Awakeri: Rail Adventures and Kahikatea Forest

Rail rides and forest scenery

Awakeri brings together two different sides: Awakeri Rail Adventures offers self-guided rides on rail vehicles along the historic Tāneatua Branch Line, while nearby White Pine Bush Scenic Reserve preserves a remnant of Kahikatea forest. For orientation, Awakeri Hot Springs is about 10 kilometres southwest of Whakatāne, on the eastern edge of the Rangitāiki Plains. This places the area between a railway experience and a nature reserve, without equating nearby forest tracks with attractions in the town itself.

Springs with restricted access

The hot and cold springs at Awakeri Hot Springs were historically used for bathing and traditional purposes. However, access is the key consideration today: use of the thermal mineral pools is restricted to guests of Awakeri Holiday Park, and the thermal bath complex is currently closed to the public. Therefore, do not plan on the facility as a publicly accessible bathing stop.

Experience a historic railway line for yourself

At Awakeri Rail Adventures, you drive the rail vehicles yourself; the rides follow the historic Tāneatua Branch Line. This makes the experience a different kind of rail outing from a trip where you travel only as a passenger. A 2.5-hour Bush Walk Run also includes a guided bush walk. Before making plans, check whether this specific ride is offered on your travel date.

Forest tracks and birdlife at White Pine Bush

White Pine Bush Scenic Reserve is on State Highway 2 between Awakeri and Tāneatua. It preserves a remnant of Kahikatea forest across 4.5 hectares. A 250-metre-long track is wheelchair-accessible. White Pine Bush Road Loop is flat, family-friendly and passes through native trees. There are different walking experiences nearby: one track explicitly described as wheelchair-accessible and a loop described as family-friendly.

The reserve provides habitat for native birds such as tūī, kererū, fantails, bellbirds, New Zealand robins, grey warblers and ruru. A scenic stream and a small waterfall can be seen from White Pine Bush Track. There is also a nature trail for school groups. These features make the reserve appealing to anyone who wants to include forest, birds and small scenic highlights in their stay, rather than focusing solely on the rail ride.

Food and accommodation planning

In Awakeri, The Smokin' Goose is an American barbecue restaurant with a beer garden, serving American barbecue dishes. When choosing where to stay, the rail rides in town and the nearby reserve can provide different points of reference. This keeps your plans focused on the experiences you actually want, rather than assuming the thermal bathing facility, which is closed to the public, is available as an activity.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Edgecumbe, Nukuhou, Taneatua, Whakatane, Matata, Minginui, Ohope, Murupara.

For the broader travel overview: Whakatane District.