Grand Circle Rail Cruise

Travel with Steam Incorporated on this special pre-Christmas excursion for an easy and relaxing outing; perfect for an end of year celebration. We will be circumnavigating the Tararuas in a counter clockwise direction this year. Plus you have an option of either visiting the Mauriceville Country Fair or having a buffet lunch at an Opaki restaurant.

The train comprising our classic red carriages will be hauled by one of our restored heritage diesel locomotives. We will be using our fleet of restored heritage carriages including a buffet counter selling sandwiches, snacks and cold drinks. You are welcome to bring your own food on the train.

The diesel train will run from Paekakariki to Wellington picking up at Porirua. We then depart Wellington station for the Hutt Valley picking up at Petone, Waterloo and Upper Hutt before heading through the 9-kilometre long Remutaka Tunnel to Masterton, Woodville and through the spectacular Manawatu Gorge to Palmerston North. Then its south through Levin and the Kapiti Coast to Wellington. Passengers from the Hutt Valley will leave the train here to get a Metlink service home (fare not included in your ticket).

Arriving at Masterton you can opt to visit the Mauriceville Country Fair, or you can remain on the train while we travel north to Opaki where our crews have their break. A pizza platter lunch is available at the nearby Wingate Lane Restaurant (limited space so early bookings essential) or you can have a picnic lunch in the adjoining paddock.

The Mauriceville Fair is held at the Clarke Memorial Domain. This is probably Wairarapa's most scenic reserve. Essentially a country fair, attractions include live musical performers, vintage cars and vintage machinery, Clydesdale horse and carriage rides, helicopter rides, children's magician, quick fire raffles and the usual huge variety of stalls selling crafts, food, and other country goodies. A bus will meet the train to transfer you to the fair and return you to meet up with the train later.
Mauriceville Country Fair:

Adult $10
Child no charge
Includes bus transfers from the train to the fair and from the fair.

Wingate Lane Restaurant, Opaki:
Pizza Platter Meal Option - Cost $38 (Limited Numbers)

Early bookings advised!