Dunedin, NZ
Today we splurged a bit and purchased tickets for the Taieri Gorge railway. Construction of this railway was begun in 1879, but because of the tough terrain and the economic depression during those years in New Zealand, it took 10 years to open the first section. It wasn’t officially completed until 1921. In 1990 the railway closed for freight transport and was purchased by a private company as a tourist attraction.
The ride on the train is about 2 hours each way from Dunedin to Pukerangi and back. The track covers some absolutely amazing terrain and offers incredibly scenic views. Along the route, our tour guide told stories of the men who built the railway (sometimes only completing 1 foot per day) and of their families who lived in small communities — 3 days horse ride from the rest of civilization.
It’s a bit frustrating to look at these pictures, because there just seems to be no way to capture what we saw in a small picture! (But remember, you can click on these to make them full size, and then just click on the right side of the picture to go to the next one.)
Restored Dunedin train station
Leaving Dunedin for the Taieri Gorge
Sheep cover landscape heading toward Taieri River Gorge
Building this part of the track progressed at only 1 foot per day
At one of the stops near the gorge
Looking out the back of the train
At a plaque commemorating the railway
Don’t worry, this only looked dangerous through the camera angle!