Otago Rail Trail Cycling & Train Tour from Christchurch New Zealand - 5 Days

On the Otago Rail Trail Cycling & Train Tour from Christchurch New Zealand, you can step back in time to New Zealand's rural past for a cycle delight and take a spectacular 2-hour train tour.

The bike tour route follows the old Maniototo rail line from Clyde in central Otago to Middlemarch. Your cycling tour ends with one of the world's great train trips as we travel on the spectacular Taieri Gorge railway into Dunedin.

This adventure starts and ends in Christchurch. It's not just about the cycling and the train; but rather, exploring the many small towns and abandoned gold diggings and meeting local inhabitants. Along the way, we will even try our hand at the ancient sport of curling (bowling on ice) if you are lucky with your timing.

Departure Time:

7:15 am

• Selected departure dates; usually on Mondays, but one Tuesday departure and one Thursday departure
• September through April

Please check Availability Calendar for specific departure dates

Tour Highlights

• 5 days of fully supported cycle riding
• Start from Christchurch or Queenstown
• No luggage to carry or accommodation worries
• Supply your own bike or order a rental from our quality fleet of front suspension mountain bikes or hybrid cycles with front bags
• Twin share accommodation in small hotels and lodges with single supplements available
• 4 days of cycling on the 150 kms of Rail Trail
• Relax and enjoy the 2 hour "not to be missed" train ride through the lower Taieri Gorge with its spectacular viaducts and bridges and tunnels
• Feast on the awesome lunches en route - from picnics to small local cafes and hotels
• Enjoy our final celebrationary dinner and awards in Dunedin - the Scotland of the south
• Explore Oamaru and its spectacular coastline by cycle en route back to Christchurch

DAILY ITINERARY

Day 1
We will come and pick you up from your pre-tour accommodation in Christchurch and bring you to the tour depot in Addington at 7:00 am. A quick check of your bike – or a fitting of one of our fleet of rental bikes - will precede the loading of the bike trailer that will see us departing by 8:00 am. After a quick lunch stop in Tekapo, we start our cycle program with a quiet ride alongside a canal system with spectacular views of Mt. Cook & the Southern Alps. Crossing over the Lindis Pass, we descend down to Cromwell and travel alongside the scenic river gorge before we arrive at our historic accommodation in Clyde. The rest of the afternoon will be free to explore this old gold mining town or there are other cycling options that your guide can advise you on. The evening will then be finished off with our first group dinner. Dinner Included.
Road Cycling - 21kms/13 miles
Rail Trail Ride - 8 kms/5 miles
Optional Riverside trail - 9 kms/5.5 miles

Day 2
The real riding starts today as we leave town across the flat rural countryside. From Chatto Creek, the trail starts to rise before leveling off to Omakau where we stop for lunch. We the take a drive around the quaint township of Ophir and to the top of the Raggedy Range to get a real bird's eye view of the trail and the path it takes. After lunch, the remaining 9km flow under the wheels until we arrive at Lauder. In late afternoon we will take a drive to the historic gold mining village, St. Bathans, for a walk around the beautiful blue lake. This evening, it is time for a relaxing beer and a game of pool at the local pub before dinner. Breakfast & Dinner Included.
Rail Trail Ride - 36 kms/22 miles

Day 3
On this day, we ride through the first two tunnels and two rail bridges on the trip. With the willow tree edged gorge below the trail and the welcoming pools beckoning, we finally emerge into the scenic Idaburn Valley. One last short easy climb takes us to the summit of the trail and the beginning of the downhill descent that will take us first to the art deco township of Ranfurly. We ride into our accommodation before wandering downtown for lunch at a local café. You'll have some free time in the afternoon to relax, stroll around Ranfurly or catch up on some clothes washing. Around 4:30 pm, we drive out to Naseby – a small foresting township, just off the trail. Here people have the option of either joining us in playing curling (if you can imagine bowling on ice, then you are on the right track) - a lot of fun and it's at the only dedicated curling rink in the Southern Hemisphere. If curling isn't your thing, then a relaxing pint at the iconic Royal Hotel is another option, as is a walk around town or in the forest plantation. After the afternoon's activities, we all head to the Royal Hotel for a hearty meal before driving back to Ranfurly and our accommodation for the night. Breakfast & Dinner Included.
Rail Trail Ride - 56 kms/35 miles

Day 4
It's out of bed and back onto the bikes for our longest daily ride, but it is some of the best riding of the trip. From Waipiata, the trail follows the edge of the old lake before entering the Taieri Gorge. The trail crosses through further tunnels and bridges before a fast downhill to the lovely café at the old hotel at Hyde. From here, a final 27kms takes us past the scene of the famous Hyde rail disaster of 1943 and then out onto the rolling plains, slowly descending into Middlemarch. This is the end of the trail and time for a celebratory drink at the Kissing Gate Cafe. However, the day is not yet finished. If time allows, we will visit the local "Stone Sheep Yards" before boarding the famous Taieri Express for a spectacular ride through the gorge - described as one of the world's great train journeys. We travel into Dunedin, the Edinburgh of the South. Our dinner tonight is in the form of a group celebration at a classic Italian restaurant to acknowledge the 150kms of Rail Trail riding. Breakfast & Dinner Included. Taieri Express ticket included.
Rail Trail Ride - 51 kms/31 miles

Taieri Express - A trip not to be missed!
The 1.75 hour route traverses the Taieri gorge, traveling across high iron viaducts and tunnels. All trains feature heritage carriages and you may have a viewing carriage on your trip which provides even better panoramas. The train arrives at the historic Dunedin railway station at 6.30 pm in time for a transfer to our accommodation.

Day 5
The riding is still not finished as we head north to Oamaru, leaving behind those who wish to finish in Dunedin. Via the beautiful coastal roads, we get to visit the famous Fluers Café at picturesque Moreaki Village & the Moeraki Boulders before turning onto the final quiet 24km coastal ride along the cliff tops and farms that take us into Oamaru. Here in the old warehouse quarter, the early buildings are being restored creating a fascinating opportunity to explore the past as you relax at a local cafe. Back on the road again, we continue across the Canterbury Plains and finally reach Christchurch where we will deliver you to your chosen accommodation at the trip's end.

You will need to bring the following with you:

• Tee shirts and shorts
• Tracksuit or similar pants
• Long sleeve lightweight top or shirt
• Lightweight woollen jumper/sweat top/fleece jacket
• Socks and underwear
• Suitable cycle footwear eg running shoes, lightweight boots
• Light trekking boots for Milford Wilderness
• Insect repellent
• Camera and film (optional)
• Note: Some clients choose to bring their own saddles - these can easily be fitted to your bike
• Swimming gear
• Padded Bicycle pants recommended
• Thermal top and pants (polypropylene or equivalent)
• Waterproof jacket
• Sunhat (good fit) and sunglasses
• Sandals/jandals/thongs
• Personal toilet gear, towel, sun-cream and lip balm
• Small day bag
• Casual evening clothes
• We supply helmets, but you may prefer to bring your own

Our Customers Say:
"Central Otago Rail Trail has long been on our group's list of things we must do. However, all being in the "40+" age group we preferred a few comforts and not too much gear to carry...Informative, but non-intrusive guiding, great back-up and infrastructure (the morning teas were fantastic!). In short a completely hassle free adventure. The Rail Trail turned out to be exactly what we wanted. The right level of physical input, great sense of achievement at having lasted the distance, along with good NZ back country accommodation and hospitality." - Jim B., Queenstown, New Zealand

7 DAYS MINIMUM ADVANCE BOOKING REQUIRED. Minimum age is 12. Rates are per person/double, in US Dollars. Single passengers must order the Adult rate plus the Single Supplement. Make sure to order the Add-On if you are not bringing your own bike. Please reserve online, or call us toll-free at 1-800-745-1925.

7 DAYS MINIMUM ADVANCE BOOKING REQUIRED. Minimum age is 12. Rates are per person/double, in US Dollars. Single passengers must order the Adult rate plus the Single Supplement. Make sure to order the Add-On if you are not bringing your own bike. Please reserve online, or call us toll-free at 1-800-745-1925.

Cancellation Policy

There are no refunds. All sales are final.

Change Policy

If changes are allowed on a tour or activity, a $20.00 per reservation change fee will be applied for any change to a reservation. Please note that some tours and activities do not allow any changes. Date changes can only be made only if we can confirm availability on the new date. While we cannot guarantee any changes can be made, all change requests must be submitted a minimum of 24 hours prior to the tour departure and must be handled on an individual basis through our Reservations Center.