Mother's Day Eve Express 26

Step onboard our lovingly restored heritage coaches, hauled by diesel locomotives DBR1254 and DC4818. Settle into your seats to enjoy this special trip down the Main Trunk Line to Hamilton, with the option to travel further south along the North Island Main Trunk to Te Kuiti and return.

Jump on board with the Glenbrook Vintage Railway for another easy day out by train - back by popular demand!
Hauled by heritage diesel locomotives DBR1254 and DC4818, this annual train journey sees us cruise down the North Island Main Trunk, through the rolling farmlands of the Waikato.
So hop on board as we step back in time – to how travel used to be – and experience the romance of traveling by rail!



 


 

 

Menu
  • Fresh Breads with seasonal relish and chutneys

  • Main: 
  • Spit roast pork with crackle, apple sauce or pineapple relish and gravy (GF, DF)
    • Spit roast lamb served with mint sauce & gravy (GF, DF)
    • Fresh steamed fish, with white wine coconut cream sauce, bok choy, mushrooms, and cabbage (GF, DF)
    • Mixed garden salad with French dressing (GF, DF, V)
      Spanish salad, with garden vegetables and Vilagrad spicy nut mix (GF, DF, V)
      Whole gourmet potatoes and hand cut agria chips seasoned with rosemary and garlic oil, (GF, DF, V)
      Red lentil dahl with tomato, cumin, coriander and ginger (GF, DF, V)
      Seasonal steamed garden vegetables in a roasted red capsicum sauce (GF, DF, V)

  • Dessert:
  • Cake of the day served with whipped cream, black dorris plums and jelly
    Citrus mousse meringue
    Natural yoghurt and Vilagrad's homemade caramel sauce.
    Gluten free option available upon request

  • Beverages: Tea, coffee. Selection of wines available to purchase.

Mother's Day Eve Express

Start Mother's Day weekend with a special treat for your mum. Hop on the train from Waiuku, Glenbrook, or Pukekohe (with AT Metro connections) and choose from one of three fun activities with us today. Whether it be a special lunch and sampling some wine at the renowned Vilagrad winery, or spending a day at The Base, searching for a bargain. A great option for the family is to catch a movie then settle in for a bit of lunch at one of the cafes or bars. Perhaps you might just want to stay on the train and go a little further to Te Kuiti. Either way, we're sure this will be a very unique, special and wonderful experience not to be missed!

Start the day at Waiuku, Glenbrook or Pukekohe where our friendly staff will be waiting to welcome you onboard. Free parking is available at all stations.

Once we are on our way, settle in as our crew pass through serving your complimentary light refreshments. Enjoy the rural views as we make our way towards Hamilton where we arrive at Hamilton's - Rotokauri station at approximately 11.15am, right next to The Base to embark on one of your chosen options:

This day is sure to be a unique and special treat for your mother, and a lovely way to say 'thank you' for being an amazing mum! 


Fares

Return Ex Auckland (Glenbrook/Pukekohe)

Adult $165 | Child (2-14) $109

Timetable

Outward
Waiuku dep. 8.35 am
Glenbrook  dep. 9.05 am
Pukekohe dep. 9.30 am
Rotokauri (The Base) arr.  11.15 am
Villagrad Winery arr.  11.50 am
Inward
Villagrad Winery dep.  3.30 pm
Rotokauri (The Base) dep. 3.55 pm
Pukekohe arr. 5.30 pm
Glenbrook  arr. 5.55 pm
Waiuku arr. 6.30 pm







 

 

Option 2  | A Day at The Base Shopping Centre

If you have chosen a day at The Base, then just head up and over the footbridge to start your day. Treat mum to something special for Mother's Day from one of the shops, or perhaps check out the movies then a café for lunch, or just do all three! 

Food and refreshments are available, and our train is licensed. Our friendly onboard staff will travel through the train with refreshments trolleys throughout the journey.


Fares

Return Ex Auckland (Glenbrook/Pukekohe)

Adult $59 | Child (2-14) $39


 Please note: if you are boarding from Glenbrook or Pukekohe - add the return coach at check out. Numbers are limited for the coach.


Timetable

Outward
Waiuku dep. 8.35 am
Glenbrook  dep. 9.05 am
Pukekohe dep. 9.30 am
Rotokauri (The Base) arr.  11.15 am
Inward
Rotokauri (The Base) dep. 3.55 pm
Pukekohe arr. 5.30 pm
Glenbrook  arr. 5.55 pm
Waiuku arr. 6.30 pm


 


 

 

Option 3  | A Great Rail Outing to Te Kuiti and return

This option you can choose to continue on the train to the King Country town of Te Kuiti. The journey south of Hamilton sees us pass through a quick succession of rural towns. To our right will be the majestic Pirongia Mountain as we traverse the rich Waikato farming pasture. South of Te Awamutu we pass over the Puniu River, entering the King Country. After we pass through Otorohanga, you may catch a glimpse of the Rangitoto Ranges to the left. From here it is only a short gallop into Te Kuiti.

At Te Kuiti you will have an hour to stretch your legs, visit the Gallagher Meads Brothers Exhibition, or explore the town. Meanwhile we will run the locomotives around ready to depart back north. Our licensed food and drinks trolley service will be operating - so you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the journey back.


Fares

Return Ex Auckland (Glenbrook/Pukekohe)

Adult $99 | Child (2-14) $69

                                                    

Timetable

Outward
Waiuku dep.  8.35 am
Glenbrook dep. 9.05 am
Pukekohe dep. 9.30 am
Rotokauri (The Base) dep. 11.15 am
Hamilton (Frankton) dep. 11.50 am
Te Awamutu dep. 12.15 am
Te Kuiti arr. 1.15 pm
Inward
Te Kuiti dep. 2.15 pm
Te Awamutu arr. 3.10 pm
Hamilton (Frankton) arr. 3.40 pm
Rotokauri (The Base) arr. 4.00 pm
Pukekohe arr. 5.30 pm
Glenbrook arr. 5.55 pm
Waiuku arr. 6.30 pm


 


 

Station Information

Waiuku (Victoria Ave) Station
Google Maps Link: https://goo.gl/maps/Sh1MFtQDmrET45w89

Access is off Victoria Ave or Kitchener Road (old New World).
Street parking is available along Victoria Avenue. Please do not park in the Waiuku Cosmopolitan Club on Victoria Ave.

Glenbrook Station
Google Maps Link: https://goo.gl/maps/PoopdP7Y9mPnCG6H9

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

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Seating Information

We aim to seat passengers from the same booking together. You will be allocated at least one window seat for bookings of 2 or more (subject to availability). Where possible, seats will be turned to face the direction of travel (pairs and singles) or to face each other (groups). If you are traveling with people on a different booking or have another specific request then please email us as soon as possible at [email protected] and we will try and accommodate your request the best we can. Your allocated seat and carriage details will be on your boarding pass which will be emailed to you at least 2-3 days before your departure date.

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 the 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.

Book now for The Mother's Day Eve Express - Saturday 9th May 2026

Your ticket includes return train travel. Tickets for Option 1 - Buffet Lunch at Vilagrad Winery includes bus transfers and Buffet Lunch.

Option 1 - Buffet Lunch at Vilagrad Winery - Return Train Travel and Bus Transfers to Vilagrad Winery

Adult (14+):
@ $165.00 each
Child (2-14):
@ $109.00 each
Boarding Location:
Select up to X from the following options

Infant Traveling on Adult's Lap

Infant:
@ $0.00 each

Option 2 - A Day at The Base - Return Train Travel to Rotokauri/The Base

Adult (14+):
@ $59.00 each
Child (2-14):
@ $39.00 each
Boarding Location:
Select up to X from the following options

Infant Traveling on Adult's Lap

Infant:
@ $0.00 each

Option 3 - A Great Rail Outing - Return Train Travel to Te Kuiti

Adult (14+):
@ $99.00 each
Child (2-14):
@ $69.00 each
Boarding Location:
Select up to X from the following options

Infant Traveling on Adult's Lap

Infant:
@ $0.00 each