Taieri Gorge to Queenstown with Cheeky Kiwi
Make the journey between Dunedin and Queenstown part of the experience.
Dunedin to Queenstown via The Taieri Gorge Train
Combine one of Dunedin's most scenic rail journeys with a guided small-group road trip through Central Otago.
Travel one way aboard The Taieri Gorge Train to Pukerangi, then meet your Cheeky Kiwi guide and continue through historic gold rush towns, changing landscapes and some of Central Otago's lesser-travelled roads on your way to Queenstown.
Travelling in the opposite direction? The experience is also available from Queenstown to Dunedin.
Discover a different side of Central Otago
After arriving at Pukerangi, meet your Cheeky Kiwi guide and continue by road through historic gold-mining towns including St Bathans, Ophir and Clyde.
With photo stops, local stories and time to explore along the way, the journey takes you through places you might otherwise drive straight past.
Dunedin to Queenstown
Dunedin Railway Station
Board The Taieri Gorge Train at Dunedin’s historic Railway Station.
The Taieri Gorge
Travel through the Taieri Gorge, crossing historic viaducts and passing through tunnels along the way.
Pukerangi
Meet your Cheeky Kiwi guide and continue by premium minivan into Central Otago.
St Bathans
Explore this historic gold-mining settlement and its well-preserved past.
Ophir Bridge
Stop at the historic 1880s suspension bridge over the Manuherikia River.
Cromwell & Lake Dunstan
Travel through Cromwell and along the shores of Lake Dunstan.
Kawarau Gorge
Follow the Kawarau Gorge as you make your way toward Queenstown.
Queenstown
Arrive in Queenstown with hotel drop-off included.
Queenstown to Dunedin
Queenstown
Start with pick-up from your Queenstown hotel and travel through Gibbston and the Kawarau Gorge.
Lake Dunstan & Cromwell
Travel alongside Lake Dunstan and through the historic town of Cromwell.
Clyde
Stop in historic Clyde for morning tea, available to purchase at a local café.
Ophir Bridge
Stop at the historic 1880s suspension bridge over the Manuherikia River.
St Bathans
Explore this historic gold-mining settlement and its distinctive Blue Lake.
Pukerangi
Leave your Cheeky Kiwi guide and board The Taieri Gorge Train for the journey to Dunedin.
The Taieri Gorge
Travel through the remote Gorge, crossing historic viaducts and passing through tunnels along the way.
Dunedin Railway Station
Arrive at Dunedin Railway Station, right in the heart of the city.
Why We Partner with Cheeky Kiwi Travel
We reckon the best way to see New Zealand is with people who genuinely love showing it off. That’s what we love about the team at Cheeky Kiwi Travel. They’re a friendly bunch, with passionate local guides who know the roads, the stories and the little places worth stopping for.
Their small-group tours make it easy to take The Taieri Gorge Train one way and keep exploring Central Otago by road. With a maximum of 15 guests, plenty of stops along the way and a good yarn or two from the guides, it’s a relaxed, personal way to discover more of the region.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Book your complete Dunedin to Queenstown or Queenstown to Dunedin journey directly with Cheeky Kiwi Travel, including your Taieri Gorge Train journey and onward road connection.
Allow a full day for this experience. For Dunedin to Queenstown, check-in at Dunedin Railway Station opens at 8:30am and closes at 9:15am for a 9:30am Taieri Gorge Train departure. Queenstown to Dunedin begins with hotel pick-up from 6:30am. Exact arrival times vary depending on the direction and scheduled train service.
You can bring one large bag and one small bag. Additional luggage can be added to your Cheeky Kiwi booking as Extra Luggage.
If you're travelling with additional luggage, please also contact Dunedin Railway Station at least 72 hours before departure so we can confirm space aboard The Taieri Gorge Train.
The connection takes place at Pukerangi. Travelling from Dunedin, you'll leave the train and meet your Cheeky Kiwi guide. Travelling from Queenstown, your guide will bring you to Pukerangi to board The Taieri Gorge Train.
The Taieri Gorge Train can be the starting point for a range of onward journeys. From Pukerangi, you can connect through to Middlemarch and the Otago Central Rail Trail, plan a cycling journey towards the Kawarau Gorge Trail, or continue through Central Otago to Queenstown.
Make the journey part of the experience
Travel between Dunedin and Queenstown by rail and road, combining The Taieri Gorge Train with a guided small-group journey through Central Otago.
