Queenstown to Dunedin with Taieri Gorge Train One-Way Tour
Description
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
Tour Options
Itinerary
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
*If no pickup is selected at time of booking, you will be allocated our default meeting point (The Station - Home of Adventure). You are welcome to update this at any time. If your location isn’t listed, please choose your nearest available option & meet us there. *Pick-ups can begin up to 20 minutes before the tour departure time, depending on location. To ensure a smooth start, please be ready and waiting outside 5 minute prior to your specific pickup time. *Pick-up locations are carefully planned for each tour and may vary by day. If your pick-up location changes, kindly inform us in advance. *Our guides make multiple stops and may arrive within a 10-minute window. We are unable to wait for late guests.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- 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
Reviews(18)
Thoroughly enjoyed our tour from Queenstown to Dunedin via minibus and scenic train and definitely recommend Colin our driver/guide and Cheeky Kiwi.
Get ready to de-sress. Very informative. Get to see the different countryside.the bus was Kleenex and both train was comfortable
What am amazing trip, lots of interesting commentary
What a fantastic tour topped off by a wonderful tour guide (Joseph). From pick up to drop Joseph looked after us and made the trip so enjoyable. The bus was comfortable and we met the train right on time. Thanks Cheeky Kiwi and especially Joseph, we will definitely tour with you again. J & W Australia
Thank you for your lovely feedback. We look forward to seeing you in the future and showing you some more wonderful places. Thank you for your nice words about Joseph. We will pass it on. So glad you had a special day.
Our one way trip from Queenstown to The Taieri Gorge Train was outstanding. Jeff greeted us early in the morning with a friendly hello and wry sense of humor. Throughout the four hour drive, he shared interesting facts about the area in a conversational manner. Jeff cued into my husband’s shared interest in road biking and pointed out unique spots in small towns along the way. Our coffee stops were quirky and fun. And then…The Taieri Gorge Train. Stunning. Our embarking spot in the middle of an old Sheep Station area was a taste of old New Zealand. We highly recommend this Tour and Jeff. Thank you! Betsy and Marty
Thank you both for your lovely review and nice comments about Jeff. So nice that you have been able to do more than one trip around our beautiful area. The landscapes are so varied and so it will be a treat to see different areas. Thank you for travelling with Cheeky Kiwi.
What a wonderful ride I had. Very friendly driver and we got to the train station early. The views along the drive were awesome. We also spend some time at Blue Lake. Overall a very enjoyable drive to the train station. Thanks.
What a great day and such incredible vistas along the way. We are so happy you had such a nice time with our tours. Thank you for choosing us at Cheeky Kiwi
This was a highlight of our trip to the South Island of NZ. It was great to have a break from driving and just sit back and enjoy the beautiful scenery and take in the atmosphere. We went with a small group (just 4 in total), this was also enjoyable to get to know some fellow travellers with a small number. Andy, our driver was incredibly knowledgeable about all the areas we drove through, extremely friendly and made everyone feel very comfortable. I enjoyed the couple of stops we made to stretch our legs, take in some historical towns and visit a cafe for breakfast/morning tea. The train ride was equally good - so sad it wasn't even longer.
Sounds like you had an amazing day through some truly special countryside. We are so glad you enjoyed it so much and that Andy make it extra special for you. Thank you for travelling with us.
Our driver/guide Andy was awesome:very friendly and professional,great stops on the way to the train station. Excellent way to move towns from Queenstown to Dunedin
We had a great time on our tour, Joseph our guide was amazing! He gave interesting information about everywhere we went and we had some fun chats with him. We got to the station well before the train left and the train trip itself was lovely even though it rained.
Great experience with Cheeky Kiwi tours. Despite many hours of travel, nothing felt rushed or over long. The lunch spot was a particular favorite of mine, as well as the little market as I waited to board the train. I would definitely rebook this adventure. It was a convenient and beautiful way to travel from Queenstown to Dunedin. I also appreciated the small group and care of the Cheeky Kiwi guide and train personnel. Highly recommend this trip if you are planning to travel from Queenstown to Dunedin.
Thank you oh, so much for sharing your experience! This a new route for us and we're super excited to get it off to a great start! We're delighted that you not only trusted Cheeky with your holiday but had an excellent time too! Thank again :)
