Hundreds of visitors, many from all over the world have enjoyed the experience!

Welcome to Awakeri Rail Adventures in Whakatane. Travel along a piece of New Zealand’s rich rail history and experience the natural beauty and adventure from the comfort of a rail-cart, cleverly adapted to be self-driven along the rail tracks. Our rail cars are FULL self drive – you are in complete control of your rail vehicle – you may stop any where you wish to take photographs (or pick up your hat).

Your adventure starts from Awakeri traveling at a leisurely 25 kilometeres per hour with family and friends along a piece of historic railway line. There are 4 bridges, numerous cuttings and bush scenes along the track.

Tours Contact Us

  • star rating  Heaps of fun with extended family. Great host. Lots of safety focus. Not at all scary. Just fun, recommend for all age groups.

    avatar thumb Anthony M
    December 29, 2025

  • star rating  Interesting and unusual. - A fun trip on a rail cart over 10km of railtrack and back. Feed the chickens, go on a bush walk and take tea by the track. Paul is an... read more

    SteveandLynn
    June 5, 2024

  • star rating  A great educational, fun and entertaining experience. Paul, the host, was very nice, and shared a lot of interesting information. The snacks at the end were delicious, and the golf... read more

    avatar thumb Hawkes_Bay_Express
    October 4, 2024

  • star rating  A lovely afternoon spent travelling along the rails and taking in our surroundings. Also was interesting to learn about the kahikatea forest and what happened to so much of... read more

    avatar thumb Karinacalder
    April 28, 2019

  • star rating  After trialling this experience a couple of months earlier with a view to arranging a possible group booking for a group of seniors, I was convinced this would make an... read more

    avatar thumb Z9146YCrossb
    April 7, 2025

Travel along a piece of New Zealand’s rich rail history and experience the natural beauty and adventure from the comfort of our rail-cart

Awakeri Rail Adventures offers three types of trips.

The first and most popular trip is the Bush walk and snack run 9am-12:30pm & 1pm-4.30pm. It covers 20 km of track and includes a guided short bush walk, a stop for a relaxing track-side snack and hot drink, as well as the opportunity to feed the chickens, ducks, and geese. This trip takes 2.5 to 3 hours and departs twice daily.

THE TWILIGHT TRAIN IS AN EVENING TRIP OPERATING IN THE SUMMER MONTHS ONLY, FOR VISITORS WHO HAVE OTHER ACTIVITIES EARLIER IN THE DAY. A FANTASTIC TRIP ON A SUMMERS EVENING. IT STARTS AT 5.30 PM AND CONCLUDES AT ABOUT 9PM .   (IT IS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR SMALL  CHILDREN.) FARES ARE THE SAME AS THE BUSH WALK AND SNACK RUN.

The third trip is the “Chicken Run.” Covering 10 km of track, it’s ideal for kids under 5 years old. Along the way, feed the chickens, explore an old railway hut, and meet “Pushy,” the 75-year-old bulldozer.

CHICKEN RUN & TWILIGHT TRAIN  ARE BY ARRANGEMENT ONLY BY CALLING – 08005374724
OTHER TRIPS CAN BE BOOKED ON LINE (OR CALL US)  

Conveniently located just down the road from Awakeri Hot Springs

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