Heritage Train Escape Palmerston North to Napier

Itinerary

30% Deposit Required on Booking.

DAY ONE                                                                MT, L, D 

We depart Tauranga and travel to Taupō for morning tea at Café Lacus, a welcoming stop along Lake Terrace offering light refreshments and glimpses of the lake. Our journey takes us south to Hunterville for lunch at The Argyle, a lovingly restored heritage building first established in the late 1800s and rebuilt in Art Deco style after a 1947 fire. Recently revitalised by local families, The Argyle blends country hospitality with boutique retail spaces showcasing clothing, books, and unique gifts. You will enjoy a relaxed meal and explore this charming hub at the heart of the community. The day concludes with a convivial social hour and a hearty roast dinner, a fitting end to a day of scenic travel and warm local experiences.

DAY TWO                                                               B, L, D 

Today, we enjoy a full-day heritage rail journey from Palmerston North to Napier, powered by a beautifully restored Art Deco–inspired diesel-electric locomotive. Travel in comfort in a heated carriage and experience the charm of classic red steel carriages with an open-air viewing platform offering sweeping views of the North Island’s stunning landscapes. The journey highlights engineering landmarks such as the Manawatū Gorge and the impressive Ormondville Viaduct. On arrival in Hastings, we transfer by coach to the renowned Crab Farm Winery near Bay View for a special wine tasting and a leisurely set-menu lunch at this family-run estate, which has been in the Jardine family for over a century. Following lunch, reboard the train for a scenic return journey to Palmerston North, enjoying a relaxing onboard dinner before arriving back in the evening. 

DAY THREE                                                            B 

We begin our day with a hearty buffet breakfast before boarding the iconic Northern Explorer train for a scenic journey from Palmerston North to Otorohanga. As you travel through the heart of New Zealand’s North Island, soak in spectacular views of rolling farmland and native bush. A highlight of the trip is the engineering marvel of the Raurimu Spiral, a unique railway loop that enables the train to navigate a steep incline with breathtaking ingenuity. You’ll have the option to purchase lunch on board, enjoying the relaxed atmosphere of the train’s carriages as the landscape unfolds outside your window. Relax and enjoy more stunning scenery out the coach window as we then journey from Otorohanga to Tauranga, arriving home in the evening.