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The Putaruru Explorer - 17 October 2026

Putaruru flyer
Onboard crew

It's been a while since we bought steam to South Waikato! 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 Kinleith Branch through rolling Waikato countryside from Matamata to Putaruru and return.


Jump on board with the Glenbrook Vintage Railway and experience rail travel as it used to be, behind a steam locomtive!  We're bringing steam back to the Waikato this October.


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!

Ohakune

What’s the plan?

The Putaruru Explorer | Matamata to Putaruru and Return.


Relax aboard The Putaruru Flyer as we travel from Matamata to Putaruru and back. Departing from Matamata the sound and smell of our steam locomotive lingers in air. Picking up speed, we roll through the Waikato countryside to Putaruru, the former junction with the Rotorua Branch line.  

           

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 🛤️ Kinleith Branch Line
🐄
Rolling Farmlands
🏘️
Town & Country
Option 1 • Mt Ruapehu & Sky Waka Gondola

What’s included

  • Steam hauled train trip from Matamata to Putaruru and return!
  • Food & beverages available onboard.
Rail action, with steam power.

Fares

Return Ex Matamata

General Admission (Ages 2+) $40

Option 1 | Matamata to Putaruru

Steam through the South Waikato!

With a blast of the whistle and a hiss of steam, we’ll depart Matamata behind Ab 608 “Passchendaele”, built in 1915 and named in remembrance of the New Zealand railway workers who lost their lives during the First World War.

Travelling south through Hinuera and Tīrau, keep an eye out for the town’s famous corrugated-iron sheep, dog and castle buildings along the way.

On arrival in the former railway yard at Putāruru, Ab 608 will “run around” the train before hauling us back to Matamata - completing a memorable steam journey through the Waikato countryside.

Timetable

Outward
Matamata dep. 11.55am
Putaruru (stay on train) arr. 12.35am
Inward
Putaruru dep. 12.50pm
Matamata arr. 1.30pm


Option 1 - Matamata to Putaruru and return

General Admission (Ages 2+):
@ $40.00 each

Station Information

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 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: The Putaruru Explorer — Saturday 17 October 2026
Option 1 Stations
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Book now for The Putaruru Explorer | Saturday 17 October 2026

Tickets include train travel from Matamata to Putaruru and return.

Option 1 - Matamata to Putaruru and return

General Admission (Ages 2+):
@ $40.00 each