"Great Cycle Tours since 1992"

 

Bike the Otago Central Rail Trail. Step back in time to New Zealand’s rural past and join us on this cycle delight. The route follows the old Maniototo rail line from Clyde in central Otago to Middlemarch. Our Otago Rail Trail Classic cycling tour includes one of the world's great train trips as we travel on the spectacular Taieri Gorge railway into Dunedin.  Start with us from Christchurch or Clyde and finish either back in Christchurch or Dunedin.   

 

On some departures, this tour can be combined with the Molesworth Highcountry Cycle or the Alps to Ocean Cycle, please enquire with us if this is an option for your tour.  If you book two consecutive tours with us we will include one nights accommodation (before, after or between tours) free of charge.

 

The Otago Rail Trail Classic trip is not just about the cycling but rather exploring the many small towns and abandoned gold diggings and meeting local inhabitants. Along the way we even try our hand at the ancient art of curling (bowls on ice).  Read our Rail Trail FAQ's

 

“I'd been looking for a cycling holiday in the South Island and was impressed by the level of organisation offered by Adventure South. I'd never gone on holiday on my own before, so paid the single supplement as I didn't fancy sharing a room with a stranger! It was also a bit nerve-wracking pitching up on the first day. However, as it transpires, the group I went with was both diverse and extremely pleasant; a mix of single people, couples and even a father & son.
The actual logistics of the trip are superbly organised, and I must mention Pip our guide, who was absolutely amazing and successfully fielded around a million questions over the course of the week. Accommodation is fantastic, a mix of modern and traditional and just quirky, and after a day in the saddle, you're ready to put away some calories. Sleep is never hard to come by either. The mileage was just right for me, around 40-60km each day, though I consider myself pretty fit and it might be challenging for someone not used to exercise. Having said that you can go at your own pace, whether that's gently pedalling along or treating it like the Tour de France as I did for some strange reason. Lots of amazing scenery, as you'd expect. and the sun was out so it was factor 50 all the way. Occasionally the trail becomes long and straight, which can be slightly monotonous. I'd recommend an iPod for such stretches, but it's a minor gripe on what was a brilliant trip in every respect. Hats off to the company and especially Pip, our amazing guide.”  Phil Hickes, Rail Trail 3rd October 2011

Read what's been written about Adventure South's Otago Rail Trail here...


Need more time? Try our 6 day fully supported Otago Rail Trail Explorer cycle tour.  The Explorer offers more time to enjoy each day and soak up the atmosphere of the Rail Trail without the pressure!  

Custom Rail Trails: Many custom tour options are available which we can tailor to your needs. These can include additional time spent exploring, alternative overnight locations in historic hotels and farmstays or just different dates or finishing points.