Sturdy footwear (no jandals), sunglasses, sunblock, sun hat, camera, water bottle, snacks, layers/warm clothing (gloves, beanie hat, scarf – we often experience four seasons in one day), waterproof jacket, warm jacket, insect repellent and allergy medications. A waterproof storage container for bags/belongings is available on the rail carts.

We operate from spring through to mid-autumn, and each season offers something different.

Spring (September–November) brings green horizons, newborn lambs and blossom, with temperatures around 4.5–18°C.

Summer (December–February) delivers long, warm days of 14–32°C, flowering Pohutukawa and lavender, and the mid-December to February school holidays are a great time to get off the beaten track.

Autumn (March–May) is a favourite of ours — it generally serves up some of the settled, best weather of the year, with quieter crowds and temperatures of 7–21°C.

Please note we close from mid-May through winter for track and tunnel maintenance.

Whichever season you choose, pack layers: you can genuinely experience four seasons in one day out here, especially through the tunnels.

Because many of our journeys finish in a different town from where they start, the easiest option is our vehicle relocation service.

We’ll shift your car to your tour’s end point for you (from $120 to Whangamōmona, or $195 for Taumarunui to Stratford). Alternatively, you can leave your vehicle at your starting point and take our return shuttle bus back to it for $75 per person.

If you’d like specific parking guidance for your departure base, just let us know which tour you’re booked on and we’ll confirm the details.

Our tours depart from Taumarunui in the central North Island. Approximate drive times to us are 45 minutes from Tūrangi, 1 hour 15 from the Waitomo Caves, 1 hour 30 from Taupō, 2 hours 15 from Rotorua, and around 3 hours 30 from Auckland. If you let us know where you’re staying, we can give you a more precise travel time and suggest the best route.

Your safety is our priority. Every journey begins with a safety briefing, and we ask all guests to listen to and follow the instructions given by their designated guide, and to disclose any relevant medical conditions ahead of arrival. Reasonable mobility is required for some activities.

For example, the Bridge to Nowhere walk is a 5.4km return trip. Because the weather can change quickly, please come prepared with layers, a warm waterproof jacket, and a warm hat, scarf and gloves.

Behind the scenes, our operation is backed by annual NZTA audits, and our staff are trained in first aid.