Ruapehu Steam Ranger & Waiouru Steam Wanderer

Step onboard our lovingly restored heritage coaches, hauled by STEAM locomotive Ww644. Settle into your seats to enjoy one of two special trips through the Central Plateau from Ohakune return.

Jump on board with the Glenbrook Vintage Railway for another easy day out by train! 
Hauled by steam locomotive Ww644 - In the morning our train will make its way north from Ohakune, crossing the great viaducts to National Park. In the afternoon we head south through Tangiwai to Waiouru.
So hop on board as we step back in time – to how rail travel used to be – and experience steam on the Main Trunk Line.



The Ruapehu Steam Ranger | Ohakune to National Park and Return

Mighty viaducts, rivers and the scenic Central Plateau await you on this exclusive heritage train journey.

Sit back and relax as we host you on board The Ruapehu Steam Ranger. Your journey to National Park and return today will encompass some of the most spectacular scenery as well as experiencing incredible engineering feats from the turn of the last century.

Leaving Ohakune we begin the climb to Horopito, crossing the curved Hapuawhenua viaduct at 414m long and 51m high. Then just south of Pokaka, we reach the highest point on the entire New Zealand rail network at 2671ft or 814.12m above sea level. Not far along we pass the site of the "Last Spike", the location where both rail heads met for the connection of the line between Auckland and Wellington in the year 1908. We will cross the Makatote viaduct, spanning 262m long at a towering 79m high. This viaduct boats spectacular views on a fine day, stretching as far as Mt Taranaki on one side, and the imposing Mt Ruapehu on the other. Gliding across the North Island Central Volcanic Plateau, catch views Tongariro, Ngauruhoe and the glorious Mt Ruapehu as we traverse this mountainous section of track before arriving at National Park.

Once at National Park, stretch your legs, while we run the engine around a service it for the return trip. 

We depart National Park at 10.10am for the leisurely journey home. Take in the changing landscapes and share in the convivial company of friends. Be sure to make use of our open air balconies to take in the mountain air and spectacular views. 

Food and refreshments are available, and our train is licensed.  

We will arrive back into Ohakune at 11.05am, where we will bid you farewell and hope that you will enjoy many fond memories of your experience with us today. 
 

A spectacular train trip through the Central Plateau to National Park - suitable for the whole family!
 

Fares

Return Ex Ohakune

General Admission $45 | Family (4 people) $160

 


Timetable

Outward
Ohakune dep. 8.50am
National Park
arr. 9.50am

 

Inward
National Park 
dep. 10.10am
Ohakune
arr. 11.05am




The Waiouru Steam Wanderer | Ohakune to Waiouru and Return

Mountain views and forests await you on this exclusive steam hauled journey.

Join us on board The Waiouru Wanderer. On your journey to Waiouru and return today, will encompass some spectacular scenery. Leaving the forested slopes near Ohakune we traverse into the tussock lands at Waiouru.

As we leave Ohakune we pass through the historic village of Rangatua on the edge of the forest. Travelling through the bowl of Kirioi, we then cross the Whangaehu river, site of the Tangiwai disaster in 1953. The memorial is on your right as we cross the river. From here the loco digs in for the climb up to Waiouru at 2670ft or 813.82 m above sea level.

Once at Waiouru, stretch your legs, while we run the engine around for the return trip. 

We depart Waiouru at 2.10pm for the leisurely journey home. Take in the changing landscapes and share in the convivial company of friends. Be sure to make use of our open air balconies to take in the mountain air and spectacular views.

Food and refreshments are available, and our train is licensed.  

We will arrive back into Ohakune at 2.50pm, where we will bid you farewell and hope that you will enjoy many fond memories of your experience with us today. 
 

A spectacular train trip through the Central Plateau to Waiouru - suitable for the whole family!
 

Fares

Return Ex Ohakune

General Admission $45 | Family (4 people) $160

 


Timetable

Outward
Ohakune dep. 12.35pm
Waiouru arr. 1.35pm

 

Inward
Waiouru
dep. 2.05pm
Ohakune
arr. 2.50pm

  

Sign up for email updates on our Trips and Tours here

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 Ruapehu Steam Ranger and The Waiouru Steam Wanderer - Saturday 14th of June 2025

Your ticket includes return train travel to Ohakune.

Ruapehu Steam Ranger - Ohakune to National Park - Departing 8.50am

General Admission (Ages 2+):
@ $45.00 each
Family (4 people):
@ $160.00 each

Waiouru Steam Wanderer - Ohakune to Waiouru - Departing 12.35pm

General Admission (Ages 2+):
@ $45.00 each
Family (4 people):
@ $160.00 each