Hop aboard your own self-drive railway car and enjoy epic 360-degree views of Lake Rotorua and rolling farmland.
Rail Cruising is a fun, innovative and totally new way for people to explore the stunning Dansey Scenic Reserve.
This is a magical railway experience with a difference. In this awesome travel experience you get to step aboard and captain your very own rail car! The Rail Cruiser is a self drive heated 4 seater hybrid rail car with unobstructed viewing windows.
The RailCruiser V3000 is an innovative world first vehicle like no other! Travel along the Rotorua Railway in your comfortable RailCruiser at 20km/hr departing Ngongotaha Railway Station. You can listen to the audio tour as you make your way through the beautiful Dansey Scenic Reserve and surrounding farmland on your 26 km return trip to Mamaku Railway Station.
The historic railway provides gentle curves and steep climbs with views of Lake Rotorua, stunning bush scenery and views extending as far as Mount Tarawera. So, for a totally unique, relaxed, comfortable and independent travel experience hop aboard a Rail Cruiser - this is a magical railway experience not to be missed!.
All prices are shown in NZD ($)
This is a very unique outing for couples,singles and families. The commentary was super insightful along the trip. Make sure to wear a warm jacket as it gets chilly. Complimentary tea and coffee at the half way mark was a lovely treat.
Thank you Bernie for your feedback, We are glad you could join us! You are right, it can get a bit chilly so we recommend bringing a jacket, although our guests can also put down the see through sides to stop the breeze while they are travelling. ------------------------------ Dear Bernie, Thank you for your feedback. We're delighted you enjoyed your experience with us! You are absolutely correct about the temperature some days. We do recommend bringing a jacket for warmth, and we also remind our guests that they can lower the see-through sides of the Rail Cruisers to block the wind during their journey but many like the freedom of having nothing in between the view! We hope you join us again in the future
What nice way to spend a couple of hours, rattling along basically hands free looking at the country side and views of the lake. Great experience and lovely young staff to organise you and meet you at the return point, offering refreshments then sending you back to the starting point.
Thank you for your kind review! We're delighted that you enjoyed your experience. We think our staff are just awesome too! Look forward to seeing you on another trip in the future!
A great experience as a one off. Pleased we did it.
Thanks Yvonne for joining us and for your review. We are glad you enjoyed the experience.
We had great fun on this trip along the former Rotorua railway. The trip goes for over two hours and went through fabulous scenery and great views of the lake up and back. The team really personable and had a great vibe. All in all it was a different activity and quite unique, for that alone make sure to get on board.
Thank you John for your feedback! It was great you were able to come cruising with us. Glad you got to see our great view coming down the track, and we love our great team too! Safe travels!
Copyright © 2025 Bookme Limited.
Karen Ranstead from New Zealand wrote on 25 March 2025
Rail cruising Rotorua
Was really good something different to do very nice and friendly people running it