Watercare’s Rain Forest Express provides a unique and exciting opportunity for students to learn about a variety of topics. Whether your students are studying transport, where our drinking water comes from, what a rainforest looks like, how to build a dam, or where to find cave wetas, the Rain Forest Express is always a popular choice for primary and intermediate children.
Select from a choice of three charter options that best suit your school’s needs.
Option 1: Standard school charter (2.5 hours)
The Rain Forest Express leaves Jacobson’s Depot, five-kilometres from Titirangi and passes through ten pipeline tunnels and over nine bridges, including the dramatic Quinn’s Viaduct, on its journey to the base of the dam.
Passengers have the opportunity to see glow-worms, cave wetas, and the pristine bush before disembarking at Seaver’s Camp where workers lived during the construction of the dam. The camp now has a shelter with seating for 40 as well as toilet facilities. Weather permitting, the driver or guard may guide the party up the steep stairway on the face of the dam and give a short talk on the dam and its history before beginning the return journey.
Option 2: Half walk/half ride school charter (3 hours)
This option is designed to cater for larger groups but can be adapted if necessary. Half of the group rides up the track from Jacobson’s Depot to Seaver’s Camp (as in option 1). The other half walk from a car park on Piha Road down to Seaver’s Camp – an easy 40 minute stroll through native bush – then take the return leg of the train trip. The group who began with the train trip then walk out to Piha Road.
Option 3: Half walk/half ride plus Adopt A Stream (3.5 hours)
As with option 2 with the addition of an Adopt A Stream field trip. Half of the group rides the train from Jacobson’s Depot to Seaver’s Camp. The remainder start at the Piha Road entrance and walk down to Seaver’s Camp stopping for water testing at the Nihotupu Stream. After a combined lunch break, the groups swap activities for the afternoon.
Charters typically run by arrangement at 10.30am and 2pm but timing is flexible. Please note check-in is at least 20 minutes prior to departing to allow for the compulsory safety briefing.
Passenger capacity
Watercare’s Rain Forest Express can carry 33 adults and 12 children (aged under 13). Alternatively, we can accommodate up to 8 adults and 51 children.
Children aged 5-7 require 1 adult to 4 children.
Children aged 8-14 require 1 adult to 8 children.
When you make your booking, we will send you a safety preparedness guide for schools. Two teachers from each school can also travel free prior to the school trip to undertake their own risk assessment.
For more information, please contact us on rainforest@water.co.nz