The Seasider
See Dunedin from the coast
The Seasider is a scenic train journey from Dunedin Railway Station along the coastline north of the city, travelling beside the Pacific Ocean through coastal settlements, beaches and rugged seaside landscapes.
While The Taieri Gorge travels inland, The Seasider heads north and follows Dunedin's coastline, giving you a completely different perspective of the region by rail.
Choose the classic return journey to Merton, step off along the way for 90 minutes at Arc Brewery, travel the same coastal route later in the day aboard The Seasider Twilight, or make a full day of it with selected journeys to Ōamaru.
The complete return journey takes approximately three and a half hours.
- Departs: Dunedin Railway Station, Dunedin
- Journey: Scenic coastal rail
- Direction: North from Dunedin
- Standard destination: Merton
- Onboard: Classic railway carriages, viewing platforms, live storytelling and onboard café
- Experiences: The Seasider, Arc Brewery Stop-Off, The Seasider Twilight, The Seasider Full Day and The Seasider Full Day+
Choose your Seasider
Each Seasider experience begins at Dunedin Railway Station and follows the coastal railway north from the city, but how far you travel and how you spend the day depends on the journey you choose.
The Seasider
The classic coastal journey to Merton
Travel north from Dunedin Railway Station along the Pacific coast on an approximately 3.5-hour return journey to Merton.
Follow the coastline past beaches, coastal settlements and rugged landscapes while live onboard storytelling introduces the places and communities along the route.
Duration: Approximately 3.5 hours return
Destination: Merton
Best for: Travellers wanting a relaxed half day coastal rail journey with scenic views and onboard storytelling
Arc Brewery Stop-Off
Rail there. Relax a while. Rail home.
The Arc Brewery Stop-Off is an alternative way to experience the standard Seasider service.
Travel north aboard The Seasider before leaving the train at Arc Brewery for a 90-minute stop.
While the train continues along the coastline to Merton, you can spend time at the brewery before The Seasider returns to collect you on its journey back to Dunedin.
Choosing the brewery stop means you will not travel the full coastal section to Merton.
Stopover: 90 minutes
Journey: Part of the standard Seasider service
Best for: Travellers looking for a relaxed afternoon combining scenic rail with time at Arc Brewery
The Seasider Full Day
Follow the coast all the way to Ōamaru.
The Seasider Full Day extends the coastal journey north to Ōamaru.
Travel from Dunedin Railway Station along the coast before arriving in Ōamaru, where you'll have approximately three hours to explore at your own pace.
After your stopover, reboard the train for the return journey to Dunedin.
Duration: Approximately 8 hours 30 minutes
Destination: Ōamaru
Ōamaru stopover: Approximately 3 hours
Available: Selected dates
The Seasider Full Day+
More time to explore Ōamaru
The Seasider Full Day+ follows the same extended coastal route to Ōamaru but gives you an additional hour at the destination.
You'll have approximately four hours in Ōamaru before reboarding the train for Dunedin, making this the longest Seasider experience.
Full Day+ departures may also operate around selected festivals and special events in Ōamaru.
Duration: Approximately 9 hours 30 minutes
Destination: Ōamaru
Ōamaru stopover: Approximately 4 hours
Available: Selected dates
The Seasider Twilight
The same coast, later in the day
The Seasider Twilight follows the same route as the standard Seasider journey from Dunedin to Merton and return, but operates later in the day.
Travel the complete coastal route as the light changes over Dunedin's coastline, with the same approximately 3.5-hour journey, onboard experience and destination as the standard Seasider.
Duration: Approximately 3.5 hours
Destination: Merton
Route: Same as The Seasider
Operates: Selected later departures
What makes The Seasider different?
The Seasider is about seeing Dunedin from another direction.
After leaving Dunedin Railway Station, the railway heads north towards the Pacific Ocean, travelling through coastal communities and alongside beaches, cliffs and open stretches of coastline.
Instead of experiencing the coast from the road, you can settle into the train, move out to the viewing platforms and watch the landscape unfold from the railway.
What you'll experience
Pacific Ocean views
Sections of the railway travel close to the coastline, opening up views across the Pacific Ocean as the train heads north.
Beaches and coastal landscapes
Watch the scenery change between the city, small coastal settlements, stretches of beach and rugged cliffs.
Classic railway carriages
Travel aboard classic railway carriages with allocated seating throughout your journey.
Viewing platforms
Step onto the viewing platforms for another perspective of the coast as you travel.
Stories along the way
Live onboard storytelling introduces the history, communities, railway and landscapes connected with the route.
Food and drink
Food and drinks are available to purchase from Precinct's onboard café.
Plan your Seasider journey
Operating dates and departure times vary between Seasider experiences, so check the journey you're booking carefully.