The Taieri Gorge Onboard Experience
What is it like onboard The Taieri Gorge?
The Taieri Gorge is an approximately five-hour scenic rail experience from Dunedin Railway Station to Pukerangi and return.
Travel aboard classic railway carriages, move out to the viewing platforms to take in the landscape, listen to live onboard storytelling and purchase food and drinks from the award-winning cafe during the journey.
Classic railway carriages
Passengers travel through the Taieri Gorge aboard classic railway carriages.
Seating is allocated for the journey in sets of four at a table, giving you a base from which to relax and watch the landscape change as the train travels inland from Dunedin.
- Seating is generally arranged in groups of four at a table. A limited number of seats are available in pairs with a small table.
- Seating is allocated before check-in, so changes cannot be made on the day and seat requests cannot be accommodated at check-in. If you have a seating request, call the booking office at least 72 hours before departure. Requests are noted where possible but cannot be guaranteed.
- Wheelchair seating is available.
Viewing platforms
Viewing platforms on the carriages allow passengers to step away from their seats and experience the landscape from a different perspective.
The platforms are particularly valuable as the train travels through the Taieri Gorge, providing views of the river, railway and surrounding landscape.
Passengers should follow all instructions from the onboard crew when using the viewing platforms.
A dedicated viewing carriage will also be introduced soon, providing another way to take in the scenery during the journey. The viewing carriage and the existing viewing platforms are two separate options, both offering passengers the opportunity to experience the landscape from outside their seated carriage.
Live onboard storytelling
The scenery is only one part of The Taieri Gorge.
Live onboard storytelling introduces the people, places, history and railway engineering connected with the route as the train travels between Dunedin and Pukerangi.
Stories throughout the journey help provide context to the landscapes and historic structures you see from the train.
Food and drink
Food and drinks (hot and cold) are available to purchase onboard from the award-winning cafe Precinct during The Taieri Gorge journey.
The team at Precinct creates a seasonal selection of locally made food to enjoy onboard. You’re welcome to bring your own snacks, however hot food and takeaway meals from fast-food restaurants, such as Subway, cannot be brought onboard.
There is no mobile reception available on the train for the majority of the journey, so EFTPOS is not available for much of the trip. Please bring cash if possible. Alternatively, you can set up a tab onboard and pay once the train is back in reception.
Accessibility
Ramps are available at Dunedin Railway Station and most destinations. One carriage has a wheelchair lift, which can accommodate wheelchairs up to 900mm long, 700mm wide and 200kg. Availability is limited and the lift is not available on all services.
Please email info@dunedinrailways.co.nz at least 3 business days before travel to confirm wheelchair lift availability before booking.
Toilets and facilities
Toilet facilities are available onboard. There is a toilet available on each carriage.
Before you board
The Taieri Gorge departs from Dunedin Railway Station at 9:30am.
Check-in opens at 8:30am and closes at 9:15am, so make sure you allow enough time to arrive and check in before boarding.