Overview
If you're looking for a challenge, this two day Otago Rail Trail Challenge cycle trip near Queenstown in New Zealand along the Otago Central Rail Trail offers just that. You'll cycle 70-80km per day along this iconic 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.
We'll move your luggage each day, book the best suited accommodation and transport you where you need to be. All you need to do is pedal and unwind from everyday life.
Health and Fitness
The 2 Day Challenge is graded moderate. The Otago Central Rail Trail itself is graded introductory, with a wide compacted gravel surface and gentle 1 to 50 gradient. This trip is graded moderate due to the average cycling distance of 75km per day. You will need a very good level of fitness and be used to riding longer distances. E-bikes are also suitable on low power - although we can't guarantee battery life.
Details
Difficulty: 3
Daily departures
Clyde is about 1 hours drive from Queenstown
Start: Queenstown or Clyde
Finish: Clyde or Queenstown
Includes:
- Standard bike hire for 2 days including helmet, repair kit and odometer (e-bike upgrade available)
- 1 night's 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)
- 1 x breakfast
- 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
Not Included
- Transport to/from Queenstown (can be added at an extra cost)
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
- Optional activities and upgrades
- Personal expenses
- Travel insurance
Pricing:
Cost per person twin share
June 2024 - May 2025
- From Clyde: from NZ$560
- From Queenstown: from NZ$730
- e-Bike Upgrade: NZ$160
* These package prices are subject to the suggested accommodation being available at the time of booking. Alternative accommodation may change the price
Currency ConverterOverview
If you're looking for a challenge, this two day Otago Rail Trail Challenge cycle trip near Queenstown in New Zealand along the Otago Central Rail Trail offers just that. You'll cycle 70-80km per day along this iconic 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.
We'll move your luggage each day, book the best suited accommodation and transport you where you need to be. All you need to do is pedal and unwind from everyday life.
Health and Fitness
The 2 Day Challenge is graded moderate. The Otago Central Rail Trail itself is graded introductory, with a wide compacted gravel surface and gentle 1 to 50 gradient. This trip is graded moderate due to the average cycling distance of 75km per day. You will need a very good level of fitness and be used to riding longer distances. E-bikes are also suitable on low power - although we can't guarantee battery life.
Itinerary
Open AllA morning briefing and bike fitting at our Clyde Depot will get you set for your first day of cycling. You can meet us in Clyde or you can add on a shuttle from Queenstown.
After 8km you'll reach Alexandra, a great place to stop for a coffee and a cheese roll. You'll then head towards Chatto Creek before climbing the gentle Tiger Hill to Lauder. You'll then cycle through the stunning Poolburn Gorge and Ida Valley.
A tour of Hayes Engineering Works is popular among our cyclists and is a great spot for lunch, as is the settlement of Oturehua just further down the road. Stay the night in Wedderburn.
From Wedderburn, the trail is mostly downhill to Ranfurly, the Art Deco capital of Otago. Perhaps a stop here for morning tea before crossing the Maniototo Plains to a lunch stop at the Waipiata Tavern.
The days highlights are between Daisybank and Hyde where the trail runs alongside the Taieri River over the Capburn and Prices Creek Bridges and through the last tunnel before arriving to Hyde.
The trail from Hyde passes the site of the 1943 Hyde Rail disaster and on through the wide-open spaces of the Strath Taieri.
The end of the trail is at our Middlemarch Depot where you can have a shower, if you wish, before your onward transport back to Clyde.
Cost per person twin share
June 2024 - May 2025
- From Clyde: from NZ$560
- From Queenstown: from NZ$730
- e-Bike Upgrade: NZ$160
* These package prices are subject to the suggested accommodation being available at the time of booking. Alternative accommodation may change the price
Itinerary
Open AllA morning briefing and bike fitting at our Clyde Depot will get you set for your first day of cycling. You can meet us in Clyde or you can add on a shuttle from Queenstown.
After 8km you'll reach Alexandra, a great place to stop for a coffee and a cheese roll. You'll then head towards Chatto Creek before climbing the gentle Tiger Hill to Lauder. You'll then cycle through the stunning Poolburn Gorge and Ida Valley.
A tour of Hayes Engineering Works is popular among our cyclists and is a great spot for lunch, as is the settlement of Oturehua just further down the road. Stay the night in Wedderburn.
From Wedderburn, the trail is mostly downhill to Ranfurly, the Art Deco capital of Otago. Perhaps a stop here for morning tea before crossing the Maniototo Plains to a lunch stop at the Waipiata Tavern.
The days highlights are between Daisybank and Hyde where the trail runs alongside the Taieri River over the Capburn and Prices Creek Bridges and through the last tunnel before arriving to Hyde.
The trail from Hyde passes the site of the 1943 Hyde Rail disaster and on through the wide-open spaces of the Strath Taieri.
The end of the trail is at our Middlemarch Depot where you can have a shower, if you wish, before your onward transport back to Clyde.
