What You'll See on the Taieri Gorge Journey
What will you see on The Taieri Gorge?
The Taieri Gorge scenic train journey travels from central Dunedin into the remote landscapes of the Taieri Gorge, following the Taieri River through tunnels and across historic railway viaducts on the way to Pukerangi.
The scenery changes throughout the journey, moving from the city and Taieri Plains into the steep terrain of the gorge.
The Taieri Gorge
The landscape is at the centre of the experience.
As the train enters the Taieri Gorge, the railway follows the Taieri River through steep-sided terrain and increasingly remote surroundings.
Much of this landscape cannot be accessed by road, so the view from the railway offers a perspective of the gorge that cannot be experienced on a road trip through the region.
The Taieri River
The railway follows the Taieri River for sections of the journey through the gorge.
From your carriage and the viewing platforms, watch the river weave through the landscape below as the train follows the historic railway inland.
Historic railway viaducts
The route crosses a series of historic railway viaducts constructed to carry the railway through the challenging terrain of the Taieri Gorge.
The structures are an important part of the journey, combining the landscape with the engineering story behind the railway.
The Wingatui Viaduct carries the railway almost 200 metres across Mullocky Gully, rising approximately 47 metres above the stream below. It is the largest wrought iron railway structure in the Southern Hemisphere.
Further into the gorge, cross historic viaducts including Deep Stream and Flat Stream, built to carry the railway across the steep terrain.
Railway tunnels
The train passes through historic tunnels as the railway makes its way through the gorge.
The journey passes through 10 hand-carved tunnels, built through the challenging terrain of the Taieri Gorge.
The longest is Salisbury Tunnel, stretching approximately 437 metres through the hillside.
Hindon and Deep Stream
The railway travels through Hindon and Deep Stream on its way towards Pukerangi.
Depending on the day's schedule, operating conditions and weather, the train may stop at Hindon and/or Deep Stream, giving passengers an opportunity to step off the train and experience the surrounding landscape.
Stops are not guaranteed on every journey.
A landscape that changes with the seasons
The Taieri Gorge changes throughout the year, so what you see will depend on when you travel.
The Taieri Gorge changes throughout the year. Spring brings fresh growth, summer longer days, autumn changing tones and winter crisp light across the landscape.
Weather, river levels and light also vary with the seasons, so the gorge can look different each time you travel.
Take in the view
Viewing platforms on the carriages provide another perspective of the landscape as the train travels through the Taieri Gorge.
An open-air viewing carriage is coming soon, offering an even closer way to experience the scenery along the route.
