Dunedin Railway Station’s Taieri Gorge Stargazer service made a special one-off departure yesterday to coincide with this year’s Matariki celebrations.
A total of 120 passengers travelled from Dunedin to Hindon, disembarking for activities including telescope viewing, low-light photography, sky interpretation, fireside Matariki storytelling and an astrophotography theatre experience inside of an old wooden carriage.
Matariki is a midwinter celebration signifying the start of the Māori new year and was officially recognised as a public holiday in 2022.
Dunedin Railway Station marketing and partnerships manager Brydie Meinung said Matariki was a special occasion and one that they wanted to celebrate.
Passengers were greeted with a waiata upon arrival in Hindon.
The storytelling was centred on Matariki and the Māori celestial history.
This was the Stargazer service’s third year of operating and the railway station had been focused on elevating the experience.
‘‘There’s nothing really [at] this kind of level of event in Dunedin, or even the South Island.
Yesterday’s train trip was run in partnership with Tūhura Otago Museum and the Winterstellar Charitable Trust.
Winterstellar Charitable Trust chief executive Andy Davey said Hindon offered an exceptional location for experiencing the southern skies.
‘‘Once you’re away from the city lights, the night sky comes alive.
‘‘Whether it’s your first time seeing the Milky Way or you’re keen to improve your astrophotography, this experience offers something genuinely special.’’
Tickets for yesterday’s event were $309 each.
