Driving Creek Railway and Potteries

New Zealand’s only narrow-gauge mountain railway travels through regenerating native forest with pottery sculptures lining the track

This train ride is one of the most popular in New Zealand.

Enjoy a 1 hour return trip on this scenic narrow gauge mountain railway. Travel through regenerating and replanted native kauri forest where unique pottery sculptures line the track. The train includes 2 spirals, 3 short tunnels, 5 reversing points and several large viaducts as it climbs up the hill to the Eyefull Tower.

At the top there are panoramic views out over the island-studded Hauraki Gulf.

Before your return trip your driver will explain about the man who originally built the railway to bring clay to his potteries and wood to fire the kilns.

As well as browsing the pottery complex (under reconstruction 2016 -2017) you may also want to spend some time in the craft shop viewing the finished works for sale. There is also a selection of well-researched material on local history and ecology as well as a variety of souvenirs for sale.

Suitable for all ages and weather conditions.

380 Driving Creek Road, Coromandel 3506

Just 3 km north of Coromandel Town

Ph 0800 327245

Ph: (07) 866 8703

International Ph: +64 7 866 8703

Reservations: [email protected]

EyeFull Tower Rail Tour

Train Fares: (1 Dec 2015 to 30 June 2017)

Please book in advance to reserve your seats, especially over the busy summer period.

Adults: $35
Children: $13 (4 to 16 years)
Under 4 years old free (*Special seating conditions apply)
Family: $83 (2 adults and 2 children- 4 to 16 years)
with extra children $7.00 per child. (example 2A+3C = $90)
Seniors: $32 (65 yrs plus)
Students: $32 (valid tertiary student ID is required for this discount)

*Please note, safety regulations require infants (not yet walking) to be held by an adult in a harness or front pack please bring this with you. Children under 4 (walking) are required to be held on their parents lap or sit between 2 Adults.

Open every day of the year, except for Christmas day and Anzac day morning.

Train Timetable: (2016-2017)

We will run trips for 2 or more Adults at the following times:

Please arrive 20 minutes prior to departure time- see above

Summer: (1Oct 16 to 30 April 17) 9:00am, 10:15am, 11:30am, 12:45pm, 2pm, 3:15pm, 4.30pm and 5.45pm. Call us to check seat availability for these times.

Winter: (1 May 17 to 30 Sept 17)

10:15am, 11:30am, 12:45pm, 2pm, 3:15pm and 4.30pm

Call us to check seat availability for these times.

*It is best to ring us about the Charter trips: So please feel free to ring us to check out the options.

ARRIVAL TIMING:

Trains run to a schedule so you need to be at our Ticket Office at least 20 minutes before the train departure time.
We may on sell your seats to stand by passengers if you have not purchased your tickets 10 minutes before the train departure time.
Once the safety induction talk begins- 5 minutes before the train departure time -no further boardings can be completed. No exceptions, sorry.

Wheelchair Access available: Please advise when booking as we have to alter the seating to get the wheelchair on board. Please come early so we can assist you to enjoy the ride.

Glow-Worm BBQ Tour

Train Fares: (26 Dec 2015 to 28 Feb 2017)

Please book in advance to reserve your seats, especially over the busy summer period.

For the BBQ at the EyeFull Tower we provide, BBQ, tongs, tables and chairs. You bring your own plates, untensils, food and beverages – bring a torch. Duration 2.5 hours

Summer only (26 Dec 2015 to 28 Feb 2017)

Adults: $50
Children: $13 (4 to 16 years)
Under 5 years old free (*Special seating conditions apply)
Family: $113 (2 adults and 2 children- 4 to 16 years)
with extra children $7.00 each per child. (example 2A+3C = $120)
Seniors: $47 (65 yrs plus)
Students: $47 (valid tertiary student ID is required for this discount)

Train Timetable: (2016-2017)

We will run the Glow-worm BBQ Tour for 2 or more Adults at 7pm:

Please arrive 30 minutes prior to departure time- see above

General Information:

Getting Wet!

You will have a roof over your head however the carriages do not have weather proof sides.

If it is raining it is advisable to bring wet weather gear. We also have plastic capes available for purchase at the shop to use and take away.

Travel Time:

2 hours 45 minutes drive from Auckland

– although this will depend on which part of Auckland you are travelling from and also if you are travelling during heavy traffic conditions.The roads to Coromandel experience considerably more traffic during the summer months and holidays.

Directions:

GPS coordinates S 36˚44.205 E 175˚30.254

From Auckland –

Take the southern motorway to the bottom of the Bombay Hills (30 minutes from city)
Turn left at the Thames turnoff onto Highway 2 & travel for 1 hour.
Turn left at Kopu roundabout (the 2nd exit) onto Highway 25, travel past Thames on this lovely coast road to Coromandel Town.
From Coromandel Town –

Turn right at the T-intersection at the Coromandel shops.
Travel for 2.7km to where the road forks.
Take the right hand fork which is Driving Creek Road (the sign post points to Kennedy Bay)
Head down the road 300 metres to the first bend and you will see our car park on the right.
Or go to the Google Map in the Menu on the left.