Captivating Railway Journey in Coromandel
- 1h 15m
- Free cancellation up to 24h before
- Guided in English
- Instant confirmation
Highlights
The Driving Creek Railway isn’t just a scenic ride, it’s a journey through one man’s lifelong vision of creativity and conservation. Every bridge, tunnel, and curve was hand-built by local potter and engineer Barry Brickell, turning an artist’s dream into a living, working masterpiece. Today, the forest that once surrounded his workshop has flourished into a protected sanctuary filled with birdsong and native bush. With sweeping views from the EyeFull Tower and stories shared by your guide, this tour connects art, nature, and Kiwi ingenuity in a way you won’t find anywhere else.
Inclusions
What's included
- Profits from the tour go toward forest conservation projects
- Professional and friendly staff
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.
Reviews
4.7
- 568
- 413
- 33
- 20
- 11
Ratings come from 85 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.
Showing reviews written in English.
5Fantastic trip, do not miss!
A miniature railway like no other. Travels up quite high through amazing Forest scenery, with quirky pottery and other artefacts along the way. The train is tiny and winds its way upwards through tiny tunnels, round seemingly impossible bends and viaducts, including a double-decker one. The train driver provides a very interesting commentary along the way, telling the history of the line and the potter, Barry Brickell, who single-handedly devised the whole enterprise and did a lot of the building work with his own bare hands. Barry was also a renowned potter and the tradition lives on after his death. The gift shop has beautiful pottery available for purchase. The site is now dedicated to conservation. Expect spectacular views. Do book your tickets in advance on the railway's website. The tickets are not cheap but they are worth it
5Great afternoon experience near Coromandel Town
This was a single track narrow gauge railway built by a very industrious potter. To provide clay for his craft he built a railway through the bush to access the material high up the hillside. It was a labour of love and it took him many years to complete his work. At the summit he built a fantastic observation platform which he called The Eyefull Tower. Inside there was an amazing arm chair carved from Kauri wood - absolutely priceless. It was a very good trip - 16 of us on this tiny train. Our driver told us all about the construction of the railway as well as the pottery and the task of returning the bush to its native flora by planting 27000 saplings. A very worthwhile experience. So glad we went
5Do it!
Really one-of-a-kind experience. Great for all ages. And the money goes towards conservation and the locals, not to line someone’s pockets.
5Little Railway
This was a great activity for friends and family. Interesting history of the construction of the railway. Great commentary from Doug.
5Beautiful nature trip
This is well worth doing,we had a great time and the guide was very informative and the scenery is beautiful
5A wonderful story of a Special man who dedicated his time to build this railway
Amazing story off a guy who lived and was buried on this railway, very scenic railway
Know before you go
- Meeting point
- 380 Driving Creek Road, Coromandel 3506, New Zealand 3km north of Coromandel Town on Driving Creek Road.
- Pickup
- Everyone meets at the starting point; there is no pickup.
- Ticket type
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Group size
- Up to 30 travellers
- Operated by
- Driving Creek
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
How it compares in Coromandel
- Its from-price is 64% below the median of the 7 experiences we list in Coromandel.
- By number of reviews it ranks 3 of 7.
- The operator lists free cancellation on it.
About Coromandel
Coromandel is a small town on the western side of New Zealand's Coromandel Peninsula, an old gold and kauri settlement beside the Hauraki Gulf.
Coromandel Town sits on the sheltered west coast of the peninsula, facing the Hauraki Gulf, and grew in the 1850s when gold was found nearby. Kauri timber followed, and the town keeps wooden colonial buildings along its main street, a small mining museum and the studios of potters and painters. A narrow-gauge railway built by a potter climbs through replanted native forest behind the town.
Top-ranked sights in Coromandel: Mercury Bay, Coromandel Forest Park.
Special offers in Coromandel
Was/now prices come from the operator, never from us.
