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Explore the mysteries of the cosmos onboard the Stargazer!

A Night Under the Stars with Dunedin Railways

$269 per person + fees (includes gourmet dinner, onboard drink, and all workshops) 

Experience Dunedin’s most unforgettable winter event — a celestial train ride into the Taieri Gorge. 

This winter, embark on a once-in-a-lifetime rail adventure through the night with Stargazer — a magical evening of gourmet dining, cosmic discovery, and star-studded skies. 

In partnership with Tūhura Otago Museum, Dunedin Railways invites you to journey deep into the gorge on a heritage train, where the night unfolds in wonder. Dine on a gourmet meal from the award-winning Precinct team as the landscape fades to stars. Then step off at Hindon for a two-hour celestial stopover filled with telescopes, hands-on workshops, and stargazing guided by astronomy experts. 

This is more than a night out — it’s a guided voyage through space and science, all from the heart of Otago. 

What’s Included 

• Return night train journey into the Taieri Gorge 
• Gourmet meal onboard by award-winning Precinct catering 
• Your first drink (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) included 
• Stargazing and telescope session with the Dunedin Astronomical Society 
• 2x interactive astronomy workshops with science communicators from Tūhura Otago Museum 

Hot drinks, mulled wine & snacks available for purchase onboard  

Your Celestial Experience 

Before you even step aboard, the journey begins — Tūhura Otago Museum hosts interactive pre-boarding activities where you’ll explore celestial navigation, discover how Pacific explorers used the stars, and get a sneak peek at what constellations may light up the night ahead. 

Settle into your seat with a glass in hand as a gourmet meal is served onboard, then test your cosmic knowledge with a fun astronomy quiz as the train winds its way into the gorge. 

After dinner, you’ll disembark at Hindon — where the real magic begins. Over two hours, rotate through three science-led experiences:

All participants will have the opportunity to experience each workshop, rotating through three guided activities in small groups.

Workshop 1: Deep-Sky Stargazing 

Peer through high-powered telescopes with the Dunedin Astronomical Society to see: 

• Omega Centauri 
• Jewel Box Cluster 
• Tarantula Nebula 
• Carina & Trifid Nebulae 
• Centaurus A Galaxy and more 

Workshop 2: Satellites & Space Tech 

Explore what’s orbiting above us: satellites, telescopes, and our view of Earth from space. Engage with real materials like titanium, UV light cameras, and 3D-printed satellite parts. 

Workshop 3: Solar System Stories & Star Maps 

Build your own star chart, explore eclipses with a LEGO tellurion, and understand Matariki’s seasonal role in navigation. Try long-exposure photography, constellation projection, and night vision activities. 

More Details

Tickets are limited to just two nights: 

Thursday 19 June and Friday 27 June.

Your ticket price of $269 +fees includes all experiences, dinner, and your first drink. 
Gluten-free and vegan meal options available. 

Departs Dunedin Railway Station. 
Duration approx. 4.5 hours,  6:30pm-11pm. 

Perfect for: 

• Locals looking for a unforgettable night out and a new way to explore Otago
• Couples planning a romantic, starry escape 
• Families wanting a shared experience 
• Astronomy & science lovers craving a guided journey through the cosmos 

More information included on the booking page.

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Ōtepoti Dunedin Winter Festivals

The Stargazer is running during Ōtepoti Dunedin's biggest winter festivals. Chase away the winter blues by attending some of the other exciting activities on offer around the city:

Dunedin Puaka Matariki Festival 2025
Saturday 14 June - Saturday 12 July

In Ōtepoti Dunedin we acknowledge the midwinter return of the lone star Puaka and the star cluster Matariki, celebrating the Māori New Year through a diverse citywide programme of community events that celebrate wānaka (learning) and whanaukataka (community)

NZ International Science Festival 2025
Saturday 28 June - Sunday 6 July

Since our inaugural festival in 1998, the New Zealand International Science Festival has been celebrating all areas of science, from the mysterious outer limits of the universe to the marvelous inner workings of robotics, with all the weird, wacky, weighty and wonderful stuff in between. The festival features guests from wider New Zealand and abroad alongside amazing local talent, transforming Dunedin into a city alive with science. Join us this year for 100+ events at venues across the city.

Additional information

All tickets sold are GST inclusive and subject to Terms & Conditions.  
For more information about this train excursion please see our Frequently Asked Questions page.