Central Otago Odyssey: Gold Rush Trails & Trains

Embark on a scenic odyssey from Queenstown to Dunedin, exploring gold rush trails, historic towns, and the iconic Taieri Gorge Train journey.

Duration: 10 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Queenstown - Start your adventure with a hotel pickup in Queenstown, New Zealand’s adventure capital. As you set off, head east through the renowned Gibbston wine region and the stunning Kawarau Gorge, where the history of the gold rush meets breathtaking landscapes.
  • Lake Dunstan - Travel alongside the sparkling waters of Lake Dunstan and…
What's Included
  • Space for luggage - 1 large & 1 small per person
  • Hotel pickup in Queenstown (select locations only)
  • Morning tea stop in Clyde (food available for purchase)
  • Taieri Gorge Train ticket (Pukerangi to Dunedin)
  • Water and snacks provided on the bus only (not available on the train)
  • Fully guided road journey from Queenstown to Pukerangi
What's Not Included
  • Lunch
  • Hotel drop off in Dunedin
Additional Information

Embark on a journey along gold rush trails, explore historic towns, and traverse stunning landscapes. This is more than just a transfer; it’s an odyssey through the heart of Central Otago.
The day starts with a pickup in Queenstown, New Zealand’s adventure capital. From there, travel in comfort and style in our luxurious Mercedes-Benz vehicles, leaving…

Location
Queenstown
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(15 Ratings)
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Johnnab202
Mar 23, 2026
Laughter & beauty Queenstown to Dunedin - Jonathan was great! He told wonderful stories & riddles. The drive was beautiful and the train journey was fantastic, especially because Craig, one of the conductors provided information about the rail route. Lots of fun for my wife and I.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Guide10606520640
Mar 13, 2026
Taieri Gorge Train….Thank You, Jeff! - 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
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Pathfinder103180
Mar 11, 2026
Ride to Pukerangi Train Station - 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.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nicholek372
Mar 2, 2026
The best way to travel from Queenstown to Dunedin! - 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.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lenko
Feb 18, 2026
Good trip, great guide/driver - 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
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Loesb221
Feb 15, 2026
Taieri train trip - 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.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Blaisenewman13
Feb 8, 2026
Great way to travel! - 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.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
U2523kkchrisg
Feb 7, 2026
Taieri Gorge train from Queenstown - Our driver/guide was very knowledgeable. Beautiful scenery on the way to the train. Fun train ride. This was a great way to get from Queenstown to Dunedin.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Bethry1746gi
Feb 1, 2026
Perfect travel - Leaving Queenstown right on time. Nice little sightseeing trip as we journey it on to our train station in the middle of nowhere. Nice stop at a café for delicious breakfast snack. Guide was knowledgeable and humorous.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jackie_f
Jan 31, 2026
S bot of a trek to... - A trek to Dunedin, but they made it comfortable and the guide was ver knowledgeable and kind. Train is good, and Dunedin was a pleasant surprise. Beautiful city and great way to travel to it. Would have book a bit more time in Dunedin if I knew how wonderful it is.
Review provided by Viator
From $166
up to 15 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).