australia new zealand train rides

Snowy Mountains The full run is to Chakola, some 12 mi/19 km from Cooma on the banks of the Numeralla River. Some services run to the intermediate stations at Snowy Junction and Bunyan. Apart from regular Tourist services on weekends, picnic runs, dinner services and private parties make up the schedule.

At Katoomba, in the heart of the Blue Mountains, Sydneysiders and visitors alike, flock to experience the valley's World Heritage rainforest aboard a trio of rail adventures. Scenic World features the world's steepest incline railway, the only horizontal passenger carrying cable car in Australia and Australia's steepest cable car ride. Open 365 days a year.

Opened in 1869, its zig-zagging track allowed the train to haul produce, coal and iron ore across the Blue Mountains some 130 km (80 m) west of Sydney. Today, steam trips on weekends and vintage diesel runs on weekdays take an hour-and-a-half.

Park below the snowline, then ride the Skitube to the top of Australia in the Snowy Mountains. The Swiss-style rack railway bores through one of the Southern Hemisphere's longest tunnels to connect with popular Perisher Valley slopes... then conquers alpine heights in its climb to the Blue Cow Mountaintop. Winter months only.

In the South Australia Outback, this restored narrow-gauge operates between Stirling North and Quom, the original home of Oz's fabled Gahn, the train that linked the continent.

Classic steam engines pull out of Mt. Barker (30 minutes east of Adelaide) on a southerly course bound for holiday resorts on the Fleurieu Peninsula.

Historic coastal line provides "Victoria's Unique Railway Experience." Trains run year-round on Sundays, Tuesdays and holidays; selected Thursdays and Saturdays. Also: home to Melbourne's legendary Blues Trains, progressive dunner concerts on wheels held quarterly.

Australia's oldest steam train runs along its original track through the scenic Dandenong Ranges, only 40km (24m) east of Melbourne. Mountain views and cool gullies abound along the winding track from Belgrave to Emerald Lake (Lakeside) and Gembrook. Passengers have a range of tour options to choose from -- journeys of one hour to a full day's adventure.

Not far from Melbourne, visitors are invited to tour the historic railyard and view ongoing restoration projects before taking off on a scenic stream-driven excursion.

Barry Brickell is a true Renaissance man. That goes a long way to explain DCR's seemingly incongruous pairing of train and potteryworks. Built by Brickell to haul raw materials and finished pots between roadway and kilns, the site has evolved into a mini-mecca for eco-minded tourists who relish an excursion aboard New Zealand's only narrow-gauge railway as it loops spirals, dips through tunnels, and traverses a native Kauri Forest replanting project. Trains run daily year-round with extra summertime and holiday runs.

Restored steam and vintage diesels tow a miscellany of period rolling stock along a scenic route through Ferrymead Heritage Park. Along the way, there are historic stations, sheds and shops to explore. The schedule of weekend and holiday pleasure trips is at its height in summer with fewer trains scheduled during winter months.

This national treasure is enjoying a new wave of poularity after coming close to a shutdown several years back. From its Wakatipu Lakeside trackbed, South Island's famous vintage steam train rewards and relaxes visitors; its excursion experience echoing an earlier era. Between departure cities of Kingston and Farlight, passengers are treated to an oldtime railroading experience played out against a background of glistening Southern Alps, Two daily departures in each direction (one round-trip) scheduled October to May.

Once envisioned as the initial segment of a mainline to the West Coast, today vintage steam and diesel-electric locomotives escort tourists along a vestige rural route. Excursions cross flat acres of crops and orchards and climb through the weathered limestone cuts of Weka Pass. First and third Sundays year-round; all Sundays in January and February; most holidays.

For over a century, Wellington's cable car has shuttled commuters between downtown's busy Lambton Quay and the Kelbum hillstead above. The once overwelmingly commuter ridership has given way to a mix, with greater numbers of tourists hopping the incline tram for a memorable ride to the city's Botanic Gardens, planitarium and observatory... and for the fabulous harbor and mountain views. Seven-day service, every 10 minutes, until 10 p.m.