New Zealand

6 Day Otago Rail Trail - Family Bicycle Tours

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6 Days Cycling Tour Christchurch to Christchurch

Detailed Itinerary

Highlights: If you are looking for active New Zealand Family Holidays, then the Otago Central Rail Trail is just perfect!  Step back in time to New Zealand's rural past and join us on this cycle delight.  The route follows the Old Maniototo rail line from Clyde in central Otago to Middlemarch.  Our Otago Central Rail Trail cycling tour ends with one of the world's great train trips as we travel on the spectacular Taieri Gorge railway into Dunedin.

The Otago Central Rail Trail trip is not just about the cycling but rather exploring the many small towns and abandoned gold diggings and meeting local inhabitants.  Along the way we will even try our hand at the ancient art of curling (bowls on ice).   From the moment you arrive until the day you depart, we're behind the scenes taking care of every last detail. Our guides and staff are there to ensure your family's safety and comfort every step of the way.  Your only job is to show up and be ready to have a great family trip!

A 6 Day - 5 Night cycle from Clyde to Middlemarch along the original Otago Central Rail Trail. Steeped in history and with a constant easy gradient it is a great way to view scenery not seen from the highway.

Itinerary

Day 1  Christchurch to Clyde      24km road cycling / 10km rail trail ride

We starting picking families up from 7am. From your accommodation provider we will bring you back to our depot in Addington. 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.  We then drive on to Tekapo where we have time to explore the many delights. You could have a soak in the hot pools or even go ice-skating before we head up to the Mount John observatory.

After checking out the view we start our cycle program with a quiet ride alongside a canal system with spectacular views of Mt Cook & the Southern Alps. Back in the van we cross over the Lindis Pass and descend down to Cromwell (home to the giant fruit) and travel alongside the scenic river gorge before arriving at the railhead at Clyde. (D)

Day 2     Clyde to St Bathans       44km Rail Trail Ride

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. 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. Weather permitting we might even be able to go for a swim! (B, D)

Day 3   St Bathans to Naseby       48km Rail Trail Ride

On this day we head inland and 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 lunch at a local cafe and then a short drive takes us to the beautiful township of Naseby and our hotel stay for the night.

There are some nice local walks around the village or for the keen cyclist an easy forest trail alongside an old water race.  For those wanting to try their hand at something new, we have an option to try the sport of curling in the local indoor rink, the first in the southern hemisphere. (B, D)

Day 4   Naseby to Dunedin           59km Rail Trail Ride

An early start 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 by 4.30pm we join 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 to acknowledge the 150kms of Rail Trail riding. (B, D)

Taieri Express - A trip not to be missed! The 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 Oamaru     up to 30km Coastal Rides

This morning we have breakfast at our accommodation, but remember, don't eat too much as the next stop is the Cadbury Chocolate factory! After enjoying the yummy chocolate we jump back in the van and drive on to Moeraki - the home of Moeraki boulders. After grabbing some lunch there will be plenty of time to explore the boulders or should I say dinosaur eggs!

For those who wish there is the opportunity to do some more cycling. This cycling is along the quiet coastal road heading towards Oamaru. After everyone has had enough cycling we jump back into the van for the last short drive into Oamaru. After refreshing ourselves at the accommodation we step back in time to the old days of Oamaru.

Heading over to the limestone quarter we watch the dramatic true story of Oamaru's early days in a wonderful show - you might even get to dress up! We then head off to dine in one of New Zealand's oldest restaurants with a two course traditional meal. The days not over yet as we go and view the penguin parade as the enchanting little blue penguins return to their nests at dust to breed, rear their chicks and moult. Eco- tourism at its best. (B, D)

Day 6         Oamaru to Christchurch

Last day of the tour today. This morning we head inland to Duntroon along the Vanished World trail. Here we visit the Vanished World Visitor centre, which has many displays about the areas geological past - and lots of cool fossils! We then continue on to explore Elephant Rocks. If you are a fan of Narnia the Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe you will recognise the Elephant Rocks as Aslan's Camp.

 We cycle today alongside the Waitaki River & through the scenic Waimate Gorge to end our cycling at the historic village of Waimate, famed for its local wallaby population. Here is time for an optional visit to the local wildlife park before driving back to Christchurch. (B)

(B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)

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