New Zealand: Northland – Bay of Islands Vintage Railway

🚂 Bay of Islands Vintage Railway

The Bay of Islands Vintage Railway was far more than a novelty attraction and turned out to be one of the most interesting parts of the day. The line had its origins in the push to open up Northland for industry and settlement, when railways were seen as essential infrastructure rather than something optional. The original railway through Kawakawa was built to serve the local coal mines, which were discovered in the area during the nineteenth century. Coal was in high demand at the time, used for steamships, railways, and industry, and Kawakawa became an important inland source despite its small size.

The railway was constructed as part of the wider North Auckland Line, gradually extending northwards as funding and labour allowed. Kawakawa became a key stopping point, linking the mines inland with the port facilities at Opua. Coal trains ran regularly, carrying heavy loads through the town and along the bay. For decades, the railway was central to daily life. It brought jobs, connected communities, and allowed goods and people to move more easily through what was otherwise difficult country. When the coal industry declined and road transport became more dominant, the railway’s importance faded. Passenger services were eventually withdrawn, and freight trains stopped running. The line was formally closed, and much of the track was left unused.

Rather than letting it disappear completely, a group of local volunteers decided to save part of it. They restored a short section of track and rolling stock, gradually bringing the railway back to life as a heritage operation. What made it unusual was that the train still ran straight down the middle of Kawakawa’s main street, just as it had when it was part of the national rail network. Shops and cafés lined either side, and traffic stopped patiently as the train passed through. It felt less like a performance and more like a continuation of how things had once worked.

The current line ran from Kawakawa out into the surrounding countryside, following the original route through farmland, wetlands, and alongside a winding river. Much of the infrastructure dated back to the working railway, including bridges and embankments, which gave the journey a sense of authenticity. The volunteers take pride in keeping things simple and accurate rather than polished. Conversations with the crew made it clear that this was about preserving history as much as offering a ride.

Being invited into the locomotive cab added another layer to the experience. The diesel engine was practical and straightforward, reflecting the later working years of the line rather than its steam-era beginnings. Ray, the driver, spoke easily about the railway’s past and present, clearly knowing every curve and crossing by heart. Dave, his assistant, pointed out features along the route, including wetlands where rare bird species were sometimes seen. Crossing the long wooden trestle bridge stood out as a highlight, not just for its length and curve, but because it was a reminder of the engineering effort that had gone into building railways in difficult terrain.

At the end of the line, the track simply stopped, with the landscape stretching on beyond it. Plans were in place to extend the railway further in the future, restoring more of the original route as funding and permissions allowed. On the return journey, sitting back in the carriage gave a different view, slower and more reflective. By the time we arrived back in Kawakawa, it was clear that the railway was not just a tourist attraction. It was a living link to the town’s working past, kept alive by people who cared enough to do the hard work required to maintain it.