47 year logo

20 Tunnel Rail Cart Journey

  1. Home
  2. Escorted Tours
  3. All Tours
  4. 20 Tunnel Rail Cart Journey
  • Limited Spaces Available
  • Escorted Tour

20 Tunnel Rail Cart Journey

Along the Forgotten Highway

Adventure at a relaxed pace! Explore New Zealand’s hidden valleys on a unique self-drive rail cart journey. Glide along disused heritage railway lines through native bush, rolling hills, and 20 historic tunnels, uncovering breathtaking landscapes and long-forgotten rural settlements along the way. Your adventure ends in the quirky Republic of Whangamomona, where you’ll stay overnight in its historic hotel and mingle with the locals. Return via the scenic Forgotten Highway, then spend your final night in National Park — a truly memorable way to experience rural New Zealand.

Your travel itinerary

Thursday 19 February

Auckland – Taumarunui

Lunch iconLunch Dinner iconDinner

Depart in comfort on the Northern Explorer train for our journey through the central North Island to Taumarunui. Lunch on board. On arrival transfer to our accommodation for one night and later visit New Zealand’s largest Alpaca farm for afternoon tea. A beautiful property to get up close with these friendly and unique animals. Return to Taumarunui for dinner at the Taumarunui RSA.

Friday 20 February

Taumarunui - Whangamomona

Breakfast iconBreakfast Lunch iconLunch Dinner iconDinner

First breakfast, then embark on our guided rail cart journey along the Forgotten World Railway – cameras at the ready! Meandering along the decommissioned railway lines through these remote and untamed yet serene King Country back blocks. Through 20 tunnels over 82km, you’ll be immersed in the Forgotten World and its colourful history. Arrive late afternoon with time to explore the ‘Republic of Whangamomona’. Your overnight stay in the iconic 100-year-old Whangamomona Hotel (shared facilities) will only add to this memorable journey.

 

Saturday 21 February

Whangamomona – National Park

Breakfast iconBreakfast Lunch iconLunch Dinner iconDinner

This morning, trade the Forgotten World Railway for the Forgotten Highway as we coach State Highway 43 back to Taumarunui. Lunch today in the special setting of Lauren’s Lavender Farm adjacent to the Whanganui River. Relax as we coach up onto the Central Plateau to spend our last night at the Park Hotel Ruapehu, where we will dine tonight.

Sunday 22 February

National Park – Auckland

Breakfast iconBreakfast

After a leisurely breakfast, we transfer to the train station to meet the Northern Explorer, arriving in Auckland early evening. 

Inclusions

  • Northern Explorer train travel Auckland - Taumarunui // National Park - Auckland
  • All transfers while on tour
  • Meals as specified
  • 3 nights’ accommodation (Taumarunui / Whangamomona  - shared facilities / National Park)
  • 20 Tunnel guided adventure rail tour
  • Ultimate Alpaca Farm experience
  • Lavender Farm experience
  • Pukekohe Travel escort (subject to 12 people travelling)

Cost

Cost Per Person *
Auckland - Auckland		Twin ShareSingle
    $1,845  $1,987

*This is a cash price. Credit cards will incur a 1.5% fee
*Itinerary and costs subject to change, airline and fuel charges and currency fluctuations prior to final payment

Exclusions

  • Domestic travel insurance – ask us for a quote
  • Water and drink bottle for the 20 Tunnels tour
  • Items of a personal nature
  • Items unspecified

Booking Conditions

  • A non-refundable deposit of $300 per person
  • Full payment 45 days before departure

Cancellations

  • Deposit is non refundable
  • After full payment 45 days before departure– no refund is available 

Travel Insurance

We strongly recommend all clients purchase travel insurance to protect against cancellations, lost items, and delays that could lead to unexpected costs.  Please ask us for a quote.

Health and Mobility:

  • To ensure the tour is enjoyable for the whole group, a reasonable standard of fitness is required.
  • Mobility frames, scooters and wheelchairs are not practical   or permitted. 
  • We expect you will arrive on tour fit, healthy and ready to   travel. 

Terms and Conditions

For full terms and conditions please visit our website Terms and Conditions or please ask our tour consultant for a copy.


Note: Pukekohe Travel reserves the right to correct errors and omissions on our website without recourse.
* Itinerary subject to change

Top