5 Day Otago Central Rail Trail

Name: 5 Day Otago Central Rail Trail
Brand: Trail Journeys
SKU: TJFD
Rating: 4.84 (19 reviews)

Start your Otago Central Rail Trail Trip with breakfast and great coffee! | Lachlan Gardiner

Cycle past vineyards on the Otago Central Rail Trail | Lachlan Gardiner

Cycle over the stunning Poolburn Viaduct | Lachlan Gardiner

Start your Otago Central Rail Trail Trip with breakfast and great coffee! | Lachlan Gardiner

The sport of Curling in Naseby | Lachlan Gardiner

Start your Otago Central Rail Trail Trip with breakfast and great coffee! | Lachlan Gardiner

Cycle past vineyards on the Otago Central Rail Trail | Lachlan Gardiner

Cycle over the stunning Poolburn Viaduct | Lachlan Gardiner

Start your Otago Central Rail Trail Trip with breakfast and great coffee! | Lachlan Gardiner

The sport of Curling in Naseby | Lachlan Gardiner

Most Otago Central Rail Trail trips are fully booked til mid May. Experience it on this trip.

Introductory

Traveller Rating

Activities

5 days self guided cycling

Accommodation

4 nights comfort level
Superior and economy levels available

Meals

4 Breakfasts

Price

5 daysfrom

$1315NZD

View all pricing

View Inclusions

Trip Code: TJFD

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Trip highlights

Cycle the full 152km Otago Central Rail Trail at a leisurely pace over 5 days
Explore the tunnels and viaducts of the Poolburn Gorge and Ida Valley
Cycle through the scenic Maniototo Plains
Experience the local 'southern hospitality' of Central Otago
Add on Curling in Naseby, a Hayes Engineering Works Tour and/or a trip to St Bathans' Blue Lake

Our five-day self-guided Otago Central Rail Trail trip is our most leisurely itinerary, covering the entire 152km trail from Clyde to Middlemarch.

Explore the tunnels and viaducts of the Poolburn Gorge and Ida Valley, admire the stunning Maniatoto Plains and enjoy local hospitality as you weave your way along the old railway line. Extra activities such as curling in Naseby, Hayes Engineering Works and a wine tour fit perfectly into this slower-paced itinerary.

We'll move your luggage daily and transport you to where you need to be at the end of your trip. All you need to do is pedal and unwind from everyday life.

Scroll down to view the full itinerary, select your dates and fill out our booking form (please note this is tentative).

Itinerary

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Day 1
Clyde to Omakau: Cycle 37km

A morning briefing and bike fitting at our Clyde depot will set you up for your first day of cycling. The first town along the trail is Alexandra (approx 8km from Clyde). Alex is a great place to stop for a coffee and a cheese roll. You'll then head towards Chatto Creek, where the tavern serves an excellent lunch and is a recommended stop before Tiger Hill. Tiger Hill's gradient is steady but easy; then it's downhill to your overnight accommodation in Omakau. The 5km loop to Ophir is highly recommended, with historic wooden and stone buildings from the gold-mining era, the iconic Daniel O'Connell suspension bridge and the Ophir Post and Telegraph Office, which is the longest running Post Office in the country.

Meals: Nil

Day 2
Omakau to Oturehua: Cycle 30km

Today you'll cycle through the stunning Poolburn Gorge, which features historic tunnels and viaducts in a secluded rocky setting. The gorge then opens out to the vast expanse of the Ida Valley. A self-guided tour of Hayes Engineering Works is included in your trip, and the cafe is an excellent lunch spot. Your accommodation tonight is in Oturehua.

Meals: B

Day 3
Oturehua to Ranfurly: Cycle 25km

This section of the trail provides splendid views of the Hawkdun, and Ida Ranges as the trail gently climbs to 618 metres above sea level, its highest point, just before Wedderburn. The Wedderburn station site has the original station building, and a big green goods shed. The shed has gained iconic status since featuring in a painting by Central Otago artist Grahame Sydney. It is also an excellent spot in which to shelter. The trail then descends across the Maniototo Plains to Ranfurly, Maniototo's commercial centre and once a bustling railway town. Much of the town was rebuilt following a spate of fires in the 1930s, and it is now famous for its art deco architecture. This afternoon is a great time to go curling at the famous Naseby Indoor Curling Rink (add to your itinerary) before staying the night in Ranfurly.

Meals: B

Day 4
Ranfurly to Hyde: 33km

Today you'll encounter interesting features and landscapes, including extensive views of the Kakanui Mountains and Ida Range. The trail continues along the Maniototo Plain to Waipiata, Kokonga and past the former 2 km-wide Taieri Lake. Basalt stone was mined from the hills in this area to build Dunedin's grand railway station. The trail enters the beautiful Taieri Gorge, crosses the 91-metre long, 32-metre high Price's Creek Viaduct, through a 152 m-long fully-bricked tunnel and out onto the Strath Taieri plain. Stay the night in Hyde. Note: Due to low accommodation in Hyde, occasionally, we will shuttle you back to Waipiata.

Meals: B

Day 5
Hyde to Middlemarch: Cycle 27km

Your last day on the trail passes the site of the 1943 Hyde railway disaster and down through the wide-open spaces of the Strath Taieri Valley and the impressive Rock and Pillar Range. The ride is downhill to the end of the trail at our Middlemarch Depot, where you return your bike and equipment and catch your shuttle back to Clyde (departing 2:30 pm) or on to Dunedin (departing 2:00 pm).

Meals: B

Inclusions

What's included

Standard bike hire for 5 days including helmet, repair kit andodometer (e-bike upgrade available)
4 nights' comfort accommodation on twin share basis (superior upgrade available)
Transport from Middlemarch to Clyde or Dunedin at the end of your trip (Transport to/from Queenstown can be added)
4 x breakfasts
Daily Luggage transfers (weight limit of 15kg per bag, 1 bag per person)
Detailed trip itinerary and map
Otago Central Rail Trail Passport
Haehaeata National Heritage Trust Donation

What's not included

Transport to/from Queenstown
Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
Optional activities and upgrades
Travel insurance

Bike information

Electric Bike

E-bikes have made cycle touring possible and pleasurable for a wide range of people. They are simple to operate, and eliminate much of the cycling strain from legs and knees. Our European-designed E-bikes are built with comfort and ease of operation in mind, and feature unisex frames, 29” wheels, front suspension and proven Bosch electronics.

Standard Trail Bike

Our trail bikes are ideal for the Otago Central Rail Trail and other similar gravel trails. They feature an upright riding position, front suspension and a gel seat for maximum comfort. With their Australasian-designed Avanti frames and proven Shimano and Tektro componentry, these bikes ensure the best possible riding experience.

Low Step Trail Bike

Our low-step trail bikes are ideal for the Otago Central Rail Trail and other similar gravel trails. They feature an upright riding position, front suspension, swept back handlebars and a gel seat for maximum comfort, and a low-step frame to make getting on and off easy. With their Australasian-designed Avanti frames and proven Shimano and Tektro componentry, these bikes ensure the best possible riding experience.

Children's Bikes & Trailers

Small bikes, with 20” wheels (single speed) or 24” wheels (seven gears, twist shift).

Tow bike – A ‘third wheel’ trailer fitted with handlebars, pedals and seat for a small child.

Child’s trailer – A covered two-wheeled trailer, designed for 1-2 smaller children.

Child’s seat – Fitted in place of a carrier on one of our trail bikes.

Mountain Bike

Traditional mountain bikes are the bike of choice for more challenging terrain, or for those riders who prefer a more ‘aggressive’ riding position. Our mountain bikes feature 29” or 27.5” wheels, hydraulic disc brakes and front suspension.

Other bike options

Tandem mountain bike: A mountain bike built for two. Twice the fun? How good is your relationship?

Recumbent tandem: Another bicycle built for two, but in this case the front rider sits in a comfortable reclined seat and has the option to participate in the pedaling, but does not have to.

Trail Surface

Compacted Gravel 99%

The majority of the Otago Central Rail Trail is compacted gravel with wide trails, making it suitable for introductory riders or higher and wide enough to ride along-side others. Cyclists need to be comfortable riding on compacted gravel and there are some narrow cattle-stop grates and "chicanes" (s-shaped safety gateways).

Accommodation

Comfort Accommodation (Included)

Comfort accommodation is the perfect option for those looking for a clean, simple and comfortable way to enjoy their cycling holiday. Almost all locations will include ensuite facilities. These are a mix of motels, B&Bs, lodges and cottages.

Superior Level

A level above, superior accommodation oozes quality, comfort and character for you to indulge in at the end of a day’s cycling. Rooms include ensuited facilities and are a mix of motels, lodges, cottages and farmstays.

Economy Accommodation

Economy accomodation is for those looking for a clean, basic no frills style accommodation. They have a mix of ensuited rooms and shared bathroom facilities. Economy level accommodation can be added to your trip as a discount - based on availability.

Add on a Night

Additional nights at the start or end of your trip can be added onto any package, just ask us.

Suggested extensions

Curling - Naseby Ice Rink

Forget the professionals - Indoor Curling is a lot easier than it looks and is a fun activity for the whole family. The Naseby Indoor Curling Rink, which is open all year round, offers a cool retreat on a hot Central Otago summer day.

Hayes Engineering Works

Add on a Haye's Engineering Works tour of the workshop and homestead of Ernest and Hannah Hayes, 19th-century pioneers whose resourcefulness, skill and determination define the spirit of 'Kiwi ingenuity'.

Lake Dunstan Trail (adds an extra day)

Cycle the Lake Dunstan Trail from Cromwell to Clyde, taking in glistening lakes, mighty gorges and wine country. Stay the night in the quaint town of Clyde before starting your Otago Rail Trail adventure.

Wine Tour

Book a private and relaxing wine tour to some of our local Otago winegrowers. The Otago region is the world’s southern most commercial wine growing region and famous worldwide for our Pinot Noir.

There are a number of quality vineyards to choose from, some with views that will take your breath away. Our team can help you plan your itinerary so that you can include a visit - and a tasting - at one of our Otago vineyards.

Backcountry 4WD Tour (adds an extra day)

Enjoy a personalised 4WD experience in this unique region of New Zealand. Learn about our rich history, heart and beauty, together with a fantastic landscape of rock and tussock.

It's always great to get off the 'beaten track' so, as you plan your Otago Central Rail Trail cycling adventure, so why not plan to explore the surrounding hinterlands with the locals.

St Bathans and Cambrian Tour

Immerse yourself in the history and stunning scenery of St Bathans and Cambrian. St Bathans was settled mainly by the Irish seeking their fortunes on the goldfields and you can still enjoy a beer at the old and haunted Vulcan Hotel. Cambrian, where the Welsh came to mine gold and coal, has a number of surviving historic buildings preserved by Central Otago's dry climate. Cambrian is also home to New Zealand artist Grahame Sydney who has captured many of Central Otago's iconic landscapes in his painting and photography.

Grading

Introductory
3

The 5 day Otago Central Rail Trail is graded introductory and has an average cycling distance of 30km per day. The trail is wide with a compacted gravel trail surface and a gentle 1 to 50 gradient. You will need a reasonable level of fitness and we recommend training on compacted gravel trails, and completing a multi-day ride prior to your trip to get used to being in the saddle for long periods of time. The more training you have done on compacted gravel, the more enjoyable your trip will be. E-bikes are also suitable as long as they are ridden appropriately and have sufficient battery capacity.

Departure dates

Departs daily

Notes

Note:

All bookings are tentative. Our team will do their best to get back to you within 48 hours to confirm your booking. If your preferred date is within 48 hours please contact our office

Note:

Due to the rural location of the Otago Central Rail Trail, our superior upgrade offers a higher level of lodgings at locations where available.

Want to organise a customised tour?

School groups, friends, family trips, corporate events and even making the trail accessible for everyone. Learn how you can organise a Customised Tour with Trail Journeys.

Priceper person from

$1315NZD

Options & Supplements*

Electric Bike UpgradeNZD$400
Transport from Queenstown to Clyde (return)NZD$170

*Prices listed are per person and also from

Trip reviews

Why travel with us

First On The Trail

Trail Journeys is the largest and longest serving bike hire business on the Otago Central Rail Trail. We have helped more cyclists explore our region since the trail opened in 2000 than any other company.

EXPERT LOCAL ADVICE

Our team is passionate about the Central Otago Region and their extensive knowledge and experience means you get the very best advice - every time. We will help you tailor the right cycling itinerary for your needs.

Quality services

Expect first-class and flexible support both on and off the trail. With regular bag, passenger and bike transport services, expert cycle mechanics and experienced consultants, enjoy a stress free cycling trip with Trail Journeys.