As New Zealand’s original Great Ride, and the trail that inspired the New Zealand Cycle Trail network, the 150km Otago Central Rail Trail follows a historic railway line from Clyde to Middlemarch.
The trail delves deep into the heart of Central Otago as it winds its way through the vast rocky landscapes, spectacular gorges, railway tunnels, viaducts, and preserved gold mining settlements.
Experience the famous ‘southern hospitality’ from friendly locals as you explore rural farming townships and indulge in the regions own wines and orchard fruits at one of the many cafés and restaurants.
There’s plenty to do off the bike. Take a detour to the vibrant Blue Lake at St. Bathans, unleash your competitive side at the International Curling Rink in Naseby, or take a train journey from Middlemarch to Dunedin through the Taieri Gorge after your ride.
The wide, compacted gravel trail has a gentle 1 to 50 gradient, making it an ideal ride for introductory cyclists or families. Have a browse and start planning your next adventure on the Otago Central Rail Trail! E-bikes available.
From
From IntroductoryTo Challenging
5Days
Moderate
15Days
Introductory
7Days
Moderate to Challenging
8Days
Introductory to Moderate
The majority of the Otago Central Rail Trail is compacted gravel therefore cyclists need to be confident riding on uneven surfaces. The trail is wide, which means that you can be sociable and ride alongside others. There are some narrow cattle-stop grates, and “chicanes” (s-shaped safety gateways).
Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
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As a general rule, November to April are the most ideal months for cycling the Otago Central Rail Trail.
The temperature during the South Island summers range from 10-30 ºC, with a pleasant 40- 50% humidity. New Zealand’s weather can frequently change with amazing rapidity. Because the weather can change so unexpectedly you should be prepared for sudden changes in temperature and weather conditions. This basically means having a good waterproof jacket and some warm clothing. You don’t need to bring your winter wardrobe but a good fleece/jumper and good thermals are a must.
Come spring, the weather is starting to warm up, the flowers start to bring colour to the trail and there are less people around meaning uninterrupted views. – There is a higher chance of rain, however the spring flowers can often make up for that.
Summer is a great time to ride the trail. The trail is buzzing with people, the days are hot but not too hot for cycling and the daylight hours are longer meaning more time to explore.
Autumn is arguably one of the best times to ride the trail. Crisp sunny days, long fine spells of weather and cooler temperatures make for great riding conditions. The summer crowds have moved on and autumn shows its true colours as the changing leaves transform the landscape into a golden paradise.
New Zealand is +12 hours ahead of UTC/GMT
New Zealand has 3 official languages: English, Maori and New Zealand Sign Language.
New Zealand’s multi-ethnic society means that around 150 additional languages are spoken by different communities.
Maori language takes its roots from Eastern Polynesia, however, following settlement in New Zealand by Polynesian groups from the 13th century, Maori developed as a unique language distinct from other Polynesian languages. At the time of New Zealand’s 2013 Census, there were 148,395 Maori language speakers. Maori language is spoken mainly in the North Island, where the bulk of New Zealand’s Maori population resides.
New Zealand Dollar
There are opportunities to change money at banks during the tour or you may wish to change it when arriving at the airport.
In some of the rural areas that we visit there aren’t any banks and sometimes when there is a bank it could be shut when we arrive.
ATM machines are widespread throughout New Zealand, except when travelling through rural areas such as the West Coast.
Visa and Master card are the most widely accepted credit cards and we would recommend them for most expenses. American Express has limited use in NZ and it is only accepted in some centres.
A currency converter you may find helpful is www.xe.com.
+64
Electricity in New Zealand is 230 Volts, at 50 hertz. The most common pin type is I. (Aust - 3 flat prong).
Visas are not required for passport holders from the following countries visiting New Zealand for a stay of up to 3 months; Australia, Canada, United States, United Kingdom
However you should possess:
A passport that is valid for at least 3 months after your departure from New Zealand
An onward or return ticket to a country you have permission to enter
Sufficient money to support yourself during your stay
For all other nationalities and longer stays please contact the relevant embassy.
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Please refer to our Travel Advisory page for updates on recent events, travel warnings and advice.
We strongly recommend that all clients take out travel insurance at the time of booking to cover against sickness, accident, loss of baggage, unexpected alterations to travel arrangements and travel disruption, emergency evacuation, cancellations, etc. Insurance information is enclosed with your pre-departure information. Please contact us if you would like to obtain a quote for your trip duration.
We suggest that you consult your doctor, local government inoculation centre or a travel medical specialist in order to get the most current advice regarding vaccination requirements.
Money and valuables should always be stored safely when travelling. Keep your passport with you at all times and do not leave it in your main luggage. You will need it to change money and check into hotels. Where safety deposit boxes are available, we recommend that you use them. Keep jewellery and valuables to a minimum.