Spooners Tunnel

Wakefield

Wakefield-Kohatu Highway, Wakefield 7095

Spooners Tunnel is one of the key highlights along Tasman’s Great Taste Trail. At 1.4km long, it is the longest decommissioned rail tunnel in the Southern Hemisphere. The cycle trail follows the route of the old railway line through Norris Gully.

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blurry placeholderSpooners Tunnel Tasmans Great Taste Trail by Miles Holden 3
blurry placeholderRiding Spooners Tunnel, Tasman's Great Taste Trail. Credit Miles Holden.
Riding Spooners Tunnel, Tasman's Great Taste Trail. Credit Miles Holden.

Originally built in 1891, the tunnel was dug by hand, with two groups of men working at each end to meet in the middle. It was a crucial connection between Nelson and Glenhope for 79 years. The intention was to eventually link Nelson with the West Coast, but the tunnel was never connected to the national rail network and closed in 1955, before reopening to cyclists and walkers a few years back.

It’s a dark, quiet and chilly ride in the tunnel, so you’ll want to have a jumper and a torch with you. The tunnel exits into an easy downhill descent to Belgrove, where you can see the historic railway windmill, one of only two left in New Zealand.

How to get there: Spooners Tunnel is located on Tasman’s Great Taste Trail between Kohatu and Wakefield.

Dogs are not allowed on several sections of the Tasman's Great Taste Trail, including Spooners Tunnel and Rabbit Island.

Contact details

Address: Wakefield-Kohatu Highway, Wakefield 7095

Book a tour or shuttle to Spooners Tunnel

blurry placeholder Kaiteriteri - one of the start points for a one way ride

One Way Rides on The Tasman Great Taste Trail

Make the most of the time you have with our one way rides on the Great Taste Trail. Enjoy the ride at your own pace on a top of the range e-bike. We do not amalgamate groups of people who do not know each other, so it's your day to enjoy your way.
from NZ$155
Silver Partner 
blurry placeholderSpooner's Tunnel exit

Spooner's Tunnel Tour

The Spooner’s Tunnel tour is a marvelous day ride which takes you on a downhill adventure through forest, farms, a tunnel and along meandering rivers. This is the southern hemisphere’s longest disused rail tunnel at almost 1.4 km long.
from NZ$125
Silver Partner 
blurry placeholderWaiti

Nelson Cycle Hire Spooners Tunnel One day tour on the Great Taste Trail

Cycle downhill through the longest disused rail tunnel in the southern hemisphere, then wind your way past hop gardens, alongside meandering streams and idyllic pastoral scenery and vineyards. Finish off your day with relaxing wine or beer tastings.
from NZ$145
Silver Partner 

A journey to New Zealand's lost tunnel

Follow Brook from Stuff into Spooners Tunnel, part of Nelson Tasman’s Great Taste Trail which is an extensive cycle loop taking in Nelson, Motueka, Wakefield, Richmond and Kaiteriteri. As the name suggests, there are plenty of food and wine stops on the way.

Directions

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