KEY POINTS:
Take yourself back to the great old days of steam trains on board a rail excursion operated by Paekakariki-based Steam Inc. Its beautifully restored steam locomotive will be hauling 100-year-old red wooden carriages, complete with outside balconies, up and down the Main Trunk Line, including the Raurimu Spiral.
The first trip is from Paekakariki to Auckland on October 25 and 26; then from Auckland to Wellington via Wairarapa on October 30 and 31, arriving on November 1. You can jump on board for a day or for the whole five-day return trip. Cost depends on the sector but it's around $130 per day (adult), $90 (child) with discounts for the full journey.
Contact: 0800 783264
On the web: www.steaminc.org.nz
It's a scream
In Te Awamutu, SCREAM stands for Sport, Culture, Roses, Entertainment, Art & Music, and the SCREAM Rosetown Festival offers something from every category.
From October 31 to November 18, the district will host art exhibitions, workshops and competitions, flower shows and garden rambles, show jumping, horse racing and other sports events, theatre performances and concerts, a craft fair and a bridal show. The full schedule is online.
Contact: (07) 871 3259
Email: ta.info@xtra.co.nz
On the web: www.teawamutu.co.nz
World of Waikato
Waikato's World Show runs at the Claudelands Event Centre in Hamilton, October 26-28. As well as traditional agricultural and animal competitions, the show features entertainment ranging from circus performers to sheep and rabbit shows. The Cultural Village includes displays of arts, food, music, jewellery and clothing from ethnic groups.
There'll be sideshow action, as well as the Farmworld area, where kids (and adults) can touch and feed some cute farmyard animals. Open 10am-4pm Friday and Sunday, Saturday 10am-10pm. Admission: $12 (13 years plus), $4 (five to 12 years), four years and under free. Family Pass $25 (two adults, three kids).
Contact: (07) 855 4776
On the web: www.waikatosworld.co.nz
Not really scary
The Scarecrows' Big Day Out at Gladstone on November 3 encompasses a Scarecrow Fair and a Scarecrow Scamper, and scarecrows on display will include the Scare Blacks at the Gladstone Inn.
In addition to raffles, auctions, cake stalls, white elephant and other stalls, there'll be lots of food and entertainment, a ferris wheel and other rides, a strongman machine and Harley rides. There'll also be demonstrations by a blacksmith, a wheelwright, a chair-maker and spinners and weavers. The Scarecrow Scamper is a 10km fun run or walk - and you can dress as a scarecrow if you want.
Contact: (06) 370 0900
On the web: www.gladstone.org.nz
Still chugging on
Matthew's Vintage Collection is a private assortment of vintage cars, machinery and traditional farming and household equipment near Taipa in Northland. This Saturday, October 20, the museum hosts a great family day out, with tractors and stationary engines chugging into life, piano playing and a sing-along, and demonstrations of butter-making, sheep shearing powered by stationary engine, bone carving and much more. Food is available and entry costs $8 (adult), $4 (child), which includes three free rides. It runs 10am-4pm.
Contact: (09) 406 0203
On the web: www.matthewsvintage.com
Night and day
This season Rainbow Springs Nature Park in Rotorua will be open 24 hours a day and passholders can visit as often as they like within a 24-hour period. That makes it possible to enjoy beautiful nature walks and interact with the native birdlife and introduced animals at any time, including the outdoor kiwi enclosure. Spectacular lighting displays make an evening visit especially atmospheric. It costs $24.50 (adult), $14.50 (child), $65 (two adults and two children). Combo packages with Kiwi Encounter and Mitai are also available.
Contact: 0800 724 626
On the web: www.rainbowsprings.co.nz
