Taieri Gorge Train Ride, Dunedin, NZ

We decided to take the Taieri Gorge Railway tour after hearing a brief but enthusiastic recommendation from the motel operator. He was kind enough to assist us by calling the Dunedin Railway Station and booking two tickets on our behalf.

The scenic round-trip journey spans approximately four hours, departing from Dunedin and traveling deep into the heart of the Taieri Gorge before turning around at the remote outpost of Pukerangi.

Originally constructed in the late 19th century, the railway was built to serve as a vital link for transporting people and goods between the Otago hinterland and the coastal city of Dunedin. However, as the road network developed and expanded, the line's use as a commuter service steadily declined. Ownership of the railway changed hands multiple times over the decades, and today it operates as a heritage and tourist railway under private management, offering passengers a nostalgic and scenic experience.

The Taieri Gorge itself is a dramatic and rugged canyon carved over millennia by the Taieri River. Stretching over 40Km in length, the gorge offers breathtaking views of steep rocky walls, deep ravines, and winding riverbanks. At times, the train track clings to the edge of precipitous cliffs, providing thrilling, panoramic views of the river far below.

The railway line is considered an engineering masterpiece, especially given its construction period in the late 1800s. The route includes ten tunnels and crosses a dozen viaducts, many of which were engineering feats of their time. Among these is the Salisbury Tunnel - the longest on the route at 437m - and the iconic Wingatui Viaduct, a 197-meter-long lattice bridge soaring 47m above Mullocky Gully. Completed in 1887, this 16-storey-high structure remains the largest wrought iron viaduct in New Zealand and a testament to 19th-century engineering ingenuity. Its riveted lattice design is supported by seven sturdy concrete and masonry piers, each bearing silent witness to over a century of history.

The journey through the gorge is not only a ride through spectacular landscapes but also a journey through time, connecting New Zealand’s past with its present.

As the train moved towards Pukerangi, the final point, the line slowly starts to climb higher and out of the gorge, passing over bridges and cuttings through several rocky outcrops, on its way to Pukerangi.

Along the route, the train made brief stops at select points where local vendors had set up temporary stalls, offering a variety of handmade crafts, souvenirs, and locally produced goods. These stops provided a chance for passengers to stretch their legs, interact with the locals, and take home a small piece of the region’s culture and creativity.

Final stop at Pukerangi before turning back to Dunedin.