If you’re looking for the perfect way to entertain the whānau this February, mark Saturday the 28th in your calendar. The New Plymouth CBD is set to come alive with a massive lineup of events, creating a unique day out.
From the high-octane energy of AmeriCARnival and the interactive thrills of Puke Ariki’s Rescue exhibition, to the nostalgic rumble of Steam Incorporated’s heritage trains, there’s no better place to be.
1. AmeriCARnival: More Than Just Muscle Cars
From 10:00am to 3:00pm, the Puke Ariki Landing and Devon Street East will be buzzing. While the classic American cars are the stars, the 2026 event is packed with fresh entertainment designed specifically for kids:
• The Tractor Edition: For the first time, the showcase is shifting gears to feature American tractors and farm machinery. Expect to see a massive lineup of vintage and new beasts from John Deere, Case, and Caterpillar – a guaranteed hit for machinery-mad kids.
• Chainsaw Timber Sports: Watch the sawdust fly! This year features world-champion talent in a high intensity wood-chopping competition. Catch the shows on Egmont Street throughout the day.
• RC Car Racing: The Taranaki Radio Control Car Club is back, but with a twist. This year, if your kids have their own remote-control cars, they can actually join in and race on the course!.
• Free Family Fun: The “Big Foot” climbing wall is back to challenge the brave, alongside bouncy castles, face painting, balloon twisting and more at the Puke Ariki Landing.
• Look Up: Don’t miss the NZ Air Force flyover at 12:00pm. The best view is right next to the train departure point at the Wind Wand.
2. Action Stations at Puke Ariki’s Rescue Exhibition
If you need a break from the sun or want to add some hands-on action to the day, head inside Puke Ariki Museum (right next to the carnival and Wind Wand departure point) to experience the Rescue exhibition.
This interactive experience plunges you into the thrilling world of emergency response. It is perfect for active kids who want to:
• Pilot a helicopter in a search-and-rescue simulation.
• Crawl through a smoke-filled room to test their nerve.
• Navigate jet skis around obstacles and climb full-body exhibits.
And much more! It’s a fantastic way to sneak in some STEM learning and teamwork skills between the car displays and train ride.
3. The Main Event: Choose Your Rail Adventure
Seeing a passenger train in Taranaki is a rarity. Our rail lines are usually dominated by logs and other freight trains, meaning many local kids have never had the chance to step aboard a real carriage in their own backyard.
Steam Incorporated is bringing the “big red train” here for a few days only, hauled by roaring 1950s Da Class and DBR locomotives. For families, there are two ways to experience Taranaki from the tracks on Saturday:
Option A: The Lepperton Shuttle (short & sweet): Perfect for younger children or those squeezing a ride into a busy schedule, these one hour round trips offer a bite-sized rail adventure. The train winds through the suburbs on its way through to Lepperton, where the drivers change ends, offering passengers great views before returning to the Wind Wand.
• Departures: 10:10am, 11:15am, 12:20pm, 1:25pm.
• Family Pass (2A 2C): $120.
• Adult Fare: $35 (Infants free).
Option B: The Stratford Express (afternoon adventure): If your family wants a longer journey, the Stratford Express is the perfect afternoon capstone to the day. Departing at 2:30pm, this trip leaves the Tasman Sea behind, winding through cuttings and road crossings to Inglewood and onto the historic railway junction of Stratford.
This option gives you a longer experience on the rails and includes a 40-minute stopover in Stratford – just enough time to stretch your legs and get an up-close photo with the massive locomotives before the return journey.
• Departure: 2:30pm (Returns approx 5:30pm).
• Family Pass (2A 2C): $169.
• Adult Fare: $49 (infants free).
Don’t Wait – These Will Sell Out
Because passenger trains are such a rare sight in our region, these seats are in high demand. We only have the train for the weekend, and once it heads back to Kapiti, who knows when the next opportunity will be.
How to Book: Do not leave it until the day – tickets are selling fast. Click here for more info and to book online, or call Steam Inc. on 0800 783 264.
One Response
I would love to book a train ride please.