Ruapehu officials are hoping a new dining experience on the Northern Express will help boost tourism in the region.
The scenic train which runs between Wellington and Auckland has introduced a commercial kitchen and three premium carriages which have been in the works since 2019.
For the first time, it's offering meals as well as beautiful views.
Leigh and Elizabeth Knottingham from Brisbane are a few of those tourists excited to try it out.
"The food and the dining and the view," Leigh said.
"I think it will be lovely rather than driving and a different experience to flying which is what we'd normally do between them. And having people explain what's going on and where we're going, it'll be lovely," Elizabeth said.
Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
They were also looking forward to hearing more about the history and stories of the towns they'll be passing through.
Tom and Nancy Hurst from US state of North Carolina were also excited to see what Aotearoa has on offer.
"This is our last full day and this is a scenic way to get from here to Auckland where we fly home," Tom said.
"Seeing the beauty, just seeing the beauty of the coast," Nancy said.
It was not only tourists flocking to try out the new dining experience, but also those here at home too.
Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Gemma Vincent was travelling back home to Auckland and liked what she saw.
"We've got vanilla chia pudding, we've got frittatas, we've got quinoa salads, we have Whittaker's dark chocolate, Kāpiti cheese platters and roast chicken," Vincent said.
Some of the stops along the way include Taumarunui, Tongariro National Park and Ohakune which all lie in the Ruapehu region.
Ruapehu mayor Weston Kirton said the area had been battling rough times with its recent closures of Winstone Pulp International mills - so this was a welcome addition.
"This is a fantastic opportunity to bounce back with tourism that's very important to our community, we want to capitalise on that, we think we've got something to sell and we want to work hard to fill those gaps that is happening in our backyard," Kirton said.
Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Ruapehu district councillor Fiona Kahukura Hadley-Chase wanted to teach those on board about the history of the area.
She said it was a critical time both economically and culturally for the Ruapehu region.
"We still have iwi that are settling and settled and its a time for us like King Tuheitia said bring our people together, kotahitanga to be able to bring a better future for each other.
"I just encourage everyone to come and explore Ruapehu with us, come and learn the stories, the true stories, and be able to bring a better New Zealand, better Aotearoa together is vital,"
Kiwirail chief executive Peter Reidy said the dining experience was an important way to try and get more people on the train and grow tourism in the country.
"While tourism for New Zealand contributes 6.6 percent of GDP, we're a big part of that. So the actual carriage itself and the dollars and the economy I don't know but it's great for Kiwirail, great earns for Kiwirail and what we do is we contribute to bringing people to communities."
Figures from Tourism Industry Aotearoa show tourism brings in $37.7 billion dollars to the economy.