Discover Waikari: rail, rock art and wine

Waikari offers several distinct reasons to visit: historic train rides, walks with scenic views, Māori rock art nearby and a winery in Waikari. If you’re looking for a hotel for a trip here, you can start by deciding which focus should shape your plans. When choosing activities, consider not only your interests but also the different details about the rail route, walking times and access.

Railway station and historic railway

Waikari Station is on the south side of the village, on State Highway 7, Weka Pass Road. Waikari is the terminus of the Weka Pass Vintage Steam Railway. A 25-metre-long gently sloping path connects the station to the road; confirm the condition of this access facility before you arrive. The Waikari Village Walkway also starts opposite the station.

The Weka Pass Railway runs between Waipara and Waikari. Its excursion trains travel 12.8 kilometres of scenic track through the distinctive limestone landscape of Weka Pass, using historic steam and diesel-electric locomotives.

Walks and rock art

The Weka Pass Walkway offers views of the mountain ranges and the hinterland. Along the Waikari Village Walkway, the Plane Table Walk can be reached via a stile. A tourist route listing dated 21 November 2024 gives a 15-minute ascent on the Plane Table Walk. The two walks therefore have different points of interest: scenic views on one route and a timed climb on the other.

Near Waikari, the route to Māori rock art in Weka Pass Historic Reserve crosses private farmland. A 40-minute walk leads to a large overhanging limestone shelter with examples of early Māori rock art. Māori used the shelter as a temporary overnight camp, so the destination brings together the rock art and the site’s historic use. Access to the Māori rock art begins at the Waikari Village Walkway. You can also start at the Star and Garter Hotel on SH7, where there is a car park, or from Waikari township. The track is closed during lambing season, from 1 August to 1 October; dogs are not permitted. Weka Pass Historic Reserve was officially established in the Hurunui District in 1969.

When planning, distinguish what the figures refer to: the distance in kilometres is for the railway route, while the times in minutes are for the Plane Table climb and the walk to the rock art. These are different planning measures, not directly comparable travel times.

Wine in Waikari

At its Waikari winery, Pyramid Valley offers a guided vineyard tour and a guided tasting of all five wines in the Botanicals Collection. The tasting is a bookable, hosted experience.

Discover more destinations: Oxford, Waiau, Lake Pearson, West Melton, Little River, Arthur's Pass, Diamond Harbour, Springfield

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