The “Big Loop” Bike Tour!

Ultimate 8 Day Central Otago Cycle Trail Tour – 300kms of Great Cycling!

This is proving extremely popular for those wanting a longer cycling adventure.

Four totally different environments, with a twist! This trip encompasses our four magic Central Otago cycle trails; the “Original Great Ride” The Otago Central Rail Trail, the riverside Clutha Gold (with the new Waihola extension), the spectacular Roxburgh Gorge. Finally finish with the latest Great Ride, The Lake Dunstan Trail.

We have spent time getting this right – you ride 4 trails and the difficulty (ie grading) increases as you go along, so by the time you get to the Grade 3 Lake Dunstan you are at “one” with your bike.

Suggested 8 Day Big Loop Central Otago Self Guided Cycle Tour 

Possible Itinerary 

• Pre ride – 2pm collection by us from Queenstown – informative tour back to Clyde, free use of bikes overnight to explore the local area. Full tour briefing at our Clyde Shop.

Then begin your trip;

Day 1 – 44kms: Clyde to Lauder via Chatto Creek.
(Overnight Lauder School)

Day 2 – 55.5kms: Lauder to Waipiata – enjoy the stunning Poolburn Gorge, Ida Valley, Rural Art Deco Ranfurly, and finish in Waipiata.
(Overnight Waipiata Motels)

Day 3 – 52.5kms: Waipiata to Hyde – head into the upper Taieri Gorge to enjoy another tunnel and viaduct.
Go past the site of one of NZ’s worst train disasters and into the small town of Middlemarch.
(Overnight Annandale B&B in Middlemarch)

Day 4 – 60kms: Waihola to Lawrence
8.30am shuttle to Waihola to begin your ride by 9.30am.
Enjoy your first 1.6kms of boardwalk including some across the Lake, then onwards to Milton and through the farming settlement of Waitahuna before arriving in Lawrence.
(Overnight Lawrence Townhouses with massage chairs and a spa)

Day 5 – 43kms: Lawrence to Millers Flat via The Big Hill Tunnel, Lonely Graves and Horseshoe Bend Bridge
(Overnight The Church B&B)

Day 6 – 30kms: Millers Flat to Lake Roxburgh Village via Roxburgh town and Pinders Pond. 
(Overnight Lake Roxburgh Lodge)

Day 7– 33kms: Lake Roxburgh Village to Clyde through the spectacular Roxburgh Gorge, and Alexandra to Clyde on the Anniversary River Trail
(Overnight The Lord Clyde).

Day 8 – 40.2kms: Lake Dunstan Trail
Ride NZ’s newest Great Ride. An epic day cycling on this Grade 3 Trail with cantilever sections above the lake.
5pm be transferred back to Queenstown

What you get on the Big Loop Tour:

• Hire of our New Merida Big 9 200 bikes, these come with; helmet, tool kit, 2 side mounted panniers, dual density gel seats and ergo grips.
• We also have new Merida Electric Bikes – Step Through, MTB and Full Suspension bikes
• Trail Accommodation with continental breakfast provided
• All transfers including luggage
• Informative 1.5 hour return drive from Queenstown at the start and end of your tour

Tour Costs:

Pricing is on application for The Big Loop Tour as this will vary with your accommodation requirements and duration of trip. This itinerary is a guideline only and can be tailor-made to suit your group. It can be a 5 day ride for cycling purists, or up to 10 days for those wanting to savour every km. We are able to provide this tour at standard or superior style accommodation.

Trail Gallery