We left the hostel and ate nearby before walking to Dunedin’s Railway Station.
The rail journey to Middlemarch took 2h30. For most people, the journey was the destination as the route took us through rugged gorges, impressive viaducts, clear rivers and green pastures. But some people opted for a one-way journey so they could mountain-bike the back-roads through abandoned railway land.
The stop in Middlemarch was sufficient for a BBQ lunch. The return journey took us back the same way except that it was in a rather different light. I had considered the trip rather ho-hum on the outbound … fortunately I swapped sides on the return leg and got to appreciate the impressive gorges and rivers a bit more.
- One of the several viaducts.
- Scene en route.
- The old station master’s house along the way.
- Tight fit through the tunnel.
- The Taieri Gorge Railway is one of the country’s historic and scenic journeys.
- On a brief stop.
- Crossing one of the viaducts.
- Scene en route.
- Scene en route.
- Scene en route.
- Scene en route.
- One of the several viaducts.
- Approaching Middlemarch.
- At Middlemarch.
- Old railway yard at Middlemarch.
- Old locomotive at Middlemarch.
- At Middlemarch.
- At Middlemarch.
- At Middlemarch.
- Leaving Middlemarch.
- Scene on the way back.
- Scene on the way back.
- A hint of autumn is in the air with the trees turning gold.