The Kingston Flyer Vintage Steam Train

Kingston

Local Pick
ADDRESS 221 Kent Street, Queenstown, Kingston Directions

At a glance

Ideal for
Type
Scenic RailwaysFor KidsToursAttractionsSightseeing ToursRomance & Special Occasions
Features
Price
$$$$ Moderately Priced

Take a step back in time aboard this historical vintage steam train. 

Departing from Kingston, relax and unwind on a 90 minute return journey while admiring the spectacular scenery along the 14km rail corridor from the Kingston to Fairlight Railway Station and back.  Public train rides, group bookings and private charters are available. 

Train departs Kingston EVERY SUNDAY twice daily at 10.30am & 2.00pm.

Afterwards, pop into the Kinston Flyer Cafe & Bar for some cosy country pub food. 

Pricing:

  • Adults:  $75 /  $65 Gold Card
  • Children - $25
  • 4 & Under -  FREE.


Bookings:

Tickets for public train rides must be booked via online booking on the Kingston Flyer website.

To make an enquiry for a private charter, simply send an enquiry email with your name, preferred date and time, number of people, and a cell phone contact number.

Need To Know:

  • All bookings for public train rides are essential and available online only.
  • Private Charters are available from Monday to Saturday, and are designed for large groups of 40 people or more on a full or half day basis. Please email us for all enquiries.
  • Public train trips are from Kingston. Please note, you can not board the train at Fairlight Railway Station.


Getting Here:

Kingston is a spectacular 45 minute drive from Queenstown via State Highway, following Lake Wakatipu to its eastern edge. The turnoff is easily spotted from the main highway, simply follow the main road (Kent Street) all the way to the Kingston Flyer Cafe & Bar. Free parking is available outside the cafe located near the Kingston Foreshore.

Frequently Asked Questions

Passengers have approximately 20 minutes at Fairlight Railway Station to explore the station, take photos, enjoy complimentary tea and coffee, purchase merchandise and watch the steam locomotive turn around. Children can also enjoy watching the engine and taking part in the 'race the engine' activity from the designated fenced area.

The best time to take photos with the steam engine is before departure, once the locomotive has been coupled to the train. It will remain in place for approximately 30 minutes before departure, giving passengers plenty of time to take photos. There is also a brief opportunity to take photos with the engine at Fairlight Railway Station.

Passengers are welcome to bring their own food, snacks and non-alcoholic drinks to enjoy on the train or at Fairlight Railway Station.

Fresh drinking water and complimentary hot tea and coffee are available for passengers at Fairlight Railway Station during the turnaround.

The Kingston Flyer is a vintage heritage attraction, as such the doorways of the carriages are in original condition and are narrow (60cm wide). Unfortunately this means standard wheelchairs, walkers and modern prams cannot fit through the doors. Passengers must be able to board independently or with assistance from their carer or advocate.

The railway line operated as a passenger service between Invercargill and Kingston from 1878, providing an important connection for passengers travelling to the region.

The Kingston Flyer was relaunched as a heritage tourist train by New Zealand Railways in 1971. Its first tourist service operated on 21 December 1971 between Lumsden and Kingston.

From 1971 to 1979, the Kingston Flyer operated each summer through to the Easter holiday period and carried more than 30,000 passengers annually.

The restoration of The Kingston Flyer between 2017 and 2022 was made possible through the voluntary dedication and hard work of a team of experienced train enthusiasts. Led by Neville Simpson, the team was carefully selected for their specialist skills and expertise and worked tirelessly with the full support of the new ownership group.

The Kingston Flyer held its Grand Re-Opening Ceremony on 18 September 2022, celebrating the return of commercially operated public train rides between Kingston and Fairlight for the first time since 2013.

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