Otago Central Rail Trail Adventure
See and experience more of Central Otago on this fully supported cycling adventure. You will spend four days cycling the famed Otago Central Rail Trail from Clyde to Middlemarch, staying in historic gold mining towns plus plenty of side-trips to visit some of the hidden secrets off the trail. Along the way you can enjoy some of Central Otago’s gastronomic delights including local wine, meats, fruits and other tasty treats.
Your Bike…
The latest high quality Avanti Montari 29.3 or 27.5 Forte bikes. These bikes have the larger wheel diameter to maximize a super smooth easy rolling ride on the NZ Cycle trails Bikes are available in a range of sizes with men’s and ladies specific frames. For those requiring a more upright comfort bike position with a low step-through frame we have introduced the Avanti Discovery 2. Please request if preferred.
All bikes have:
• Specific men’s and ladies seats that feature plush padding with a “zone cut” through the middle and gel seat cover plus ergonomic hand grips for optimum comfort.
• Hydraulic disc brakes, high spec Shimano componentry and Kenda puncture resistant tyres for safety and reliability.
• Pannier bag that sits on top of your carrier for better bike balance.
• Each bike has a water bottle holder and its own puncture repair kit
• Tandems and step-thru bikes are also available on request.
Your Accommodation… All your accommodation has a bathroom en-suite, so you will never have to share facilities with the group or other guests. In Alexandra, the heart of the Central Otago wine region you will stay in a 41/2 star 1 bedroom or studio Motel Room. In Omakau you will stay in a comfortable studio unit – in a small complex that has been ingeniously converted from its former life as the rural supply store. You then have a two night stay in Naseby which is described by Lonely Planet as one of New Zealand’s Cutest Towns. You will have your own spacious one bedroom unit to relax in at the end of the day.
The Food…Daily continental breakfast, 4 lunches and 2 dinners are included in the tour price. All other meals are on your own account, with a choice of options in Alexandra on night 1 for dinner and on night 2 order off the menu for a pub bistro style meal at the Omakau Commercial Hotel. Our included dinners in Naseby at 2000ft Restaurant and the Historic Royal Hotel – cuisine that highlights the quality of our local produce. On cycling days we offer plenty of sustenance for hungry bikers – cheese and crackers, Provisions award winning artisan preserves, a range of snack foods and local fruit.
The Support…One of our guides will drive our support vehicle, lead you on off trail excursions and prepare our trail-side morning and afternoon teas. Cyclists need to be able to cycle independently 10-12km (1-1.5 hours cycling), this is the distance between ‘stations’ when clients can choose to take a break in the vehicle, grab a snack or refill their water bottle.
TOUR DETAILS
Tours depart with a minimum 6 and maximum 10. Private supported tours can depart on dates to suit.
TOUR PRICE:
Queenstown to Middlemarch/Pukerangi
NZ$1540.00 per person based on 2 people sharing
Compulsory single supplement of NZ$370.00 applies for single travellers, however for a group of 3 friends we do have the option of triple share rooms so no supplement would apply. Note we have a policy of allowing two children over the age of 12 years per scheduled tour. This does not apply to private tours
Transport Options at the End of Your Tour
Taieri Gorge Train to Dunedin NZ$59 per person
Return transfer to Queenstown NZ$80 per person
Optional Activities
Classic Wine Tour (2hours) $95pp
Includes tastings, wine experience, visit to local cheesery
WHAT’S INCLUDED:
Tour Vehicle and Guide from Queenstown to Pukerangi or Queenstown to Queenstown
4 nights’ accommodation
Meals – 4x breakfasts, 4 lunches, 2 dinners
Supported Riverside or Rail Trail ride from Clyde to Alexandra on Day 1
Curling at the International Indoor Rink in Naseby (1.5 hours of Ice Time)
www.curling.co.nz
Guided off-trail sightseeing to Ophir, St Bathans and Naseby
Coffee, selection of teas, water at trail-side morning/afternoon teas
Cycle, helmet and pannier hire (option to bring your own bike, price is adjusted accordingly)
Water bottle that is yours to keep
Rail Trail Passport (funds support the on-going work of the Otago Central Rail Trail Trust)
WHAT’S EXCLUDED:
Lunch day 1,
Dinner night 1 (your choice from a number of Alexandra Restaurants
Dinner night 2 (your choice of the menu at the Omakau Commercial Hotel)
Beverages during meals other than stated in the itinerary.
Wine Tasting – approx. $5 per person refundable on purchase of wine
Personal expenses i.e. phone charges, laundry etc.
Options as stated above
PROPOSED ITINERARY
DAY 1: QUEENSTOWN TO CLYDE
Your Rail Trail adventure starts today at 12.00 pm .Your Guide will collect you from your Queenstown accommodation or from the airport. Enjoy a fascinating tour of some of the area’s history as you travel to Alexandra via the Kawarau Gorge. Your bike and tour briefing will follow your drive through the Cromwell Gorge to historic Clyde. There will be a chance for some photos of the quaint main street and the controversial Clyde dam sitting above the township. There will be an opportunity to ride the first 8km of the Rail Trail or the River Track as a warm-up for the days to come.
Dinner: On your own account today.
Overnight Asure Avenue Motel, Alexandra, Studio unit with en suites includes continental breakfast.
DAY 2: ALEXANDRA TO OMAKAU
Cycle through irrigated farmland and the typical schist rock and thyme landscape of Central Otago with a lunch stop at Chatto Creek Tavern. We cycle through to Omakau before we drive to St Bathans. We return for the night to our accommodation at Omakau Accommodation.
Maximum Cycling Distance: 37 km
Included Meals: Continental Breakfast, Lunch, Morning and Afternoon Tea
Overnight: Omakau Accommodation – studio unit with en suites
DAY 3: OMAKAU TO WEDDERBURN
We get back on our bikes in Omakau and head to Lauder, then we head to one of the highlights of the trail – the Poolburn Gorge. The trail goes through two long tunnels and across the 37 m high Poolburn Viaduct. This is where you are most likely to see or hear the rare and endangered Karearea, the New Zealand falcon. Lunch is at the Ida Valley Kitchen followed by a short ride over the Wedderburn Hill descending to the Wedderburn Red Shed and then travel out to Naseby.
Settle into your accommodation and change into some warm clothes for curling at the Indoor Rink. This evening the dinner is at the onsite restaurant 2000ft. (note tonight’s meal arrangements may alternate with tomorrows dinner at the Royal Hotel)
Maximum Cycling Distance: 41.5km
Included Meals: Continental Breakfast, Lunch, Morning and Afternoon Tea
Overnight Naseby: Naseby Lodge – studio unit with en suites
DAY 4: WEDDEBURN TO KOKONGA
Cross the 45th Parallel twice and cycle across the expansive Maniototo plain. Pass the Wedderburn Good’s Shed of Grahame Sydney fame and art deco Ranfurly. Finish cycling at Kokonga, which now shows little sign that it, was once a thriving railway town. However the views haven’t changed and the photo opportunities to capture the Ida Range and Kakanui Mountains are plentiful! We return to our very comfortable Naseby accommodation and our dinner at the historic Royal Hotel. If time allows a quick trip to Dansey’s Pass will be fitted in.
Maximum Cycling Distance: 31.5km
Included Meals: Continental Breakfast, Lunch, Morning and Afternoon Tea
Overnight Naseby: Naseby Lodge – studio unit with en suite
DAY 5: KOKONGA TO MIDDLEMARCH
Cross the historic Cap Burn Bridge, cross another viaduct and plunge into the darkness of the last tunnel on the trail. South of Hyde we pass a memorial to the 1943 derailment that cost the lives of 21 passengers on the Cromwell-Dunedin train. Those opting for a shorter cycling day can stop here or you can continue on to Middlemarch. We will enjoy a celebratory lunch one of Middlemarch’s café’s including a glass of wine/beer or a non-alcoholic beverage.
After a relaxing afternoon we travel through to Pukerangi. Those catching the train say goodbye to your guide and board the train. You will arrive at the impressive stone station in Dunedin built in the Flemish Renaissance style at 6.30pm. For those going to Queenstown, return in your tour vehicle arriving early evening.
Maximum Cycling Distance: 42km
Included Meals: Continental Breakfast, Lunch, Morning and Tea
Train: Departs Pukerangi 4.45pm and arrives in Dunedin at 6.30pm
Transport to Queenstown: Departs after guests on train have boarded, arrive in Queenstown around 8pm.
While every effort is made to adhere to the itinerary, as provided, our company reserves the right to alter the touring and attractions as dictated by circumstances and conditions beyond our control.
