Dunedin to Queenstown Scenic Train Journey
About this activity
Highlights
- Scenic train ride through Taieri Gorge
- Breathtaking views of Southern Alps
- Comfortable seating with panoramic windows
- One-way journey from Dunedin to Queenstown
- Experience New Zealand's natural beauty
Full description
Included / Excluded
- One-way train ride from Dunedin to Queenstown
- Scenic views of the Taieri Gorge and Southern Alps
- Comfortable seating with panoramic windows
- Meals and beverages during the journey
Itinerary
Pass by: Begin your journey in Dunedin, the cultural capital of the South. Admire the elaborate architecture of the station before boarding the Taieri Gorge Train.
Experience the engineering marvel of the Taieri Gorge Railway. Traverse narrow gorges, deep canyons, and century-old viaducts as you travel inland toward the Otago highlands.
Disembark at this remote high country outpost and meet your guide for the second leg of the journey — a scenic road adventure through Central Otago’s most historic and picturesque locations.
Step into the eerie beauty of this ghost town frozen in time. Visit the surreal Blue Lake, formed by gold mining, and wander the preserved streets of this former gold rush settlement.
A perfect photo stop, the 1880-built suspension bridge spans the Manuherikia River and showcases the pioneering engineering spirit of 19th-century Otago.
Pass by: Nestled at the confluence of two rivers, Cromwell is a charming Central Otago town with a vibrant heritage precinct and award-winning local produce.
Pass by: Journey through the striking Kawarau Gorge, where steep cliffs, turquoise waters, and tales of gold seekers unfold around every corner. Take in views of Lake Dunstan and the dramatic Gibbston wine region.
Pass by: Conclude your day in Queenstown, the adventure capital of New Zealand. Your guide will drop you off at your hotel — leaving you with unforgettable memories of the landscapes, legends, and stories that shaped this region.
Meeting point
Start Location
Unknown location
Important information
Know before you book
- Confirm the departure time and location in advance.
- Be aware that meals and beverages are not included.
- Ensure you have a valid ticket for the journey.
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable clothing and footwear for the journey.
- Bring a camera to capture the stunning landscapes.
- Check the weather forecast and dress accordingly.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Accessibility
- Easy Public Transport
- Infant Seats Available
Good to know
- Children aged 7 years and below are required to travel in a child safety car seat. Will you require seat hire ($20NZD per seat) or will you bring your own?
- Guests can bring 1 large & 1 small piece of luggage each
Traveler reviews
Wonderful experience, highly recommended.
We enjoyed this very much. Beautiful scenery and wonderful commentary throughout the journey. The experience to walk along the track was really awesome. Our guide from Pukerangi was wonderful and friendly. Very accomodating and full of knowledge to share with everyone.
Enjoyable and Entertaining
Enjoyable trip by Tairei Gorge train ride and then by coach by Cheeky Kiwi Travel. Driver Jonathan was cheerful and friendly keeping us entertained by his jokes and was very informative about the history of Otago various past. Highly recommend
Gorge train ride
Amazing train ride but the seats on the train were not comfortable with the fixed tables in between 4 passengers. Some noisy passengers made it impossible to listen to the train commentary. Cheeky Kiwi coach driver cum tour guide,Jonathan is excellent...very knowledgable,entertaining n helpful
Travel Otago in Comfort and Style!
Cheeky Kiwi has really figured out how to make the most out of point to point travel on the South Island. By starting the journey aboard the Taieri Gorge Train, you get to experience a stretch of landscape that is otherwise fairly inaccessible. The train is a very comfortable and relaxing way to experience the gorge. I met a nice group of people, which made the journey even more memorable. The highlight of the train trip is when the train comes to a halt at the start of a viaduct and passengers are invited to cross the bridge on foot. Even though I'm afraid of heights, with the support of crew and fellow passengers, I felt safe and confident in the crossing and am glad to have had this once in a lifetime experience. On arrival in Pukerangi, we disembarked the train and met up with our driver and guide, Martin, for the remainder of the journey to Queenstown. We had some delays along the way (none the fault of Cheeky Kiwi), but Martin was still able to make the best of the time we had - giving us a flavor of the Otago region and its gold mining past - and squeezing in a few strategic stops along the way. If you want to travel across the South Island in style, from the baronial architecture of Dunedin to the natural majesty of Queenstown, this is a fantastic option.
Great tour.
A great way to go from Dunedin to Queenstown with a train journey & a tour through historical Otago.Thank you Sophia