Far North dads with a passion for steam trains can get the perfect Father’s Day trip this weekend - Gabriel, the Bay of Islands Vintage Railway steam engine is running.
Dad doesn’t have to be of steam-age vintage to enjoy the trip to Te Akeake - halfway to Ōpua - and back.
The Bay of Islands Vintage Railway Trust is firing up Gabriel - and the coffee machine at the Kawakawa Station - tomorrow and Saturday, but on Sunday, Father’s Day, Gabriel will leave at 10am, noon and 2pm for the 90-minute return journey.
The trip, along the beautiful Taumarere River, explores the scenery, history and heritage of the area on the oldest railway line in the North Island and will give dads of all ages a memorable day.
The Bay of Islands Vintage Railway is unique as it is the only working railway in New Zealand where the trains travel down a State Highway and right through the middle of a busy town.