The Taieri Gorge Train
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Port
Port Chalmers (Dunedin), New Zealand
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Activity Level
Easy
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At
$199.95
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 6¾ Hours
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Meals Included
Meals not included
Experience an epic rail journey over whitewater rapids, towering viaducts and historic tunnels along the remote Taieri Gorge. Travel in the comfort of contemporary carriages, fully enclosed with air-conditioning, table seating, and panoramic windows.
Board the Victorian-era Taieri Gorge Railway alongside your ship -- a Holland America Line exclusive. Your train heads into Dunedin and to the Dunedin Railway Station -- one of the country's most prominent architectural landmarks, taking pride of place in the central city.
Next, you're headed into the Otago countryside via a superb example of railway engineering with soaring iron latticework viaducts, hand-hewn tunnels, and splendid stonework and masonry. The route includes the awesome Wingatui Viaduct -- a marvel of 1880s construction that remains the largest wrought-iron structure in New Zealand. From your vintage or contemporary carriage pulled by a classic 1960s DJ diesel-electric locomotive, watch for a variety of landscapes of city, farmland, forests and the wild Taieri River Gorge. A lively onboard commentary introduces each landmark. The train stops at points of interest so you can hop off to take photos (weather, time, and operational conditions permitting).
Upon arrival back at Dunedin Railway Station, you will have 75 minutes free time to explore downtown Dunedin before reboarding the train to return to your waiting ship.