A happy traveller aboard the "open carriage" on the Goldfield Train as it approaches the Waikino Station after its slow, nostalic journey through rolling countryside, once the scene of intensive gold mining activities.

The station is located at the start of the Karangahake Gorge's Historic Walkway. This is a two-hour walk from end to end, or a full four-to-five-hour effort both ways.

The 15-minute turn-around time at Waikino rules out the idea of a round-trip Waihi-Waikino train ride, Victoria Battery walkabout then Waikino-Waihi return train ride.

However, if you catch the first or second of the three scheduled round trips starting at the Waihi Station, there is the nice combination of a Waikino Station cafe meal and 15-minute walk from the station to the ruins of the Victoria Battery and back to the station, then return to Waihi via the second or third return train ride.

Trains leave the Waihi Station at 11am; 12.30 & 2.30pm and from the Waikino Station at 11.45am; 1.15 & 2.45pm, each train ride lasting for about 30 minutes.