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Queenstown to Dunedin with Taieri Gorge Train One-Way Tour

4.919 reviews

  • 10 hours
  • Free cancellation up to 24h before
  • Guided in English
  • Instant confirmation

Highlights

Follow gold rush trails, explore historic towns, and journey through breathtaking landscapes. This isn’t just a transfer, it’s an odyssey through the heart of Central Otago. Your day begins with a pickup in Queenstown, the adventure capital of New Zealand. From there, travel in comfort and style aboard our luxurious Mercedes-Benz vehicles as you leave the alpine landscapes behind and venture into a region shaped by pioneers, gold fever, and timeless beauty. Wind through dramatic gorges, past crystal lakes, and into historic settlements frozen in time. Along the way, discover hidden gems like charming, historic Clyde, and the hauntingly beautiful Blue Lake of St Bathans. In the highlands of Pukerangi, step aboard the legendary Taieri Gorge Train for a spectacular rail journey. As the train snakes through deep ravines, crosses towering viaducts, and dives into hand-carved tunnels, you’ll be immersed in one of New Zealand’s most iconic experiences, before arriving in Dunedin

Inclusions

What's included

  • Safety/booster seat for children aged 7 & younger (please advise if you prefer to provide your own)
  • Space for luggage - 1 large & 1 small per person
  • Hotel pickup in Queenstown (select locations only)
  • Taieri Gorge Train ticket (Pukerangi to Dunedin)
  • Water and snacks provided on the bus only (not available on the train)
  • Fully guided road journey from Queenstown to Pukerangi

What's not

  • Lunch
  • Hotel drop off in Dunedin
  • Restroom on board

Itinerary

  1. Begin your journey with a hotel pickup in Queenstown, the adventure capital of New Zealand. As you depart, travel east through the iconic Gibbston wine region and the dramatic Kawarau Gorge, where gold rush history and rugged beauty combine.

    Passes by

  2. Drive alongside the shimmering waters of Lake Dunstan and Cromwell, a town rich in gold mining history and nestled at the confluence of the Clutha and Kawarau Rivers.

    Passes by

  3. Stop for morning tea (available for purchase) at a local cafe in the charming and historic town of Clyde, with its beautifully preserved gold rush architecture and heritage-focused atmosphere.

    15 min

  4. Pause for photos at this picturesque 1880 suspension bridge — a testament to 19th-century engineering that spans the Manuherikia River in one of Central Otago’s oldest settlements.

    5 min

  5. Wander through this atmospheric ghost town, where gold once ruled and stories still echo. Marvel at the haunting Blue Lake, formed by mining, and explore well-preserved buildings from a bygone era.

    30 min

  6. Arrive in the highlands at this remote station, where you’ll board the iconic Taieri Gorge Train. Say goodbye to your guide and prepare for a stunning rail journey through deep canyons, over viaducts, and into New Zealand’s wild interior.

    10 min

  7. This legendary heritage railway offers panoramic views of towering cliffs, ancient tunnels, and scenic river valleys — a truly immersive experience into the rugged Otago landscape.

    2 hAdmission included

  8. Your journey concludes at the Dunedin Railway Station, a masterpiece of ornate Edwardian design. Step off the train into one of New Zealand’s most elegant cities — known for its Scottish heritage, rich culture, and beautiful architecture.

    5 min

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.

Reviews

4.9

  • 518
  • 41
  • 30
  • 20
  • 10

Ratings come from 19 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.

Know before you go

Meeting point
If not being collected from one of our hotel options, please meet your guide at the Marmolada Cafe / The Station home of Adventure
Pickup
Pickup is offered, or you can meet at the starting point.
Ticket type
Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group size
Up to 15 travellers
Operated by
Cheeky Kiwi Travel
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Specialized infant seats are available
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • Not recommended for travelers with severe mobility difficulties, a moderate amount of walking is involved.
  • Luggage allowance - 1 large & 1 small per person

How it compares in Queenstown

  • Its from-price is 21% below the median of the 432 experiences we list in Queenstown.
  • It is longer than most of them.
  • By number of reviews it ranks 189 of 432.
  • The operator lists free cancellation on it.

About Queenstown

Queenstown, on Lake Wakatipu in New Zealand's South Island, is a mountain town beneath the Remarkables, set among gold-rush hills and vineyards.

Queenstown sits on the shore of Lake Wakatipu, a long, deep lake shaped like a lightning bolt, with the jagged Remarkables mountains rising across the water. It began as a gold-rush camp in the 1860s on the Shotover and Arrow rivers, and the lakefront, with its small streets, preserves a few stone buildings from that time. A gondola climbs Bob's Peak for the view over the lake.

Top-ranked sights in Queenstown: Lake Wakatipu, Kawarau River, Queenstown Gardens.

See all 432 experiences in Queenstown

Special offers in Queenstown

Was/now prices come from the operator, never from us.

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