Otago Rail Trail Cycle Tour

Package Overview

In the latest edition of the Lonely Planets New Zealand guide book the Otago Rail Trail Cycle Tour has been voted #2 “Must Do Adventure’! Thats some serious recommendation right there. You will take a step back in time as you traverse the old rail track from Clyde to Middlemarch, now converted specifically for bike, foot and horse traffic only.

This track will take you past lots of small country towns that we will take time to hop off the bikes and do a little visitng and meeting the locals to add flavour to your ride. There’s really not much better than piquing your curiosity for Otagos far flung gold mining, wine making and farming history.

You will get to try a favourite local sport of curling (bowls on ice), take a trip on the famous Taieri Gorge train, play some pool at a local pub, visit the famous “Fluers” restuarant and the weirdly round Moeraki Boulders at the Moeraki village on the way to Oamaru.

There are tunnels, rail bridges, hill climbs, riding alongside a gorge and past the spot of the 1943 Hyde Rail Disaster.

For those wanting adventure, hospitaility, great scenery and comraderie you wont go wrong on the tour, with everything provided, so you can bring your energy and love for the ride with you on what will prove to be an exhilirating trip through some vibrant, rustic and highly convivial Otago countryside.

Other Information
Duration

5 days of fully supported cycle riding start from Christchurch or Clyde (Queenstown option available, NZ$25pp)
Departure

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No luggage to carry or accommodation worries supply your own bike or rent from our quality fleet of hybrid bicycles with suspension and front bags (Cycle hire – NZ$ $130.00)
twin share accommodation in small hotels and lodges with single supplements available.
4 days of cycling on the 150 kms of Rail Trail relax and enjoy the 2 hour ‘not to be missed’ train ride through the lower Taieri Gorge with its spectacular viaducts and bridges and tunnels, enjoy lunches en route in small local cafes and historic hotels. Enjoy our final celebrationary dinner and awards in Dunedin – the Scotland of the south explore Oamaru and its spectacular coastline by cycle en route back to Christchurch

Accommodation Upgrade: A limited number of fully ensuited rooms are available at an extra cost. Depending on availability the price will range from NZ $175 to $355.00 per room.

F.A.Q’s – Otago Rail Trail Cycle Tour

The Otago Central Rail Trail is 150km (93miles) of riding. On our Classic tour we spend 3 days actually cycling on the trail and on the Explorer 4 days on the trail. The first and last day of each tour is getting to and from Christchurch. However we break up each day with some extra cycling. On the way to Clyde we get in a ride along the stunning Tekapo canals with spectaular views of Mt Cook and the Southern Alps. On the way back from Dunedin to Christchurch we cycle on the quiet coastal road to the historic quarter of Oamaru – flanked by farms on one side and the ocean on the other. The Otago Central Railway was originally constructed to transport supplies to and from the Goldrush. The line began development near Dunedin in 1879 and reached Middlemarch in 1891. The stretch that is now the Otago Central Rail Trail from Clyde to Middlemarch took another 16 years before it’s completion in 1907. In the end there was a total of 97 bridges and 13 tunnels. In the late 1980’s the railway line was used less and less as road transportation became more popular. It wasn’t until 1994 that the Department of Conservation redeveloped the trail for cyclists, walkers and horse riders. The track was re-graveled and 68 bridges were redecked.

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Day wise Itinerary

• Day 1 : Christchurch to Clyde

  We will come and pick you up from your pre tour accommodation in Christchurch and bring you back to the Adventure South depot in Addington at 7.00am. A quick check of your bike – or a fitting of one of our fleet of rental bikes will precede the loading of the bike trailer that will see us departing by 8.00am. After a quick lunch stop in Tekapo we start our cycle program with a quiet ride alongside a canal system with spectacular views of Mt Cook & the Southern Alps. Crossing over the Lindis Pass we descend down to Cromwell and travel alongside the scenic river gorge before we arrive at our historic accommodation in Clyde. The rest of the afternoon will be free to explore this old goldmining town or there are other cycling options that your guide can advise you on. The evening will then be finished off with our first group dinner.
  
  
  Road Cycling: 24kms/15 miles

  • Meals & Drinks : Dinner

• Day 2 : Clyde to Lauder

  The real riding starts today as we leave town across the flat rural countryside. From Chatto Creek the trail starts to rise before leveling off to Omakau where we stop for lunch. We the take a drive around the quaint township of Ophir and to the top of the Raggedy Range to get a real bird’s eye view of the trail and the path that it takes. After lunch the remaining 9km 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 and a game of pool at the local pub before dinner.
  
  
  Rail Trail Ride: 44 kms/27 miles

  • Meals & Drinks : Breakfast, Dinner

• Day 3 : Lauder to Ranfurly

  On this day we ride through the first two tunnels and two rail bridges on the trip. With the willow tree edged gorge below the trail and the welcoming pools beckoning we finally emerge into the scenic Idaburn valley. One last short easy climb takes us to the summit of the trail and the beginning of the downhill descent that will take us first to the art deco township of Ranfurly. We ride into our accommodation before wandering downtown for lunch at a local café. 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 people have the option of either joining us in playing curling; if you can imagine bowls on ice then you are on the right track – a lot of fun and its at the only dedicated curling rink in the Southern Hemisphere. If curling isn’t your thing then a relaxing pint at the iconic Royal Hotel is another option as is a walk around town or in the forest plantation. After the afternoons activities we all head to the Royal Hotel for a hearty meal before driving back to Ranfurly and our accommodation for the night.
  
  
  Rail Trail Ride: 48 kms/29 miles

  • Meals & Drinks : Breakfast, Dinner

• Day 4 : Ranfurly to Dunedin

  Its out of bed and back onto the bikes for our longest ride today but it is some of the best riding of 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 lovely café at 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 the Kissing Gate Cafe. However the day is not yet finished and if time allows we will visit the local “Stone Sheep Yards” before boarding the famous Taieri Express for a spectacular ride through the gorge described as one of the worlds great train journeys. We travel into Dunedin, the Edinburgh of the South. Our dinner tonight is in the form of a group celebration at a classic Italian restaurant to acknowledge the 150kms of Rail Trail riding.
  
  (B, D)
  Rail Trail Ride: – 59 kms/37 miles
  
  Taieri Express – A trip not to be missed!
  Taieri Express, PukerangiThe 58kms of rail travel into Dunedin is rated as one of the world’s great rail trips. The 2-hour route traverses the Taieri gorge travelling across high iron viaducts and tunnels. All trains feature heritage carriages and you may have a viewing carriage on your trip, which provides even better panoramas. The train arrives at the historic Dunedin railway station at 6.30pm in time for a transfer to our accommodation

• Day 5 : Dunedin to Christchurch

  The riding is still not finished as we head north to Oamaru, leaving behind those who wish to finish in Dunedin. Via the beautiful coastal roads we get to visit the famous Fluers café at picturesque Moreaki Village & the Moeraki Boulders before turning onto the final quiet 24km coastal ride along the cliff tops and farms that take us into Oamaru. Here in the old warehouse quarter the early buildings are being restored creating a fascinating opportunity to explore the past as you relax at a local cafe. Back on the road again we continue across the Canterbury Plains and finally reach Christchurch where we will deliver you to your chosen accommodation at the trip end.
  
  
  Coastal Rides: 24-40 kms/15-24 miles

  • Meals & Drinks : Breakfast

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Inclusions

• Hotel
• Sightseeing
• All breakfasts (excluding day 1) and 4 dinners
• Taieri Gorge train trip
• Accommodation as detailed based on a twin share basis with shared bathroom facilities
• Access and concession fees paid to the Department of Conservation
• New Zealand Good and Service Tax (GST)
• Otago Central Rail Trail passport which contributes funds to the Rail Trail Trust

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Price & Rates

* Mentioned prices may vary depending upon date of travel, hotel availability, surge pricing and seasonal rush.

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Terms & Conditions

Payment Terms & Methods :
* Some Advance Percentage of total booking amount
* Airfare/Transport fare to be paid full at one time in advance.

Cancellation & Refund Policy :
* Upon cancellation, refund will be made after deducting the Retention Amount.
* Retention Amount varies as per the number of days left before your package start date.

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