Victoria Battery Tramway and Museum

10/04/2026

What a todo with the alerts on the impending Cyclone.
It is 10.1`5 and the rain is just starting at the Victoria Battery Site. Maybe a brief shower but may last longer. No matter it is WET

As a result all of our volunteers have chosen to stay away today Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th April, so as to ensure that their families and properties are all safe a secure.

If you are on the HRT between Waihi and Paeroa be careful if the winds come up and the rains falls, the river may rise and the trees may fall over.
So please be safe and sure not sorry and hurt. If you do not need to be out stay home and chat.😀

Send a message to learn more

05/02/2026

The Victoria Battery Museum Waikino was broken into on Wednesday evening and tools and materials that are needed for maintaining and building the Locomotives, carriages and displays have been stolen. Over $5,000 worth of tools that have been bought, collected, donated and essential to what we do. Some tools are personally owned by our Volunteers and are n ot easy to replace.
The Main Gate into the Site had the padlock either cut of removed and probably thrown into the river and left wide open. So a vehicle was required plus at least a couple of inconsiderate spongers of society.
The Police have been informed.
Among the items are a Trade Tools Mig/Tig argon welder, Stihl FS55 Petrol Line Trimmer, Ryobi Battery Line Trimmer, a number of hand tools including a green tool bag, Combination Wrench socket set, Milwaukee Hammer Drill, Milwaukee Drill, plus other bits like 20 x Traction engine batteries which are approx 140mm x 65mm x 475mm and weigh 15kg each and we are still going through what is missing. They used battery powered Sabre tooth or angle cutters to cut off the padlocks.
As Shane Jones would say " The Kumara Vine will start talking" and we will find out. So if you are offered or see anything that looks like these items, they might be from the Battery Museum.
Our Volunteers need these tools to help keep our history alive.
Any help in recovering these stolen items would be appreciated.

01/02/2026

A BIG THANK YOU to the our Team of Volunteers who over the last few days have worked hard in replacing sleepers, crossing platforms, realigning the rail, and filling in the holes under the track, clearing the between the rails of the shingle that was washed into it when the flooding was at its peak.

The Victoria Battery Tram can now run again on the rail and we will be open over the Waitangi Weekend Friday 6th, Saturday 7th, Sunday 8th February from 10.00am until around 2.30pm. Subject only to weather. If it is raining then the tram will not run.

While the Hauraki rail Trail may be closed from Waikino to Waihi.
Access to the Victoria Battery Site is still available from the Waitawheta Bridge parking area along the HRT road up to the Battery Site gate.
In places the trail has had to be filled and is a bit rough.
Alternative parking is available across from the Waikino Hotel and the a short walk across the Swing Bridge to the Battery Site.

The photos below are of our Great Team doing the mahi so we can get the tram running for Waitangi Weekend.

23/01/2026

Well the rain and water have caused a lot of damage to the Railway line base at the Battery site.
As such until we can be sure that the site is safe, the VBTS Museum will be closed. Our rail network has had much of the ballast washed out and will require a lot of work and material to ensure that the rail base is solid before we can run the Tram again.

The road from the Waitawheta road turn off up to the gates of the Battery has suffered a number of washouts which may make it difficult for vehicles to go through. So unless you really need to, please keep away until repairs are carried out.

Even if you are walking or biking please be very careful as the HRT through the Battery Site has suffered a number of washouts and our Lake Victoria is still covering the trail at the Waikino Station end of the Battery Site.

This following is copied from the Hauraki Rail Trail information, please take note and be safe not sorry
23 January 2026:

Section C is closed. The Criterion Bridge is now open. Waihī to Waikino is likely to be closed for several weeks due to the instability of the trail.

We have received reports at the Waihi end of the Trail that people are coming in droves to look at the damage. This activity is not acceptable. The area is extremely dangerous. There are washouts, slips, trees down, erosion at bridges, branches, wire, possible unstable land, and high, rapid moving waters. Please stay at home and away from the Trail until we advise that it is safe to return.

Much of the wider Trail also remains closed. Please refer to the HRT Facebook or the Trail Status page for all Sections. We will hope to have more information available in the next 24-48 hours. Please stay off the closed parts of the Trail and away from waterways. Thank you.

Send a message to learn more

10/01/2026

Victoria Battery is open for visitors during the summer on Wednesday , Friday , Saturday and Sunday 10-3. Come on down

12/12/2025

VBTS Web Page We are in the process of updating our Web Site so at the present time it is not showing. But it will be back fresh and with a lot to see.
To Check if we are open Look out for if the Flags are up at the Transformer House Museum and the sign is out on the track, then we are open. Also If the VBTS sign is showing open at the Waikino Station we are open.

The weather over the last few weeks and more has not been the best and we have not always been able to run our Train around the track.
It has also been difficult for people to get up to the Museum without getting wet or muddy.
However, better weather has arrived and the road works are nearly finished.

We will be open over the Xmas New Year period from the 26th December with the Museum and Train. Our Volunteers will be please to welcome you up at the Museum.

Remember we are a Non- Profit Society and any income goes into keeping the Museum, Trains and displays going for you to see and learn.

We have been making changes to our displays in the Museum to make it easier to see what we have. We have more to do but what we have done so far is looking good.

So come on up and visit Museum Tours or Train rides are Adults $10.00 each Children $5.00 each. Gold Card Holders get a discount.

The Museum also has a selection of Souvenirs to view and purchase.

We have Eftpos/PayWave available with NO Surcharges being added.

Our new 13-minute story on the Battery operation with film taken in 1949 has been showing to visitors and getting a great reception. This film has been modified and a new narrative inserted with some of the still photos from our collection being used. This tells the how and why of what went on her at the site showing many of the operating parts as they were in 1949.

Please be aware that vehicles, walkers and cyclists all use the road/trailway to the Battery Site, so keep speed down and eyes open. Be Safe.
Parking area is also available on the main road opposite the Waikino Hotel, the Waikino Hall. Park safe and walk across the foot bridge
Some parking is available in a car park on the left as you turn to go to the Waikino Station Cafe. Just follow the trail under the Main road tunnel and then cross the old Railway Bridge, a short walk and you arrive at the Victoria Battery Site.

Send a message to learn more

02/05/2025

Hurrah, the sun is shining and there is no rain. The battery is open with the museum and tram operational, the kilns are too wet to open after all our rain. We hope for lots of fine days to dry them out.

19/04/2025

We will be closed for the day today (Saturday )as the weather is still very changeable, however we are hoping to be open and operating tomorrow (Sunday)

17/04/2025

Happy Easter everybody. Due to the weather courtesy of Ex-cyclone Tam, we will not be operating the museum, tram and underground tunnels today (Good Friday). We will review it this afternoon for the remainder of the Easter period. Be safe if you are on the road.
Updates will follow

24/12/2024

Our Volunteers have been busy all year and over the next few weeks we will be open when the Flags are flying and the sign is out pointing the way up to the Museum. Our hours will be set by the weather and the number of visitors around. We would like to stay open longer and more often but like you we have other life's and families to be with. Such is the day of a volunteer. WE will run tours of the Museum, Kiln Tunnel and the ever popular tram ride around the SIte. The cost for each tour is $10.00 each Adults, $5.00 each Children. Discount for Gold card holders.

Send a message to learn more

20/12/2024

It is with much sadness that we have to announce that Blackie (our mascot and rodent catcher), was put to sleep on Wednesday 18th December due to failing health.
He will be sadly missed by all our members and also many of the visitors to the Victoria Battery that got to know him.
He is now at peace with his brother Smokey. RIP