/Pukekohe & Hamilton to Tauranga and Return

Relax aboard The Kaimai Express as we travel from Waiuku, Glenbrook, Pukekohe and Hamilton to Tauranga and back. The whistle pierces the morning and the steam rises as we begin our journey from Waiuku. Climbing to Glenbrook station we stop to pick up the next group of passengers before we depart down the Mission Bush Branchline, joining the Main Trunk at Paerata before arrving at Pukekohe for more passengers.

Departing from Pukekohe we roll south through the fertile growing areas of Franklin and on into the Waikato. In the cool morning air the steam trail of the loco hangs in the air. Following the Waikato River, through the Whangamarino swamps and beside State Highway 1 we make our way to Hamilton for our next group of passengers.

Departing Hamilton, we travel east in a straight line through the Ruakura Innovation Park and out towards Morrinsville and eventually onto Waharoa Junction. Here we stop briefly to "cut off" the steam loco before continuing on our eastward route towards Hemopo and the western portal of the Kaimai Tunnel. It will take us about 10 minutes to travel the full 8.9km of this, the longest tunnel in New Zealand, and emerge on the eastern side at Whatakao before we hug the coast and inlets of the east coast on our approach to Tauranga.

Upon our return, our Steam Locomotive, having been serviced and refueled, will be waiting for us as soon as we exit the tunnel. Coupling back on, Ab 608 will once more take the lead returning us home in the afternoon.

Sit back, relax and enjoy the ambiace of steam power and the scenery passing by as you enjoy a complimentary hot or cold drink and snack. Bring some games to play with the family, and a camera too for some great photos from our open-air balconies on the train.

🪑 A Note About Seating

Our heritage carriages are generally arranged with two seats on each side of the aisle, so bookings of an even number of passengers are best suited to the seating layout.

Due to the popularity of our steam-hauled trips, single travellers will be seated with other passengers. We cannot guarantee a window seat or an unoccupied neighbouring seat for single-seat bookings.

Travelling on your own but want a guaranteed window seat with the seat beside you vacant? Simply book two seats.

🚂

Steam and Heritage Diesel 🌊 Bay of Plenty 🚇 Kaimai Tunnel 📸 Open-air balconies

Option 3 • Free Time in Tauranga

What’s included

Steam and Diesel motive power
Return heritage train travel
Free time in Tauranga
Time to explore the waterfront and city centre
Cafés, attractions and local events
Food and refreshments available onboard
Licensed train with open-air balcony viewing

Fares

Return Ex Auckland (Waiuku/Glenbrook/Pukekohe)

Adult $165 | Child (2–14) $139

Return Ex Hamilton (Rotokauri/Frankton)

Adult $135 | Child (2–14) $109

Option 1 - Steam & Diesel to Tauranga

Steam and Diesel Hauled Train to Tauranga and Return

Travel in style to Tauranga and enjoy the freedom to make a memorable day out, with time to catch up with family or friends, share a meal, explore or simply soak up the atmosphere of the city centre and waterfront.

Arriving on the Tauranga Waterfront, it's just a short walk from where we disembark to the heart of Tauranga City where you’ll find food and plenty of good vibes.

With just under 2 hours, you might like to visit Toi Tauranga Art Gallery, explore the shops, or enjoy the cafés and central-city parks before rejoining the train for the evening journey home.

Timetable

Outward

Waiuku	dep.	6.50am
Glenbrook	dep.	7.25am
Pukekohe	dep.	7.50am
Rotokauri (The Base)	dep.	9.30am
Hamilton (Frankton)	dep.	9.50am
Tauranga	arr.	11.40am

Arrive in Tauranga with time to explore.

Inward

Tauranga	dep.	1.30pm
Hamilton (Frankton)	arr.	3.20pm
Rotokauri (The Base)	arr.	3.45pm
Pukekohe	arr.	5.15pm
Glenbrook	arr.	5.40pm
Waiuku	arr.	6.10pm

Afternoon departure from Tauranga for the return journey home.

Glenbrook Station
Google Maps Link: View map

Departing from the Short Loading Platform.
Access is via Glenbrook Station Road.
Free parking is available in the main carpark.

Pukekohe Station
Google Maps Link: View map

Platform to be advised.
Access is via Manukau Road or Station Road.
Free parking is available.
You can connect via AT Metro train services. Please see AT timetable info .

Hamilton (Frankton) Station
Google Maps Link: View map

Boarding from Platform 2 (east side of station).
Access is signposted and is via Fraser Street, off Queens Ave in Frankton.
Ample free parking is available at the station and in neighbouring streets.

Te Awamutu Station
Google Maps Link: View map

Access is off Station Road.
Free parking is available at the station.

Otorohanga Station
Google Maps Link: View map

Access is off Wahanui Crescent (off Maniapoto St).
Free parking is available at the station and in surrounding streets.

Te Kuiti Station
Google Maps Link: View map

Access is off Rora Street.
Free parking is available in surrounding streets.

Taumarunui Station
Google Maps Link: View map

Access is off Hakiaha Street.
Free parking is available in surrounding streets.

Seating Information

Due to the heritage nature of our carriages, seating is generally arranged two abreast on each side of the aisle.
Most seats can be turned to face the direction of travel, or arranged as facing groups of four. For this reason, even-numbered groups are best suited to the seating layout.
We aim to seat passengers travelling on the same booking together. For bookings of two or more, we will allocate at least one window seat where possible, subject to availability.
Single travellers will be seated with other passengers. This may include another solo traveller or passengers from another booking. A window seat or an unoccupied neighbouring seat cannot be guaranteed. If you would like to guarantee a window seat with the neighbouring seat vacant, please book two seats.
Where possible, seats will be arranged to face the direction of travel for singles and pairs, or facing each other for larger groups.
Travelling with friends or family across multiple bookings? You must email at least one week prior to departure: [email protected] with the relevant booking details. Requests received after this time cannot be accommodated.
Other specific seating requests should also be made as early as possible. We will do our best to accommodate requests, but specific seats cannot be guaranteed. Your allocated carriage and seat details will be shown on your boarding pass, emailed approximately 24 hours before departure.

Onboard Information

Smoking or the consumption of Alcohol (not served by your train crew) is prohibited anywhere onboard our trains, including on any viewing platform, this includes the use or charging of e-cigarettes.
Due to the heritage nature of our carriages there is limited accessibility for people traveling with Wheelchairs. Please contact us in advance to discuss your requirements.
Animals apart from seeing and hearing guide dogs may not travel onboard our trains.
Only the named passengers on your booking will be allocated seats. One child under 2 may sit on each adult's knee. Children under 2 seated in this manner do not require a ticket.
There are toilets onboard our train which can be used throughout the journey.
Cold food or drink may be brought and consumed onboard the train provided that this does not disturb our passengers and that you take all rubbish and food scraps with you.

Refund Information

Refunds of fares paid, net of any payments made by GVR from those fares, requested and received by GVR up to and including fourteen clear days before the commencement of the trip or tour will be made without deduction other than a $30 administration charge per person booked. However no administration charge will apply where refunds arise as a consequence of the trip or tour being fully booked, cancelled prior to commencing, or postponed to a later date and the refund application is received within four days of the original trip or tour date.
No refunds will be given in the event of breakdown en route or unavailability of the advertised means of conveyance.
No refunds will be made if after departure, for whatever reason, passengers do not utilise the included trip or tour arrangements. Travel insurance may provide some degree of relief in limited cases.
No refunds of fares paid or any other form on recompense will be given as a result of any person missing any aircraft, train, bus or ferry in connection with this trip or tour for whatever reason.
No refunds will be given for cancellations unless the request is notified in writing to the GVR at least fourteen clear days before commencement of the trip or tour. Each such cancellation will be subject to the $30 administration charge per person booked.

Check out full Terms and Conditions.

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Book now for The Kaimai Steam Express - Sunday 18 October 2026

Your ticket includes return train travel from Auckland/Hamilton to Tauranga.

The Kaimai Steam Express - 18 October 2026