All Aboard the Kauai Plantation Railway
There’s a lot to see and do on Kauai, Hawaii’s Garden Island. However, one of the most enjoyable family activity might be riding the Kauai Plantation Railway. Take a trip with us to ride the rails on this historic sugar cane plantation train.
About the Kauai Plantation Railway
The train is a floor to ceiling mahogany wood train cars, pulled by a 1940s diesel locomotive. It was built in the style of sugar cane plantations trains found throughout the island. The train, built in 2006, became the first new railroad built on the Hawaiian Islands in 100 years.
There are four passenger cars on the Kilohana Plantation Train. Each car is named after a Hawaiian River. The cars carry 36 passengers each.
The train appears in many movies. It made an appearance in Disney’s Jungle Cruise, starring Dwayne Johnson.
Where is the Train Ride?
The train is located at the Kilohana Plantation, located in Lihue. The Plantation mansion was built by Kauai businessman Gaylord Wilcox in 1935. The mansion and surrounding buildings house a number of restaurants and businesses. The Kilohana Plantation is also home to the Kauai Run Safaris, and the Luau Kalamaku. You can book the luau and train ride here.
You’ll find the train station and check in near the plantation house and the open air pavilion where the luau is located.
Tours on the Kauai Plantation Railway
A 40-minute conductor-narrated tour of the grounds is most popular. This tour also runs on selected days during the luau.
Train tours depart daily. There are multiple departures each day. Children three and younger ride for free.
Riding the Rails
The train tour takes you for a 2.5 mile ride throughout the plantation.
On the ride, you get to learn some history of agriculture and farming on Kauai. The train ride is a great opportunity to learn some history of Kauai in a relaxed, family friendly setting.
You will pass through the gardens of sugarcane, taro, and other traditional Hawaiian crops. There’s an orchard on the grounds, too. Depending on the season, you can see fruit like papaya, mango, and banana growing on the trees. Gaylord’s Restaurant, inside the mansion house, uses all the crops and fruits farmed on the grounds.
Feeding Time
The highlight of the train rides for us, was seeing the animals.
The plantation has sheep, goats, and a donkey.
There are also boars. During your ride, you get to disembark the train and feed the pigs tortillas. The pigs are aggressive and ruthlessly grab at the tortillas throw into the field.
I’m sure that’s the highlight for almost everyone during the tour. It certainly was for us.
Check out these Kauai locations where you can see more animals.
Final Thoughts
The Kauai Plantation Railway is a great family friendly adventure for your visit to Kauai. But many island residents also enjoy the train ride, and will frequently journey on the rails.
The 40-minute experience has enough things to entertain both young and old. Adults appreciate the history relayed by the conductors. And the kids will enjoy taking a train ride.
Of course, everyone enjoys feeding the animals.
Keep your eyes open throughout the entire journey. We were able to spot a number of number of flowers and small animals during the ride, including a green anole (gecko) hiding on the underside of a plant before our train started the journey.
Video
Take a look at the frenzied feeding during our train ride at the Kauai Plantation Railway.
You Might Also Enjoy:
Speaking of feeding time, check out Shark Reef at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.
Kauai colors are vibrant, but so are those at Colorado Paint Mines Interpretive Park.
Explore the Old West town of Virginia City, Nevada, which has another historic railroad ride.
All photos and content are by Family Well Traveled and use of photos or content without permission will result in legal action.