About 50 minutes north of Christchurch, near Waipara wine country, the Weka Pass Railway is one of Canterbury's hidden gems. This volunteer-run heritage railway takes you on a 12.8 km journey through stunning limestone scenery on the old Waiau Branch line — the track that was once planned to be the main trunk line north. Founded in 1983, it's run entirely by dedicated volunteers who have restored vintage steam and diesel-electric locomotives, heritage carriages and two beautifully maintained stations. At around $25 for an adult return ticket, it's one of the best-value heritage experiences in the South Island.
Our Experience
We went on a sunny public holiday and looked forward to the full smoke-and-noise experience — and we got it. The train departs from the beautifully restored Glenmark Station, which was originally the ex-Mina Railway Station built in 1910, relocated to Waipara in 1987 and renamed to avoid confusion with the existing Waipara Station on the Main North Line. Inside the station you can browse the history on the walls, pick up snacks and souvenirs, and collect your tickets.
We stepped out onto the platform to see the train returning from the lunchtime run. A good number of people disembarked, the train then turned around on the human-powered turntable — which won a FRONZ infrastructure award — and we got into one of the heritage carriages. The carriages are well maintained and comfortable, with an open carriage available if you want the full wind-in-your-hair experience.
The first section runs across flat farmland, passing vineyards and a large irrigation reservoir. Then the train begins climbing grades as steep as 1 in 50 (2%) as it winds through the dramatic cuttings of the Weka Pass. You can only marvel at the workers who in the 1880s moved tons of clay and limestone by hand to form all the cuttings and embankments — the Weka Pass section was completed in just over two years.
The land was once under the sea and some of the surrounding limestone rocks have weathered into unusual shapes. The most famous are Frog Rock and Seal Rock, clearly visible from the train as you pass through the middle of the Weka Pass. Keep an eye on the walls of the cuttings — you can spot seashells and fossils embedded in the limestone.
Waikari and the Return
At the Waikari end, the train stops and you get about 30 minutes to stretch your legs, visit the small village, and grab a bite to eat at the local cafe. There's not a huge amount there, so bring a packed lunch if you want more options — the village has a small general store and a few craft shops. The volunteers turn the locomotive on the 55-foot turntable (installed in 2002), and then you head back through the pass. The whole round trip takes about two hours.
The day we went, a group of mountain bikers had just arrived after a morning ride and lunch at the Waipara Springs Winery, then biked to the station, loaded their bikes on the train, and hopped off at the Waikari end to ride off into the sunset. What a great way to spend a day.
The History
The Waiau Branch line opened to Waikari in 1882 and was originally expected to become the South Island Main Trunk Railway running north from Christchurch. Plans changed in the early 1900s and the main line was routed along the coast instead. The branch was extended to Waiau by 1919, but regular passenger services were withdrawn in 1939 and the entire line closed on 15 January 1978.
A public meeting in Waipara in August 1982 saw locals and railway enthusiasts — many drawn from the Ferrymead Railway — establish a steering committee to preserve the scenic Weka Pass section. Weka Pass Railway Incorporated was formally registered on 25 March 1983, and the first public trains ran in 1984. Today it's a registered charity (CC11237) run entirely by volunteers who maintain the track, locomotives, rolling stock and both stations.
The star of the fleet is the 1909-built "A" Class "Pacific" steam locomotive No. 428 — the only one of its type still operational in New Zealand. The railway also operates two DG Class diesel-electric locomotives (built in 1956) and heritage passenger carriages. Whether you get steam or diesel depends on the day — check the website before you visit if you have a preference.
