The Kererū Tour: a weekend getaway from Wellington
Two days of coastal magic, vintage discovery and timeless Kāpiti charm.
- Price
- $595 pp · all inclusive
- When
- Saturday 5:30 PM – Sunday 5:00 PM
- Duration
- 2 days · 1 night
- Starts
- Paraparaumu Station, 5:30 PM Saturday
- Return
- To Wellington by 5:00 PM Sunday
Quick details
- Duration
- 2 days · 1 night
- Tour times
- Saturday 5:30 PM – Sunday 5:00 PM
- Tour type
- Overnight escape · vintage rail & tram · fine dining · museums · wine and beer tasting
- Tour area
- Blue Train Kāpiti · Paraparaumu Beach · Southward Car Museum · Queen Elizabeth Park · Kāpiti Coast, New Zealand
- Capacity
- Small-group experience · intimate seating throughout
- Transport
- All transport included – vintage trolley, private coach, Fiducia tram and return to Wellington
The Kererū Tour is an all-inclusive overnight experience, and spaces are limited. We recommend booking well in advance to secure your weekend. Northern Explorer travellers: the Kererū Tour is timed to meet the Saturday 5:30 PM arrival at Paraparaumu. Step off the train and we’ll be on the platform – your weekend on the coast begins from there.
A coastal escape steeped in nostalgia
The Kererū Tour is an invitation to slow down and sink into two beautifully curated days on the Kāpiti Coast. It blends the vintage elegance of the Tūī Tour with a full day of coastal exploration – historic trams, classic cars, sweeping views and unhurried tastings – all woven together with the warmth and storytelling that has become a Tour Wellington signature.
It’s an overnight escape for those who like their travel a little deeper. From dining aboard a historic carriage to sipping tea beside rare automobiles, each moment is shaped with care. With time to breathe, explore and reflect, you’ll find the Kāpiti Coast holds far more than stunning views – it holds stories that, with every stop and shared moment, quietly become part of your own.
Your weekend, step by step
- Saturday evening Day one – an evening on the Blue Train Your weekend begins with the Tūī Tour. A vintage trolley transfer, French bubbles and canapés on arrival, live jazz drifting through the carriage, and a three-course dinner aboard the beautifully restored 1952 Blue Train.
- Overnight Seaside sunrise Afterwards, we’ll see you to your seaside accommodation near Paraparaumu Beach. Spend the night beside the sea – the soothing rhythm of the waves, a quiet stretch of coast, and a golden sunrise to welcome the new day.
- Sunday morning Morning tea at Southward Car Museum Begin the day at Southward, home to the largest collection of classic cars in the Southern Hemisphere. Take morning tea among the chrome and curves, then enjoy time to wander this internationally acclaimed museum. A generous buffet lunch follows.
- Sunday The Fiducia tram to the coast Step aboard an ex-Wellington Oriental Parade tram for a nostalgic journey through Queen Elizabeth Park, with sweeping views across to the South Island on a clear day. At the Tramways Museum, restored 1930s trams and vintage film reels bring the golden age of transit gently back to life.
- Sunday afternoon Return along Old Highway 1 As the afternoon softens, we make our way back along Old Highway 1, with the unmistakable shape of Kāpiti Island keeping company by the sea.
- By 5:00 PM A finish at WineCraft, then back to Wellington The journey closes at WineCraft in Paraparaumu – a relaxed tasting of locally crafted brews and regional wines, hosted by our friendly guides – before we return you to Wellington by 5:00 PM.
What’s included
- Full Tūī Tour experience on Saturday evening – vintage trolley transfer, bubbles and canapés, live jazz, three-course dinner aboard the Blue Train
- Overnight accommodation near Paraparaumu Beach
- Morning tea and buffet lunch at Southward Car Museum
- Entry to Southward Car Museum
- Fiducia tram ride through Queen Elizabeth Park
- Tramways Museum experience
- Beer or wine tasting at WineCraft
- All transport between locations
- All commentary and guides
- Return to Wellington by 5:00 PM Sunday
Your weekend getaway from Wellington, in pictures
Northern Explorer travellers
Travelling on the Northern Explorer? Step off early.
The Northern Explorer is one of the world’s great train journeys – and our tours are designed to make it even better. Both the Tūī and Kererū Tours are timed to meet the Saturday arrival at Paraparaumu Station, around 5:30 PM.
Simply step off the train and we’ll be there on the platform – taking care of your luggage, walking you the short distance to the Blue Train, and welcoming you straight into the evening. The Tūī Tour returns you to Wellington the same night, ready for whatever’s next on your itinerary. The Kererū Tour continues into Sunday, with seaside accommodation and onward transport into Wellington included – so you arrive in the capital rested, well-fed, and with stories to tell.
It’s a seamless way to turn a great train journey into a greater one. No rebooked tickets, no lost time – just one extra evening (or weekend) of the Kāpiti Coast at its best.
See how the Northern Explorer connection works
Questions about the Kererū Tour
More answers on our FAQ page, or get in touch.
Do I need to book my tour before I travel?
Yes. Tours must be booked in advance as spaces are limited. We cannot take walk-ins from the train.
How does the timing work with the Northern Explorer?
On Saturdays, the Northern Explorer arrives at Paraparaumu Station around 5:30 PM. We’ll be waiting on the platform to meet you and start your tour.
What happens with my luggage?
Our team will collect your bags as you step off the train. They are securely stored while you enjoy your tour. If you’re on the Kererū Tour, we’ll transfer your luggage to your accommodation for the night and return it to you for your transport back into Wellington the next day.
Do I need a return ticket to Wellington?
No. Your tour booking includes transport back to Wellington. For the Tūī Tour, you’ll be returned the same evening. For the Kererū Tour, your package includes both accommodation and tickets back into Wellington the next day.
Can I join these tours if I’m not on the Northern Explorer?
Yes. While designed to connect with the Northern Explorer, both tours are open to all guests. You can simply meet us at Paraparaumu Station at the tour start time.
What if my train is delayed?
We monitor the Northern Explorer’s arrival closely. If there are minor delays, we’ll adjust accordingly so you don’t miss the start of your experience.
What if I have dietary requirements?
We cater for most dietary needs with advance notice. Please let us know when booking, and we’ll make sure your meal is prepared accordingly.
More ways to explore the Kāpiti Coast
See all our Kāpiti Coast tours · About the Blue Train venue · Northern Explorer connections
-
$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
-
$375 pp all inclusive
Groups of 100+ · by enquiry
Haast Eagle Tour
A gourmet evening aboard the Blue Train, then a grand vintage steam journey down the Kāpiti coastline to Wellington Railway Station.
- Saturday evening · arrives Wellington 8:00 PM
- The full Tūī Tour dining experience
- Heritage steam journey aboard Steam Locomotive 1271
- Minimum 100 guests for steam · 48 for the R31 Railcar
-
Every Thursday with Mik Peryer
Waikanae Estuary Bird Tours
Three ways to spend a Thursday with Mik Peryer, the Birdman of Waikanae: a guided estuary bird walk, birds and High Tea aboard the Blue Train, or a full day with WWII heritage.
- Every Thursday · from 9:30 AM
- Small-group experience · minimum 10 guests for High Tea options
Subscribe to Tour Wellington’s newsletter
Stories, scenery & something a little special – straight to your inbox. Be the first to hear about upcoming tours, exclusive offers, and behind-the-scenes moments from the tracks and trails of Tour Wellington.
How we handle your details: privacy policy