Reviews of Driving Creek Railway. (Museum) in Coromandel (Waikato).

Driving Creek Railway

2658 Reviews

398 Comments

Museum

Tour operator

380 Driving Creek Road, Coromandel 3506, New Zealand

Description

Information of Driving Creek Railway, Museum in Coromandel (Waikato)

Here you can see the location, open hours, popular times, contact, photos and real reviews done by the users.

This place has good reviews, this means that they treat their customers well and you’ll feel great with their services, recommended 100%!

Map

Open hours of Driving Creek Railway

Popular times

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Reviews of Driving Creek Railway

S. J.

Wow so amazing just loved it .train trip up the mountain and all the work of one man's vision to be shared and still continues now he has passed. The tree planting project is awesome and excellent for future generations to come. Pottery there is just beautiful and one of the potters took time out to explain how it's run

A. H.

We took the train ride up the mountain, the many bridges made it a little exciting as I negotiated if I was going to live or die crossing them, but its all well constructed and looked after, beautiful views. We also took the pottery class there, and absolutely loved it. Just to clarify though, the cost on the website was purely for the lesson, any of your creations you wish to keep comes at an extra cost for firing and glazing and postage.

R. O.

Well, I only did railway trip. It is nice, the staff are great and I would recommend for those with kids. The only thing that bothers me is that, during the trip the drivers also “shares” a lot of information while we cross the locations, and we couldn’t even hear anything they said, mostly because of the train’s engine noise. There is a Cafe over there where I got a nice ice-cream. And also a pottery shop, which is worth having a look. You can do a short nature walk there as well.

P. l.

Absolutely worrh the money!! Fantastic trip and took over an hour. Great scenery and the Eye full tower is amazing. Lots of things to see along the way in the bush with amazing pottery attractions. Greag for kids too.

A. W.

Absolutely magical place. The train ride and views amazing. To know the hours of dedication and passion that went into this by Barry Brickell is unbelievable. Definitely Number 1 Must do in Coromandel.

B. B.

Love this trip really exciting and fun way to get up the hill.great accomplishment overall. summer or winter doesn't matter here just great times to be had.well worth a look .

L.

Quaint, but worth the visit. Suitable for any ages. No difficult parts at all! Having done a few ziplines in various countries, this was a breeze but the scenery and commentary make it worthwhile.

A. B.

A great ride for kids and an engineering feet. A 3.5km track to the top eyeful tower. Great views of Coromandel. Must do when in Coromandel.

M. M.

A trip filled with beauty, including stunning views of native bush , ocean and islands. Also features creative pottery, that's nestled within bushes and alongside the track. A very family friendly outing , that's enjoyable for everyone.

m.

Awesome place and very informative driver. Awesome views from the top. Also has Zipline, pottery and a basic Cafe

J. W.

Amazing walk and old gold mine with weta. The train ride is great and run by the greatest bunch of friendly and knowledgeable people. Amazing views from the top.

C. D. (.

We love this place. We get to see breathtaking views we don't see everyday when you live in the city. A breath of fresh air indeed. Grateful to see and experience this place. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

T. S.

Wonderful story told on a very scenic journey through absolutely beautiful regenerated native bush. Absolutely loved this ❤

M. B.

I really like this experience, I have been 4x so far. It is intended that is the guide who is making it more memorable. Onec I had laidy that was telling us lot of stories and last time just what is had too say. Big difference

R.

Loved it! something different to do as a family and value for money as well. You won't be disapointed.

M.

Fantastic experience, one man's vision and hard work preserved for all to enjoy

D.

Lovely day out, amazing to think this was built in the 70s - 90s. Super friendly tour guide & lovely views from the train!

A.

This place have very interesting history. The scenic points throughout the journey are amazing.

C.

Lovely views, great place to take the whole family

K.

Such a great way to enjoy the bush, views and company. Guides were awesome. 2 hours of relaxed fun, with the thrill of zipping down the lines. Good value, great experience, awesome family adventure!

A.

Delightful experience winding up through the bush with impressive history and pottery.

R.

Pottery class and train ride was well worth it! Really enjoyed it! Just a shame you have to pay an extra $15 per item to glaze and fire your pottery creations! Make sure you take a packed lunch or plan lunch for elsewhere as there's no food around!

A.

Tour guide was very knowledgable. Quiet ride in train. Interesting facts about the railway

M. J.

Wonderful experience with rich history. If have kids I will recommend u not to miss this gem of an experience.. nice views, joyful train ride with lots of tunnels and beautiful photos form the top of the mountain. Even their toilets have beautiful design worth looking at 😋

J.

Great place well worth the $37. Very knowledgeable staff and an amazing feat by the creator.

Y.

The tour guide was fantastic. Presented the story so well, full of information and very informative. We had higher expectations for the experience but the whole setup seemed a bit out of date and in need of a bit more maintenance. That includes the public toilets that were clean but the odur was more than overwhelming, would recommend holding off and check the toilets at the top of the eye full tower. Lots of native stuff in the animal sanctuary. Well priced day adventure for the whole family.

M.

Wonderful gem in Coromandel town. We visited the town only for this. The story of one person who spent his life setting this up was incredible. Worth going.

J. K.

A unique combination of an inspiring story, stunning views, and quirky creations - driving creek is a rare 'must do' for anyone from individuals to groups, and couples to families. Lots of photo opportunities, very friendly people and such a great back story. You won't regret a visit!

P. E.

We love this place.done the family railway trips a few times and now the zip lining. Great guides Angus and Brie and amazing experience. You take the train to the top and work your way down through a series of zip lines. Loved the forest walks and educational talks and the elevated tree platforms. Recommended A+++

L.

Loved every part of the experience. It was well organized, the train conductor was passionate and informative, the sights and sounds were amazing. Cannot reccomend enough, if you're visiting the Coromandel go take the rail tour.

C.

Very educational, lots of fun! 3 year old grandson loved it!

B. S.

3rd visit in as many years. We tell our friends & family about this place and end up coming with them. Raining this time, didn't get soaked and still enjoyed it. And still discovered something different not seen on previous visits.

M.

A hidden gem in the coromandel, and a must do for anyone in the area. There's train rides through the forest, winding through areas entirely replanted with NZ forest species and listen to your local guide fill you in in the history of the area. Zip line around the forest - super fast sections, sections you can go upside down and very friendly staff make it a good morning or afternoon activity to do. We took a 1.5hr pottery class - had way more fun than expected! You get stuck in right away with the clay, with the option to have your "creation" mailed to you. I made a plate - definitely make a plate, it's way easier than a mug. There's gift shops on site, bathroom, wheelchair accessible access and cafes.

R.

Was a complete experience well worth it to go, awesome customer service and staff especially the train driver, can't remember his name tho but but he did brilliant on the ride making sure everyone enjoyed the train and made sure everyone was safe, and gave a good history about the place. Absolutely brilliant experience

b.

We had so much fun on the ziplines! Awesome crew Phoebe and Angus! Highly recommend and can't wait to do it again - 5 stars

S.

Great short trip with most interesting history of founder Barry Brickell, Potter. A must to do.

W.

Had a great time on this journey through NZ bush. So many natives planted to restore the bush. Fun spots to discover and incredible views at the top.

S.

The railway tour itself is nice. The route is thoughtfully planned and decorated. The stops are amazing specially the highlight Eyefull tower. The staff behaviour is a bit rude and off putting, otherwise had a nice experience.

E. F.

Have been many times over the years, first came as a teenager with my parents and now go back most years with my own children. My first grandchild has now also enjoyed this experience and I'm sure we will return for many years to come. 👍❤️

S. P.

Book now...enjoy later! An excellent activity for everyone and for any day, minutes away from Coromandel town centre. The staff is informative and passionate, making sure visitors enjoy every moment. Cute little train(s) operating in lush green native forest - what else can one ask for. It is extremely popular, so book ahead.

C.

Absolutely fantastic. Booked for 1.30 but our rental car broke down on the way. Called and the ladies were so kind and moved our booking to 3pm. Thanks to mucking about with mechanics and dealerships we made it 1 minute late. The ladies were glad to see we had made it and we were so grateful. A beautiful train ride, history lesson and some natural forest medicine to balance out our hectic and stressful day. Thank you so much!

P.

Absolutely wonderful adventure to go on and all ages would enjoy it. For the more adventurous and mobile the zipline is well worth it but just the train ride itself is a step into the past to understand how it was made and appreciate the work that went into creating me ride and the views are beautiful. The staff they're really enjoy their work and it shows when they explain where you are and how the ride evolved. I have been several times now taking groups of friends each time who have all thoroughly enjoyed the trip.

N. M.

What a hidden gem! A really cool ride on a trail up into the bush with great views and a good narration on the history of the track and area. Before the train ride we had time to explore the walking tracks on the property and discover cave Wetas too!

E.

We had a lovely trip up the hill with our guide. Paul was very knowledgeable about the history of the place and the guy who built it. We also enjoyed walking around the conservation area while waiting for the train. I've never seen so many weta in one place so easy to find.

A.

What a fantastic trip. Very i formative and senic

S.

I don’t know what we were expecting when we purchased tickets for this tour but it was much better than we expected. Loved the friendly staff, the story and the journey up to the Eye Full Tower. Highly recommend this experience to others!

V. B.

Great family activity. The views were outstanding. The pottery, bridges and tunnels were awesome and my children loved the adventure. Highly recommended.

H.

Great experience. Well run by dedicated staff and suitable for all ages. Barry Brickall the builder of this railway dedicated his whole life to building the narrow gauge railway and pottery. Well worth a visit.

W.

Only did the railway trip. Amazing feat by the guys that made this. Lovely trip up through the bush and great views along the way. A Cafe at the eye full tower would be amazing!! Maybe not so practical though..

S.

This is a historic place definitely worth a visit, which carries a talented man's firm love for pottery.

K. J. a. S. K.

Love the tour. Tour guide is so friendly and keep us safe by his reminders at all times. Views and history is magnificent.

L. S.

Learning how Barry built the railway was extraordinary. The information told to us as we traveled through the bush, gave a picture how the various sections were built. Great trip and views not to be missed.

R.

Zip line, absolutely fantastic. The guides were superb and the whole experience was something I would encourage ANYONE no matter your age or infermity to experience 😂 11/10😂

D. S.

Great day trip from Auckland, or wherever. Cruise up the hill, thru the bush on a narrow train track. Tons of native trees, pottery, a bottle wall, and more to admire as you listen to the commentary. Well worth it for the views, and Instagram shots. Good cafes in the town to enjoy afterwards. Keep an eye out for the zipliners who may be whizzing past above you.

D.

Enjoyed this visit. The train ride to the Eyefull tower was great, the driver's commentary & history of the land & its owner was interesting.

A.

Best money we spent. So so worthwhile visiting. Entertaining and interesting

C.

It feels a bit like a touri nap, the ride is nice but the price is a bit high 35$. On the top you have a nice view but you can stay there just for around 15 minutes. I came here cos of a recommendation of a friend and I liked the idea, that one person in the beginning build the train tracks.

C. G.

Barry Brickell created an awesome legacy! I had no idea about the fabulous pottery heritage too. A definite must-do sideline adventure-well-organised, incredible views and very chilled out experience of the difference one man (with friends!) can make. The Eye Full tower offers incredible views. Highly recommend this hidden gem!

a.

The brainchild of Barry Brickell, my third time there and no doubt not my last.

m.

Fantastic views from the top 👀😊

T. N.

This is a must do if going to the town of Coromandel. The railway was originally used to get clay for the pottery and then made into a tourist attraction after people requesting rides. Great views from the top.

L. B.

This is such an amazing experience! Had so much fun on the zip lines! And worked in a little walk in as well! Super fun and really worth it!

S. F.

A cute little railways nestled on the private land of the man who built the railway originally for the clay and later on as a tourist attractions. The ride through the forest is pretty scenic with the guide giving you a thorough walkthrough of the railway and how it was built along with some of the issues the builder went through. And the view from the top is amazing. The Eyefull tower as it is called gives you an amazing view of the surroundings and the 10 minute stop on the top is a must. All and all its a satisfying 1 hour.

T.

Love DCR, such great knowledgeable staff and what a view!

J. X.

Good if you're near the area. The train ride itself would be fun for kids, but the sight see on the way there's not much, mostly trees and plants. They'll bring you up to a view point and the guide is very knowledgeable.

M.

Lovely ride. Awesome views😃

S.

An absolutely awesome experience! To see how much it has grown since I was last here, was wonderful. Excellent place to take the family ☺️ Thank you for your continued support of one man's dream❤️

G.

Awesome experience. Must do.

G. L.

Great history and legacy of one man from the commentary with the train ride. We were in a big group of 22 so pre-booked the ride in advance. Very prompt and excellent service. Great experience for all of us especially the children. The view from the EyeFull Towel was sensational and thank you for the group discount 😆

H.

Beautiful place with amazing history, loved our time here (:

s. e.

Best ever tour ride, had the best time of my life. Definitely want to come back. Thanks to Raina and Angus. Giving them a 10 out of 10

J.

What a fantastic time. Right up our alley for kids into trains for the moment. Then the art all along the way and throughout the property. We were expecting a fussy upscale pottery studio and gallery. It is not. It's a funky hand-built hippie studio and land. Obviously an ongoing project. Loved it.

C.

Zipline was absolutely amazing! Great family activity. Our tour guides were awesome!

T.

Did the ride 15 yrs ago. Can not remember it being this good, around every corner there was something different .a good way of spending 2 hrs . Toilets up at the top and down the bottom at the start/finish . Like most tourist attractions there are allways the gift shops . They have there own work shops where they have built all 4 of there own trains . What a lovely day plus the pottery made on site .

R. L.

Prices are on the steeper touristy side. Good one off experience for the kids. The view at the top of the hill is stunning and the staff are friendly and knowledgeable about the area.

J.

A magnificent work by a talented visionary. Barry Brickell has created a legacy for everyone to enjoy.

C.

The most amazing experience. Such a reasonable cost for an awesome ride & history of Barry Bricknell plus more!!

J.

This is fun. Great backstory, great views, a good attraction. Put this on your bucket list

S.

Nice staff, good tour, really excellent little trip through the bush on the railway. Loved it. Worth every cent jut pulling out of the station.

G.

Been several times over the years, but now they have 8 ziplines down the hill. Awesome fun.

Y.

Excellent day and one all kiwis should make the effort to do, especially if you have offspring or an interest in rail, in particular small gauge rail and of course the great outdoors. Try zip lining while you are here also.

A. K.

We loved our trip up the hill on the train to the Eyefull Tower! Winding up the hill on a small gauge railtrack with fantastic views at the top. Simply fun for all ages!

R.

Great staff, friendly and informative. Had an awesome time zip lining...definently recommended 👍👍👍

M.

Its a good activity with the fam. Wonderful experience for the kids and lots of history to be learned. Amazing view of the coromandel peninsula at the end of the trail. Definitely worth doing it.

R.

Was a pleasant experience. I did appreciate the effort that had gone into setting up this place. A crusiey way to spend the day.

C.

A place with great history and dedication to the preservation of the bush. Fun train ride up through the bush. Great commentary and views are incredible. Pottery kilns and artwork are interesting. Very popular place and bookings essential. It a 1 hour return ride to the eye full tower. I will bring the family back with me again.

L. B.

Just loved this fantastic train trip that was full of History of Barry Brickells vision as a top NZ Potter to also Engineer & make this terrific railway happen for us to experience the ride of a lifetime. Amazing views as yu climb steadily up thru the bush, cross amazing viaducts and go thru fantastic tunnels that He Engineered. I did this trip 30yrs ago and met this brilliant Man in person. He had such a scense of humor and has left a grt legacy for all to experience today.

R. L.

Good experience. Lovely views from the top only one and interesting exhibits. Book ahead and don’t go too late in the day. We missed the sunset on the way down as there are too many trees near the track to see anything.

I.

Stayed at Lush, great spot and hospitality. Train was quaint, interesting and fun. Zipline for a 75 year old was brilliant. All staff amazing, one of our best away weekends yet. I & J

K.

I highly recommend this! It was an amazing ride with lots of information about how it all came about.

D.

pretty relaxing, great for kids and adults, fantastic views, great value for money. Very interesting.

J.

Awesome experience. One of a kind. Next time your in Coromandel try this one with the kids or just your camera- I did!

G. “.

Such an amazing experience we had there... from the facilities to the staff and the tourist guides we enjoyed everything... you can enjoy the route with the train there and see the area from above... we totally had a great time there and we are so happy to enjoyed it... definitely we will get back there soon...

K.

A wonderful experience. Friendly & informative staff. The tour is a lot of fun as you head up the hillside & the views are amazing from the top.

C. (.

Highly recommend if you are going to Coromandel. We did it in a cold and rainy day but because of the bad weather, we had the privilege to have the whole train to ourselves and got to learn so much about the history of this amazing railway work. Thanks to the lovely drive “possum” Paul Armstrong. It was a fun experience and we may do it again in summer just to see those glowing webs as per Paul! P.S: there were some hilarious chicken in the railway parking lot. As soon as they see a car approaching they come and ask for food...

P.

I had a great time at this charming railway tucked away in a beautiful little town. The story behind it all was truly amazing and I loved the views on the way up to the eyefull tower. The day we went there were technical difficulties with the eftpos terminal and we couldn't process payment, the lovely lady at the POS gave us complimentary tickets! Our driver on the rail was very informative and had a great personality! I would recommend this to anyone seeking to experience a great NZ artists vision.

J.

Quirky train trip with amazing views up the top. This is my second time here and I loved it just as much as I did the first time. The views are to die for. Lol.

S.

This was amazing.. very child friendly and well worth the ticket price. Loved this place and would go again for sure

J.

A good way to spend an afternoon in Coromandel. Family-friendly and tour guide is very informative. At the top of the railway is Eye-ful tower which allows you to see back into mainland Auckland and the Hauraki Gulf.

F.

Well organised and presented. There are Flying Fox (zip line) activities you can do. The train ride is awesome but a little expensive. Great viewing up top of Coromandel.

S.

Interesting and fun train ride and nice view at the lookout. Well worth doing while around Coromandel. I have done this again, for the 4th time and still highly recommended.

Y.

Incredible experience highly recommend to all. Magnificent scenery and very friendly and experienced Team.

J. D.

A curious little gem Combining Barry Brickell love of pottery with his willingness for a challenge. Great insights into.the forest and the area .Curious sculptures and construction spotted through.the bush. These gave added charm to the experience.

J.

we had a fun day. sadly it was raining and a bit windy but still totally worth going on the train. the art.. the view and especially the nature are just worth it ! the conducters were super friendly and answered questions when asked. they told the story of building the track and how the artists are coming here.

B. B.

This is just a great little rail journey with a great story behind it, fabulous views, great engineering in tunnels and bridges as well as in the rail climb up to the incredible view point the'Eyeful Tower'..It all takes about an hour.

M. S.

Very good experience take this ride, it will take 1 hour to complete the journey. Al the top, have place call "Eyefull tower", you can observe nature from up there. Outstanding and owesome, the ticket price is acceptable. One of family activities that can be done here.

c. d.

Wonderful visit with the crew. Learned about the dreams to creat the train your. Views are spectacular. Found it with Kiwi Dundee Adventure Tours. Gannon University Travel program visited NZ for two weeks. This was one of the highlights.

G.

Awesome Bush train ride. Enjoyed so much. Staff typically friendly as most coromandel people are. Cheap too.

R. W.

Driving Creek Railway is New Zealand's steepest railway and the only narrow gauge railway. The potter Barry BrickelI was the builder of this narrow-gauge railway. He built the first narrow-gauge railway as a garden railway from 1961 and operated it until 1973. Then it gave way to a new building with a larger rail route. The final expansion of the route lasted until 2002. As early as 1984, tourism generated higher income than from the pottery. From 1990, Barry Brickell received state approval to transport people and sell tickets. So there is both passenger and freight traffic (clay and firewood for pottery and workshop. There is a point of sale for clay products and souvenirs at the valley station. The narrow-gauge railway with a 381 mm track width begins in the pottery and ends after 2.7 km and 110 m higher at a viewing platform. During a 30-minute train journey up to the viewing platform, you cross three tunnels, change the direction of travel on 5 hairpin bends and drive over 5 larger bridges. Whereby you cross one of the bridges after the first crossing with a subsequent hairpin loop a second time in a different direction, but on a different level. The numerous helpers in the construction of the railway seem to have been very thirsty, many meters of the retaining walls, especially before and after the tunnels, were fastened with thousands of bottles, of which only the ground was smiling at the travelers. Also interesting are the sometimes funny clay figures that you can admire while driving. The vegetation is also worth seeing.

k.

Went with grandchildren (5 and 7) and they loved it. Arrived a bit early, but plenty there to keep them occupied ..walks, video, displays. Really family friendly. Great train trip with lots of points of interest. Well priced. A really fun adventure.

G.

Fantastic hidden jem, staff very helpful, train trip excellent. Best of all what a view from the top.

P.

The EyeFull Tower rail tour is a great little train trip in the Coromandel where you learn the story of Barry Brickell who created this railway line. Barry was a great potter, a conservationist and a remarkable engineer. The 1 hour round trip takes you up to the Eyefull tower where you get the best views in Coromandel

M.

Really special place with an amazing story, well worth a trip

T.

Lovely views, trains are neat, drivers are efficient and good guides, interesting history. Could do with a coffee shop while you wait.

F.

A whole experience, especially if you think this was made by one man. The viewing point is fantastic, just like the toilet they built there. The toilet is nicer than the hundertwasser toilet.

P. C.

Uploaded are the photos and views through driving Creek, it is good for children for fun. If have less time can drop visit of driving Creek.

d.

Spectacular ride up the hill with breathtaking views. The tour guide was very knowledgeable on the history.

T.

Fantastic experience... my daughter really loves it ❤ Special thanks goes to lady driver.. She is Freindly, lovely and all rounder 😍

M.

I thought this might be a bit scary as it goes up very high but is was lovely and the views are amazing.

C.

A must for all ages. The history behind this beautiful wee train and its founder was quite incredible. Our driver on Monday ( Barry?) was attentive, knowledgeable and friendly. The stop at the top for some breathtaking photos and to learn more about this fascinating place was a bonus. After our trip we attended the pottery class, so much fun. See my comment on their review page.

W.

What a feat of engineering and a legacy of one man's determination. Great tour with interesting commentary. Its a must see in Coromandel

A. N.

Beautiful place, the train ride is for 1 hour and 15 mins and it is worth the time and money. Kids enjoyed.

C.

Awesome history train ride to the top of the hill. Barry built a truly awesome experience. I must see when visiting Here!

A.

Amazing View at the top, totally worth the time. The guide was very entertaining and made the journey even better.

M. F.

This was my third trip to Driving Creek, first was in 1990! Barry did an amazing job creating this quirky railway and conservation area, with fantastic views over Coromandel.

H.

Great place for families. Amazing history and views

n. n.

Very entertaining train ride up n down the mountain. Great views, pottery and history of Coromandel. Highly recommend.

A.

What an awesome adventure.

J.

Amazing experience for the whole family! Make the time for the trip up to the ‘eye-full’ tower!

A.

Great experience...highly recommend that you book before you go. Otherwise you're waiting around for a while

B.

Didnt know what to expect and we enjoyed the story and the views

B.

In the coromandel we had an amazing time zip line and train ride awesome day out making memories

P.

Gem of a place. Interesting history. Wonderous views. Definitely ride the train. Allow 90 minutes for a visit. Train ride 30NZD. Exceeded my expectations. Great for kids, artists, and engineers. Gift shop. Restrooms.

m.

Great guilds and heaps of fun all in a lovely setting

W.

Loved it. Great for adults and kids but not really for someone who is petrified of heights.

M.

We just love this charming and rustic piece of history. Take the time to learn about the founder and owner Barry and be prepared to stand amazed! Friendly staff and the ziplines are a must-do!

R.

Driving Creek is absolutely worth a visit - either for your love of pottery and/or for the stunning views. My kids loved it!

J.

Awesome tour. A fun ride up to great views. Great tour operators. A must see when your in coromandel

K.

Family fun and stunning Views. Bring a jacket. Gets cold up there, especially with wind.

T. W.

An absolute highlight of our trip. Kitsch train with stunning views and a good element of fun.

J.

Great spot to visit, the tour takes only 60 minutes. Great views from the top and they even hire it out as a function centre

G. T.

It was a good time, taking a train ride through the beautiful bush of Coromandel and hearing about, 'Barry Brickell', the man who built everything and his life style.

M.

We had a great experience doing the pottery class. An hour and a half session was plenty of time to learn the basics and come away with several pieces. The instructor was very patient and happy to rescue our work when things went pear shaped. Would happily go again.

H.

Super cute self built railway. Definitely reccomend checking out if you're in the area! Also go up to the eyefull tower. Great views ♡

K.

Great place for a visit. Mike our train driver was very knowledgeable and great with the kids. Awesome view from eyefull tower!

W.

Always worth a visit, rain or shine.

C. K.

Very impressive feats of engineering, pottery, conservation. Not just an eccentric potter, Barry Brickell (R I.P) has left a national treasure.

R.

Fun, sustainable, educational. Great driver - Wendi, and great fun commentary. Very interesting pottery. Great legacy from Barry Brickall.

G.

Very good train ride, well worth doing, highly recommended.

M.

Wonderful magical place. Spectacular views and amazing pottery. Barry the place is a credit to your hard work and imagination. Top place to visit .Cafe on the way is great to

M.

Enjoyed my time with the group. Great place for big group outings.

F.

Genuine, lovely people here. The train ride was built lovingly, as a means for him to get up and get resources for his pottery and people wanted to ride the trains. I personally love this place. Kiwi hard work and the views are awesome. A nice forest ride to chill out and breathe. Great for kids. Kindly, they let us have 2 seats despite being booked out. Our 3 year old sat on our knee and could also fit between us. Good memories. Wish we had had time to walk on the nature walk. Next time!

V.

Must do in Coromandel Town. Live of Barry Brickell who build every thing alone is stunning. His life inspiring. So romantic and even more unique.

C.

Great - highly recommend this activity!!! You will love it as we did even in the rain.

C.

Good place to visit. It amazing to know how he build a trail in creek.

B.

Awesome place, well worth the price. I was really impressed

S.

This was a great little train ride. I went with my husband and thought we might be outnumbered by children but it was mainly adults when we went. It was nice and relaxing, our train driver was great and the view from the top was fantastic.

M.

Really enjoyed this place! Such a beautiful scenic train ride! The view from the top is simply stunning! Bonus was our train driver/guide was really awesome too!

J.

Neat experience with the driver/guide having an amazing knowledge of the railway and the local area and she was great with Mr 4 too

r.

Loved this place. But always book ahead

j.

Fantastic experience if you can handle heights . (Reference to zipline) Staff are amazing,friendly,helpful and understanding. Train ride is fabulous,also part of the zip line experience,but I have been to the top on the train. Highly recommend this place .

M.

Great fun for the kids! Have to try the zip line next time!

M.

Such an incredible place here - the railway is incredible with so much to see on the journey up (to be expected when in a potters creative zone!), the ziplining was great fun, super safe, and with fantastic chatty guides who knew so much about the area, and the conservation focus of the whole area was inspiring. I highly recommend visiting here :)

C.

Fun. A bit of history, a lot of bush and wildlife, amazing views. Didn't try the zipline but it looks amazing.

P.

A living museum of true kiwi ingenuity. and No. 8 wire culture. A lot of thought and care has been taken to develop Driving Creek Railway as a testament to the New Zealand spirit. DCR combines Kiwi resourcefulness, artistry, love for the land and technology to construct something that is quintessentially New Zealand. View rail embankments constructed from old wine bottles and tyres; then there are pottery pieces and little statuettes Driving Creek Railway is not to be missed. We really enjoyed this attraction.

G.

Wow, great day out. We did the railway trip, then later in the day a few of us did the zip line while the rest did the pottery lesson. Both were fantastic. Staff and instructors were great. Nice to know the entry fees are going into good cause projects and native plantings etc. Highly recommend for young families.

J.

Been here twice now bringing guests. Best view in the Coromandel. Great family or adult adventure with knowledgeable guides and great photo opportunities. Must try the zip line one time I'm feeling brave...

Y. Z.

Really,really,boring. There are a few beautiful views in one hour trip.not recommend

V.

Place to go to to see beautiful views and having an amazing ride

S.

Scenic views, cute little ride in the forest.

E.

What a lovely place. Such a feat and passion project by the potter. The train was very pleasant through the forests but quite long and I couldn't really hear the drivers information. Might not be the best option for kids under 5 or ones that get bored quickly. The Biscuit cafe has some good snacks - cookies, brioche, sourdough or homemade bread sarmies. Plus ice blocks and cold drinks and a strong filter coffee "on tap", but no coffee machine.

F.

It's an amazing place to be with the family. We really enjoyed the day riding the train and ziplining.

R.

What an amazing spot......great for little and big kids! The views at the top are amazing! Just get yourself there💚

P.

Cool railway station tucked away just outside Coromandel Town. Train rides last approximately 1 hour but be sure to book ahead to guarantee a seat, they do take last minute bookings if theres any no shows for a journey

N.

Cool experience 😎 & so was our train driver - awesome views across the Coromandel ranges & surrounding bush on a beautiful hot day. Loved all the interesting brickwork together with the history of the place and the talented craftsmen. Highly recommend

B.

A great place with a very interesting history.

I.

Loved the railway trip. Wish the art gallery was open...

A.

Fun, beautiful views, good value for money.

D.

The best view in coromandel, and a nice train ride through the the bush learning the story of the man who built the railway single handedly.

S.

Great day out. Well thought out with all the switch backs, allowing you to climb high quickly. With each switch back your chair back flips over, so you are always facing the right way. We also took a beginners pottery class. This was fun.

N.

Amazing place to visit. Really interesting lots to see. Beautiful bush and views. Great guide Paul, very friendly. Great for kids. A must see!

N.

Excellent. Small train ride to the top lookout with viaducts and tunnels. All done by one man by hand

L.

Very interesting and educational trip. Beautiful scenery

J.

Great experience and kids 5 yrs + loved it

D.

Brilliant fun. The driver was very informative and loved the little touch of blankets provided as it did get chilly going through the bush.

J.

It was AWESOME. Highly recommend it 👌 Great for the whole family.

B.

A perfect way to spend a afternoon. Lots of little pottery gems on the railway. You can also see indigenous Kauri.

G.

Fun activity for a family. The zip lining looks good for older kids and the railway was great with our younger ones. We also did the pottery turning class which was good. I wish I knew that you could (for an additional charge) get your pots fired, glazed and shipped after you have finished - I might have tried harder. The cafe wasn't great with only biscuits and plunger coffee on offer. The cafe was pricy and not very good.

A.

Second time we have been (3rd for the inlaws). Prices have gone up a fair bit and selection of handmade goods in store are not as good as they used to be. Liked the new carved head from wild pine.

L.

Excellent day out would highly recommend great for all ages

S.

Awesome ride, about one hour fifteen in total. Great views at top of hill. Train driver knowledgeable and entertaining. Best to book in advance as very popular attraction.

E.

Credit to the man and his vision, no knighthoods, no glory, just plain love of the land of New Zealand, I salute you sir.

J.

Enjoyed the experience prehaps a little expensive but well worth the time spent on the train and great views from the top

N.

A place not be missed, loads of history, great views

J.

Have been meaning to do this trip for 20 plus years and finally did it ....well worth it ....stunning views of Coromandel and beyond... very informative and what an amazing legacy left by the man who built it

S.

Great as always, friendly staff, informative commentary on train, in awe of Barry's work. An added attraction will be the zip line opening later in the year

S.

Great place to visit. Awesome views and interesting history lesson. Staff are very knowledgeable and friendly.

J.

This place is amazing, awesome train ride up the hills to a beautiful look out. Highly recommend!!

E.

Loved it!! Kids and I went for the zipline experience and it was heaps of fun. The guides know their stuff and made you feel safe and secure. I would recommend this to friends and family.

M.

An exciting trip up Barry Brickell's lifetime achievement bush railway. Great commentary on the trip and gorgeous shop at the end. Loved the Eyefull Tower too.

K.

This is a must do even if you have no internet in trains the view from the eye-full tower towards Auckland is amazing and the story of how it was built is incredible

F.

The story behind this fabulous. We really found this very interesting and the view at the top amazing.

P.

If you are in Coromandel, this is a must do. The history of the place is the first part, then the views you get will wow anyone. Really enjoyable day out.

S.

First timers. Really enjoyed the train trip & driver Paul's commentary. Stirling effort by the late Barry Brickell to develop this tourist attraction. He has left a memorable legacy.

S.

Great place to check out. Worth the money

M.

Loved the zipline. The crew who led were friendly, professional and really fun to be with. The zip lines were safe, scary in a good way and we were with a good group. We'd do it again when we next visit Coromandel. Lots learned about the history and conservation. Definitely reccomend

V.

Great experience. Safe for all ages. Wheelchair friendly too. Just make sure you book as they have limited seats at peak times.

G.

Loved this place. Must see place. View was great.

H.

We loved it. The kids too. A lot of history.

S.

Loved it the tour guide was awesome. Heaps of interesting history of Barry and how the railway come be.

C.

Fantastic. Great commentary. Great views

D.

Loved it. Great ingenuity and creative vision

G.

Extremely informative and enjoyable journey. So much to see and learn. Staff very friendly and helpful. We are so lucky to have such an amazing legacy left for us all to enjoy and thanks to those who continue to keep this going.

R.

Awesome experience, beautiful views. Great for the kids. Would recommend.

M.

Everything was at is finest.. a must to do experience if you near by. The train is a bit noisy and I think it could be better.

R.

Unique experience. Views from platform at top are stunning 👍

J.

#drivingcreekrailway this is an amazing place and excellent value @$35 per adult

R.

Always wanted to do this narrow guage railway trip at Coromandel . Wow. What great story of why it was built. Certainly not to take passengers thats for sure. The ride takes about an hour and a quarter climbing up a ridge line using a zig zag, and spiral system complete with bridges and tunnels to the amazing view at the top. A very well organized trip with great staff and is 'cheap as chips'. Yes you also need to do it.you will not be dissapointed.

M.

We went on the Driving Creek Rail Tour up to Eye Full Tower. We had a great time as the train made it up the very steep hill seeing some great sites on the way. Our tour guide made it very interesting with his knowledge of the history of the railway. We'll worth the money.

J.

Fantastic activity for the whole family. Great to see such a legacy protected for future generations. RIP Barry Bricknell.

T.

Driving creek was stunning with beautiful vistas once you spiral up out of the new Zealand native forest once you reach the top and your in the eye full tower you get 360 panoramic views. The train ride up is fun for the family and the kids love it. Definitely recommend trying this guys out.

R.

This is the best value for money experience I've had in a long time. Great team work here, full of interesting knowledge. Train ride on the narrow gauge tracks to the top for the fabulous view was very cool. Carriage was comfortable. Intereting pottery manufacturers at the store. Highly recommend.

R.

Excellent experience. More details to follow...

H.

We went as a family. It was fun , esp kids enjoyed the most. Good commentary.kudos to all the talented individuals are who have created all of these artworks.

N.

great experience for all ages, should definitely visit if in the Coromandel. Zip-line tour was great with lovely guides, great photos taken as well. 5 stars

S.

Amazing outing for the family and super fun zip line.

D.

Take the family up the train is a must. The zipline is also really cool. Guides were fantastic. Kids immediately wanted to do it again. It's not too speedy or scary, you can totter off sedately, but daredevils can run and leap off, and flick themselves upside down on the line if they want. Definitely recommended.

L.

Loved this. Truly appreciated the historic and current work gone/going on to present Coromandel's beauty. All staff obviously dedicated to their passion -so friendly and willing to share knowledge. Highly recommend this

F.

Cool mini train course with great sights. Definitely worth a visit near Coromandel.

W.

Top class ride beautiful bush grand views

L.

Good day out for the kids and they really enjoyed the train trips to the top and back. Great scenic views. Very informative and resourceful guides.

J.

Hi I did enjoy my ride on the train up to see the fabulous view the staff were great and gave us blankets to keep warm in their side open carriages

M.

Great place for fun and learning about pottery

R.

Such a cute experience!! The train driver was so funny and really interesting to listen to. Beautiful views at the top and such a comfortable ride! I recommend this for anyone at any age!

A.

What a cool train ride we had today. Totally worth every cent. The staff were all lovely and friendly. Nothing was an issue. The driver was great, made us laugh a lot! Would highly recommend this to everybody and will most probably be back again.

P.

Great trip, very interesting.

C.

Absolutely brilliant trip. Excellent commentary from the train driver. Good photo opportunities. Value for money.

K.

Driver was very funny on the train ride. As a side note it would be awesome to get some sort of refreshment at the top of the train ride before going back down. Maybe a nice cold drink. Still loved it though.

C.

Such a fun tour, the staff are really great!

M.

It was wonderful and all about details. Super cute and kinda exciting at the same time. I recommend to take the first train at 9 in the morning to enjoy the ride the fullest, because it was quote empty at this time. When we came back, there were may more people waiting.

A.

Visited a quaint and attractive pottery. Met Petra the potter and bought a few pieces.

P.

A totally unique adventure, good for any age. Breathtaking views of the harbor and beyond from the top. So glad we made the trip. FYI, we took the package trip from Auckland, which included the ferry, transportation from the dock to the rails and back. Great package, tho I wish the ferry schedule allowed more time in Coromandel Town.

M.

Best ever tour guides Angus and Rai 10/10!! Give them a payrise they are assets to your team. Fun, bubbly and interactive.Thank you for making our day awesome 😊😁

I.

Must do attraction when in Coromandel. Good tour for kids and adults

D.

Beautiful ride up, quirky pottery to look out for as you go. Spectacular view from the top! Great for the young and old.

M.

Exceeded my expectations, well worth the visit, certainly on the to do list, pleased we did it. An amazing result and some serious hard work to produce this. Anyone venturing through coromandel should add this to the list

L.

We did this zip line tour with our kids(11 and 8). We had so much fun. Our guide ( Gus and I forgot the lady name) were very friendly, experienced and made our activity so enjoyable and comfortable. Would definitely recommend this activity.

L.

Great place to visit with the kids, beautiful scenery and super friendly staff and locals

G.

The recreational and historical significance obviously can be coexisting.

R.

Stunning experience...such a different experience.

G.

This place was amazing. The views awesome.

S.

Took the kids here and had a wonderful time. Beautiful scenery. A memorable experience for the family.

K.

Unusual but great. Not a massive fan of these tourist trap places, but given the background of why and how it was built it’s worth a visit even just for adults. Managed to get on a standby but is definitely worth book ahead. Nice little coffee shop with home made produce. Creaky charming train to a lookout point with some fabulous views and back. Takes about 90mins and we’ll worth the detour. Didn’t do the canopy zip lines, but they looked good too.

R.

Awesome little train ride. About an hour tour Seats arent too comfy if your tall as theres not alot of leg room

J.

Checked out the pottery etc..there. very nice

L.

All good fun. Cute train ride. Amusing driver. Great views at the top. Hadn't been for 20+ years when we had kids. Still good fun.

J.

Great fun riding the tiny train back and forth in the nature.

V.

Well worth the drive for the wee train trip, great views and phenomenal NZ history. You must book your train ride.

M.

Great experience and terrific example of Kiwi can do.

E.

Excellent little train journey up mountain surrounded by beautiful native trees. A very peaceful place. Driver was great. Thanks for enjoyable trip

h.

Fabulously informative trip! Driver was wonderful, countryside and views are stunning, well worth the trip 👍

B.

Fantastic way to spend a morning. Amazing story of how it was built from one man's vision. Great driver with his entertaining patter Well worth a visit wherever your age.

J.

Wife and I absolutely enjoyed our experience. Awesome tour guide (Mike), who was very knowledgeable and entertaining. We will be back.

M.

As always beautiful and stunning for the 4th time now

i.

Amazing views on the train ride.

H.

Great fun, and learnt a bit about NZ’s first studio Potter on the way. Lovely views from the top.

T.

Very welcoming and professional staff. Zip Line guides great and give some good history etc A must do activity.

P.

Must visit attraction. Amazing experience.

d.

This place was awsome and the views were amazing g

M.

What a treat. A tribute to the man and his vision,to reestablish a beautiful piece of NZ bush, create this little railway so all can enjoy the trip and the spectacular views from the top.

K.

Coro Zipline was great. Train took us to the beginning of the zip experience. Our guides Saskia and Mike took excellent care of us. They are very knowledgable about the wildlife and Bush regeneration in the area.

M.

Impressive lifetime passion project of railway engineering, pottery and conservation. Well worth a visit and the ticket. Feel good aspect also kicks in given that it is run by a non-profit that supports conservation and the arts. The surrounds the charming trains ascend are striking and there are hundreds of interesting clay art pieces around the entrance and along the line - some of which reach fairly epic proportions e.g. around the various tunnels. Real number 8 wire kiwi feel with the kilns and workshop you can check out at the entrance. The viaducts are impressive too - a lot is crammed into their 60 acre block, surrounded by DOC forest. Driver did a good job with the historical commentary. Only one constructive criticism - could do a lot better with the hot chocolate and coffee, we were a bit disappointed (watery for the former, only filter for the latter). Will certainly be encouraging friends and family to check this one out!

M.

Very nice, beautiful environment and what a job done by Mr. Brickell

N.

First time I have visited here, great experience and family friendly. The complete ride to the summit and back takes just over an hour and provides remarkable views as well as many photo opportunities on the way up and down.

C.

Driving Creek Railway just keeps getting better - interesting, informative staff, lots to see and do (clay to play with for old and young, bush walks, wētā cave).

G.

Great atmosphere. Awesome to see pottery classes started and to see pots an various sculpters nestled into nooks and crannies throughout the garden and shop.

L.

What a brilliant day out for kids of every age! Wonderful, friendly and informative staff. Fantastic views of the Coromandel peninsula from the 'Eyefull tower', tasty ice cream and beautiful pottery. What more could you ask? Well worth a visit.

m.

Awesome views and entertaining commentary. Because its about an hour long, it is perfect for a family day trip. Absolutely loved it.

Y.

Not too far from Auckland, good weekend trip for kids

M.

A great and fun train ride. Very interesting.

B.

Nice train ride to the top with some nice views too. Slightly pricey though.

A.

I really enjoyed it. Is a must to do if you go to Coromandel.

L.

Coromandel train, even though it rained, 1st time in about a month!! We had a lovely time. Following on to the Zip Line ... you do need closed in shoes for that, and if its wet they provide great jackets for adults and kids. Fantastic day out, great guides. Highly recommend.

L.

Had a absoulute blast here, beautiful views and the tour guides were great. I highly recomended this to all ages and people looking for a thrill, but if you are not too keen on ziplining, you can go for a train ride around the forrest as well. Great time and cool layout too. 5 stars👍

S.

Brilliant experience for all ages. This is my third visit to Driving Creek Railway and I see something new every time.

J.

One of the quirky finds in New Zealand. An old pottery with a hand cut railway zig zagging up the hill to reach the Eyeful Tower. Awesome and so so Kiwi!

s.

A magical place. Staff really seem to enjoy their work, our tour guide and worked fro DCR for 20 years and spoke fondly of the owner who has since past on So many intricate designs, pottery and art work. A pleasurable experience with blankets provided to keep warm. The view from the top was magnificent

L.

This is a awesome site to visit a must do

S.

Great little railway, amazing story behind the whole thing.

D.

Had a lovely relaxing time on the railway

О.

The place itself is nice. Various pottery arts are quite interesting and staff is friendly and helpful. But the train trip was quite boring (especially for kids). Though a driver was telling about the place history during all way up the hill. In my opinion, it would be great to have a little bit more experience there. For example, a small pottery workshop might be entertainment for kids. Also, would be great to have a cafe to buy a cup of coffee.

A.

kids and us loved this. such a great life work, thoroughly enjoyed it good value for money. very informative.

K.

Fantastic! Staff were very friendly, train ride was amazing.

J.

Amazing for disabled, staff so helpful and accommodating and you can get all the way to the viewpoint at the top in a wheelchair! Great railway through native bush, staff were knowledgeable and friendly.

J.

What a great place with excellent staff!! Big shout out to Angus and Reese who made our zip line tour super awesome. Highly recommend

C.

Love this place. Quirky, fun, beautiful, creative. Lovely staff. Been 4 times in 12 months and going again soon. Well priced.

s.

What a place and to imagine it has been built by 1 man. It's unbelievable. Truly an amazing personality. This train ride is a must not just for kids but for adults as well. It also makes us realise what every single person is capable of if they put their heart and soul into something and donot waste any moment.

Y.

Lovely and well organized. Wait till you get to the top. What a view. Choose a clear day to go. Highly recommend if you got kids.

C.

Went Ziplining with Shayna and Gus and had the best time!! you start out with a very unique little train ride and then make your way back to where you began on 8 ziplines, the longest of which is 200m. You get views of the harbour while flying through native forest, as well as a bit of history of the land and information about conservation of local flora and fauna. Would definitely recommend this experience to anyone in the area whether local or tourist.

K.

This was one of my highlights when i visited Coromandel town. We had a Scottish lady who drove the train and she was fantastic. It was like she was telling the story of Barry for the very first time, she was so good at her job and made the experience really enjoyable. All the staff were super friendly. The views when you reach the top were amazing.

K.

A hidden little gem. Some great history and fun no matter what age you are. Loved all the different views along the way.

J.

The railway trip is incredible through the Bush and with lots of information given. Eyeful Tower has the most amazing views. Well worth a visit. I'll be going again. They are also opening a Zip Line in April which should be amazing fun for thrill seekers.

M.

Great place to go. The railway 🚂 was a great surprise at how enjoyable it was. A visual treat of views.

A.

I had the best time doing the zipline tour! The guides were fantastic, I would recommend it to anyone! 😊 Will definitely be going back to do the full railway ride.

D.

The miniature railway is impressive. Great views and great story behind it. A must see for a piece of true NZ spirit.

C.

Beware of departure times and book in advance to avoid disappointment. Train ride is fun and takes about an hour. Stunning views from the viewing platform at the top. Shame the cafe closes while tours are still underway.

H.

Nice cruise, but: do not take the success track from Main Street to go there, e.g. from Top 10 Holiday Park (4 hours). Why? Because you will already have seen the highlight of the railway: the view! And, by the way, it is exhausting! ;-)

C.

Don't miss out on this experience. Great views and most interesting place.

C.

This was an absolute blast! We took our two children 2 & 4 & they loved every second of it! Wendy was a fantastic guide & listening to the history of Barry Brickell & seeing his hard work & passion for driving Creek was fabulous, amazing views & ingenuity! Would totally recommend to everyone ✨

m.

This was very interesting and Mike our train driver was very entertaining and knowledgeable. Thank you for a great experience which my sister and I thoroughly enjoyed.

k.

This is the second time coming here. Such a great experience. Hand made train and tracks that take you up to the eye full tower. Such a beautiful history behind why it was made and the share will of one man to make his dreams come to life. First time I went I was lucky enough to meet him and talk about his love for the area. Unfortunately since then he has passed away. But his legacy lives on. The tour guides tell his story very well. Would highly recommend

P.

Could make more regular train rides

M.

It was an absolutely awesome experience highly recommended very informative and our train driver Mike was fantastic

Q.

Very interesting place, you learn a lot about the owner and how he followed his dreams. The train is pretty neat, but a bit too small for me and my long legs, so the drive wasn't as pleasant as it could be. If you're in the area and like a little bit of history I can definitely recommend thus place!

P.

This is the most amazing trip in a miniature train, through native NZ flora. Many wonderful pottery sculptures to see as well as the fantastic views. Beautiful pottery shop.

R.

Great spot - amazing views and nice rail ridethrough forest. Book in advance otherwise busy and have to wait

J.

Great trip on a narrow gauge railway up the hillside through the bush. Fantastic views over the Coromandel coast and countryside from the Eyefull Tower at the top. Lovely pieces of pottery sculpture along the trackside. Thoroughly enjoyable and definitely recommended.

S.

Awesome little railroad with great commentary and history provided

M.

Possibly one of the best train rides out there. Staff and our driver Paul, were very friendly. Views of coromandel coastline are great. The new zip line install will be popular. Calling ahead to book was easy to do!

D.

A great experience, good value, awesome views, informative. Recommended when your next in this part of our beautiful country.

V.

This was a great tourist attraction. The train ride up through the bush was just so fantastic and the views from the "Eyeful Tower" just amazing.

L.

Barry Brickell is amazing. The driver gave some great narratives and the view is also amazing.

P.

Great tourist attraction, well worth the money, the train ride is spectacular. The only thing it could do with a coffee shop

T.

A must experience if you are exploring the area. This is hand made and super quaint. A decent ride through the bush gets you exploring in a fun way, kids love it. No scary drops, just beautiful scenery all around and beautiful artwork throughout. A very unique and typical Kiwi experience.

L.

Quirky pottery spot and lovely steep rail journey into the hills through a regenerated forest that was the brainchild of one man. Now has a series of zip lines from near the top of the railway back to the base. And on a sunny day, would highly recommend it, dress with layers regardless!! Huge thanks to our lovely guides Rae and Saskia. I think we might have vanquished my fear of heights!

E. L.

We had a fantastic time doing the new zip line tour through the stunning native bush at Driving Creek. It's very close to Coromandel town. To check into the zipline, line up at the main building (there's quite insufficient signage for the zipline but head to the main building and you'll be fine). You start with a quick team building activity to get to know your fellow zipliner's names then you take a little train through the bush up to the first zipline, that was cool in itself. The guides we had were so friendly, and the 8 ziplines of various lengths and heights were all fantastic, beautiful views. The guides also gave information about the area, and gave us a drink of water fresh from the stream! When you return to the bottom the cafe and sitting area is very nice. Overall a great experience and would highly recommend.

A.

Amazing experience. Incredible to think that all this was done by one man. Highly recommend doing this if you are in the area.

G.

An amazing little rail ride up the mountain on a well engineered and painstakingly constructed railway. A really great adventure for adults and kids alike. The view from the top at the "Eyefull Tower" is something you will remember for the rest of your life. Another not-to-be-missed outing on the Coromandel Peninsula.

L.

Good place to visit with kids. Good if the management can start a small good quality cafe there for quick bites (cake) and coffee or something. Amazing customer service. Highly recommended. Kids will love it. Fantastic views on to of the mountain.

L.

Awesome place, great views on a bright sunny day.

E.

Kids and adults love this train ride and look out at the top.. Nice photo opportunities. Kids will like the train ride.. The zipline is amazing 8 ziplines and so much fun

D.

Great 1.25 hour tour. Nice old looking small train. You can take some pictures in the forest and some on the top of the hill.

F.

Good fun with kids, story is fascinating how that guy made that

I.

The MOST amazing activities you will ever experience... All by one awesome person.. Barry Brickell-your incredible... This is a MUST DO for the whole family

M.

This is a must see if your in Coromandel. Great fun for the whole family. It's a 20 minute train ride on a custom narrow gauge train up the hill to "Eyefull Tower" with a 15 minute stop at the top before you descend again. When we were there in November they were putting in a really big zip line through the tree canopy.

C.

Very nice and detailed. Was very much fun

G.

Wonderful experience. Lovely, lady train driver who obviously admired Mr Barry Brickell and his fantastic legacy. By the end of the trip, we did too!! A great ride, beautiful unexpected terracotta sculptures and a delightful natural setting.

J.

Really cool rail ride to the top of the "Eyefull Tower". Stunning views at the top, interesting history behind the construction of the rail way and its purpose. Worth going with the family, but it is advised booking in advance as during the Summer period it can be booked out.

K.

What an adventure for the family. If you're in the Coromandel, I can highly recommend a visit and a trip down the zip lines. The guided war a hoot too.

R.

Loved the train trip though the bush

A.

What a fun little train! Amazing views when you get to the top and look out across Coromandel. I recommend this if you're in Coromandel and as it's covered you could also do the trip if it's lightly raining without getting wet.

P.

Informative, loved our driver Wendy, she was awesome!! Such an amazing man Barry what a vision and gift to your community! Our entire party of 12 enjoyed this journey. Thank you

S.

This is an absolutely amazing experience for all ages. A must do if you are spending time in the corramandal. Loved every minute of it. The staff are knowlagable, and friendly.goid clean facilities. Incredible views. It does pay yo book over the busy season. This is definitely something that I would do again.

M.

Something different. We all enjoyed the whole experience: the ride, the views, the guided commentary, etc. Pretty cool story behind the old hippy artist who put it all together!! DCR is well run and really professional. In winter we were short on options and glad we did this.

C.

This is a great adventure. The guy built it himself. Amazing engineering. Fantastic park with over 9000 kauri planted.

M.

Best ever. 👍Brickell left a beautiful legacy for the Coromandal.

G.

The railway is very cool. The driver was courteous and friendly. The views were beautiful and the history of the railway is fascinating. A potter started it to get clay out of the hill... There is also lovely pottery for sale.

G.

Great little train ride, through dense tropical rain forest to wide reaching views over Coromandle town, harbour, the bay and islands. Very interesting story of its originator and construction told along the way by very engaging driver.

D.

Had an awesome day with my partner Doing the zipline and train ride Had 2 awesome guides for the trip with great chats through out the tour which was fantastic 10/10 well worth the price :D

t.

Always love coming here and going up to the Eyeful Tower, very enjoyable few hours. Bit disappointed to see that the live demonstrations of glass blowing were not running during this visit. Hopefully not a permanent omission to the attraction.

O.

Excellent train tour to the top. You can see Coromandel Bay. The history behind the train and tracks are well explained. There is even a zip line being installed. Amazing

A.

Loved the narrow gauge train that went high up in the hills to give us a great view

J.

Just did the zip line tour. It was epic, highly recommended and our tour guides Angus and Bree were epic. Thanks guys.

Q.

I have joined their railway tour and also the zip line tour. Both were amazing. The staff were very friendly and talkative.

M.

Loved it, interesting history and entertaining driver, will have to do the zipline next time that looked super too

H.

What an awesome experience!! Loved the train ride and all the knowledge about the natives and some of the pottery. Well worth the trip

D.

Great commentary from Paul, who explained the history and artistic community spirit which was the main reason for the comradeship between DCR, the sourcing of the clay, the potters, the magnificent bush and scenery.

M.

Fantastic trip, great vision to allow us to enjoy this. Plenty of motorhome parking. Certainly worth the hairy coromandel roads.

D.

Awesome place! Ladies in office were fantastic and our driver was really funny through tour. Kids will love it

P.

Superb view when you reach the top. Loved the comentary that was provided by the driver I have spoken with someone who went before it got extended and they loved it then. Driver slows to allow you to photograph what they are talking about. If your visiting New Zealand make time to visit this place 100% value for money.

I.

I wonder why so many people eager to visit that place. Apart from the view from the Eyefull Tower and quite good (but expensive) pottery nothing is noteworthy. 90% of time it is just a train ride in a thick forest, not much to see, very boring. I reckon there are many other ways to spend $80+ dollars for a family ticket in the Coromandel area.

A.

Ticks all the boxes: boys' toys - the railway and train; the beautiful scenery, including the view from the Eyeful Tower over the Gulf; the personal history and the arts connection. Really enjoyable.

L.

Totally worth the visit. Recommend to book in advance.

A.

Great tour for kids

L.

An interesting relic of one eccentric man's dream. Staff friendly, but ramshackle, run-down and too expensive.

V.

Refresh your memories, feel the nature but give them a call to check train departure timings before plan, coz i missed mine.

M.

What a great attraction a must do

B.

The train ride comes complete with commentation which is useful and informative, only an hour long but definitely something you must do while in Coromandel Township!

S.

Kids will love this 2 hour long train journey in the jungle.. amazing view on the top which is breathtaking..

k.

Great for my 5 year old birthday party. Has a small under covered area with tables. Then a larger open area out in front. Great views from the top of the train track

J.

Such a cool way to enjoy the amazing zipline experience worth every cent thanks to Barry Brickell an intrepid pioneer with an incredible vision

R.

Great experience, informative about local history and current conservation. Thanks Angus and Saskia

M.

Fully inspirational journey of what 1 man can achieve, his dreams and perseverance. Now run by a community whose passion runs almost as deep as the creator. So worth making this a highlight of Coromandel. Do book before you go.

R.

Oh! this is wonderful. If you are going to coromandel this is a must have adventure. Suits all ages. Takes about 1 and half hours for the whole visit. Better book beforehand.

A.

I've been on a few historic train rides around the world but this wasn't that exciting. The petrol engine and the smell of petrol doesn't make for a very pleasant ride. The view from the top is ok, couldn't say breathtaking. It's ok to do it once, wouldn't do it twice though.

S.

Friendly and informative staff. Really enjoyed the train ride up to eyefull tower, seeing many of the pottery creations along the way. Found the history of the railway and pottery very interesting. Definately coming back when the zip-lines are finished :) Strongly recommend visiting Driving Creek Railway if you're visiting Coromandel

S.

really nice place. love the story and history behind the man who started this place. kids will love it.

T.

Great experience. A place one must visit. Amazing views. More than one would expect.

T.

This experience is a must. Will do this again and again. Loved the train ride and the guide was so friendly and informative.

R.

What an amazing experience seeing Barry Brickell's vision. Well worth it, loved the views at the top.

M.

Visited in 2013, loved the train ride and the terrific view from the "Eyeful Tower" don't know how we missed it on previous trips to NZ. Interesting pottery though a little pricey. Visited again in 2017 still love the train ride.

Y.

This is a one hour journey on a small train through forest, and mountains. Sceneries at the top, the Eyeful tower, are beautiful, where the train stops for 10 minutes.

C.

Great experience learning about Kiwi ingenuity. Crazy little place run by great people.

K.

Climb aboard for a captivating one-hour railway journey and be inspired by the story of one man’s lifetime passion to bring Art, Conservation and Engineering together to create Driving Creek. Train driver will tell you the story of Barry Brickell and how this amazing place came in to being, as your tram winds its way up to the Eye-Full Tower lookout, traveling through a native forest of regenerating kauri, rimu and ferns. How pottery has played an important role in creating Driving Creek and of work to return the Driving Creek property to pre-European times as travel over large viaducts, through tunnels and reversing points. Hidden gems along the way, unique pottery sculptures and artworks. This is much more than a railway journey. It is suitable for all ages and it is an all weather activity.

L.

Great train trip. This line is unique with the double decker bridge. Good view from the summit. Haven't been here for about 5 years. But totally recommend it if you haven't been here.

E.

A really interesting tour with beautiful views run by knowledgeable and friendly staff.

R.

Awesome train ride. Must see n do

J.

Neat little train ride even though the driver relates more to children (even when there aren't any on the train)than adults. A very informative trip with the train winding it's way up the hillside stopping at the top for us to get out and survey the extensive surrounding areas. Loved it. There is a shop with many local artists pieces on offer.

B.

The Zipline experience is a hoot , we thoroughly enjoyed it - and our guides Raynor and Brianna made it a fun couple of hours zipping between the trees.

M.

It's a great trip, lovely staff and glorious scenery, highly recommended.

L.

Awesome little railway, add the Zip Line experience over fantastic NZ native bush, just wonderful.

V.

What a crazy idea, building your own railway. But now anyone can enjoy it and the views up the hill are magnificent.

L.

Well worth the trip out there, lovely place friendly staff, train trip was amazing

M.

This is really a one of a kind..don't assume it boring because it's not.. What treat to look and be on a train and tracks hand made by its owner.. And to experience the rail was truly magical.. He definetly loved his pottery..and just amazing sll round

C.

Last Saturday 12 Jan our friends took us to DRC. This was their 5th trip to this amazing location. We had the privilege of meeting Helen at the booking office, very obliging & interesting lady. Then Our driver, Wendy, took us on this awesome trip of the most beautiful scenery. Wendy’s commentary was evident of her dedicated loyalty to the man, Barry Brickell whose ingenuity to keep this part of our beautiful NZ in its natural state, untouched by destruction. What an extraordinary man, so much credit & thanks to him for leaving this legend behind for many to enjoy.

C.

This train rail tour is awesome. A hidden gem, and the view from the Eyeful tower is asolutely amazing. So much to see, adults and children.

T.

Great attraction. Well worth the visit just to be able to appreciate the effort of the amazing man who built the railway. The amazing scenery and views of Hauraki Gulf are the cream on top.

N.

This is a truly brilliant experience. A real ANZ blend of art and engineering. The commentary on the train gave us such a great picture of the origins of DCR.

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