Today, the tracks that once took Dunedin Railway passengers through the stunning Taieri Gorge lay mothballed. The good news is that the former Taieri Gorge railway is coming back. So, while it’s not fully back yet, we opted to keep this article intact as a historical reference, memory, and to share the natural beauty through our photos.
Note: the new Inlander run less often than once per month and follows the first portion of the route from Dunedin to Hindon through the Taieri Gorge.
Even before we boarded the Taieri Gorge train, we knew we were in for an extraordinary day. Dunedin Railways is well known for hosting some of the most impressive and scenic train trips in New Zealand. The 45 km Taieri Gorge railway trip lived up to our expectations.
The South Island of New Zealand is spectacular. Dunedin, where we boarded the train, is in the southeastern corner of the country, at the 45.8 south parallel, closer to Antarctica than the equator. We’re about as far away from our home in Auckland as we can get whilst still being in the country.
Our adventure began at the Dunedin Railway Station
The Dunedin Train Station is nicknamed the “Gingerbread House”. It is considered to be the most photographed building in New Zealand.
Even the interior is stunning. As I stood on the upper level inside the Dunedin train station, I could enjoy both the ornate decorations and a few of the 57 mosaic floor panels. And sports fans will want to allow extra time to walk through New Zealand’s only Sports Hall of Fame, located inside the station.
The boarding area is classic and also worthy of a photo. The station opened in 1906. In the early part of the last century, it was the largest and busiest train station in New Zealand.
The Seasider, a different Dunedin train, runs to Oamaru, with an optional 2-hour stop to see the Moeraki Boulders. The Seasider is still running. Check for details and discount Seasider tickets here).
If you are going to be near Christchurch, the train ride we recommend is the TranzAlpine. We did it many years ago, and it easy for us to understand why it was often considered one of the worlds top train trips. You can either go from Christchurch to Greymouth, do the trip in reverse, or just do it as a day trip out of Christchurch with a stop over and tour at Castle Hill.
Our Taieri Gorge railway journey
Our journey began as the train pulled out of the Dunedin railway station. It travelled through southern Dunedin until it reached the Wingatui junction. Here, we turned onto purpose-built tracks for this Taieri Gorge railway that were laid between 1878 and 1891.
Throughout our passage, the commentator added little-known anecdotes like the story of Wingatui, which sounds like a Maori name, but, in fact, is not. The story goes like this:
The Story of Wingatui
An early settler shot and wounded a tui bird on his arrival at a nearby town in 1848. He nursed the bird back to health and announced, “the first place we get, we will call it Wing-a-tui”.
Our train proceeded to roll past several small towns, through a dozen tunnels, and over countless bridges and viaducts. All the time we enjoyed the spectacular and vast scenery. Here are some of my favourites images from the Taieri Gorge train:
Practical information on the Taieri Gorge railway adventure
- The Taieri Gorge train is a 4-hour round-trip adventure from the Dunedin Railways station to Pukerangi, covering a one-way distance of 58km.
- It runs twice daily in the summer and once daily in the winter.
- On most Friday and Sunday mornings, the train continues to Middlemarch before returning, a 6-hour round-trip journey.
- Sit on the left side of the train on the way up and on the right side on the way back.
- Several of the cars have outdoor platforms. These are great for photography (used for photos on this page). However, you get a more expansive view from inside the train car.
- As the train travels from Dunedin to Pukerangi, there is also an outdoor platform at the back of the train. This is another great outdoor place to stand.
- There are modern cars with plush seats and climate control. On the same train are original cars with wooden seats and windows that open. Each has its charm. If you have a preference, you can make a request when you make your booking, but either way, you can move about the train throughout your trip.
- Food and drink are available onboard in the cafe car. It is also okay to bring your own snacks.
- For more information, see their official website.
- It’s one of several cool things to do in Dunedin. We did this on our last road trip between Christchurch and Dunedin.
Save on your NZ trip with these resources
These are our go-to companies when we travel. We believe this list to be the best in each category. You can’t go wrong using them on your trip too.
- Flights: we use Expedia for the best and cheapest flight options.
- Accommodations: we use Booking.com (hotels), Bookabach (self-contained in NZ), or Hostelworld (budget). See all our personal favourite NZ hotels here.
- Cars (gas or electric): we use RentalCars to search for deals and dealer ratings.
- Motorcycles: we have heard good things about BikesBooking.
- Campervans: Our readers prefer Jucy, and we get consistently great feedback.
- Activity discounts: we check Bookme.com for discounts of up to 70% on activities.
- Private guides: we do have a go-to when we hire a private guide from Viator.
- Travel Insurance: while not required, we always opt for travel insurance and start at InsureMyTrip to compare coverage plans.
Check out our travel resources page for more companies that we use when you travel. And don’t forget to download our free New Zealand packing list when you sign up for our newsletter.
We find train travel an excellent way to enjoy the scenery. We have taken scenic trains in Alaska, Norway, and Morocco. The Dunedin railways to the Taieri Gorge is a world-class adventure.
Did you get to ride the Taieri Gorge Railway?
More from the South Island you might also like … or check out 18 Extraordinary Things to Do in the South Island.
Disclaimer: We were guests of the Dunedin Railways. However, the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.
Carmen Edelson
What a beautiful part of the world! I’d love to take a scenic railway journey like this, thanks for sharing 🙂
Rhonda Albom
Scenic train trips are some of my favourites. I would definitely recommend going on at least one.
tracy collins
We have moved to Australia and I cannot wait to visit New Zealand but my husband has been reluctant (no idea why) so this is the PERFECT article to get him more interested! He loves train travel! Have shared it on FB and tagged him! I think….NZ here we come!! Where would you recommend for a first visit – there is so much to see!
Rhonda Albom
Welcome to down under! I would recommend visiting the South Island for its wild beauty, but everywhere in New Zealand is gorgeous. It depends on what type of travel you’re after. If you’re a fan of Lord of the Rings, Hobbiton is a must. Meanwhile, for more of New Zealand’s heritage, you should visit the Bay of Islands to see the Waitangi Grounds. Have a look around my blog as I’ve written up a lot of places in New Zealand.
Ryan Biddulph
Every time I see pictures of New Zealand Rhonda I am even more impressed than I already was with this beautiful land. And I was impressed in the first place. Amazing beauty, and that story of how that town was founded is neat too. Shot a bird, brought it back to health. I dig it. Curiously enough, I am wearing a Merino Wool Scarf as I write these words, as it is getting nippy here in New Jersey. We house sat for a couple in Qatar this year, and the wife is a Kiwi who went home to visit fam. She returned with this scarf which is oh so warming. Love it!
Ryan
Rhonda Albom
The South Island is one of my favourite places because of its beauty. I’m glad you liked the story – in a country where most of the names are Maori-based, it was a bit surprising to find out Wingatui is completely European.
Cori @ Sweet Coralice
Wow!! What amazing views! I have been on all sorts of transportation but never a train!
Rhonda Albom
Trains are one of my favourite modes of transportation. I would recommend trying it one day.
Carol Colborn
We would really have to go to the South Island because of its acclaimed beauty. I like your tip on which side to sit going and coming back. Those outside platforms would surely be a reason for me to take this tour!
Rhonda Albom
The South Island is one of my favourite places, photography wise. It’s so lush and green.
Tami
What an amazing train ride! First of all, I just have to say your photos are stunning, and the photo of the shadow of the train in the gorge is particularly cool! I love that you can walk around the train and explore the more traditional cars or sit in modern comfort, too. Sounds like a win-win all around!
Rossana Wyatt - Life is Full Of Adventures
This is right up my alley… I love traveling by train! Always so much to see and the best views. That STation in Dunedin is beautiful!
Rhonda Albom
I’ve always enjoyed train travel, though I normally do it for scenic views than actually getting somewhere. There aren’t a lot of trains in New Zealand.
Bertahan Luxing
This looks like something I would absolutely LOVE to do! And your photos are stunning.
Rhonda Albom
I hope you get a chance to visit someday.
Patricia G.
Your pics of New Zealand are beautiful! I loved New Zealand. Went a few years ago with my family. I like all the mountains and the beautiful scenery there.
Rhonda Albom
Did you get to the South Island when you were here?
Susan Richardson
I’ve never been to New Zealand and have always wanted to go but your photos show that it’s even more beautiful than I anticipated. Thank you for sharing.
Susan
http://www.thetinkeringspinster.com
Kay Davies
Spectacular scenery. I hardly know where to start. I love this: “He nursed the bird back to health and announced, “the first place we get, we will call it Wing-a-tui”.
I’ve never been to New Zealand although I’ve seen photos, of course. Your photos are the most spectacular I’ve seen. Makes me wish I had extended the length of my trip to Australia to include New Zealand. Perhaps I’ll get there yet.
Thanks for the beautiful train trip!
Kay
British Columbia, Canada
An Unfittie’s Guide to Adventurous Travel
Rhonda Albom
Wingatui was my favourite story that the conductor told, that’s why I had to share. And glad that you enjoyed my photos. New Zealand deserves its own visit.
Paul F. Pietrangelo
Rhonda, I love riding on trains. I just completed riding on the VIA train from Windsor to Toronto. Windsor has a small station though they just completed a new one. Now Toronto’s Union Station is gigantic but at the moment they are remaking the entire station. It looks like it’s the place is in dire help but when it’s finished, it’s going to be beautiful. The only difference is your ride is wonderful with mountains,& large bridges. My ride is very flat and not very lovely, just a lot of bushes and trees but the ride was still good. Now the train ride from Toronto to Montreal is much better.I did that one years ago, many, many years ago.
Have a great day my friend. See ya.
Cruisin Paul
Rhonda Albom
I agree the train travel is fun in its own right, but the beautiful scenery makes it even better. As for the station, how disappointing it must have been to find it under construction.
Jane Cotton
Wonderful landscape, NZ is definitely on my bucket list. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Rhonda Albom
If you get to New Zealand, I hope you make it to Dunedin.
Tanja (the Red phone box travels)
beautiful nature! and love the station:)
Rhonda Albom
Yes, it was a great day.
Lady Fi
The scenery is stunning!
Rhonda Albom
It’s even better live.
Handmade Jewelry Haven Blog
We have a Dunedin in Florida.
Yours is by far nicer!!
ps. I have begun to see your photos all over Pinterest lately!!
Love them!
– Lisa
Rhonda Albom
LOL – I heard of Dunedin Florida but hadn’t been there.
Judee@gluten free A-Z Blog
All the photos are breathtaking. thank you for sharing and explaining!
Rhonda Albom
Glad you enjoyed my photos.
Alissa Apel
Oh my, my family would love to take that train! We went on a train from Omaha to Chicago. It looked nothing like this though. So pretty!
Rhonda Albom
I used to live in Chicago and I went to school in Missouri. I took the train to St. Louis once, so I know what you mean. Farmland is nice, but not the same.
Lydia C. Lee
I love that train station!!!
Rhonda Albom
It was so incredible. I was tempted to write an entire post just sharing photos of it. The interior is so lovely too.
Amy
It’s truly one of the best ways to travel throughout NZ, I’ve got that on my bucketlist.
Rhonda Albom
Most definitely. There aren’t too many trains throughout New Zealand, but all of them are beautiful.
indah nuria
It is so beautiful! Natural landscape is always at its best..
Rhonda Albom
I love that they haven’t tried to change or alter it. The wild beauty there takes your breath away.
Rhonda Albom
I agree. Nature knows how to do it.
Nancy
The view is breathtaking – what lovely photos!
indah nuria
I love traveling with trains! It’s just wonderful to see the world out there..
Photo Cache
What can I say? Wow!!!!
Felicia
Amazingly beautiful scenery and the station itself isn’t too shabby either.
Rhonda Albom
The views were incredible. I quite liked the station – it has a sort of rustic charm about it, doesn’t it?
stevebethere
What a fab train ride the photos were stunning, and I can see why the station is the most photographed building in NZ
Thanks for the interesting journey Rhonda have a railtastic week 🙂
Amanda
Hi Rhonda,
I use to live in Middlemarch ( I think the tourist train stops at Clarke’s Junction & Middlemarch is further along the track)…
I use to ride this train with my mum every few months from Middlemarch to Dunedin. I remember the river gushing below us on one side of the track and the stone cliffs of the gorges encasing us in a claustrophobic euphoria. This is the train trip that I ended up falling in love with Train travel…
Last year for my 50th, I too took the Taieri Gorge Train journey with my partner… the feelings of wonderment and excitement gritted me to the very bones… just as when I was an 8 year old girl taking that trip for the first time…
Thank you for sharing the beauty and wonderment of your journey too.
I remember when Dunedin Rail Station was abuzz with life before tourism too, and the Railway Pies… legendary …
Rhonda Albom
I’m glad I could take you down memory lane. It was a pleasure to read your description from so long ago. It’s always great to hear from readers who have experienced the places themselves, especially in such detail.
Sandee
I would love to ride this train. I love trains. We done dinner trains and mystery train rides often. Most enjoyable.
The photography is breathtakingly beautiful.
We are home from our bay cruise and resting. Okay, we’re doing lots of laundry.
Have a fabulous day. ☺
Rhonda Albom
I’ve never done a mystery train, but I’ve heard of them before and would be very keen to try one.
lejla1311
The photos are stunning! I love trains. Unfortunately, I don’t have a lot of free time to travel now, but one day….
Rhonda Albom
If you ever get to Dunedin, I highly recommend the train. And don’t worry – if you want to travel, you’ll find a way to make time.
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Hi Rhonda – stunning photos and magnificent scenery – no wonder you were keen to take the trip …gorgeous. That station is amazing … and what a wonderful way to travel along the gorge … certainly on my bucket list – cheers Hilary
Rhonda Albom
I could see why it’s labelled as one of the most scenic train rides in the world. It’s well worth a visit.
Joyce Lansky
Stunning photos is right!