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Rotorua & Taupo Explore New Zealand, Australia & Fiji!tune
Rotorua Rail Cruising - Ngongotaha Ultimate Journey
Hop aboard your own self-drive railway car and enjoy epic 360-degree views of Lake Rotorua and rolling farmland.
Highlights
- Step aboard and captain your very own rail car! on a 26 km return trip!
- The Rail Cruiser V3000 is an innovative world first vehicle like no other
- Enjoy views of Lake Rotorua, stunning bush scenery and scenery extending as far as Mount Tarawera
- Listen to an audio tour as you make your way through the beautiful Dansey Scenic Reserve and surrounding farmland
- A magical railway experience not to be missed!
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!.
Authenticated ReviewsAll of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme
Showing all 44 authenticated Bookme reviews
anns13 from New Zealand wrote on 24 June 2025
Novel experience
Friendly team running the ride, a novel experience on something a bit different for all ages. Some good scenery, a nice short commentary. Amazing how the track was built and has stood the test of time.
Kim Shannon from New Zealand wrote on 12 June 2025
Cruise Relax
Staff are very friendly and helpful, I was happy to have met them. After working stressful hours, the cruise was a nice way to be in nature and unwind. I hope in future they will add more anecdotes to the audio system.
From Rotorua Rail Cruising - Ngongotaha Ultimate Journey
Thanks Kim for your kind words. We think our staff are great too! We are glad you had the opportunity to relax and unwind on the journey after your long day!
alland7 from New Zealand wrote on 18 July 2025
Repairs
The experience was cold and the caridge old in need of doing up.Also the track needs clearing. Invite us again when repairs are done and l will review again. Cheers Allan Dower
Christine Browne from New Zealand wrote on 02 June 2025
Birthday outing
Great experience for overseas visitors and also for the locals. Staff were lovely and very helpful. Highly recommend it.
From Rotorua Rail Cruising - Ngongotaha Ultimate Journey
Thank you Christine for your review. We are glad you enjoyed the birthday outing on the rails. We will pass on your kind words to our staff. We think they are great too!
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Qualmark Gold
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Qualmark Silver
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Qualmark Bronze
The Qualmark Bronze award recognizes a business that operates with a high level of professionalism, is mindful of its environmental impact, and is dedicated to putting customers first.
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Frank Durant from New Zealand wrote on 24 July 2025
Rail Cruising
A fantastic experience..great staff, very helpful and easy going. More should be made of the log cabin (Yogi Bear)..a beautiful unique building.