On track for adventure

Awakeri Rail Adventures has carried well over 1400 passengers and is looking to expand operations with several new ventures in the coming year. Owner/operators Paul and Eve Francis spent 14 months establishing the business, which carries visitors through the rolling Awakeri countryside in converted golf carts on the disused Awakeri/Tāneatua railway line.

Paul has worked as an engine driver and was inspired by his involvement in a previous rail adventure. He came up with the idea after Googling ‘Abandoned rail lines New Zealand’ and becoming intrigued with the history of the track.

After months of backbreaking work clearing the lines, Paul says their passion (or insanity) has got them to the fun stage. They regularly welcome visitors from around the Bay of Plenty and have had customers from as far afield as the US, UK, Germany, Japan, and Australia.

"We take our customers through this spectacular bush as part of the rail journey, so we’re working with DoC to eradicate pests in an effort to increase bird life in the Reserve"

In the meantime, the couple have plenty to keep them busy. “We’re really excited about our partnership with the Department of Conservation and White Pine Bush Reserve,” he says. “We take our customers through this spectacular bush as part of the rail journey, so we’re working with DoC to eradicate pests in an effort to increase bird life in the Reserve.”

The company currently offers three tour options. The first is an ‘Express Run’ lasting approximately two hours where you will drive over 18 km of track, with one stop en route. The second option is the ‘Bush Walk /Picnic Run’ which will take approximately three hours and includes a guided bush walk, a relaxing trackside picnic and other activities, as well as the 18 km track. Finally, there is the ‘Bush Walk Run’ where you will travel 12 km of track and enjoy a guided bush walk in about 1.5 hours.