Upcoming New Zealand Rail Trips & Tours

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

Day Trips & Special Events

Sat 22 Aug 2026 The Fieldays Flyer
The Snowball Express August 2026
Auckland/Waikato • Day Trip Departs: Waiuku, Glenbrook, Pukekohe, Hamilton

All aboard to the central plateau by train! Take a trip up the Sky Waka or take a trip to Ohakune for lunch - Departs Waiuku, Glenbrook, Pukekohe & Hamilton

Sun 20 Sep 2026 The Spiral Steam Spectacular
The Spiral Steam Spectacular
Auckland / Waikato • Day Trip Departs: Glenbrook, Pukekohe & Waikato stations

Travel behind Ab 608 “Passchendaele” through the King Country and around the mighty Raurimu Spiral to Waimarino (National Park) and return.

Sat 3 Oct 2026 The Timberlands Flyer
The Timberlands Flyer
Waikato • Day Trip Departs: Hamilton

Steam into the South Waikato’s timber country, with a choice of visiting the New Zealand Timber Museum and TrainWorld or travelling through to Tokoroa.

Sat 3 Oct 2026 The Putaruru Flyer
The Putaruru Flyer
South Waikato • Local Trip Departs: Tokoroa

A special local steam journey from Tokoroa to Putāruru and return, travelling over a section of railway rarely used by passenger trains.

Sun 4 Oct 2026 The King Country Express
The King Country Express
Waikato / King Country • Day Trip Departs: Hamilton, Te Awamutu, Ōtorohanga & Te Kūiti

Journey to Taumarunui behind Ab 608 through rolling farmland, over the Waiteti Viaduct and across the rugged heart of the King Country.

Sun 4 Oct 2026 The Waimiha Wanderer
The Waimiha Wanderer
King Country • Local Trip Departs: Taumarunui

Enjoy a family-friendly steam adventure from Taumarunui to Waimiha and return, with open-air viewing platforms and classic Main Trunk scenery.

Sat 17 Oct 2026 The Matamata Explorer
The Matamata Explorer
Auckland / Waikato • Day Trip Departs: Waiuku, Glenbrook, Pukekohe & Hamilton

Travel through the lush Waikato countryside behind Ab 608, then enjoy free time exploring Matamata’s cafés, shops and local attractions.

Sat 17 Oct 2026 The Putaruru Explorer
The Putaruru Explorer
Waikato • Local Trip Departs: Matamata

Steam through the South Waikato from Matamata to Putāruru and return, passing Hinuera and Tīrau behind Ab 608 “Passchendaele”.

Sun 18 Oct 2026 The Kaimai Steam Express
The Kaimai Steam Express
Auckland / Waikato / Bay of Plenty • Day Trip Departs: Waiuku, Glenbrook, Pukekohe & Hamilton

Travel by steam and heritage diesel to Tauranga, passing through the 8.9-kilometre Kaimai Tunnel before enjoying free time on the waterfront.

Sun 18 Oct 2026 The Kaimai Coast Express
The Kaimai Coast Express
Bay of Plenty • Local Trip Departs: Tauranga

Travel from Tauranga’s waterfront to Whatakao and return, following the harbour through wetlands and orchards before crossing the Wainui River Viaduct.

Sun 1 Nov 2026 The Spiral Steam Special
The Spiral Steam Special
Waikato / Central Plateau • Day Trip Departs: Hamilton, Te Awamutu, Ōtorohanga & Te Kūiti

Climb the Raurimu Spiral behind Ab 608 on a spectacular journey through the King Country to Waimarino (National Park) and return.



Multi-day Tours

11- 17 Sep 2026 Sping Tour
Spring Steam And Diesel Tour
Departs Auckland / Wellington 5 Day Tour

A rare heritage rail journey linking Auckland, Wellington and the Wairarapa

28 - 31 Oct 2026 Spirit of the Antipodes – Pre Tour
Spirit of the Antipodes – 3 Day Pre-Tour
Auckland • Multi-day add-on Before SOTA Oct/Nov Tour

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

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.

9 - 19 March 2027 Spirit of the Antipodes – 11 Day Rail Tour
Spirit of the Antipodes – 11 Day Rail Tour
Multi-day Tour Departs: Auckland / Hamilton
Experience The Spirit of the Antipodes Rail Tour, an 11-day escorted journey across New Zealand’s North Island by private heritage train, featuring Rotorua, the Central Plateau, Taranaki, Whanganui and Hawke’s Bay.
13 - 26 April 2027 Spirit of the Antipodes – 11 Day Rail Tour
Spirit of the Antipodes – 11 Day Rail Tour
Multi-day Tour Departs: Auckland / Hamilton

Travel aboard GVR’s private tour train through the Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Central Plateau, Taranaki, Whanganui, Manawatū and Hawke’s Bay, combining remarkable railway scenery with distinctive local experiences, heritage attractions and warm GVR hospitality.

30 Oct – 9 Nov 2027 Spirit of the Antipodes – 11 Day Rail Tour
Spirit of the Antipodes – 11 Day Rail Tour
Multi-day Tour Departs: Auckland / Hamilton

Experience The Spirit of the Antipodes Rail Tour, an 11-day escorted journey across New Zealand’s North Island by private heritage train, featuring Rotorua, the Central Plateau, Taranaki, Whanganui and Hawke’s Bay.


 



More trips and tours to be announced throughout the year…

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