Rain Forest Express
Location
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Climb aboard the Rain Forest Express for a 5.5 km bush train journey through the bushclad Nihotupu Valley in the Waitakere Ranges. The narrow gauge railway, laid to build the Nihotupu Dam, takes you through ten tunnels and over nine bridges offering spectacular views of lakes and forest. Bookings essential.
Longer trips and charters are also available.
Just 40 minutes from central Auckland, you can embark on a wilderness adventure aboard Watercare's Rain Forest Express, a narrow-gauge railway located deep in the heart of the Waitakere Ranges. You will be taken over wooden bridges that span valleys lined with ancient forest, and pass through tunnels lit at night with a multitude of glow-worms (and housing the odd cave weta!). Your adventure culminates in a visit to one of Auckland's hidden treasures, the Upper Nihotupu Dam, where the silence of the bush belies the closeness of the city.
During the journey your train driver will tell the story of the Rain Forest Express from its role in building the dams which now help to sustain Auckland, through to its use today.
After visiting the dam, take a stroll to Seaver's Camp, overlooking the Nihotupu Valley and Manukau Harbour.
The train will collect you from the Camp for the return journey.
Hours: Sunday at 2pm, taking 2 ½ hours. Trips run daily during school holidays, depending on demand.