Taieri Gorge Railway

Departing from Dunedin’s turn-of-the-century ‘gingerbread’ station, this four-hour train journey takes in the pristine scenery of New Zealand’s southern tip. You’ll skip over rivers on viaducts, plunge into cragged mountains in tunnels and hop canyons on historic bridges. It’s all testament to the sheer determination and ingenuity of the country’s early railway pioneers. After shooting through the plains, a highlight is the climb into Taieri Gorge, a deep narrow split carved out over the aeons by its eponymous ancient river. Along the way, open-air platforms make the most of the views while guided commentary adds further detail. Be ready with your camera for stops and scenic slowdowns.