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3 Day Otago Central Rail Trail Bike Self Guided Cycle Tour

Cycling Distance 150 kms

Days
3

Pricing From
$880

Difficulty

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Overview

Discover tasty local cuisine and meet interesting local people on the legendary Otago Central Rail Trail in this 3 Day/2 Night Independent Cycle Adventure. Enjoy some easy cycling on a vehicle-free trail for 40-60 kms. a day, passing by the distinctive Otago landscape while riding over viaducts and through tunnels, and staying at old historic hotels offering twin/double share accommodation on the 3 Day Otago Central Rail Trail Bike Experience.

Executive Otago Rail Trail Experience

Executive Otago Rail Trail Experience

Executive Otago Rail Trail Experience

Executive Otago Rail Trail Experience

Executive Otago Rail Trail Experience

Executive Otago Rail Trail Experience

Itinerary

Open All
Day 1Clyde to Lauder43 kms Cycling

Meet us at Clyde depot where you will be fitted with your bikes and given briefing on your tour. Shuttles are available from Queenstown leaving about 7:45AM. After pairing up with your bikes, start riding to Lauder from Clyde past vineyards and over the weathered wooden trestle bridge of Alexandra.

If you are looking for more adventure, you can ride the Clutha River Centennial Track to Alexandra. This will add another 8 kms. to your ride but you will get a chance to cast your fishing line into Clutha River’s emerald green waters to see if the odd trout bites.

Lunch options are available at either Alexandra, Chatto Creek or Omakau.

Day 2Lauder to Ranfurly or Waipiata48 kms Cycling (B)

Lauder marks the start of one of the most dramatic sections of the trail at Poolburn Gorge. Get a chance to spy on the rare New Zealand falcon, and ride over and through the engineering marvel of the 120 ft. tall Poolburn Viaduct and tunnels before you meet the wide open Ida Valley on your way to Oturehua where you can stop for lunch.

Pedal on to the little town of Wedderburn at the top of the rail trail before spending the night at your accommodation in Ranfurly or Waipiata, depending on accommodation availability or type.

Day 3Ranfurly or Waipiata to Middlemarch59 kms Cycling (B)

Ride from Ranfurly or Waipiata and at Daisybank, take in the views at one of the most beautiful sections of the trail as it follows the Taieri River winding around the Rock and Pillar Range, crossing the original stone bridge over Cap Burn, the 100 ft.-tall Price’s Creek Viaduct, and the 500 ft. long tunnel, to Hyde.

Sit down for lunch at Hyde Hotel, and take some food with you for your ride to Middlemarch. There are no opportunities to buy food from Hyde to the end of the trail.

Savour the freedom of the wide open space as you cycle through the Strath Taieri Plain where the Hyde Rail disaster of 1943 claimed 21 lives. Finally, get back on the saddle for the journey to Middlemarch where the trail ends.

Drop off your bicycles at our depot in Middlemarch, after which you are transferred back to Clyde at 2:30pm. Afterwards, you can travel by shuttle back to Queenstown from Clyde; or travel on from Middlemarch to Dunedin.

Transport from Middlemarch to Dunedin is also available.

Cost per person (Twin Share)

June 2024 - May 2025

  • from Clyde: from NZ$880
  • from Queenstown: from NZ$1,050
  • Upgrade to e-Bikes: NZ$180
  • Superior accommodation upgrade: On request

* These package prices are subject to the suggested accommodation being available at the time of booking. Alternative accommodation may change the price.

Itinerary

Open All
Day 1Clyde to Lauder43 kms Cycling

Meet us at Clyde depot where you will be fitted with your bikes and given briefing on your tour. Shuttles are available from Queenstown leaving about 7:45AM. After pairing up with your bikes, start riding to Lauder from Clyde past vineyards and over the weathered wooden trestle bridge of Alexandra.

If you are looking for more adventure, you can ride the Clutha River Centennial Track to Alexandra. This will add another 8 kms. to your ride but you will get a chance to cast your fishing line into Clutha River’s emerald green waters to see if the odd trout bites.

Lunch options are available at either Alexandra, Chatto Creek or Omakau.

Day 2Lauder to Ranfurly or Waipiata48 kms Cycling (B)

Lauder marks the start of one of the most dramatic sections of the trail at Poolburn Gorge. Get a chance to spy on the rare New Zealand falcon, and ride over and through the engineering marvel of the 120 ft. tall Poolburn Viaduct and tunnels before you meet the wide open Ida Valley on your way to Oturehua where you can stop for lunch.

Pedal on to the little town of Wedderburn at the top of the rail trail before spending the night at your accommodation in Ranfurly or Waipiata, depending on accommodation availability or type.

Day 3Ranfurly or Waipiata to Middlemarch59 kms Cycling (B)

Ride from Ranfurly or Waipiata and at Daisybank, take in the views at one of the most beautiful sections of the trail as it follows the Taieri River winding around the Rock and Pillar Range, crossing the original stone bridge over Cap Burn, the 100 ft.-tall Price’s Creek Viaduct, and the 500 ft. long tunnel, to Hyde.

Sit down for lunch at Hyde Hotel, and take some food with you for your ride to Middlemarch. There are no opportunities to buy food from Hyde to the end of the trail.

Savour the freedom of the wide open space as you cycle through the Strath Taieri Plain where the Hyde Rail disaster of 1943 claimed 21 lives. Finally, get back on the saddle for the journey to Middlemarch where the trail ends.

Drop off your bicycles at our depot in Middlemarch, after which you are transferred back to Clyde at 2:30pm. Afterwards, you can travel by shuttle back to Queenstown from Clyde; or travel on from Middlemarch to Dunedin.

Transport from Middlemarch to Dunedin is also available.

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