Guided Tours 4 - 7 Days

5 Day Guided Tour - Mountains to Sea - ex Queenstown

Daily Trip Descriptions

Have a read about what you will see as you cycle your way down the trail each day on our 5 day guided tour.

day Day 1 Clyde to Alexandra 8km
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Your adventure starts in Queenstown...

...where you will be picked up by our shuttle at 9.00am to travel to Clyde and be taken to the Trail Journeys base at the start of the Rail Trail. (Alternatively you can be picked up in Dunedin or drive to Clyde)

If you are traveling by vehicle, you will need to be in Clyde by 10.30am to get fitted with your cycle and then briefed by your tour guide. You will have the day to yourselves, so time to check out the shopping in Clyde and Alexandra or visit the many attractions in the area.

From Clyde you can cycle past vineyards and over an old wooden trestle bridge on the ride to Alexandra. You will stay in Alexandra for the night. You are responsible for your own meal arrangements on this day. Trail Journeys staff can make recommendations for you.

For the more adventurous, there is the option of riding on the Clutha River Centennial Track to Alexandra which adds another 8km to your cycle ride.

 

day Day 2 Alexandra to Omakau 28km
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From Alexandra you bike to Galloway Station...

...where we boil the billy for morning tea with good old home baking.You then bike to Chatto Creek, twice crossing over bridges on the Manuherikia River. You will reach the Chatto Creek Tavern, an historic stone building which is where you will stop for lunch.


After lunch you cycle up Tiger Hill, an easy gradient of 1 in 50. From the top of Tiger Hill it is all down hill to your over night accommodation in Omakau. Sites of significant interest are the Daniel O’Connor Suspension Bridge and the Ophir Post Office which will be worth checking out in this old gold mining town.


You will then travel a short distance by bus to the historic gold mining town of St Bathan’s and a visit to the old Vulcan Hotel returning to Omakau where you will dine in the evening at the Omakau Commercial Hotel.B/L/D

day Day 3 Omakau to Wedderburn 45km
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The beautiful Poolburn gorge section

Highlight of today's cycle ride is the beautiful Poolburn gorge section of the trail featuring two tunnels and two viaducts all set in a secluded gorge. You then cycle through the vast open expanse of the Ida Valley farm lands past the Idaburn dam, one of New Zealands few out door winter curling sites.

A site visit to Hayes Historic Engineering Works, then there is a short ride to Oturehua for lunch at Oturehua Hotel. After lunch you'll cycle on to the Golden Progress mine just north of Oturehua, then on to Wedderburn just past the highest point on the rail trail before stopping the night at Wedderburn Lodge and Cottages B&B.

When you arrive at Wedderburn your guide will take you on a short side trip to Naseby to try your hand at curling and look through the old gold mining town. The evening meal is a traditional farm style meal, at the Wedderburn Hotel.B/L/D

day Day 4 Wedderburn to Hyde 43km
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From Wedderburn the trail is mostly down hill...

...to Ranfurly, the Art Deco Capital of Otago for morning tea by the old railway station, then crossing the Maniototo Plains on to the Waipiata Tavern for lunch.

After lunch the day's highlight must be the lovely trail section between Daisybank and Hyde alongside the Taieri river which snakes around the Rock and Pillar Range. You then cross the stone Cap Burn bridge, the Price’s Creek Viaduct which is 32m high and the last tunnel which 152m long arriving at the recently restored Otago Central Hyde Hotel. This is your over night stop.

Depending on the time you arrive at Hyde, your guide may take you on a short side trip up to the goldmining town of Macraes, the site of New Zealand’s largest working gold mine. B/L/D.

day Day 5 Hyde to Middlemarch
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Just a short ride today...

...and slightly downhill with views of the Rock and Pillar, Taieri Ranges, and the Hyde Railway Disaster Memorial. We provide a morning snack along the way.

For those traveling on the Taieri Gorge Train trip to Dunedin we will arrive at the Middlemarch Railway Station in time for you to depart by train at 1 p.m. The rest of the group will then return to Clyde by bus. If required we will arrange to get you onto Queenstown.

Breakfast only is provided on the last day of your tour.

Accommodation

Accommodation is all locally operated and consists of hotels, farm stay and bed-and-breakfast accommodation. All accommodation will be on a twin share basis. Because accommodation along the trail is varied, we cannot guarantee en-suite facilities, but we attempt to allocate accommodation so that the group shares the available en-suite facilities during the trip.
This is an opportunity of a lifetime to experience Central Otago wilderness without sacrificing your comforts or convenience.

Food and Refreshments

After an invigorating day riding on the Rail Trail you will have worked up quite an appetite. All evening and mid-day meals are in locally operated hotels.(is not included on the day you arrive) A selection of Central Otago local wines, beer and soft drinks are available for purchase from the hotel bar throughout the evening.
Breakfast offers a selection of fruit and cereal, and toast and spreads. Just what is needed to send you on your way. Your guide will supply home baked snacks during the day while you are out on the trail.
For those with special dietary requests or requirements, let us know at the time of booking and we will endeavor to cater for your needs.

Health and Fitness

Our guided cycle/ride is neither easy nor difficult. It is a challenge and adventure which people of all ages and abilities will relish. To enjoy your ride you need to be able to cycle 4 to 6 hours each day at a leisurely pace, and a distance of 29km to 45km per day. We encourage you to cycle/ride at your own pace, there is no pressure to cycle/ride with others or keep up with the fastest riders.
The track surface is generally well formed and a maximum gradient of 1m in 70m.
If you are not a regular cyclist/rider we suggest you begin a daily cycling regime for 4 to 6 weeks before departure, gradually increasing the distance you ride.
Thousands of cyclists are enjoying riding the Central Otago Rail Trail each year, of all ages with 85% of cyclists/ riders being between the age of 45 to 70 and beyond.

What to Bring

We provide all transport, accommodation, and food.(apart from food on the first day) Soap, shampoo and conditioner will be provided at your accommodation.

The following is a list of essential equipment

For cycling/riding

  • waterproof raincoat

  • walking shoes/ jogging shoes

  • woollen or polypropylene thermal underwear top & bottom is essential

  • light hat (woollen or fleece)

  • fleece jacket

  • Mid-weight merino top or fleece

  • lightweight T-shirts for fine weather

  • short cycle gloves (available at Trail Journeys)

  • cycle shorts (available at Trail Journeys)

  • gel seat covers (available at Trail Journeys)

  • socks

  • water bottle

  • sunscreen

  • camera

For evening wear

  • shirt or sweater

  • trousers or lightweight pants

  • underwear

  • sandals or light shoes

  • night wear

  • handkerchiefs

  • toilet requisites (towels, shampoo and conditioner are provided)

We transport your baggage each day to your accommodation.

 
 
 

 

Travel Packages

How To Book

To streamline the booking process it is best to start by using the 'check availability' - button, then simply select the dates for your trip and our system will email you a realtime Quick Quote. No strings attached.

From there you can keep browsing our range for other options or continue the simple online enquiry process. Alternatively you can phone our office to discuss your cycling trip directly and ask any questions you may have regarding your itinerary. Our friendly consultants are standing by to assist with your travel plans.