The Matamata Explorer - Glenbrook Vintage Railway

It's been 4 years since we had big steam departing Auckland! Step onboard our lovingly restored heritage coaches, hauled by Steam Incorporated's Steam Locomotive Ab 608 - Passchendaele! Settle into your seats listen to the beat of the engine and enjoy this special trip down the Main Trunk Line through rolling Waikato countryside to Matamata and return.

Jump on board with the Glenbrook Vintage Railway and experience rail travel as it used to be, behind a steam locomotive! Our train will make its way down through the Waikato.

By popular demand, we are once again offering this trip from Waiuku, Glenbrook, and Pukekohe to Matamata and return to experience the hospitality of the Waikato District.

So hop on board as we step back in time – to how travel used to be – and experience the romance of traveling by rail!

The journey and the destination: Behind a steam locomotive the journey is just as important as the destination. With numerous cafes, boutique retail and a splendid Farmer's Market, Matamata is a wonderful Waikato destination for an afternoon's exploration.

Lush Waikato river and farmland scenery, fantastic onboard service and a charming destination - all in a day.

What’s the plan?

The Matamata Explorer | Waiuku/Glenbrook/Pukekohe & Hamilton to Matamata and Return.

Relax aboard The Matamata Explorer as we travel from Waiuku, Glenbrook, Pukekohe, Hamilton to Matamata back.

As the whistle pierces the morning air we depart from Waiuku then Glenbrook. After stopping in Pukekohe to pick up more passengers we roll through the early morning Waikato countryside powered 1915 built Ab 608. At Hamilton we stop for more passengers and a quick drink for the locomotive.

Topped up with water and with a hiss of steam from the cylinders we depart Hamilton towards the East, passing underneath central Hamilton, we pass the site of NZ's first, now disused, underground railway station, before emerging back into the daylight over the Waikato River. Flying through Hamilton's eastern suburbs of Claudelands and Ruakura travel along the East Coast Main Tunk, into the fertile plains of the eastern Waikato.

We make an operational stop at Waharoa, the junction of the Kinleith Branch and the East Coast Main Trunk, to turn our locomotive on the triangle. After we have coupled back up we finish the short run to our destination of Matamata.

On our return journey, relax into your seat as the country side rolls past into the afternoon. Enjoy a cold beer or wine on our licenced train as we make our way home.

A great train trip through the Waikato countryside - suitable for the whole family!

🪑 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 hauled 🛤️ Main Trunk Line 🛤️ East Coast Main Trunk 🐄 Rolling Farmlands 🏘 Town & Country

Option 1 • Mt Ruapehu & Sky Waka Gondola

What’s included

Steam hauled from Waiuku, Glenbrook, Pukekohe and Hamilton to Matamata and return!
About 2 hours in Matamata to explore or for lunch
Food & beverages available onboard.

A full day of rail travel action, with steam power.

Fares

Return Ex Auckland (Waiuku/Glenbrook/Pukekohe)

Adult $135 | Child (2-14) $95

Return Ex Hamilton (Rotokauri/Frankton)

Adult $105 | Child (2-14) $65

Option 1 | Steam to Matamata

Steam to the Waikato Heartland!

Disembarking the train at Matamata, you are greeted by mature oaks and the Farmer's Market on the Railside Green. It's just a short walk to Arawa St and the main shopping center of town where you can find a quaint rural High St style shopping experience, or just simply find a cafe to have a long lunch.

Once back onboard the train for the return journey, food and refreshments are available, and our train is licensed. Our friendly onboard staff will travel through the train with refreshment trolleys throughout the journey.

Timetable

Outward

Waiuku (Vic Ave)	dep.	7.20am
Glenbrook	dep.	7.50am
Pukekohe	dep.	8.15am
Hamilton (Rotokauri)	dep.	9.40am
Hamilton (Frankton)	dep.	10.10am
Matamata	arr.	11.50am

Inward

Matamata	arr.	2.15pm
Hamilton (Frankton)	arr.	3.45pm
Hamilton (Rotokauri)	dep.	4.05pm
Pukekohe	arr.	5.30pm
Glenbrook	arr.	6.00pm
Waiuku	arr.	6.30pm

Waiuku (Victoria Ave) Station
Google Maps Link: View map

Access is off Victoria Ave or Kitchener Road (old New World).
Street parking is available along Victoria Avenue and in the reserve carpark nea OHA Cafe (9A Kitchener Road, Waiuku)
Please do not park in the Waiuku Cosmopolitan Club carpark on Victoria Ave.

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 .

Rotokauri (The Base) Station
Google Maps Link: View map

Access by road is off Kiriwai Kaui Drive - accessible from Tasman Road, Arthur Porter Drive or Clem Newby/Winders Road.
Ample free parking is available at the Station off Kiriwai Kaui Drive (west side of station) or on street.

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.

Matamata Station
Google Maps Link: View map

Access is off Arawa Street. Free parking is available at the station.

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 Matamata Explorer | Saturday 17 October 2026

Your ticket includes return train travel. Tickets include train travel from Auckland/Hamilton to Matamata and return.

The Matamata Explorer - 17 October 2026