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Full Day 20 Tunnel Rail Cart Experience

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Travel back in time on this full day rail cart experience travelling through 20 tunnels on this forgotten world scenic railway line. This self driven rail cart tour will take you through rolling hills, country farms and native bushland. Be amazed as you emerge from each tunnel into different scenery. The 20 Tunnel full day experience can be taken in two directions. You can travel from Okahukura to Whangamomona from the Taumarunui Depot in the morning. From here passengers will pass through small villages including Matiere and Ohura before arriving at Tokirima for a lunch break. Along the way you will travel through 20 tunnels with the longest tunnel on the tour at 1.5 km long. After lunch, continue onto Tangarakau Gorge and Whangamomona to end the rail cart experience. A shuttle is provided to return passengers back to Taumarunui Depot. This full day tour can also be taken in reverse with a shuttle bus to transfer you from the Taumarunui deport to Whangamomona to commence the rail cart experience. Transfers, morning tea, lunch and afternoon are included in the full day experience. Book online today to reserve your spot on this experience!
Inclusions
* 20 Tunnel Rail Cart 10 Hour Tour Departing from Taumarunui * Choose to start your trip from Okahukura or Whangamomona * Rail Cart is inclusive * Enjoy lunch with a variety of breads, ham, salads and dressings * Morning and afternoon teas - home baking slice or biscuit, fruit with a hot or cold drink * Complimentary transfers from Taumarunui accommodation * 20 tunnel experience where you will be transported back through history * Enjoy a 80km trip where stories and tales are woven into this unique landscape * Discover a different vista unfolding every time you emerge from a tunnel
Options
__Option 1: Okahukura to Whangamomona__ * Depart Taumarunui Depot at 7.30am and arrive in Whangamomona approx at 3:30pm * The shuttle will deliver you back to Taumarunui Depot at approx 5:45pm * Board the carts at Okahukura and enjoy the rural landscape of the King Country before plunging into the longest tunnel on the line * Pass through Matiere and Ohura before arriving at Tokirima where you will enjoy lunch and create your own sandwich with a variety of breads, ham (off the bone) lettuce, tomato and cheese slices * The afternoon takes you through the spectacular Tangarakau Gorge and on to Whangamomona * Take a wander around the Republic before boarding our shuttle to travel by road back to Taumarunui __Option 2: Whangamomona to Okahukura__ * Meet at Taumarunui Depot at 7.15am where shuttle buses depart for Whangamomona * The Rail Carts depart Whangamomona 9.30am and arrive in Taumarunui approx 5.30pm * Either join Taumarunui and enjoy an informative bus ride down to Whangamomona, or meet at the Whangamomona Hotel * Enjoy lunch and create your own sandwich with a variety of breads, ham (off the bone) lettuce, tomato and cheese slices * The longest tunnel of 1.5 km is saving the best for last! If you joined at Whangamomona you can shuttle back to Whangamomona at the end of your day
Time
* Option 1 from Okahukura to Whangamomona - Depart Taumarunui Depot at 7.30am and arrive in Whangamomona approx at 3:30pm and the shuttle will deliver you back to Taumarunui Depot at approx 5:45pm * Option 2 from Whangamomona to Okahukura - Meet at Taumarunui Depot at 7.15am and the Rail Carts depart Whangamomona at 9.30am and return to Taumarunui approx 5.30pm * Please arrive 15 minutes prior to departure time * Driving distance from Ruapehu to Taumarunui is approx 1 hour, Taupo to Taumarunui is approx 1.5 hrs and Rotorua to Taumarunui is approx 2 hours via the State Highway
Duration
* 10 hours
Hotel Pickup
__If you have booked a hotel__ * Prior to completing your purchase, enter your hotel name in the 'Add Booking Notes' section of the shopping cart. Once your booking is confirmed, you will receive a confirmation tour voucher with complete tour operator details. You will be required to contact the tour operator a minimum of 48hrs prior to your day of travel to reconfirm your hotel pick up time __If you have not yet booked a hotel__ * If you have not yet booked a hotel, enter the words 'hotel not known' in the 'Add Booking Notes' section of the shopping cart. Once your booking is confirmed, you will receive a confirmation tour voucher with complete tour operator details. You will be required to contact the tour operator a minimum of 48hrs prior to your day of travel to reconfirm your hotel pick up time __If you do not require a hotel pick up__ * If you do not require a hotel pick up and will be meeting the tour at the tour departure point, enter the words 'not required' in the 'Add Booking Notes' section of the shopping cart. Once your booking is confirmed, you will receive a confirmation tour voucher with complete tour operator details. You will be required to contact the tour operator a minimum of 48hrs prior to your day of travel to reconfirm your tour. Tour departure point is listed above and on your confirmation tour voucher
What To Bring
* Sunglasses * Camera * Water and extra snacks if required * Warm thermal/merino clothing, including hat, scarf and gloves * Sturdy footwear (no jandals) with warm socks * Warm windproof jacket with hood * Layered clothing with a good wind/rain jacket * 100% Rainproof coat and over-trousers if rain is predicted
Additional Information
* Difficulty level: Easy * The shorter tours are more suitable for young children * If you have any dietary requirements please advise at the time of booking
Booking Information
* Confirmation in the form of a tour voucher will be received at time of booking * Upon completion of purchase, please print the voucher and present on day of the experience * For your information, complete Tour Operator Information including contact details is included on your tour voucher
Package options
About Full Day 20 Tunnel Rail Cart Experience
About Full Day 20 Tunnel Rail Cart Experience
Travel back in time and experience a full-day rail cart journey on the Forgotten World Scenic Railway Line, taking you through 20 tunnels. You'll drive the rail cart yourself amidst hills, farms, and native forests, marveling at the diverse scenery emerging from each tunnel. This full-day tour offers two travel directions. You can start from Okahukura to Whangamomona from Taumarunui Depot in the morning, passing through small villages including Matiere and Ohura before reaching Tokirima for a lunch break. Along the way, you'll pass through 20 tunnels, the longest of which is 1.5 km. After lunch, the journey continues to Tangarakau Gorge and Whangamomona to conclude the rail cart experience, with a shuttle service to return passengers to Taumarunui Depot. Alternatively, this full-day tour can be done in reverse, with a shuttle from Taumarunui Depot to Whangamomona to begin the rail cart experience. This full-day tour includes transfers, morning tea, lunch, and afternoon tea.
Why Full Day 20 Tunnel Rail Cart Experience is a must
Drive your own rail cart through 20 tunnels on a beautiful railway line. Experience a journey back in time through rural landscapes, farms, and native forests. Includes lunch, morning tea, and afternoon tea. Free shuttle service from accommodation in Taumarunui. Explore a distance of 80 km with interesting stories along each route.
Top things to do at Full Day 20 Tunnel Rail Cart Experience
Choose to travel from Okahukura to Whangamomona or from Whangamomona to Okahukura. Stop for lunch at Tokirima, where you can make your own sandwich. Travel through the villages of Matiere and Ohura. Enjoy the beautiful scenery of Tangarakau Gorge. Explore the Whangamomona Republic before returning by shuttle. Pass through the longest tunnel, which is up to 1.5 km.
How to get to Full Day 20 Tunnel Rail Cart Experience
The meeting point is Taumarunui Depot. Free shuttle service is available from accommodation in Taumarunui (hotel name must be provided 48 hours in advance). If you haven't booked a hotel, specify 'hotel not known' and contact the operator to confirm pickup time 48 hours before travel. If shuttle service is not required, specify 'not required' and meet at the specified departure point.
Location of Full Day 20 Tunnel Rail Cart Experience
Forgotten World Scenic Railway Line in New Zealand. Start and end point at Taumarunui Depot. Travel between Okahukura and Whangamomona.
Opening hours of Full Day 20 Tunnel Rail Cart Experience
The tour takes approximately 10 hours. Option 1 (Okahukura to Whangamomona): Departs Taumarunui Depot at 07:30. Returns to Taumarunui Depot around 17:45. Option 2 (Whangamomona to Okahukura): Meet at Taumarunui Depot at 07:15. Rail cart departs Whangamomona at 09:30. Returns to Taumarunui around 17:30. Please arrive 15 minutes before departure time.
Facilities at Full Day 20 Tunnel Rail Cart Experience
Self-drive rail cart. Lunch (bread, ham, salad, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese). Morning tea and afternoon tea (pastries or biscuits, fruit, with hot or cold beverages). Free shuttle service from accommodation in Taumarunui.
Know Before You Go
Difficulty level: Easy. Shorter tours are more suitable for young children. If you have dietary restrictions, please inform us at the time of booking. What to bring: Sunglasses, camera, drinking water, extra snacks, multi-layered warm clothing (e.g., thermal/merino shirt, hat, scarf, gloves), sturdy shoes (sandals not recommended) with warm socks, windproof jacket with hood, 100% waterproof rain coat and rain pants if rain is forecast. You must contact the tour operator at least 48 hours before the travel date to confirm pickup time or meeting point.