Cycle Trails
Family-friendly Tours
Multi-Day Short Tours
Highlights
- Cycle the full 152km Otago Central Rail Trail over 3 days
- Explore the tunnels and viaducts of the Poolburn Gorge
- Cycle through the scenic Maniototo Plains
- Experience the local 'southern hospitality' of Central Otago
Trail: 99% Gravel
Inclusions
- Standard bike hire for 3 days including helmet, repair kit and odometer (e-bike upgrade available)
- 2 nights' comfort accommodation on a twin share basis, ensuited where available
- Transport from Middlemarch to Clyde at the end of your trip (Transport to/from Queenstown can be added)
- 2 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
Trip Code: TJD
- Trail Grading and Surface: This tour is graded as Introductory (Grade 3), with daily cycling distances averaging 50km on a trail that is 99% compacted gravel, wide and beginner-friendly but with some narrow cattle-stop grates and chicanes along the way.
- Fitness and Preparation: A reasonable level of fitness is required; training on compacted gravel and completing a multi-day ride prior to your trip is recommended to help you get used to long periods in the saddle—e-bikes are suitable if ridden appropriately and with enough battery capacity.
- Accommodation Options: Comfort-level accommodation is included as standard, with the option to upgrade to superior for more character and luxury or downgrade to economy for a more basic stay; additional nights before or after the trip can also be arranged.
- Meals and Dining: Only breakfasts are included in the package—lunch and dinner can be enjoyed at various cafés, pubs, and local spots along the trail, many of which come highly recommended in your itinerary.
- Add-on Experiences: Optional experiences such as a wine tour of local Otago vineyards, visits to Historic Hayes or St Bathans, a 4WD backcountry tour, or an extra cycling day on the Lake Dunstan Trail can be added to enhance your trip.
- Transport to/from Queenstown (this can be added upon request but is not part of the standard package)
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary, including lunches and dinners
- Optional activities and upgrades, such as wine tours, extra accommodation nights, or alternative bike options
- Personal expenses, such as snacks, drinks, souvenirs, or additional services along the trail
- Travel insurance, which is strongly recommended but must be arranged independently
