Clyde to Clyde, 3 days / 2 nights
HIGHLIGHTS
- Cycle the Roxburgh Gorge / Clutha Gold Trails over 3 days (4 – 6 hours cycling a day)
- Bike Hire including pannier & helmet – if staying Clyde for a night pre-tour, receive a ½ day FREE bike hire
- Personalised bike fitting and briefing
- Accommodation that is chosen to suit your style and group, with daily breakfast
- Daily luggage transfers with a generous 15kg per bag allowance
- Door to Door collection from and to Queenstown an optional extra.
This itinerary is a guideline only and can be tailor-made to suit your group. Additional days and activities are easily added. Please contact us to quote.
POSSIBLE ITINERARY
PRE-TOUR OPTION – STAY A NIGHT IN HISTORIC CLYDE
For a more relaxing start to your Roxburgh Gorge / Clutha Gold Trails adventure why not stay a night (or two) before in Clyde. Bike It Now! will collect your group from your Queenstown accommodation or the airport at 8am or 2pm. Clyde is a small historic goldmining town full of character and charm set below the imposing Clyde Dam.
Take the free walking tour of the historic township, visit the fascinating Clyde Museum and Briar Herb Factory or take cruise or kayak trip on the Clutha River. Clyde also boasts its own boutique cinema. On the first Sunday of each month from October to March, the Clyde on Sunday Market operates which brings together local artisans and entertainers.
This option is highly recommended so that you can enjoy the charms of Clyde and have a good night sleep before setting out after breakfast for your first day on the trail.
DAY 1 – CLYDE TO ROXBURGH DAM – 36 KM also 13 KM Boat ride
Your Roxburgh Gorge / Clutha Gold Trails adventure starts at our Bike It Now! depot in Clyde.
We fit your bikes and then enjoy a complimentary drink while we run through our tour briefing.
You then cycle the river route to Alexandra, joining the Roxburgh Gorge Trail there.
Clyde to Alexandra
This section of the Trail follows the Clutha River from The Big Red Bridge to the Big Grey Bridge in Alexandra. This is easy single track riding you just need to be aware of other users as it is a walking and cycling track. Our bikes all have bells very useful in this section.
Alexandra to Doctors Point
This part of the trail begins in Alexandra passing under the Alexandra bridge and beside the historic bridge piers. The Manuherikia River joins the Clutha river and you enter into the gorge within 1km on the track start. Be amazed by the quick transition from urban to remote and the awe inspiring gorge setting. The trail gains height as it makes its way to Butchers Creek (4.1km) where you will see stone walled water races and signs of the old gold mining days. The trail stops beside the boat jetty at Doctors Point. This is where you will meet the boat at a pre-arranged time for a relaxing transfer down the lake to Shingle Creek.
Shingle Creek to Roxburgh Dam
From the Shingle Creek Jetty you ascend gradually into a more rural setting, passing through small secluded valleys. As you approach the Roxburgh Dam the rugged isolated landscape allows you to take in stunning vistas up and down the lake.
Overnight: Roxburgh Lodge
Cycling Distances:
Clyde to start of Roxburgh Gorge – 12km
Roxburgh Gorge Trail to Doctors Point – 10km
Boat Ride to Shingle Creek – 13km
Shingle Creek to Lake Roxburgh Dam – 11km
DAY 2 – COMMISSIONER FLAT TO MILLERS FLAT – 29 KM
Commissioner Flat to Roxburgh
Start by crossing over the Roxburgh Dam, turning right to Commissioners Flat. This is the starting point of the Clutha Gold Trail. This part of the trail takes you alongside the mighty Clutha Mata-au Rivers – its distinctive turquoise colour, constant flow and ever changing moods become interwoven with your experience. Look out for signs of the original search for gold and imagine what the hardy settlers faced in the early days.
As you travel downstream you cannot miss the orchards on both sides of the valley creating a splash of colour at every season.
Roxburgh to Millers Flat
Meander along the riverside and enjoy a break in your journey at Pinders Pond, 5km beyond Roxburgh. There are many things to look out for along this part of the trail, including stunning rock formations both on the hillsides and in the river, and the largest stand of regenerating native Kanuka (tea trees).
You will be collected from Millers Flat and driven back to Lake Roxburgh Lodge
Overnight: Lake Roxburgh Lodge
Cycling Distance:
Commissioner Flat to Roxburgh 9.4km
Roxburgh to Millers Flat 19.6km
DAY 3 – MILLERS FLAT TO LAWRENCE – 44.1 KM
Millers Flat to Beaumont
This section of the trail takes you from the pastoral farm land and orchards around Millers Flat through the remoteness of the Beaumont Gorge before re-emerging beside the main highway at the Beaumont Bridge. Visit the historic Horseshoe Bend Bridge, and for an added story take a short detour from the Horseshoe Bend Bridge car park up the road to the site of the Lonely Graves.
Beaumont to Lawrence
From Beaumont you start the climb towards the highest point of the trail and through the Big Hill Tunnel. After the tunnel you descend into lush green farmland connecting with and crossing the highway several times. There are many reminders of the area’s history along the route, including the discovery of gold, milling of flax fibre for rope making around Evans Flat and the arrival of the Chinese prospectors to the goldfields.
Cycling Distances:
Millers Flat to Beaumont 24.7km
Beaumont to Lawrence 19.4km
| TRIP DETAILS | |
| LOCATION | Central Otago, New Zealand |
| DATES | Depart on a day to suit. November to May are the busiest time on the trails. Early booking i.e. 6 months in advance is recommended. |
| DURATION | 3 days, 2 nights |
| COST | Standard Accommodation (mainly share bathrooms)> Tour including Hire Bikes: from $510.00pp> Bring your Own Bike: from $405.00pp> Pre-tour accommodation (Clyde): from $60pp B&BSuperior Accommodation (ensuite/own bathroom)
> Tour including Bikes: from $650.00pp > Bring your Own Bike: from $515.00pp > Pre-tour accommodation (Clyde): from $85pp B&B
Accommodation is based on twin share and single supplements will apply for single travellers wanting their own room.
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| DEPARTURE POINT | Start from Clyde or Queenstown (hotel pick ups) or Airport |
| DEPARTURE TIME | 8.00am or 2.00pm if staying a night pre-tour in Clyde. Other times by arrangement. |
| INCLUDED | > personal bike fitting and pre-trail briefing over complimentary drink> Accommodation and daily breakfast (see options above)> 3 days cycle and helmet hire* (this cost is excluded if bringing your own cycle – see above). Our bikes include the Avanti Montari (for men) and Forte (for women) and the Discovery 2 Low (step-thru). Bikes are available in a range of sizes. For features of each bike visit https://www.bikeitnow.co.nz/our-bikes. All adult bikes come with:
Cateye Velo 7 Bike computer > 3 days bag transfers based on 1 bag per person weighing no more than 15kg per bag. > Boat transfer from Doctors Point to Shingle Creek > Return trip transfer from Lawrence to Clyde > Full trip preparation information & travel documents including maps > Roxbrough Gorge / Clutha Gold Passport |
| ADD TO YOUR TOUR | > |
| NOT INCLUDED | > All other meals not specified – depending on what you order, budget a minimum of $50 per day per person.> Additional bag and people transfers. Extra bags not needed on the trail can be transferred to the end of the trail and stored for $15 per bag.> Overweight bag charges. It is important to stick to the 15kg limit. This is for the health and safety of the bag services drivers. |
| TO BOOK THIS TOUR | > Contact us with your groups details by email to info@bikeitnow.co.nz or phone 0800 245 366 (+64 3 449 2228):
> We will send you a proposed itinerary for you to consider along with a booking form. > If you accept we will book your tour and will require a deposit from your group within 7 days ($150.00 per person) of you accepting > Final tour payments are required 6 weeks prior to departure.
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* We also have a wide range of children’s bikes, tow behinds and child seats; please contact us for more information.
