The Golden Age of Travel

The magical, bygone era of golden travel may have disappeared with the last century, but not all is lost in New Zealand. From steam trains to vintage trams, nostalgic journeys are still achievable.

TRADITIONAL SAILING BOATS

She may be called Ted Ashby, but damn, she’s one beautiful heritage scow. For the uninitiated, ketchrigged deck scows are traditional wooden sailing vessels (big billowing sails and all) that were commonly built in the north of New Zealand between 1873 and 1925. Based at Auckland Maritime Museum, the Ted Ashby offers twice daily sailings around the harbour. Guests can sit on the deck or help raise the sails, but you better hold onto your hats if it’s windy, because boy can she go.

Waitematā Harbour, Auckland © Getty Images

VINTAGE ISLAND SCOOTERS

Perhaps you see yourself as more of a 1960s Mod, in which case zipping across Waiheke Island on a replica Lambretta moped will be right up your street. Waiheke, which is just 40 minutes by ferry from downtown Auckland is noted for its sunshine, beaches and rolling vineyards, and thanks to Island Scoot, it’s easy to hop from one to the next on a retro scooter. The mopeds are all painted in beautiful bold colours and dressed in their finest Italian attire.

CLASSIC CAR TOURS

You will feel pretty natty tootling around the art deco city of Napier in a classic car. With vehicles spanning four decades, from the 1920s to the late 1950s, including a vintage Ford, Chevrolet and Daimler, the bonniness of an early 20th century motor is sure to bring a smile to your face. Passengers need simply sit back and enjoy their private tour; experienced driverscum-tour guides (accustomed to a crunchy gear change) are all part of the package.

Classic cars in Napier © Hawke’s Bay Tourism

AVIATION JOY RIDES

Don your aviator goggles and channel your inner Amelia Earhart: we doubt you’ve ever flown in a plane like this before. Thanks to Ōmaka Aviation Heritage Centre, a range of adventure flights hoon across the skies above Blenheim. The newly restored Yak 3 is a World War II icon with an Allison V1710 V-12 engine: for the uninitiated, this means she can really go. Can she roll, too? Oh you bet. Then there’s the The Avro Anson Mk 1: the only one of its type in the world that’s flyable. Passengers spend 10- 20 minutes looping across Marlborough’s vineyards, the wind howling, the engine roaring and the ground somewhere above or below your eyebrows. Sign us up.

Ōmaka Aviation Heritage Centre © RMP Brown

LALA THE RETRO CARAVAN

If you missed the opportunity to be a 1970s’ hippy, never fear – LALA’s here. She’s a spearmint green vintage caravan with a boho interior and enormous, sun-filling windows. Based in Tauranga, the best thing about LALA is that her owners will deliver her loveliness to a Mt Maunganui campground of your choice.

WATCH THIS SPACE...

The Kingston Flyer might be the best come-back story since Rocky Balboa. This former steam train was once the belle of the ball, but with the demise of train travel, so came her reign. New ownership was finally confirmed in 2019 and rumour has it she’ll be running again by late 2020.

ORIGINAL CITY TRAMS

It’s easy to have a bit of a soft spot for trams, and in Christchurch, they’re particularly dashing. Decked out both internally and externally in resplendent vintage décor, they clatter delightfully down the city’s narrow streets. A hop on, hop off all-day ticket allows passengers to combine tram rides with Christchurch’s best sights.

Tram on New Regent St, Christchurch © Welcome Aboard Christchurch

NOSTALGIC PADDLE STEAMERS

Riverboats were all the rage in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. What’s not to love about a slow, leisurely amble down the river? Salvaged from the bottom of the Whanganui River where she skulked for 50 years, the Waimarie Paddle Steamer is now New Zealand’s last steam-powered and coal-fired passenger paddle steamer. Cruising October through to May, jump aboard for a few hours of timehonoured fun. Head down to the engine room and shovel coal into the burner, or step outdoors and try your hand at steering the wheel.

Waimarie Paddle Steamer © whanganuinz.com

THE MARLBOROUGH FLYER

Feel every inch an Agatha Christie character (without any unfortunate murders) aboard The Marlborough Flyer. Chugging between Picton and Blenheim, this traditional steam-powered train gleams like just-polished brass. Built in 1915 as a WWI memorial locomotive, it fell out of use when electric trains prospered but was later restored to its former glory. The track sewn between Picton and Blenheim takes approximately one hour each way, with Marlborough views bouncing past every window. Sit inside the original wooden carriages, on vintage red leather seats and enjoy the thick, yet strangely evocative smell of smoke and steam.

The Marlborough Flyer © Tommy Secker