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Summer starts at the Station
The Dunedin Railway Station isn’t just a place you depart from — it’s where summer begins.
From coastal rail journeys to deep-gorge adventures, cycling trails, boutique stays and unforgettable local tours, your next summer story starts right here.
Find your track to summer with scenic train journeys that connect you to Otago’s landscapes, experiences and places worth slowing down for.
View Summer Train Schedule
Find Your Track to Summer
Whether you’re chasing sea air, wide-open landscapes, or a relaxed escape into Central Otago, these summer journey options are designed to connect the dots — rail to trail, rail to stay, rail to explore.
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Summer Options
Rail + Ride
Travel by heritage train into the heart of Central Otago, then continue by bike along one of New Zealand’s most iconic trails.
Perfect for active travellers wanting variety and scenery.
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Rail + Stay
Make more of the journey with an overnight stay in Central Otago or Middlemarch — ideal for couples, weekend adventurers or visitors wanting to linger.
Click for Middlemarch accommodation options.
Click for Central Otago accommodation options.
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Rail + Explore
Pair your scenic train journey with unforgettable Otago adventures. Maximise your time and deepen the experience.
Explore what’s on offer in: Dunedin, Middlemarch & Central Otago
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Rail + Road
Start your journey by rail, then continue by road with Cheeky Kiwi through some of the South Island’s most spectacular landscapes. This seamless rail-to-road connection links Dunedin with Queenstown, making the journey part of the adventure.
Explore Summer by Rail
Do more with your time in Otago — connect your rail travel with cycle trails, stays and standout local experiences.
Rail + Ride
Train One Way. Ride the Rest.
Travel by heritage train into the heart of Central Otago, then bike along the legendary Otago Central Rail Trail.
A suggested itinerary might include:
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A one-way Taieri Gorge train journey departing Dunedin
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Arrival at Pukerangi, with an onward transfer through to Middlemarch
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Direct access to the Otago Central Rail Trail
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Plan your ride with local cycle hire and guided tour operators.
Helpful links:
Explore local cycle hire and tour operators →
Central Cycle Trail Co.
Bike It Now!
Big Sky Bike Adventures
Kiwi Journeys
She Bikes He Bikes
Trail Journeys
Rail + Stay
Turn Your Train Trip into a Summer Escape
Why rush back when you can stay a little longer? Pair your rail journey with an overnight stay in Central Otago or Middlemarch and enjoy the region at an easy, unhurried pace.
A simple way to plan your stay:
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Travel inland from Dunedin on a scenic Taieri Gorge Railway journey
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Spend the night in boutique, locally owned accommodation in Middlemarch or Central Otago
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Enjoy easy access to short walks, heritage sites and relaxed local hospitality.
Helpful links:
Explore shuttles and tour operators →
DayTrip
UrbanLink
CheekyKiwi
Rail + Explore
Rail Meets Remarkable Experiences
Build a summer itinerary that layers your scenic rail journey with some of Otago’s most memorable experiences — turning a great train trip into a full, well-rounded day (or more).
Ideas for building your itinerary:
- Spend a day travelling inland on the Taieri Gorge Railway, soaking up dramatic landscapes and historic viaducts
- Dedicate another day to coastal and wildlife experiences in and around Dunedin and North Otago, including Monarch Wildlife Cruises
- Choose a guided tour or immersive experience such as OPERA Tours or Darkest Dunedin
- Allow time to explore Otago at your own pace, with options including wine tours, short walks and scenic drives
- Add an adventure day with experiences like 4WD tours, helicopter flights, or the Sutton Salt Lake walk
Rail + Road
Begin your small-group adventure by rail out of Dunedin then disembark at Pukerangi, where your guide awaits to welcome you into one of our luxurious Mercedes-Benz tour vehicles, ready to continue your journey west. This is more than a transfer. This is an odyssey.
This itinerary turns the journey between Dunedin and Queenstown into a day of discovery, history and ever-changing landscapes.
- Begin at the Dunedin Railway Station, taking time to admire the station’s grand architecture before boarding the Taieri Gorge Railway
- Arrive at Pukerangi, where the journey continues by road through Central Otago’s high country
- Explore historic gold-rush towns and landscapes, including St Bathans, Ophir, Clyde and Cromwell
- Enjoy scenic stops through the Kawarau Gorge, with views across Lake Dunstan and the Gibbston region
- Conclude the journey in Queenstown
Travel onward by road is operated by Cheeky Kiwi Travel, whose small-group, guided journeys focus on local insight and memorable stops along the way.
Two Iconic Journeys. One Unforgettable Summer.
When it comes to summer train travel in Dunedin, two journeys stand out — each offering a completely different way to experience Otago at its best.
Whether you’re drawn to wild interior landscapes or fresh coastal horizons, these two iconic rail journeys are ideal summer options — both departing from Dunedin Railway Station and designed to let you slow down, look out the window, and truly enjoy the journey.
The Taieri Gorge Train
Travel inland through dramatic landscapes carved by time and engineering ingenuity. It’s a journey of soaring viaducts, narrow gorges and ever-changing scenery — perfect for travellers wanting to see the heart of Otago unfold mile by mile.
The Seasider Coastal Train
This seaside trip offers a half-day coastal contrast. Travelling north along the Otago shoreline, this relaxed journey is all about sea air, harbour views, beaches and seaside gems — an easy, scenic way to enjoy summer by the coast.
Cheeky Kiwi Tours
Connect directly between Dunedin and Queenstown
Travel seamlessly between Dunedin and Queenstown with our Taieri Gorge train and Cheeky Kiwi connection. Enjoy a scenic rail journey through the Gorge to Pukerangi (or from Pukerangi to Dunedin), then continue by luxury minivan through Central Otago’s breathtaking landscapes — all in one easy, connected experience.
Choose your Cheeky Kiwi tour below.