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Waitomo Express - 1918 Train Carriage Change listing Preview listing

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your current months are January, 2025 and February, 2025.
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February 2025

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Property grounds
Hair dryer
Dining
2 bedrooms, free WiFi
Interior

Reviews

9.0 out of 10

Wonderful

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Parking included
  • Free WiFi
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

Map
Waitomo, Waikato
  • Woodlyn Park
    1 min walk
  • Altura Gardens & Wildlife Park
    10 min walk
  • Caveworld
    19 min walk
  • Hamilton (HLZ-Hamilton Intl.)
    54 min drive

Room options

Similar properties

About this property

Waitomo Express - 1918 Train Carriage Change listing Preview listing

The first accommodation created at Woodlyn Park, "The Waitomo Express" is a restored 1918 Rail Carriage.

It is a completely self-contained motel unit with two separate bedrooms.

This unit can sleep up to 5 people. It has a double bed and a separate room with three single beds.

There is an ensuite bathroom with shower and toilet, as well as a living/eating area with kitchenette at the entrance of the train carriage. The kitchenette features an electric hob, microwave and refrigerator for light meals.

Bedding Configuration
One double bed and a separate room with 3 single beds (1 single and 2 bunk).

Office open until 5PM, after hours staff available until 11pm
Price is for couple per night,
Max guest 5
$20 per extra person
During your stay at this guesthouse, you're just a quick walk from Woodlyn Park. Free self-parking is available.
  • Free WiFi
  • Free self-parking
  • On-site recreation includes a playground
  • Steps from Woodlyn Park and a 3-minute drive from Waitomo Glowworm Caves
Waitomo Express - 1918 Train Carriage Change listing Preview listing offers its guests a picnic area. The front desk is open around the clock. Self parking is free.

This Waitomo Caves guest house is smoke free.

Property manager

Shaokang

Languages

Chinese (Mandarin), English

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Free self parking on site
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking available

Things to do

  • Playground

Outdoors

  • Outdoor furniture
  • Picnic area

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Grab bar near toilet
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking

Room amenities

Bathroom

  • Hair dryer
  • Private bathroom

Entertainment

  • TV

Food and drink

  • Dining table
  • Kitchenette
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator

More

  • Heating

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 2:00 PM

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Children and extra beds

  • This property does not allow children.

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions. You will also receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, which will enable you to manage your booking.

Property is also known as

Express 1918 Train Carriage Change Listing Preview Listing

Waitomo Express - 1918 Train Carriage Change listing Preview listing Reviews

Reviews

9.0

Wonderful

Rating 10 - Excellent. 10 out of 18 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 7 out of 18 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 18 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 18 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 18 reviews" "

9.6/10

Cleanliness

8.0/10

Staff & service

6.0/10

Amenities

7.4/10

Property conditions & facilities

6.0/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Henry v.

Liked: Cleanliness
Magical Stay
Excellent service. Well thought out accommodation
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

8/10 Good

Christine E.

Liked: Cleanliness
Unique stay
Quirky, interesting, different
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024

8/10 Good

Debbie F.

Liked: Cleanliness
Something different
We really enjoyed the repurposed train car, it was just right for 2. It also has a bedroom for 3 more, but given the 1 bath, our 2 were enough. Walking distance to both principal restaurants and market, as well as glow worm cave. Very pleased to have stayed here.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Steve H., Poplar Bluff, Mo.

Liked: Cleanliness
Unique
Very unique vrbo. Everything was great. The check in hours were limited though
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ann H., Livermore

Liked: Cleanliness
Peaceful adventure
This most unusual accommodation – in a train car – is located in an extremely peaceful and quiet valley. The place has other unusual accommodations like an airplane and a hobbit motel. Check in at the front office was very easy and professional. Would love to go there again.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2024

8/10 Good

Alisa

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Staying in the train car was a unique and enjoyable experience. It had everything we needed. Note: the wifi hotspot is strongest in the bathroom lol! The location was convenient to Waitomo and the host offered suggestions of nearby sites to visit. We took a drive to see the natural bridge, cave, and waterfall, all of which were close together and a short walk from the road. Highly recommend those! And star gazing at night from the little deck was amazing. Overall a great stay with lots of special memories for me and my family!
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2024

6/10 Okay

MARTHA

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Interesting facility. Second bedroom is only accessible through the first bedroom, as was the bathroom. A bit shabby but clean. Beautiful views.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Ali E.

Liked: Cleanliness
Fun Stay Close to the Caves
My friend and I stayed in the train car for one night following the Black Abyss Waitomo Caves excursion. I didn’t want to drive far in the dark after our cave adventure, and the train car was less than a 5 minute drive away. The train car is extremely well maintained. Back room can be a bit chilly as the heating unit is in the central bedroom, but there were plenty of blankets to keep warm. I would describe the larger bed as on the firm (but comfy!) side and the back bedroom beds as being less firm/more springy. The amount of space inside was impressive. The setting is absolutely serene. WIFI was decent for that kind of rural area. The host was excellent at communicating and happily accommodated our need for a contactless late night self check in. We couldn’t be happier and would stay here again.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2023

8/10 Good

Ken H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Rest break
All good but did not like having the bed where it was. One side is against the wall. It was like being in a caravan, hard to get in and out of the bed without waking my partner.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Regi G.

Liked: Cleanliness
The Carriage
So cozy and warm, very clean and tidy, best sleep we have had for a very long time. Thank you Just a suggestion, maybe write up some history on the carriage if you have it or can access it. That would be pretty cool to be able to read about the carriages life
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Aaron E.

Liked: Cleanliness
Close to the Caves and very charming
It was lovely to be able to go right from our cave tours to this lodging. A three minute drive. And the Huhu cafe right back up the road was an easy and good dinner--nice recommendation at checkin. Above all we enjoyed the charming train car as a unique place to stay. Everything was comfortable, and the curved roof panels and nice bathroom added to the back were nice touches.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Karen F.

Liked: Cleanliness
Quirky, Warm and Cozy..
Loved it!!
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2022

8/10 Good

Maree G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Quirky and comfortable
Stayed in the converted train carriage. Cleverly laid out accommodation making full use of the carriage. Close to Waitomo caves and other activities. Lovely rural outlook.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2022

8/10 Good

Denise C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Overnight stay
Loved the unique experience. Beds could do with upgrading to ensure a comfortable sleep.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2022

10/10 Excellent

Marama F.

Liked: Cleanliness
bucolic
fun quirky accommodation and idyllic rural location
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2020

10/10 Excellent

Kevan C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Unique Cosy Train
Our stay in the train was wonderful! So close to Waitomo, to do the tours and see the great sights around the area made this place perfect. Would definitely come back!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2020

8/10 Good

Katherine M.

Different
The train carriage was cute & different. It was comfortable & the sun in the afternoon warmed the carriage up beautifully.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2019