Waikato Herald
  • Waikato Herald home
  • Latest news
  • Sport
  • Business
  • Rural
  • Lifestyle
  • Lotto results

Subscriptions

  • Herald Premium
  • Viva Premium
  • The Listener
  • BusinessDesk

Sections

  • Latest news
  • On The Up
  • Sport
  • Business
  • Rural
    • All Rural
    • Dairy farming
    • Sheep & beef farming
    • Horticulture
    • Animal health
    • Rural business
    • Rural life
    • Rural technology
  • Lifestyle
  • Lotto results

Locations

  • Hamilton
  • Coromandel & Hauraki
  • Matamata & Piako
  • Cambridge
  • Te Awamutu
  • Tokoroa & South Waikato
  • Taupō & Tūrangi

Weather

  • Thames
  • Hamilton
  • Tokoroa
  • Taumarunui
  • Taupō

NZME Network

  • Advertise with NZME
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • BusinessDesk
  • Newstalk ZB
  • Sunlive
  • ZM
  • The Hits
  • Coast
  • Radio Hauraki
  • The Alternative Commentary Collective
  • Gold
  • Flava
  • iHeart Radio
  • Hokonui
  • Radio Wanaka
  • iHeartCountry New Zealand
  • Restaurant Hub
  • NZME Events

SubscribeSign In
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Home / Waikato News / Lifestyle

Travel: Experience the Taieri Gorge Railway

Hamilton News
23 Apr, 2012 06:00 PM2 mins to read

Subscribe to listen

Access to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Subscribe now to listen.
Already a subscriber?  Sign in here

Listening to articles is free for open-access content—explore other articles or learn more about text-to-speech.
‌
Save

    Share this article

Being a train-spotter from way back, grabbing a seat on the Taieri Gorge Railway has been a biggie on my bucket-list for quite some time.

Despite all the high-billing marketing hoopla that has dubbed it "one of the world's great train trips", my expectations were still exceeded. Not only does this excursion deliver a hefty dose of natural eye-candy, but it prises open much historic wealth and knowledge from the vaults of New Zealand's pioneering heartland.

The day excursions depart from Dunedin's historic railway station, trundling through the folds and hummocks of Taieri Gorge, and the rugged schist country of Central Otago. Traversing the original line, which first connected Dunedin with Alexandra more than 120 years ago, the excursion is punctuated with a multitude of tunnels, bridges and viaduct crossings.

And for most of the journey, like a glistening shepherd in the hinterland, the Taieri River is just down below you, as you soak up the scenery from the panoramic windows.

Accentuating the heritage theme to this excursion, the train's carriages were built in the 1920s, with lovely feature touches, such as the opening sash windows and wooden trim. The onboard commentary is informative and enlightening without being obtrusive.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

This excursion captures a real sense of our country's goldrush legacy and pioneering soul.

What particularly struck me about this enchanting day trip is the genuine pride, charm and laidback friendliness of the staff. And they have every reason to be proud - this train trip is one out of the box.



See www.taieri.co.nz for more information.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Save

    Share this article

Latest from Lifestyle

Lifestyle

Watch: Smokefreerockquest and Showquest's finals around the motu

03 Jul 06:00 AM
Lifestyle

Peppa Pig comes to Hamilton for fun day out

02 Jul 10:00 PM
Waikato Herald

'He'll slowly lose everything': Parents share journey as 2yo battles incurable disorder

30 Jun 05:08 AM

There’s more to Hawai‘i than beaches and buffets – here’s how to see it differently

sponsored
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Latest from Lifestyle

Watch: Smokefreerockquest and Showquest's finals around the motu

Watch: Smokefreerockquest and Showquest's finals around the motu

03 Jul 06:00 AM

The latest highlights of talented up-and-coming musicians competing around the country.

Peppa Pig comes to Hamilton for fun day out

Peppa Pig comes to Hamilton for fun day out

02 Jul 10:00 PM
'He'll slowly lose everything': Parents share journey as 2yo battles incurable disorder
Waikato Herald

'He'll slowly lose everything': Parents share journey as 2yo battles incurable disorder

30 Jun 05:08 AM
5 stunning winter walks to try around New Zealand
Waikato Herald

5 stunning winter walks to try around New Zealand

28 Jun 07:00 PM
From early mornings to easy living
sponsored

From early mornings to easy living

NZ Herald
  • About NZ Herald
  • Meet the journalists
  • Newsletters
  • Classifieds
  • Help & support
  • Contact us
  • House rules
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use
  • Competition terms & conditions
  • Our use of AI
Subscriber Services
  • Waikato Herald e-edition
  • Manage your print subscription
  • Manage your digital subscription
  • Subscribe to Herald Premium
  • Subscribe to the NZ Herald newspaper
  • Gift a subscription
  • Subscriber FAQs
  • Subscription terms & conditions
  • Promotions and subscriber benefits
NZME Network
  • Waikato Herald
  • The New Zealand Herald
  • The Northland Age
  • The Northern Advocate
  • Bay of Plenty Times
  • Rotorua Daily Post
  • Hawke's Bay Today
  • Whanganui Chronicle
  • Viva
  • NZ Listener
  • Newstalk ZB
  • BusinessDesk
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • iHeart Radio
  • Restaurant Hub
NZME
  • About NZME
  • NZME careers
  • Advertise with NZME
  • Digital self-service advertising
  • Photo sales
  • NZME Events
  • © Copyright 2025 NZME Publishing Limited
TOP