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Taieri Gorge Railway: Scenic Dunedin Shore Tour
4.2
302 Ratings
Port Chalmers
Explore Dunedin’s stunning landscapes on the Taieri Gorge Railway, then discover city highlights. Perfect for train enthusiasts and adventure seekers.
Explore Dunedin’s stunning landscapes on the Taieri Gorge Railway, then discover city highlights. Perfect for train enthusiasts and adventure seekers.
Duration:
7 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation:
6 days
Highlights
- Port Chalmers Wharf - At 9:00 am (subject to the cruise ship’s schedule), the coach departs from Dunedin Port, transporting passengers to the Dunedin Railway Station.
- Taieri Gorge Railway - At 9:30 am, embark on a train journey from Dunedin on the Taieri Gorge Railway. Travel through the breathtaking Taieri Gorge to Pukerangi, crossing…
- Port Chalmers Wharf - At 9:00 am (subject to the cruise ship’s schedule), the coach departs from Dunedin Port, transporting passengers to the Dunedin Railway Station.
- Taieri Gorge Railway - At 9:30 am, embark on a train journey from Dunedin on the Taieri Gorge Railway. Travel through the breathtaking Taieri Gorge to Pukerangi, crossing wrought iron viaducts and passing through tunnels hand-carved over a century ago. This is one of the classic train journeys of a bygone era. The round trip includes several stops for fantastic photo opportunities. Return to Dunedin Railway Station is expected around 2:00 pm.
- Dunedin Railway Station - At 2:30 pm, after completing the 4.5-hour Taieri Gorge Rail experience, rejoin the coach at Dunedin Railway Station for a 2-hour Dunedin Highlights/Sightseeing Tour departing from the station.
- Dunedin - The sightseeing tour covers the highlights of central Dunedin City, including the Octagon and various historic sites.
- St Clair Beach - Visit St Clair Beach and its esplanade.
- Dunedin Botanic Garden - Explore New Zealand’s first botanical garden.
- Baldwin Street: The Steepest Street in the World - Experience the ‘dress circle’ of Dunedin’s original wealthy settlers’ homes and ascend the world’s steepest street to a lookout offering views of the city, University campus, and the Peninsula high road, with stunning harbour, rural, and ocean vistas.
- University of Otago - Enjoy views of the renowned and historic Otago University in New Zealand, before returning to Port Chalmers and the cruise ship around 4:00/4:30 pm.
What's Included
- Worry-free Shore Excursion Guarantee
- Professional guide
- Port pick-up and drop-off
- Round-trip tour on the Taieri Gorge Railway
- Dunedin city sightseeing tour
- Worry-free Shore Excursion Guarantee
- Professional guide
- Port pick-up and drop-off
- Round-trip tour on the Taieri Gorge Railway
- Dunedin city sightseeing tour
What's Not Included
- Food and drinks
- Gratuities
- Food and drinks
- Gratuities
Additional Information
When the cruise ship arrives in Dunedin, embark on a journey through the breathtaking landscapes along the Taieri River aboard the Taieri Gorge Railway. Experience the thrill of traveling through tunnels and across viaducts on this excursion perfect for train enthusiasts, and explore Dunedin’s main attractions before heading back to the port. This…
When the cruise ship arrives in Dunedin, embark on a journey through the breathtaking landscapes along the Taieri River aboard the Taieri Gorge Railway. Experience the thrill of traveling through tunnels and across viaducts on this excursion perfect for train enthusiasts, and explore Dunedin’s main attractions before heading back to the port. This excursion is among the most sought-after in New Zealand and has received the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Award.
- Should your cruise ship timetable be indicating that you will be berthing in Dunedin (Port Chalmers) at 9.00am or later, this does not preclude you from booking these tour options., however, the itinerary maybe adjusted to accommodate the later arrival of the cruise ship.
- Collapsible wheelchairs with removable wheels can be accommodated providing the passenger is accompanied by someone who can assist them board and disembark
Location
Beach Street Wharf
Beach Street
Meeting instructions are:
The tour will depart from the Visitors' Building on the ship's wharf at 9AM.
The Driver / Guide will meet you inside by the Private Tours area.
Look out for our sign "Welcome LEISURE TOURS"
Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your tour departure
Cancellation Policy
If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.
If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.
Customer Ratings
4.2
(302 Ratings)
5 stars
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1 star
Lstarcevich
Mar 11, 2020
Fun Day On The Taieri Gorge Train! - During a cruise stop in beautiful Dunedin we chose to take the train up to the Taieri Gorge. We were picked up near the ship and taken to the magnificent Victorian-era train station where we boarded our vintage train. Our adventure took us through part of Dunedin and then up to the mountains and Taieri Gorge. Our train ride was so fun and with amazing views of the gorge. We were able to purchase sandwiches in the dining car and restrooms were available. After winding through the gorge for approximately an hour and a half we reached the top of the mountain where we were given about forty minutes to enjoy the views and wander through a small mountain faire with vendors and music. We then re-boarded the train and enjoyed the ride back to Dunedin where we met up with our bus driver/tour guide who took us for a fun and informative tour around the city before taking us back to our ship. We had a great time and highly recommend this excursion-especially if you love vintage trains!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Daryl
Mar 5, 2020
Dunedin and Taieri Gorge - Dunedin is an excellent location and the Railway and Gorge were well worth it.
Great rail journey and some amazing views.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kevincn9763hi
Feb 8, 2020
Great Trip Taieri Gorge Railway Station and City Sightseeing Tour - We booked direct through TripAdvisor Make sure your off early to be sure Bus company was very organised we were met inside the Wharf Terminal and taken to Dunedin Railway Station The Train Trip was great and our Bus driver was brilliant delivered back to ship within time to re-board the ship as only in Port One day.Saved a fair bit of Money booking with TripAdvisor
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Gary_l
Mar 10, 2020
Brochure is a Bit Misleading - First of all, the scenery is gorgeous! But what they don’t tell you is that you see the exact same thing going back as you are in the same seats. You also have to pay for a light lunch. If you have difficulty with steps you will have a difficult time getting on and off the train. Please keep this in mind. The tour of the city was informative. It’s a pretty long day.
Review provided by Viator
Jane
Mar 3, 2020
Great scenery from the train - This was a small group which is ideal for any trip, coach driver was good and the trip around the town very nice.
The Taieri Gorge Railway was brilliant, the comentry on the train was very good and informative. There is a buffet car on the train which served tea/coffee and food which were all good quality. The views from the train are amazing, and seats very comfortable. It would have been nice if the trip could have included a stop at the town of Dunedin, as the little shops looked very nice.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Wing_l
Feb 18, 2020
Alright. - The train ride was gorgeous. The driver had us waiting and looking for him when we finished. Company was called Go Now tours.
Review provided by Viator
Benawilliams
Feb 15, 2020
We were disappointed - We got into port late and so had to have a modified tour - The tour company was very gracious and made every effort to help us continue our tour. Despite all - this was not to be missed.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lee007jon
Feb 17, 2020
I have mixed feelings about this tour - We were met by some lovely folks at the cruise ship terminal. Unfortunately the weather was cold and rainy so I am sure it did affect the tour. I wasn't as impressed by our bus driver though. My 86 yo mother had a mobility scooter and he could see that she was struggling with the steps. I asked him if we could have a front seat and he didn't even bother to help us - so she struggled up the back of the bus. Anyhow, we were taken to the train station to board the Taieri Gorge Railway as planned and told we would be picked up "somewhere" in the vicinity at 2.45pm for a 3pm departure for the city tour. The train ride was delightful despite the poor weather. Unfortunately the pick up was a little muddled. We arrived at 2.20pm and searched for the bus and finally found it parked behind trees so it was not easy. I would suggest that the driver is there to meet the train arriving with a sign as I saw other tour companies do. Anyhow, after waiting on the bus for some time for the last 2 passengers our driver left the station without them as he'd arranged another driver to collect them. So we were on our way at around 3.10pm. Around 10 mins later he received a call and was asked to return to the station to collect them. Again parks behind the trees and had to go looking for them. We were finally on our way again at 3.40pm. So I think to myself that the "2 hour tour" was shortened by 40 minutes I was wrong!! We missed some of the sights and were back at the port by 4.20pm, and that was even delayed due to very heavy traffic because of the Elton John concert. We did not see much at all & I appreciate that the weather was lousy but I expected to see the Otago coast and more of the city sights. I noticed a really huge cathedral as we were driving along but there was no mention of it. We stopped at a boys school to look at the building and it was ok (I've seen plenty that are better IMO) but I would't call it a city highlight. I was really disappointed by the city tour and the pick up debacle. Upon speaking with other passengers when we returned (who were on other city tours) it seems we did not see as much as they did which was quite disappointing. I think there needs to be some clearer instructions & organisation around the pick up at the station. The train ride was definitely the highlight of the tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Michelledanicek
Jan 30, 2020
Underwhelming but professional - The tour was run very well. Cruise came in at 9:00 am, so we were a bit law to the station, but the train was held. Received a two hour of Dunedin after train ride and Billy made every effort to show us everything in the town that he thought was interesting. However, if you are a world traveller, the reality is, there just wasn’t that much to see. (eg. the local university, churches that are 80 years old, etc), and the gorge has about 8 minutes of interesting vistas.
Review provided by Viator
Robert_v
Feb 17, 2020
A Railway to Avoid - The Taieri Gorge Railway certainly passes through some spectacular scenery. Unfortunately, a few minutes of great views is simply not enough to offset the five hours of discomfort on the train. The train itself was cramped and uncomfortable and only few of the carriages offered good photo opportunities from the seat. Ideally, you need to travel in one of the old wooden carriages where the windows open; in the more modern, metal carriages, photography from the seat is impossible through the scratched and dirty windows.
Be careful about the choice of seat. If you have a choice (we did not), make sure that you sit on the left-hand side on the train going out because virtually all of the spectacular views are from this side. The train does not turn, so passengers enjoy the same views on the return journey. Many passengers on the right-hand side resorted to playing games on their mobile phones to relieve the tedium of a five-hour journey in which the best views could only be seen across the heads of other passengers.
There is very little else to do on the journey except eat from the buffet car. There were absolutely no facilities - no proper toilets, no cafes, no shops - at the two stops and neither stop had good views. The buffet car itself was inadequately stocked and maintained: the cheese rolls had sold out by 11:00 and all the sandwiches by 12:00. The coffee machine broke down at regular intervals.
If you are a railway buff, I suppose that this trip would be a must. To the average tourist, however, it was an endurance test that would be best avoided.
As opposed to the morning on the Railway, the afternoon tour was excellent. The drive around the Dunedin provided an appreciation of this elegant city which was greatly enhanced by the knowledgeable and helpful guide.
Review provided by Viator
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