Bay of Islands Vintage Railway — Attraction in Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Community

Wow, what a special experience.

Kawakawa is the only train in Northland and was built to export coals in the 1800s

There are two trains running in the autumn and winter season (10am and 2pm). There are six vintage trains that are alternated. It's too bad that Gabriel, the steam train, is currently under maintenance.

The return trip takes around two hours with a beautiful, scenic view. The carriages are comfortable and clean with a few options to choose from. Two seats or a long bench with windows or completely out in the open with no seat (for cyclists)

The return ticket is $50 per adult. Tickets can be purchased online from the website or at the ticket office. Recommended to arrive at least 20 minutes before departure time.

There is no toilet or food service on the train but you can buy drinks, snacks, and food from the train station cafe.

The staff are so lovely. Jameigh, Carl, and our amazing train driver/engineer, Ryan (sorry if any names here...

Established in 1864, The Bay of Island Vintage Railway 🛤 is the oldest passenger railway line in New Zealand 🇳🇿 It is an awe-inspiring 90 minute journey right through the bustling centre of Kawakawa on State Highway 1 🚦 travelling East across farmland and over rivers towards Opua 😊

Usually you can enjoy the gentle chug of a classic steam engine and the clickety-clack of iron wheels on the tracks 🚃 evoking a sense of nostalgia that’s both timeless and enchanting 😍 as you pass through beautiful countryside, 🐄 past rivers, native wetlands 🌴 and over the longest curved wooden bridge in the Southern Hemisphere 😲

I was a bit annoyed 😠 after having travelled all that way from Auckland 🚗 just to learn that their steam train is unfortunately out of commission 👎 until the end of March 2024, and there just wasn't the same appeal for the diesel ⛽️ train that was runnung. Maybe there will be...

Stumbled across this by chance. This is a short, scenic railway rumbling along by a river. Their booking office/shop is on the old station and opens 30 minutes before departure. There is a cafe on the station which I believe is independent of the railway. For railway enthusiasts the need to know is that the bulk of the trains run behind one of three 0-6-0DM shunters. Occasionally on Sundays the steam loco is in action. There’s one old enclosed carriage, one open bike carriage and one scenic carriage. The most interesting aspect is that the rails run down the middle of Main Street, Kawakawa! Traffic has to give way. Later on the journey you cross the Kawakawa river on a great trestle bridge and then follow along the estuary for a couple of K. Look out for Australasian Bittern. The train crew are friendly and...