For all trainspotters, or those who fancy a scenic day tour of remote, inland Otago, tick the Taieri Gorge Railway from your list of must do’s whilst visiting Dunedin in the South Island of NZ. The Taieri Gorge Railway is a heritage line operating on a limited seasonal timetable, so I was lucky to experience the 5 hour return service during my few days in Dunedin.
First stop is to check in at iconic Dunedin Railway Station, a photogenic Victorian building completed in 1907 with beautiful architectural features, mosaic flooring and sculpted gardens. From the adjacent car park, it was a short walk onto the bygone era platform and after collecting tickets from the office inside the station, we boarded. The vintage 1930’s carriages, while not ultra modern inside, are comfy and clean with a bay of 4 seats around a table. We were greeted by friendly train attendants who showed us to our reserved seats and clipped our tickets as the train pulled out of the station, whilst we listened to the safety briefing.
Over the next 2 hours the train headed west through Dunedin suburbs, onto open green farmland, then climbs higher through dense forests into spectacular remote rocky terrain, only accessible by train. Powerful 1960s Mitsubishi locomotives pull the quaint carriages and the scenery constantly changes, crossing more than 12 bridges and viaducts over steep ravines, impressive rock formations and canyons formed by the Taieri River. All the while we hear lively audio commentary by a train guide, about the prosperous gold rush that opened up the inland region, the engineering brains who built bridges to cross treacherous gorges and regard with awe the marks left behind by those who hand carved tunnels into the rock. Impressive to see the Wingatui Viaduct, the largest wrought iron railway structure in the Southern Hemisphere.
A unique highlight of this tour, at Deep Stream gorge all passengers disembark to walk across a century old viaduct (don’t look down!) and have an amazing photo opportunity to look back and record the train cross over before continuing our trip. Small open air viewing platforms allow for unobstructed photos and a new fully open air carriage will be arriving soon. For those with mobility issues a wheelchair accessible carriage and lift can be arranged with 72 hours’ notice.
End of the line stops in rugged Pukerangi for 30 minutes, time to stretch legs and watch the engine swap ends for the return trip back to Dunedin. Guides are keen to answer all questions about anything trains, as well as local flora, fauna and wildlife. A small rural market run by locals is set up, very picturesque with the snowcapped Southern Alps in the distance.
This rail journey can be booked as a one way trip in either direction with certain service providers like Cheeky Kiwi, collecting passengers at either end and driving them onto other destinations.
On the way back, passengers are encouraged to swap seats with those originally placed on the other side of the carriage to make sure no one misses out on the scenery. The dining carriage offers further seating and is fully licensed, serving good food and drink options stocked by Precinct city café. Be advised to bring cash as the wifi connection fades inland and card purchases may not be possible, or alternatively bring your own picnic.
I was very happy to experience this unforgettable train journey into the remarkable landscape of Otago and enjoyed that we could soak up the changing scenery as it unfolded at a gentle, unhurried pace.
Why we think the Taieri Gorge Train is a great option for your clients:
