The Daffodil Express

The Daffodil Express
Experience our popular annual train excursion to Carterton’s renowned Daffodil Festival!

Carterton Daffodil Festival, Wairarapa Spring Day Out creates a great day out for the whole family. Why not travel there in style by a heritage train, let Steam Incorporated take the stress out of travel as you take the train to the Wairarapa. Departing Wellington, Petone, Waterloo & Upper Hutt on Sunday 13th September!

Hauled by one of our coal fired steam locomotives, take a glimpse into the bygone era of train travel as we clear the rush of Wellington, racing through the suburbs of Petone, Lower Hutt & Upper Hutt. After picking up the last of our passengers at Upper Hutt, we will race through the 8.8km long Rimutaka tunnel. This tunnel remains the longest in New Zealand with scheduled passenger trains, and has in the recent couple of years, been subjected to a full track relay for the first time since it was opened in 1955.

Passing through Featherston, we head east and navigate the rolling hills towards Carterton. At Carterton, you'll have a few hours to disembark and go and explore Carterton's annual Daffodil Festival , before jumping on the train for the return journey home.

The Daffodil Fields and Festival
Located in the heart of the Wairarapa, Carterton’s popular Daffodil Festival offers an abundance of activities ranging from the famous Daffodil picking at Middle Run Farm, markets along High and Holloway Streets, the Big Wai Art sale in the events Centre, live music, and loads more family fun.

Shuttle buses will run from the town centre to the Middle Run Farm. There will be a lot of people for these buses, so please be patient. The bus transfer is free.

Here you can pick your own daffodils for $5 (Cash Preferred) that is a fundraiser for Wellington Free Ambulance and Whānau Āwhina Plunket, Wairarapa region. Daffodils are while stocks last!

The fields are not suitable for walkers, walking frames or wheelchairs due to uneven ground.

Prior booking is essential, this is an annual sell out event!

All tickets and seating allocations are sent via email, 48 hours prior to the departure of this excursion.

Fares
Adult (13+) - $125
Child (2-12yrs) - $90
Infant - Free