Upcoming New Zealand Rail Trips & Tours

See more, do more, and relax on one of our Day Trips or guided Rail Tours!

Multi-day Tours

22–24 Mar 2026 Spirit of the Antipodes – Pre Tour
Spirit of the Antipodes – 3 Day Pre-Tour
Auckland • Multi-day add-on Before SOTA Mar/Apr Tour

Add an extra layer of Auckland heritage and experiences before joining the main Spirit of the Antipodes tour.

25 Mar – 4 Apr 2026 Spirit of the Antipodes – 11 Day Rail Tour
Spirit of the Antipodes – 11 Day Rail Tour
Multi-day Tour Departs: Glenbrook / Pukekohe / Hamilton

A fully escorted North Island rail adventure featuring exclusive touring, premium stays, and the hospitality & passion you expect from GVR.

31 Oct – 10 Nov 2026 Spirit of the Antipodes – 11 Day Rail Tour
Spirit of the Antipodes – 11 Day Rail Tour
Multi-day Tour Departs: Auckland / Hamilton

A fully escorted North Island rail adventure featuring exclusive touring, premium stays, and the hospitality & passion you expect from GVR.


Day Trips & Special Events

Sat 14 Feb 2026 The Dairyland Flyer
The Dairyland Flyer
Auckland / Waikato • Day Trip Departs: Waiuku / Glenbrook / Pukekohe / Hamilton

A rare day out by heritage train – travel the Main Trunk, then branch east across Waikato lines to Matamata, Rotorua/Skyline Gondola & Tokoroa and return.

Sat 14 Feb 2026 The Tokoroa Express
The Tokoroa Express
Waikato • Day Trip Departs: Matamata

Enjoy the Kinleith Branch by rail – a special heritage train journey from Matamata to Tokoroa and return.

Sat 28 Feb 2026 The Ruapehu Viaduct Explorer (Feb 2026)
The Ruapehu Viaduct Explorer
Central Plateau • Day Trip National Park ⇄ Ohakune

Big viaducts, tunnels and alpine scenery on a heritage train adventure through the heart of the North Island.

Sat 28 Feb 2026 The Spiral Express (Feb 2026)
The Spiral Express
Main Trunk • Day Trip Departs: Hamilton / Te Awamutu / Otorohanga / Te Kuiti

Travel deep into the Central Plateau – enjoy iconic engineering and scenery, with options to Whakapapa/Sky Waka Gondola or Ohakune and return.

Sun 1 Mar 2026 The River Steam Rover
The River Steam Rover
Waikato • Steam Hauled Hamilton ⇄ Huntly

Follow the Waikato River north behind heritage steam – a relaxed afternoon ride from Hamilton to Huntly and return.

Sun 1 Mar 2026 Frankton Thunder Steam Express
Frankton Thunder Steam Express
Waikato • Steam Hauled Hamilton ⇄ Ruakura

Steam locomotive Ww 644 returns to the Waikato – enjoy a family-friendly steam run under the city and out to Ruakura.

Thu 26 Mar 2026 The Spiral Express (Mar 2026)
The Spiral Express
Main Trunk • Day Trip Departs: Hamilton / Te Awamutu / Otorohanga / Te Kuiti

Mighty viaducts, tunnels and the famed Raurimu Spiral – travel to Whakapapa/Sky Waka Gondola or continue to Ohakune and return.

Thu 26 Mar 2026 The Ruapehu Viaduct Explorer (Mar 2026)
The Ruapehu Viaduct Explorer
Central Plateau • Day Trip National Park ⇄ Ohakune

Another chance to experience the Central Plateau by heritage train – sweeping views, dramatic viaducts and classic rail travel.

Sun 29 Mar 2026 The Taranaki Mountaineer
The Taranaki Mountaineer
Taranaki • Day Trip New Plymouth ⇄ Hawera / Waitotara

Travel around Mt Taranaki by rail – a rare opportunity to ride a freight-only line, cross rivers and viaducts, and enjoy coastal scenery.

Wed 1 Apr 2026 The East Coast Endeavour
The East Coast Endeavour
Hawke’s Bay • Day Trip Napier / Hastings ⇄ Dannevirke / Ashhurst

A spectacular rail day trip through central Hawke’s Bay and the Manawatū Gorge – rivers, viaducts and classic countryside.

Sat 11 Apr 2026 The Sheep Muster Express
The Sheep Muster Express
Auckland / Waikato • Day Trip Auckland/Hamilton ⇄ Te Kuiti

Travel by train to the Great NZ Muster at Te Kuiti – a fun, easy day out with heritage rail vibes and King Country scenery.

Sun 26 Apr 2026 The Ruapehu Scenic Daylight (April 2026)
The Spiral Express
Main Trunk • Day Trip Departs: Auckland / Waikato

Mighty viaducts, tunnels and the famed Raurimu Spiral – travel through the Central Plateau to Waiouru, with time to visit the National Army Museum or soar above the mountains on the Sky Waka gondola.

Sun 26 Apr 2026 The Ruapehu Viaduct Explorer (Mar 2026)
The Ruapehu Explorer
Central Plateau • Day Trip Waimarino-National Park/Ohakune ⇄ Waiouru

Another chance to experience the Central Plateau by heritage train – – travel through the Central Plateau to Waiouru, with time to visit the National Army Museum.

Sat 9 May 2026 Mother's Day Eve Express
Mother’s Day Eve Express
Auckland • Day Trip Departs: Waiuku / Glenbrook / Pukekohe

Treat Mum to a memorable day out by heritage train – with optional experiences including a winery lunch at Vilagrad Winery or a day out in Hamilton.

Sat 9 May 2026 The Te Kuiti Trekker
The Te Kuiti Trekker
Waikato • Day Trip Hamilton ⇄ Te Kuiti

A relaxed heritage train adventure into the King Country – great scenery, classic carriages, and an easy day out with friends.


 



More trips and tours to be announced throughout the year…

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