We went to the iSite in town to make sure that we hadn’t missed any penguin experiences. In Dunedin, there is the Royal Albatross Center and its nightly return of the little blue penguins, and there’s the Penguin Place with the rarest of penguins: the yellow-eyed penguins. We were told that we had pretty much done everything penguin related, so we needed to find something else to do. We chose the Taieri Gorge train trip with Dunedin Railways.

This 4.5-hour trip isn’t for everyone. It starts and ends with a trip past Dunedin’s warehouse and work districts, and goes through the Taieri Gorge with its spectacular scenery. The return goes along the same railway, so if you missed it on the way up, you’ll probably see it on the way back. The repetition will help you remember some facts while catching other facts you missed the first time. There is a café available if you want to grab a snack and a drink.

The Dunedin Railways’ Taieri Gorge train trip will drive home the point that New Zealand’s cities are more like regions or counties, which is important to know when booking a hotel. The trip itself is great for fans of railroading in general, and it provides a relaxing atmosphere for those who may have been trying to cram in as much as possible. If you want a shorter train trip, Dunedin Railways also offers a Seasider journey.