Nestled along the Clutha River, the Roxburgh Gorge Trail is a fantastic way to get a glimpse of Central Otago’s natural history, stunning landscapes and gold mining heritage.
Cycle the full 34km trail from Alexandra to Lake Roxburgh Hydro Dam, taking the jet boat transfer between Doctors Point and Shingle Creek; or turn around at Doctor’s Point and return to Alexandra. Either way you’re sure to find this trail captivating from the moment you start riding.
The trail can be cycled year-round, but it really comes to life during Spring and April with Spring’s wild thyme and the golden colours of Autumn providing a striking contrast against the rocky landscapes.
In close proximity to the popular Otago Central Rail Trail and Clutha Gold Trail, you can easily extend your Roxburgh Gorge cycling holiday.
Join us on our Otago Rail Trail and Clutha Gold Cycle trip or talk to us about a customised itinerary. E-bikes available.
From
From IntroductoryTo Challenging
5Days
Moderate
8Days
Cyclists should be confident cycling on uneven surfaces and climbing some gentle hills. The trail is wide, which means that you can be sociable and ride alongside others.
Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
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As a general rule, November to April are the most ideal months for cycling the Roxburgh Gorge 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.
Crisp sunny days, long fine spells of weather and cooler temperatures make Autumn a great time to ride the trail. 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.
Your safety is our number one concern. Our safety track record is exemplary thanks to careful management and thorough consultation with local partners. Our industry leading risk management procedures have become a skill that we continue to refine. Our leaders in the field are highly trained and have safety as their number one priority. Expert leaders, risk assessments, quality inclusions and your financial security all come standard when you travel with us.
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.