Great train ride in Napier, New Zealand!

May 2025

The Hawkes Bay Express was amazing. Will and his father, Kit, built this beautiful train pulled by a tractor through the beautiful streets of Napier. It was very well made and decorated. Will gives a great narration. Lots of fun on a beautiful day.

HBE tour is well worth it

Mar 2025

Just got back on Ovation of the Seas and took this great tour. Amazing vehicles built By the owner. Will was entertaining and made the stop memorable. Definitely book this if you’re coming to Napier on a cruise. It’s an hour and a half leaving plenty of time to walk around afterwards

Great little tour/train ride

Feb 2025

The owner operator drive of this little train was absolutely amazing. He made this tour. Literally built train Shared his knowledge and personal stories about Napier all the while in period costume. This tour was in am and allowed us time afterwards to explore Napier on our own. Definitely recommend this experience.

Funny, factual and entertaining

Feb 2025

Will was superb - funny, factual and entertaining. He knows his home area well and shared so much info with us while we were on the tour. The Hawkes Bay “Express” puttered around the town and shore and showed us what a great place Napier is

ALL ABOARD!

Jan 2025

A unique experience, the “train” is a great novelty. Will, whose outfit matched the era of the train, which he built with his father, delivered a comprehensive tour. His knowledge, personality and humour added to the experience. Recommended !

Must do tour in Napier

Feb 2025

This tour was amazing. It was the perfect way to see beautiful Napier and learn the really interesting history of the place. Our guide Will was exceptional. Full of knowledge and love for Napier. All round a fabulous tour. A must do

Happiness on wheels

Feb 2025

Must do in art deco, Napier. Hand built train/ vehicle pulled by tractor. Happiness on wheels. So much fun. Great commentary. Really wonderful experience . Loved it.

A fun ride through town

Jan 2025

This was a fun excursion through town, a pleasant way to get to know the city before exploring on your own. The host/conductor/guide was personable and knowledgeable

A unique experience not to be missed!

Jan 2025

An amazing tour with a passionate guide. Our guide was the owner and he and his father built this fabulous train from yesteryear. We learned all about the history, culture and day to day life of the city and surrounding area. A very fun ride!

Awesome tour and community

Jan 2025

AWESOME tour and overview of a city with an unusual history!! Will is a ROCK STAR! He’s funny, informative and truly passionate about his community, which really comes across during the tour. He and his wife really are an asset to this beautiful seaside area of New Zealand! Highly recommend!!

A great way to see Napier

Jan 2025

We did this as a tour from our cruise. I have done a lot of cruise tours and this is one of the best. Will was informative, compassionate and funny. It was a wonderful way to learn some of the history of Napier. I highly recommend this tour if you are in Napier.

Well worth your time and money

Dec 2024

Fantastic husband and wife entrepreneur team who literally built the business by converting a John Deere tractor into a locomotive and hand build trains cars by the owner’s father. Excellent narrated tour about the history and geology of the area in an Art Deco preserved town. Small enough to get into the old town streets and neighborhoods in the rolling hills.

LOVED this tour of Napier!

Mar 2024

LOVED this tour! Will and Liz did a great job giving us a tour of Napier. I could hear and understand the commentary, the coaches were lovely and comfortable. I loved that we drove slow enough to actually see and absorb what was being explained. My hubs and I learned a lot!

Awards & Acheivements

2025

WINNER

Certificate of Excellence

Trip Advisor
Certificate of Excellence 2025
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2024

WINNER

Certificate of Excellence

Trip Advisor
Certificate of Excellence 2024
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2023

WINNER

Certificate of Excellence

Trip Advisor
Certificate of Excellence 2023
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2022

WINNER

Certificate of Excellence

Trip Advisor
Certificate of Excellence 2022
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2019

WINNER

Certificate of Excellence

Trip Advisor
Certificate of Excellence 2019
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2018

WINNER

Certificate of Excellence

Trip Advisor
Certificate of Excellence 2018
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2017

WINNER

Certificate of Excellence

Trip Advisor
Certificate of Excellence 2017
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2016

Hawke's Bay

Top 10 Things To Do

Experience Oz
Hawke's Bay Top 10 Badge

2016

WINNER

Certificate of Excellence

Trip Advisor
Certificate of Excellence 2016
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2015

WINNER

Certificate of Excellence

Trip Advisor
Certificate of Excellence 2015
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2015

WINNER

Napier City Council Small Business Award

Hawke's Bay Tourism
Hawke's Bay Tourism Award Badge

2014

WINNER

Certificate of Excellence

Trip Advisor
Certificate of Excellence 2014
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2013

WINNER

HBRC Business Inovation

Hawke's Bay Business
Wetspac Business Awards Logo

2013

WINNER

Barnes Mossman Small Business

Hawke's Bay Business
Wetspac Business Awards Logo

2013

FINALIST

Classic Hits People’s Choice

Hawke's Bay Tourism
Hawke's Bay Tourism Awards Logo

2013

FINALIST

VW Print Visitor Acitivty

Hawke's Bay Tourism
Hawke's Bay Tourism Awards Logo