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Travel over seven viaducts, see the Rangitikei cliffs, the central volcanic plateau, National Park and the Raurimu Spiral ‒ all while travelling on the new Capital Connection carriages to “Taumarunui on the Main Trunk Line” (and back).Our route begins at Palmerston North and will take us over the Mangaweka viaducts, among the tallest in the North Island, with views seldom matched in New Zealand. You can view the picturesque Rangitikei River below as it flows past the high sandstone cliffs.
Leaving National Park we then travel down one of the rail wonders of the world, the Raurimu Spiral. This magnificently engineered piece of railway, steeped in history with stories of how an engineer with courage, foresight and a brilliant ability overcame one of the most challenging railway engineering assignments of the last century.
here are two options once you get to Taumarunui, a bus tour to Omaka Lodge or the Taumarunui Rail Action Centre.
The bus departs the Taumarunui railway station at 12.30 for Omaka Gardens and will be back at the station by 2.30pm. A pop-up café will be available for you to enjoy lunch while out at Omaka and you will have 3 acres of country excellence to explore at your leisure.
Roses will be in bloom and the rhododendrons in flower. There is even a garden for your wedding hour. There are fantastic views and vistas over the forgotten world.
https://www.omakalodge.nz/ https://gardenstovisit.co.nz/private-gardens/omaka-lodge/
Included are transfers and entrance to the garden for your self-guided tour. Additional guided tours cost an additional $5.00 ‒ please pay to the hosts.
When you buy your train ticket you can choose a shuttle bus that will take you Taumarunui Rail Action Centre where you can view their model railway, trucks, jiggers, tractors and carriages. A hidden little gem, operated by the Taumarunui Rail Action Centre.
If you do not want to take a bus you may wish to visit the railway museum (on the platform) where you can wander down memory lane, or visit the town shops just across the road from the station.
At 2.45 pm it’s “All aboard” for our return journey to friendly Palmerston North!
This train will be hauled by a KiwiRail diesel locomotive.
When Sunday 23rd November 2025
Depart Palmerston North 8.30 am
Depart Marton 9.10 am
Arrive Taumarunui 12.10 pm
Depart Taumarunui 2.45 pm
Arrive Marton 5.55 pm
Arrive Palmerston North 6.30 pm
Adult fare to Taumarunui $180
Adult fare with side trip Omaka Lodge Garden $202.50
Adult fare and Taumarunui Rail Action Centre $193
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Palmerston North Railway Station, Matthew Ave,,Palmerston North, New Zealand
Tickets
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.
