Cycle Tours & Trails
Multi-Day Short Tours
Family-friendly Tours
Train & Rail Journeys
What's Included in the Railway & Rail Trail Cycling Tour?
Your two-day self-guided cycling package includes:
Bike rental and support
- Premium eBike hire
- MIPS helmet, repair kit, pannier and handlebar bags
- Shuttle transfers from Pukerangi to Middlemarch and Hyde
- Luggage transfers, limited to one bag per person weighing up to 15 kg
- Storage for excess luggage
- Return transport arrangements from Omakau to Cromwell and onwards to Queenstown
- Kiwi Journeys travel wallet and trail map
- Trail support
- Bike accidental damage insurance
- eBike fitting and pre-ride briefing
Experiences
- Taieri Gorge Railway scenic train trip from Dunedin to Pukerangi
Meals and Accommodation
- One night of twin-share or double-room ensuite accommodation
- One breakfast
Other meals, optional attraction admissions and personal purchases are not included.
What to bring: Comfortable cycling clothing, closed-toe shoes, warm layers, a waterproof jacket, sunscreen, drinking water and overnight essentials. A small bike light or torch is useful for the railway tunnels.
The Railway & Rail Trail Cycling Tour follows Grade 2 (Easy) sections of the Otago Central Rail Trail, with gentle railway gradients and predominantly compacted gravel surfaces. It's a good option for recreational cyclists and first-time multi-day riders who are comfortable cycling for three to four hours each day.
Premium eBikes assist with pedalling, although you'll still need basic cycling skills and confidence braking, cornering and riding on gravel. Daily distances range from approximately 42 km to 46 km, with the first cycling stage following your Taieri Gorge Railway trip and shuttle transfer.
Families should consider the daily distances before booking.
- Route: Dunedin Railway Station - Pukerangi - Shuttle to Middlemarch - Hyde - Wedderburn* - Omakau* - Shuttle to Queenstown
*or similar based on daily distances and accommodation availability - Distance: 87 km
- Ride Time: approximately 3-4 hours riding each day
- Trail Grade: Grade 2 (Easy)
- Fitness Level: ideal for cyclists of all abilities
Age Information
- Adult fare: 16 years and up
- Child fare: 10-15 years
- Departure location: Dunedin Railway Station, Dunedin
- Check-in time: 8:30 am on Day 1
- Train departure: 9:30 am from Dunedin to Pukerangi, followed by a shuttle transfer to Middlemarch and Hyde
- Cycling starting point: Hyde, on Day 1
- Cycling finishing point: Omakau, on Day 2
- Return shuttle: Departs Omakau at 3:00 pm
- Queenstown connection: 4:30 pm shuttle from Cromwell
- Queenstown arrival: 5-5:30pm
Payments
- Deposit: non-refundable $200 per person upon booking
- Balance: 70 days before departure
- Full payment if travelling within 70 days
Cancellations
The following minimum cancellation charges apply, together with any additional charges imposed by individual suppliers
- More than 70 days before departure: Loss of deposit
- 69-31 days before departure: 35% cancellation
- 30-14 days before: 50% cancellation fee
- Within 14 days: 100% cancellation fee
- No refund is available once travel has commenced.
Booking Changes
- Transfer of booking/change of date within 70 days: $250pp change fee + any change fees applied as may be levied by our accommodation and tour partners; paid balance will be transferred to the future date or tour
Any additional refund approved under our terms and conditions is subject to a 5% administration and processing fee, which will be deducted from the refund amount. For further information on refunds and cancellations, please see Go New Zealand’s terms and conditions.
Travel insurance is highly recommended for your holiday.
