Scenic Railway through Taieri Gorge from Dunedin
Highlights & inclusions
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May 2026
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What you can expect
Explore inland Dunedin with an unforgettable railway journey on the Taieri Gorge Railway. Immerse yourself in the picturesque and expansive landscape, as you travel through narrow tunnels, large valleys and the Taieri River Gorge.
Departing from the beautifully preserved Dunedin Railway Station, this 5.5-hour return trip to Pukerangi is a must-do for visitors seeking heritage, scenery and engineering marvels. Travel in comfort within historic wooden carriages as the train winds its way through the dramatic Taieri River Gorge, passing 10 hand-carved tunnels and 12 towering viaducts. Highlights include the impressive Wingatui Viaduct—New Zealand’s largest wrought iron structure and the biggest of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere.
Along the way, marvel at deep ravines, sheer cliffs, and sprawling high-country farmland. The journey to Pukerangi offers plenty of photo stops and onboard commentary that brings Dunedin’s rail history to life.
Location
What you need to know
- Return or one-way train journey from Dunedin to Pukerangi
- Comfortable vintage carriages
- Live commentary from local guides
- Seating is allocated. Please check your ticket for more details.
- Private carriages may be available on request if you have a group of 30+ passengers
- Allow 5.5 hours
- 9:30am (returns 2:15pm)
- Departs from Dunedin Railway Station
- Operates Friday to Sunday in winter (May-Aug) and Thursday to Monday in summer (Sep-April)
- Does the Taieri Gorge Railway operate in September? Yes, the Taieri Gorge Railway operates in September, as services generally run throughout the year on selected days depending on the schedule.
- Are there washrooms onboard the Taieri Gorge Railway? Yes, there are bathroom facilities available onboard the Taieri Gorge Railway for passengers to use during the journey.
- Does the 5-hour Taieri Gorge Railway journey return to Dunedin the same day? Yes, the 5-hour Taieri Gorge Railway journey is a return trip that departs and returns to Dunedin on the same day.
- Is the Taieri Gorge Railway wheelchair accessible? The Taieri Gorge Railway has limited accessibility. While assistance may be available, full access for power wheelchairs can be restricted, so it is best to contact us in advance to confirm suitability and arrangements.
- Child rates apply (5-15yrs)
- Infants (0-4yrs) travel free of charge
- Please note there are no facilities in Pukerangi
- Food and drink available for purchase at the cafe & bar aboard
- We suggest wearing comfortable clothes and flat shoes
- Dunedin Railways offers a wheelchair accessible carriage, please contact us if required
- For the safety and comfort of everyone, smoking is not permitted onboard our train
- For the comfort of all passengers, only assistance dogs are allowed onboard
- All carriages have air conditioning and heating to suit the outside weather conditions
- There is plenty of pay-and-display parking available around the Dunedin Railway Station. Parking is free on Sundays. If you have a campervan, the best place to park is the carpark on Thomas Burns Road
- We have ramps available that passengers may use to board/disembark at the Dunedin Railway Station and most of our destinations.
- Dunedin Railways has a wheelchair accessible carriage and lift - available on request only (due to limited capacity). The lift can accommodate wheelchairs that weigh a maximum weight of 200kg and are no more than 900mm long by 700mm wide.
- To request wheelchair access, please contact us before purchasing tickets and at least 3 business days before your preferred train departs
- All tickets are subject to Dunedin Railways' Terms and Conditions. Refunds and exchanges may be available within the following timeframes: (a) 21 days or more prior to train departure: FULL refund (b) 7 days or more prior to train departure: 50% refund or gift voucher (c) 48 hours or more prior to train departure: Exchange available
Accessibility
- Wheelchair ramp at entrance
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Alternative entrance available for wheelchairs
- Getting to the experience from the car park, drop-off point or transport stop?
There is plenty of pay-and-display parking available around the Dunedin Railway Station. Parking is free on Sundays. If you have a campervan, the best place to park is the carpark on Thomas Burns Road
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Need help?
- Email us at plan@everythingnewzealand.com
- Product ID: 44018
- This experience is supplied by Taieri Gorge Railway Ltd