Autumn schedule on now!

We run our Autumn schedule from March – May 2025 with trains running mostly every day, in March and five days in April and May; including every cruise ship day and on school and public holidays. For details of dates, scheduled engine and cycle and cruise connections please look at the calendar on the book now page.

Enquiries are welcome to admin@bayofislandsvintagerailway.org.nz. For groups of 20 or more we can consider charter trains outside our standard operating schedule. We also have a special Easter Treasure Train, Sunday 20 April and a Mother’s Day High Tea train on Sunday 4 May.

Click here to follow our instructions for booking your Cycle connection.

New schedule release December 2024 with our extended service to Whangae Tunnel Platform. This increases our scenic journey to 120 minutes return and adjusts our departure schedule from Kawakawa Station. Online bookings open now for our Autumn schedule!

Gabriel our flagship steam engine runs the last Sunday of every month and we run our vintage engines every other operating day.

Through the Cruise Ship season we also offer return coach packages between Paihia and Kawakawa Station (20 minutes). This makes it easy to meet the train, grab a coffee at the Railway Station cafe and enjoy the vintage rail experience. Leaving you more time to explore the natural beauty and history of this incredible part of the Bay of Islands, Aotearoa New Zealand. Return trip to Paihia, approximately 3 hours, plus the option to look around Kawakawa township – art gallery, museum, unique retail, food and the world-famous Hundertwasser Toilets.

Our rail timetable includes a cycle-train connection as an essential link to join the Twin Coast Cycleway (Pou Herenga Tai) between Taumarere and Whangae Tunnel. It is strongly recommended you book online before you ride to confirm timetable and fare pricing. Click here to follow our instructions for booking your connection.

Groups of 16+ cyclists and cycle operators (hiring bikes, transport etc) are required to contact us to book this connection in advance as we have set capacity on each train. It is also suggested that cyclists check Cycle Trail information for the latest news on the trail condition, closures and scheduled maintenance.

Train Timetable Autumn 2025

Return Kawakawa to Whangae Tunnel.

Departure times below from Kawakawa Station.

Please arrive at the station at least 20 minutes before your scheduled service. Allow approximately 20 minutes drive time from Paihia to the station.

*Whangae Tunnel Platform and Taumarere Station are walk in or cycle only, you cannot drive there. Kawakawa Station has plenty of car parking for cars and campervans.

MARCH:

Operating six days on our current 3 trains/day schedule:

Departing Kawakawa Station: 10:00AM, 12:30, 3:00PM

Cycle Connection Taumarere: 10:25am, 12:55pm and 3:25pm

Cycle Connection Whangae: 11:00am, 1:30pm and 4:00pm

**With Wednesday’s set as a non-operating day for maintenance on the track **

APRIL/MAY:

Operating five days on a 2 trains/day schedule:

Kawakawa Station: 10:00AM and 2:00PM.

Cycle Connection Taumarere: 10:25am, 2:25pm

Cycle Connection Whangae: 11:00am, 3:00pm

Plus trains run every day in the Easter and April School Holidays and the Railway Station cafe is open every day 8am – 3pm.

Ticket Prices

Vintage Train fares

‘Gabriel’ Steam Locomotive Fares

Gabriel the vintage steam engine requires both a driver and a fireman with specialised training, in addition to running on coal, which makes her very unique and scheduled to run the Last Sunday of every month, and in the holidays or special Charters (as drivers are available).

Cycle Train connection between Taumarere – Whangae Tunnel only. There is NO cycle access unless on the train. Cycle train connection fares apply. If travelling to or from Kawakawa Station directly, cyclists also pay single fare. We welcome cyclists subject to available space and at the owner’s risk. Maximum 16 cyclists per any one group/party. Bookings recommended for all cyclists as space is limited. Fares can be purchased online, at the Kawakawa Station, Paihia booking office or at the Gates at Taumarere or Whangae Tunnel from the BOIVRT Guard. Cycle Concession books available – $60 for book of 6 tickets.

Groups – 20 or more. We welcome groups, schools and events. 20% discount and Private Charter train options available. Subject to T&Cs. Please see below for more information.

Membership – As a passionate charity focused on sharing rail, culture and heritage; we offer two great membership options. Local Membership is available to all residents in the Far North District. Offering 20% off each ticket purchased and exclusive member deals across the year. You will need to provide Proof of Address. All Aboard Membership is a one-off fare price that offers you unlimited travel for the price of three trips. Both options are available on our book now and include a $5 Membership card.

How to book – Click here to follow our instructions for booking your Cycle connection.

Special train trips & Group Bookings

Special train trips (those outside the operational day/times above) can be run by arrangement. Special Charters can be booked for group events, school or educational trips, large cycle groups and cruise ship tours. Birthday parties or special events can be arranged if we have staff available. It makes for a great excursion and can be teamed up with local catering or musical acts and performance to make an extra special occasion.

To book a special trip please click the link to complete and submit a booking request form.

Join us

We’ve got a great team coming together at Keteriki – Bay of Islands Vintage Railway, with an exciting year planned. If you want to get more involved in your community, in heritage restoration, engineering, track or kaitiaki teams, lead local tourism, events or manākitanga, marketing or social media, or quietly assist with admin/office roles, please email us through your information, CV or paragraph about yourself.

We have volunteer and paid positions open and we pride ourselves on a diverse team of ages, cultures and skills. We know together, mahi tahi, we can achieve great things with our community and provide training, support and whanaungatanga to help us grow together.

Please email expressions of interest using the contact details below.

Photo credit: Ward Jameson