Visit our National Military Museum at Waiouru, stay in true alpine lodge style accommodation and journey by train over the spectacular Main Trunk Line.
3 Day/2 Nights from $1349 for 2 (off peak rate)
Call Ruapehu i-SITE 0800 647 483 for availability and pricing for your chosen departure.
View all Discover Ruapehu Rail Tours Packages
This package is perfect for the inner historian in you. Bring your partner, friends or even the kids for this weekend getaway. Staying under the mountain, this tour will take you to the National Army Museum in Waiouru where you will find some national treasures, proud history and a unique collection of exhibits. Visit the Tangiwai railway disaster memorial and walk the trails. Whilst staying at the acclaimed Powderhorn Chateau. WeÔÇÖll even sneak in a guided tour of local flora and fauna with Megan Younger, a local ecologist.
ƒôì Auckland/Hamilton - Ohakune by Chartered Heritage Train
Ôÿò Morning tea aboard train
ƒôì Ohakune
ƒì¢´©Å Cooked breakfast at accommodation
ƒì¢´©Å Lunch at National Army Museum
Start the day with a full cooked breakfast, then your shuttle bus will take you to Waiouru, the home of the National Army museum. This museum is home of our most unique army exhibits and national treasures. Take in the exceptional displays and learn about our army history during an unforgettable experience. There is interactive learning for the kids too!
Lunch is provided at the museum before heading back to Ohakune, stopping at the nearby Tangiwai railway disaster memorial. This is a sombre place but full of beautiful monuments and information about New ZealandÔÇÖs worst railway disaster in history.
There is even a short walk to get you up close to where the infamous bridge was where the disaster occurred. Back on the shuttle and back to Ohakune. Explore the town and local walks. Dine out at one of the local eateries or head back to your accommodation for an evening feast or soak in the indoor heated pool.
ƒôì Ohakune - Auckland/Hamilton by Chartered Heritage Train
ƒì¢´©Å Cooked breakfast at accommodation
Ôÿò Afternoon tea aboard train
Time to wake up! Open the window and hear the sound of the Mangawhero river gently flowing. Another fully cooked breakfast to set you up for the day before heading into nature for a guided tour by local ecologist, Megan Younger. Megan will take you into the bush and explain all you need to know about the local flora and fauna of the region and the importance of conservation to keep this special part of New Zealand so unique. Before long, it will be time to board your train. Once again, our friendly staff will be happy to see you again, and to assist you to settle in for the journey home. Take this time to have a little rest or share your stories with other guests onboard.
The Powderhorn Chateau is the perfect combination of boutique hotel facilities and alpine lodge ambiance. The log cabin type construction, mood lighting and polished timber set the atmosphere for an alpine getaway. Free WiFi, two in-house restaurants and bars, pool tables, darts and an indoor pool provide plenty of entertainment or the option to simply unwind. The township of Ohakune is a short 15 minute walk from the chateau, nearby for you to explore local shops and eateries.
The North Island Main Trunk is steeped in local and Maori history. Opened completely between Auckland and Wellington in 1908 after over 30 years of construction, the ÔÇ£Main TrunkÔÇØ passes through many rural settlements and towns which were connected up to the major cities by the coming of the railway. The section we travel over covers the main centres of Pukekohe and Hamilton, followed by rural towns like Otorohanga, Te Kuiti, Taumarunui, National Park and Ohakune. The railway geography is diverse, from rolling hills to the steepest sustained climbs up the extreme gradients south of Taumarunui. Our journey passes through the UNESCO World Heritage site of Tongariro National Park, as well as conservation land, farms and forests.
Selected Highlights Include:
This heritage train operated by the Glenbrook Vintage Railway will be hauled by restored locomotive DBR1254. Originally built as a DB class locomotive by General Motors Diesel Canada in 1965, this locomotive was rebuilt by Clyde Engineering Australia in 1981. In 2017 the Glenbrook Vintage Railway took ownership of DBR1254 which underwent an intense overhaul before returning to mainline service in 2019.
The carriages date from 1939/1940 and would have made thousands of journeys up and down the main trunk. The carriages retain key features including the iconic flip-over seats, though have been tastefully redecorated for enhanced passenger comfort. The guardÔÇÖs van that travels with these carriages provides an open viewing area for an uninterrupted view of the amazing countryside.
Full standard Terms and Conditions can be found here: https://www.gvr.org.nz/terms
Additional conditions:
COVID-19
In
the event that the NZ government imposes COVID-19 restrictions
preventing the GVR train tour from operating, a refund of monies paid
may be given, net of any outgoings or payments already made by GVR in
conjunction with the operation and organisation of these tours on
written application within 7 days of the scheduled date of travel.
Visit Ruapehu and Ruapehu District i-SITE Visitor Centre Conditions
These packages are organised through Visit Ruapehu and the Ruapehu District i-SITE Visitor Centres who handle all accommodation, transfers, and activities for these packages. Please contact them on 0800 647 483 or email them at [email protected] for their terms and conditions which apply to your booking.
All packages are subject to availability, after you place your
booking the i-SITE will confirm your arrangements with the individual
providers and operators.
If parts of your chosen package are
unavailable, the i-SITE will work with you to provide a suitable substitution/customisation or
we will refund you fully.
