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 Trail Journeys
PO BOX 209 Alexandra
16 Springvale Road
RD1 Alexanda
Phone: 0064 3 449 2150
Fax: 0064 3 449 2150
Email: info@trailjourneys.co.nz
Website: www.trailjourneys.co.nz
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The Guided Otago Central Rail Trail Tour is a 4 day/4 night tour on the 150 km Otago Central Rail Trail, cycling 3 ½ to 4 ½ hours per day on an easy gradient without motor vehicles. Guided tours operate from 1 September to 31 May. We also offer EXECUTIVE AND CUSTOM TOURS.
Amazing scenery whilst riding over viaducts, through tunnels and encountering old historic hotels. Twin share ensuite accommodation available on all nights except on the last night when some accommodation does not have ensuites. Cyclists will experience wonderful local cuisine and meet colourful local people.
Visit historic gold mining sites and in the evenings take sidetrips to explore the historic gold mining towns of St Bathan’s, Naseby and Macraes. Try your hand at the ancient sport of curling, or sample a farm tour and visit NZs largest gold mine. At the end of your adventure you have the option of returning to Queenstown or travelling on the historic Taieri Gorge Railway to Dunedin.
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Guided Otago Central Rail Trail Tour
Your 4 day rail trail experience starts with bus pickup from Queenstown the day prior to setting off on your tour with a get together at our base in Clyde, where we introduce you to your cycle and make sure of the right sizes etc. Your accommodation at Clyde is supplied as bed & breakfast, motel twin/share. Clyde has a great range of eating places all within walking distance of your accommodation.
Day 1: Clyde to Omakau 36 km
Your adventure starts from our base at Clyde This is an easy day ride past vineyards and a wooden trestle bridge on the ride to Alexandra. Your lunch stop will be the historic stonebuilt Chatto Creek Hotel with a reputation for excellent cuisine. From Chatto Creek you cycle up the gentle incline of 1m in 70m of Tiger Hill, from this point it is all down hill to Omakau where will you will over night at Tiger Hill Lodge. It is worth a visit to Ophir an old gold mining village with an interesting post office and historic suspension bridge. From Omakau there is a short bus trip to St Bathans gold mining town. In the afternoon returning to the Omakau hotel.
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Day 2: Omakau to Wedderburn 45km
Highlights of today's adventure are a ride through the Poolburn Gorge section, featuring two tunnels and two viaducts all set in a secluded rocky gorge. Just before lunch you visit the Historic Places Trust, Hayes Engineering Workshop and visit the historic general store at Oturehua. Lunch at the Oturehua Hotel then a short ride to the historic Golden Progress Mine. Accommodation is at Wedderburn Lodge B&B. There are two options in the afternoon a farm tour or a short bus ride to Naseby to try your hand at the historic sport of curling. In the evening you dine at the historic Wedderburn hotel.
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Day 3: Wedderburn to Hyde 43km
Wedderburn is just past the highest point on the trail, so today we ride mostly down hill to Ranfurly, the Art Deco Capital of Otago. Lunch is at the Waipiata Taven. After lunch the days highlight is the lovely trail section between Daisybank and Hyde with the Taieri River close by followed by the last tunnel on the trail.
Day 4: Hyde to Middlemarch 29km
Just a short ride today and slighty downhill, past the site of New Zealand's second largest rail disaster monument then on to Middlemarch the end of your Rail Trail Adventure. It is then time for those traveling to Dunedin to board the Taieri Gorge Train or return to Queenstown by bus.
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Included in the price of the Guided Tour is:
• All bus transport
• Cycle equipment which includes bicycle, helmet
• All accommodation
• All meals on the tour (excluding alcoholic beverages)
• Baggage transfer daily on the Trail
• Taieri Gorge Train
• Side bus trips
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Why travel with Trail Journeys?
• Trail Journeys is the largest operator on the Rail Trail.
• Trail Journeys is the only tour operator with a concession from the Department of Conservation to operate its base at the start and on the rail trail.
• Trail Journeys operates with new fleet of bicycles each year.
• Trail Journeys operates its own buses for transport to and from the rail trail.
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