Christmas Train — Weka Pass Railway

The Weka Pass Railway, run entirely by volunteers as a registered charity, operates excursion trains over 12.8 km of line out of Waipara in North Canterbury. Its Christmas Train is sold as its own booking item, separate from the regular public trains.

The operator says the train and station are decked out for Christmas and that a very special visitor is on board. The ride leaves Glenmark Station, passes the vineyards of Waipara and runs into the limestone landscapes of the Weka Pass, past rock formations that include the Frog Rock. The heritage carriages include open-air viewing cars.

The train stops at Waikari village, where there is time for a picnic or a bite from the local eateries before the return to Glenmark.

About two hours return, with a morning and an afternoon departure from Glenmark Station. The train stops at Waikari village before returning to Glenmark. There is no food for sale on board; drinks and ice-creams can be bought at the shop at Glenmark Station, and meals and snacks are sold in Waikari village. The operator says to bring a hat and sunscreen.

Meeting point: Glenmark Station, 113 Glenmark Drive, Waipara, North Canterbury. There are no toilets on the train; toilets are at Glenmark Station, Waikari Station and in Waikari village. One carriage has wheelchair access with a ramp on arrival: to stay in a wheelchair, book a wheelchair space plus an adult or child ticket; to transfer to a seat, book as usual. Bicycles can be stowed, but e-bikes and e-scooters cannot be carried. Preschoolers aged 0 to 4 travel on a lap; children are ages 5 to 15 and adults 16 and over. The operator recommends booking all public trains. Cancellations less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded; tickets are refunded in full if the railway cancels. Bookings are not confirmed until paid in full.