The Seasider Train Route
Where does The Seasider go?
The Seasider travels north from Dunedin Railway Station towards Dunedin's Pacific coastline.
The standard journey follows the coastal railway to Merton before returning to Dunedin.
Passengers can choose to travel the complete route, leave the train along the way for the Arc Brewery Stop-Off, experience the same route later aboard The Seasider Twilight or continue further north to Ōamaru aboard Full Day and Full Day+ services.
- Start: Dunedin Railway Station
- Direction: North from Dunedin
- Standard destination: Merton
- Stop-off option: Arc Brewery
- Twilight destination: Merton
- Full Day destination: Ōamaru
- Full Day+ destination: Ōamaru
Dunedin Railway Station
Every Seasider journey begins at Dunedin Railway Station.
Passengers check in at the ticket office inside the station before making their way to the platform. Check-in opens 30 minutes before your scheduled departure. Please check the departure time shown on your booking confirmation and arrive with plenty of time to check in and board. Our reservations team will provide your seating details at check-in and direct you to the platform, where our train crew will be ready to welcome you onboard.
North through Dunedin
Leaving Dunedin Railway Station behind, The Seasider makes its way north through the city, passing through North Dunedin and alongside the harbour before the city begins to give way to the coast. It’s a gradual change of scenery. Streets and suburbs slip away, the landscape opens up, and before long you’ll catch your first glimpses of the Pacific Ocean. From here, the coastline takes centre stage.
The Pacific coastline
From here, the railway travels alongside sections of the Pacific coast.
This is the landscape that defines The Seasider: ocean, beaches, cliffs and coastal communities seen from the railway.
Waitati and Blueskin Bay
As The Seasider continues north, the journey passes through Waitati and alongside Blueskin Bay, where the landscape opens out across tidal flats, farmland and the surrounding hills. It’s a quieter stretch of the journey, with wide views across the bay before the railway continues towards the coast and the small settlements that sit along this part of Dunedin’s northern shoreline.
Arc Brewery
Arc Brewery sits along the standard Seasider route.
Passengers booking the Arc Brewery Stop-Off leave the train here on the outward journey.
The Seasider continues north to Merton while Arc Brewery passengers enjoy a 90-minute stop.
After turning around at Merton, the train collects these passengers on the journey south and continues back to Dunedin.
Passengers choosing the Arc Brewery Stop-Off therefore do not travel the section of the route between Arc Brewery and Merton.
Merton
Merton marks the destination of both the standard Seasider and The Seasider Twilight.
The train reaches Merton, turns around and begins its return journey south towards Dunedin.
Passengers remain onboard at Merton while the train turns around. There is no disembarkation at Merton.
Continuing north to Ōamaru
The Seasider Full Day and Full Day+ continue beyond the standard Seasider route to Ōamaru.
The Full Day gives passengers approximately three hours in Ōamaru, while the Full Day+ includes an extended four-hour stopover.
Passengers reboard the train after their stop and return to Dunedin along the same coastal railway.