Central Otago Rail Trail - (5 days) Guided
Prices From: NZD$1695 pp
Bike Rental: NZD$170
E-Bike Rental: NZD$400
Single Supplement: NZD$450
2019 : Oct 21st / Dec 09th
2020: Jan 13th / Feb 10th / Mar 09th / Apr 06th
Combine two of the South Island's most popular cycling experiences, the adventure capital of Queenstown and the famous Otago Rail Trail. The cycling begins with a beautiful ride from Arrowtown to the Kawarau 'Bungy' Bridge on the newly established Queenstown Trails before pedalling the country's most famous cycle path, the 150km vehicle free Otago Rail Trail, a specially converted trail along the old Central Otago branch railway line from Clyde to Middlemarch.
You'll discover the many small towns and abandoned gold diggings scattered along the trail as well as meeting some intriguing locals before hopping off the bikes to board the spectacular Taieri Gorge Railway into Dunedin, one of the world's great train trips.
For those that thrive on adventure and activity during their holidays Queenstown will be a highlight in itself and we encourage you to talk to us about extending your stay here to make the most of the many activities on offer.
Bike Rental: NZD$170
E-Bike Rental: NZD$400
Single Supplement: NZD$450
2019 : Oct 21st / Dec 09th
2020: Jan 13th / Feb 10th / Mar 09th / Apr 06th
Combine two of the South Island's most popular cycling experiences, the adventure capital of Queenstown and the famous Otago Rail Trail. The cycling begins with a beautiful ride from Arrowtown to the Kawarau 'Bungy' Bridge on the newly established Queenstown Trails before pedalling the country's most famous cycle path, the 150km vehicle free Otago Rail Trail, a specially converted trail along the old Central Otago branch railway line from Clyde to Middlemarch.
You'll discover the many small towns and abandoned gold diggings scattered along the trail as well as meeting some intriguing locals before hopping off the bikes to board the spectacular Taieri Gorge Railway into Dunedin, one of the world's great train trips.
For those that thrive on adventure and activity during their holidays Queenstown will be a highlight in itself and we encourage you to talk to us about extending your stay here to make the most of the many activities on offer.
Day 1: Queenstown to Clyde:
Your guide will collect the group and we will have a tour briefing and then a bike fitting. Then it's time to explore the newly established Queenstown trails. We'll cycle from the historic township of Arrowtown through to rugged Gibbston Valley. We will stop for lunch at a winery where you can also choose an optional wine-tasting (own expense) and we then drive through to Cromwell and travel alongside the scenic river gorge before arriving at the railhead at Clyde.
The rest of the afternoon will be free to explore this old gold mining town or meander along some alternative cycle trails. In the evening we have our first group dinner.
Cycling distance: 35 kms/22 miles Important:
Meals: D
Your guide will collect the group and we will have a tour briefing and then a bike fitting. Then it's time to explore the newly established Queenstown trails. We'll cycle from the historic township of Arrowtown through to rugged Gibbston Valley. We will stop for lunch at a winery where you can also choose an optional wine-tasting (own expense) and we then drive through to Cromwell and travel alongside the scenic river gorge before arriving at the railhead at Clyde.
The rest of the afternoon will be free to explore this old gold mining town or meander along some alternative cycle trails. In the evening we have our first group dinner.
Cycling distance: 35 kms/22 miles Important:
Meals: D
Day 2: Clyde to Lauder:
Today we commence the official Otago Central Rail Trail ride, as we leave town across flat rural countryside. From Chatto Creek the trail starts to rise before leveling off to Omakau where we stop for lunch. We then take a drive around the quaint township of Ophir and to the top of the Raggedy Range to get a bird’s eye view of the trail and the surrounding region. After lunch the remaining 9kms flow under the wheels until we arrive at Lauder.
Late afternoon we will take a drive to the historic gold mining village, St. Bathans, for a walk around the beautiful Blue Lake. This evening it is time for a relaxing beer at the local pub before dinner.
Rail Trail Ride: 44 kms/27 miles
Meals: B,D
Today we commence the official Otago Central Rail Trail ride, as we leave town across flat rural countryside. From Chatto Creek the trail starts to rise before leveling off to Omakau where we stop for lunch. We then take a drive around the quaint township of Ophir and to the top of the Raggedy Range to get a bird’s eye view of the trail and the surrounding region. After lunch the remaining 9kms flow under the wheels until we arrive at Lauder.
Late afternoon we will take a drive to the historic gold mining village, St. Bathans, for a walk around the beautiful Blue Lake. This evening it is time for a relaxing beer at the local pub before dinner.
Rail Trail Ride: 44 kms/27 miles
Meals: B,D
Day 3: Lauder to Ranfurly:
Our cycle ride today takes us through the first two tunnels and two rail bridges on the trip. With the willow tree-edged gorge below the trail and welcoming pools beckoning we finally emerge into the scenic Idaburn valley. Here we stop for a visit to the Hayes Engineering works, where some of New Zealand's first industrial farm equipment was invented. The stop is also perfectly located to fuel up with a hearty lunch at their cafe before our afternoon ride.
One last short easy climb takes us to the highest point of the trail and the beginning of the downhill descent that take us to the art deco township of Ranfurly. You’ll have some free time in the afternoon to relax, stroll around Ranfurly or catch up on some washing.
Around 4:30pm we drive out to Naseby, a small foresting township, just off the trail. Here we have the option of trying our skills at curling: bowls on ice. This is a lot of fun and is the only dedicated curling rink in the Southern Hemisphere. If curling doesn't appeal, a relaxing pint at the iconic Royal Hotel, or a walk around he village or in the forest plantation are alternatives. After the afternoons activities we head back to Ranfurly for dinner and overnight.
Rail Trail Ride: 47 kms/29 miles
Meals: B,D
Our cycle ride today takes us through the first two tunnels and two rail bridges on the trip. With the willow tree-edged gorge below the trail and welcoming pools beckoning we finally emerge into the scenic Idaburn valley. Here we stop for a visit to the Hayes Engineering works, where some of New Zealand's first industrial farm equipment was invented. The stop is also perfectly located to fuel up with a hearty lunch at their cafe before our afternoon ride.
One last short easy climb takes us to the highest point of the trail and the beginning of the downhill descent that take us to the art deco township of Ranfurly. You’ll have some free time in the afternoon to relax, stroll around Ranfurly or catch up on some washing.
Around 4:30pm we drive out to Naseby, a small foresting township, just off the trail. Here we have the option of trying our skills at curling: bowls on ice. This is a lot of fun and is the only dedicated curling rink in the Southern Hemisphere. If curling doesn't appeal, a relaxing pint at the iconic Royal Hotel, or a walk around he village or in the forest plantation are alternatives. After the afternoons activities we head back to Ranfurly for dinner and overnight.
Rail Trail Ride: 47 kms/29 miles
Meals: B,D
Day 4: Ranfurly to Dunedin
It’s out of bed and back onto the bikes for our longest ride today, but it is some of the best riding on the trip. From Waipiata the trail follows the edge of the old lake before entering the Taieri Gorge. The trail crosses through further tunnels and bridges before a fast downhill to the old hotel at Hyde. From here a final 27kms takes us past the scene of the famous Hyde rail disaster of 1943 and then out onto the rolling plains slowly descending into Middlemarch.
This is the end of the trail and time for a celebratory drink at a local cafe. However the day is not yet finished and we board the famous Taieri Express for a spectacular train ride through the gorge to Dunedin, the Edinburgh of New Zealand. Our dinner tonight is a group celebration to acknowledge the 150kms of Rail Trail riding.
Rail Trail Ride: 59 kms/37 miles
Meals: B,D
It’s out of bed and back onto the bikes for our longest ride today, but it is some of the best riding on the trip. From Waipiata the trail follows the edge of the old lake before entering the Taieri Gorge. The trail crosses through further tunnels and bridges before a fast downhill to the old hotel at Hyde. From here a final 27kms takes us past the scene of the famous Hyde rail disaster of 1943 and then out onto the rolling plains slowly descending into Middlemarch.
This is the end of the trail and time for a celebratory drink at a local cafe. However the day is not yet finished and we board the famous Taieri Express for a spectacular train ride through the gorge to Dunedin, the Edinburgh of New Zealand. Our dinner tonight is a group celebration to acknowledge the 150kms of Rail Trail riding.
Rail Trail Ride: 59 kms/37 miles
Meals: B,D
Day 5: Dunedin to Christchurch
This morning after breakfast we say good bye to any passengers leaving us in Dunedin, and we visit Baldwin Street, reputedly the “steepest street in the world”, for a short but challenging early morning stroll. Then we set off on our drive northwards, stopping enroute to visit the Moeraki Boulders. Shortly afterwards we unload the bikes and enjoy a final quiet coastal ride, past farms that takes us into Oamaru. We can wander around the old Victorian Precinct where the historic buildings have been restored creating a fascinating opportunity to explore the past and relax at local cafes.
After lunch we continue northwards and across the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch, where we will deliver you to your chosen accommodation. Trip concludes on arrival at approx 6:00 pm.
Coastal Ride: 24 kms/15 miles
Meals: B
Trip Grading:
To determine the grade of a particular adventure we consider a number of factors. These include the condition of the terrain, the altitude, the number of pass crossings and the length of the trip. The Queenstown Otago Rail Trail is graded introductory. You will need a reasonable level of fitness and we suggest 30 minutes of aerobic type exercise, (either cycling or jogging) three times a week for the three months leading up to your trip. The main factor for the rail trail is that the cycling is on hard packed gravel - if you can get in some cycling on gravel before your tour it will make the experience a lot more fun.
Trip Highlights:
This morning after breakfast we say good bye to any passengers leaving us in Dunedin, and we visit Baldwin Street, reputedly the “steepest street in the world”, for a short but challenging early morning stroll. Then we set off on our drive northwards, stopping enroute to visit the Moeraki Boulders. Shortly afterwards we unload the bikes and enjoy a final quiet coastal ride, past farms that takes us into Oamaru. We can wander around the old Victorian Precinct where the historic buildings have been restored creating a fascinating opportunity to explore the past and relax at local cafes.
After lunch we continue northwards and across the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch, where we will deliver you to your chosen accommodation. Trip concludes on arrival at approx 6:00 pm.
Coastal Ride: 24 kms/15 miles
Meals: B
Trip Grading:
To determine the grade of a particular adventure we consider a number of factors. These include the condition of the terrain, the altitude, the number of pass crossings and the length of the trip. The Queenstown Otago Rail Trail is graded introductory. You will need a reasonable level of fitness and we suggest 30 minutes of aerobic type exercise, (either cycling or jogging) three times a week for the three months leading up to your trip. The main factor for the rail trail is that the cycling is on hard packed gravel - if you can get in some cycling on gravel before your tour it will make the experience a lot more fun.
Trip Highlights:
- Explore the stunning Queenstown & Arrow River cycle trails
- Cycle all 150km of the iconic Otago Central Rail Trail
- Admire the craftsmanship of hand-built viaducts and tunnels
- Take a breathtaking journey on the famous Taieri Gorge Railway
- Enjoy a delicious lunch and local wine at a Central Otago winery
- Cycle along the Pacific coast on quiet backroads
- Try your hand at curling in Naseby (optional)