Day 3: The Taieri Gorge Railway - Dunedin to Middlemarch to Dunedin

So, if you remember, I randomly bought a train ticket on Thursday for a trip up the Taieri Gorge for the Friday.

(Sidenote: That Friday Place Bakery does not open until January 31. Note to self. 7am, way too early for an expedition if there is no bakery at the end.)

My train left at 9:30am, so I headed on down to Dunedin Railway Station to sort out my ticket. (Further note to self: when clearing out purse from previous days expedition, put voucher for train trip next day BACK in bag...)

Also sorted out another train ticket for a different day! Woot!

The railway station was a lovely building and the forecourt was filled with flowers. So lovely in summer :)

Tickets!

The idea behind the train trip is that it goes through the Taieri Gorge on it's way up to the Strath-Taieri Valley part of the Otago region that's about 77kms from Dunedin.

(image from: http://www.taieri.co.nz)

The train trundles up the valley, snaking its way out of Dunedin, going through Wingatui and over the Wingatui Viaduct, before getting to the Taieri Gorge and going through Sutton and arriving at Middlemarch.

 The Wingatui Viaduct.

The viaduct is 197m long and 47m above Mullocky Stream, apparently one of the largest wrought iron structure in the southern hemisphere. 

We passed through some BEAUTIFUL scenery. 

 

The train stopped for 10 minutes at Hindon, for just a break for us to get out and stretch our legs.

 Lots of beautiful curved bridges to go over

This is apparently the last of several old holiday homes that used to be along the Taieri River. The original family that built is still owns it, and uses it. The lawn was freshly mowed, and there was a really good vegetable garden out back. If I ever run away, you can find me here!!

The Wingatui Viaduct on the way back, this time with the train in the picture.

Middlemarch was a TINY little town in the Strath-Taieri Valley.

When booking my trip, I was told to check out the museum, which stretched back a considerable distance and was FILLED with stuff. Out the front, was this prototype submarine from the 1880's. It was designed to latch on and seal to the bottom of a river bed, so the people inside could then open the hatch and pan for gold. Anyone else see the issue with this? It didn't take of, and never quite made it beyond prototypes. They were eventually sold off at a huge loss and many found their way on to farms to be used as water tanks. This one has been recovered and put somewhat back together for museum visitors.

I enjoyed walking around Middlemarch for an hour, and I continued my introduction to NZ slices!! Think I'll put up a whole blog post later about my slice journey ;-)