Kāpiti Island seen across the sea from the green cliffs of the Kāpiti Coast

Tour Wellington – Kāpiti Coast tours aboard the Blue Train

Vintage rail dining, coastal stories, and unforgettable evenings aboard the Blue Train Kāpiti. Just 45 minutes north of Wellington and one stop short on the Northern Explorer.

Rated 4.8 out of 5 from 30+ Google reviews

Boutique Wellington & Kāpiti Coast Tours aboard a lovingly restored 1952 dining carriage. Fine dining, live music, and coastal stories – whether you’re stepping off the Northern Explorer or just escaping the city for the night.

Our signature tours on the Kāpiti Coast

Two boutique experiences. One unforgettable carriage. A small collection of tours so you can pick the one that suits your style.

  • Guests laughing over dinner in the lamplit Blue Train during the Tūī Tour dinner experience on the Kāpiti Coast Most popular

    $170 pp all inclusive

    Vintage Elegance, Every Saturday

    Tūī Tour

    An evening of fine dining, live jazz, and coastal storytelling aboard the Blue Train – a rare kind of night out, in a setting unlike anywhere else in New Zealand.

    • Start 5:30 PM Saturday · Ends by 8:00 PM
    • Northern Explorer’s Saturday arrival
    • Three-course fine dining + Live music
    • Local Wine Pairing
    • Private return coach to Wellington Railway Station
  • Rows of classic cars on display inside the Southward Car Museum

    $595 pp all inclusive

    Overnight Escape, Every Saturday

    Kererū Tour

    Two days of curated delight – the elegance of the Tūī Tour, a seaside sleep, and a full day exploring vintage trams, classic cars, and local wines along the coast.

    • Start 5:30 PM Saturday · Ends Sunday afternoon
    • Northern Explorer’s Saturday arrival
    • Everything from the Tūī Tour
    • Sunday lunch & wine tasting
    • Boutique seaside accommodation
    • Southward Car Museum & Fiducia tram ride
    • Private return coach to Wellington Railway Station

The Kāpiti Coast

A coast we can’t wait to show you

Just 45 minutes north of Wellington, the Kāpiti Coast is where locals come to slow down and we’d love to take you there. Sweeping beaches, native bush reserves, and Kāpiti Island rising out of the Tasman Sea, all wrapped in centuries of Māori and European history. It’s the kind of place where a good meal still means lingering long after the plates are cleared.

At the heart of every Tour Wellington experience is the Blue Train Kāpiti, our restored 1952 dining carriage stationed in Paraparaumu. It’s where the evenings begin, the stories unfold and strangers tend to leave as friends.

We know this coast, and we love it. Let us share it with you.

Step Aboard the Blue Train
Sunset over the Kāpiti Coast with Kāpiti Island on the horizon
The blue railway carriage behind a garden of bright flowers

Step off the Northern Explorer – discover the Kāpiti Coast

The Northern Explorer is one of the world’s great train journeys. We just think it gets even better with a stop along the way.

Both the Tūī and Kererū Tours are timed to meet the Saturday 5:30 PM arrival at Paraparaumu Station. Step off the train and we’ll be right there on the platform – ready with a warm welcome, your evening already in motion, and your return to Wellington taken care of.

The Tūī Tour has you back in the capital the same night, ready for whatever’s next on your itinerary. The Kererū Tour carries on into Sunday – seaside accommodation, a second day on the coast, and onward transport included – so you arrive in Wellington rested, well-fed, and with stories to tell.

A great train journey, made greater. No rebooked tickets. No lost time. Just one extra evening – or one extra weekend – of the Kāpiti Coast at its very best.

See how the Northern Explorer connection works
Northern Explorer passengers with suitcases on the station platform
Tour Wellington’s red and cream vintage bus in golden evening light

“A Journey Through Time and Taste”

Coming from Canada, we know a thing or two about long train rides but we’ve never had one quite like this. The Tūī Tour is something special. Chris had us laughing within ten minutes, the food and wine were outstanding, and the carriage itself is beautifully restored. Honestly the best evening of our whole trip. Bringing my parents next time.

— Linda M., Vancouver, Canada

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The venue

More than a tour – the Blue Train Kāpiti

Permanently stationed in Paraparaumu, the Blue Train Kāpiti is a beautifully restored 1952 English railway dining carriage – and the heart of everything we do. Polished timber, soft lamplight, white linen, and big coastal windows make it one of the most distinctive venues in the region.

Beyond our signature tours, the Blue Train is also available for private events – milestone birthdays, intimate weddings, anniversaries, corporate dinners, and long lunches that turn into long afternoons. Whatever the occasion, it’s a setting that makes any gathering feel like an event.

Explore the Blue Train Venue
The Blue Train carriage behind a white picket fence and garden in sunshine

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