Otago Rail Trail and Clutha Gold Cycle Tour

Package Overview

Trip Highlights
Cycle all 150km of the iconic Otago Central Rail Trail
Take a journey on the stunning Taieri Gorge Railway from Middlemarch to Dunedin
Cycle alongside the idyllic Clutha River on purpose built cycle trails
Experience a scenic jet boat transfer down the Roxburgh Gorge
Visit the historic gold mining town of St Bathan's
Enjoy a local wine tasting at a Central Otago Winery
Try your hand at curling in Naseby (optional)

Trip Summary
This cycling journey combines one of the South Island's most popular cycling experiences, the Otago Central Rail Trail, with a stunning ride along the Clutha Gold Cycle Trail as well as time on the Roxburgh Gorge Trail, for a comprehensive exploration of the beautiful Otago region. Begin pedalling on the 150km vehicle-free Otago Central Rail Trail, a specially converted trail along the old Central Otago branch railway line from Clyde to Middlemarch, to discover the many small towns and abandoned gold diggings scattered along the trail as well as opportunities to meet some intriguing locals. Take a break from the bikes and board the spectacular Taieri Gorge Railway into Dunedin, one of the world's great train trips before returning to the saddle with rides on the Clutha Gold and Roxburgh Gorge Cycle Trails, starting near Gabriel's Gully, the historic sight of the first gold strike in Central Otago. Enjoy riding the purpose built cycle way, past farmland and fruit orchards, following the beautiful turquoise waters of the mighty Clutha River. Take a scenic jet boat ride on a section of the Roxburgh Gorge, before finishing with a celebratory wine tasting in one of the many award winning vineyards the Central Otago region has to offer.

Trip Grading
To determine the grade of a particular adventure we consider a number of factors. These include the condition of the terrain, the altitude, the number of pass crossings and the length of the trip. The Otago and Clutha Trails is graded introductory. You will need a reasonable level of fitness and we suggest 30 minutes of aerobic type exercise, (either cycling or jogging) three times a week for the three months leading up to your trip. The main factor for the rail trail is that the cycling is on hard packed gravel - if you can get in some cycling on gravel before your tour it will make the experience a lot more fun.International or domestic flights and taxes
Arrival and departure transfers
Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
All beverages, other than breakfast
Bike hire (including helmet)
Water bottle (help us save the environment and bring your own bike drink bottle)
Optional activities (eg. Curling, Wine Tasting)
Personal expenses (eg. phone calls, internet, laundry, shopping etc)
Travel insurance
Visa (if required)
Tips

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Day wise Itinerary

• Day 1 : Queenstown Pick-up, Begin Otago Rail Trail to Lauder

  Your guide will collect the group from a central city location around 8:00am and we will have a tour briefing. We will then set off with a scenic drive through to Clyde alongside the scenic river gorge. After we fit you to your bike it’s time to head out on our first ride on the Otago Central Rail Trail. You’ll cycle through flat rural countryside, passing through Alexandra and Chatto Creek before arriving in Omakau for lunch. After a drive around the quaint township of Ophir we continue to the top of the Raggedy Range to get a bird’s eye view of the trail and to enjoy the beauty of the surrounding countryside. The remaining 9kms will simply flow under the wheels as we make our way to Lauder. In the late afternoon we’ll transfer by our mini-bus to the historic gold mining village, St. Bathans, for a walk around the beautiful Blue Lake. In the evening there is time for a relaxing drink and a game of pool at the local pub before dinner. Cycling Distance: 44km / 27miles

• Day 2 : Cycle to Ranfurly, Optional Curling At Naseby

  Our second day of riding on the Otago Central Rail Trail will take you through historic tunnels and over rail bridges, built to connect Dunedin with Central Otago during the gold rush. With the willow tree-edged gorge below the trail and welcoming pools beckoning you will finally emerge into the scenic Idaburn valley, where we re-fuel with a hearty lunch at the cafe before our afternoon ride. The trail continues after lunch to its highest point and the beginning of the downhill descent that take us to the art deco township of Ranfurly. You’ll have some free time in the afternoon to relax and explore Ranfurly. Around 4:30pm we drive out to Naseby, a small foresting township, just off the trail, where you have the option to test your skills at curling: bowls on ice (own expense). This is a lot of fun and the Naseby facility is the only dedicated curling rink in the Southern Hemisphere. If curling doesn't appeal, a relaxing pint at the iconic Royal Hotel, or a walk around the village or in the forest plantation are alternatives. It’s then back to Ranfurly for dinner and overnight. Cycling Distance: 47km / 29miles

• Day 3 : Otago Rail Trail Concludes, Taieri Express Train to Dunedin

  Today will serve up our longest ride on the Otago Central Rail Trail, but it is also some of the best riding on 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 old hotel at Hyde. From here a final 27kms takes us past the scene of the 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 well deserved celebratory drink at a local cafe. The day is not finished just yet though. One of the highlights of our trip is a trip on board the famous Taieri Express for a spectacular train ride through the gorge to Dunedin, the ‘Edinburgh of New Zealand’. Tonight, we toast the group for completing the 150kms ride on the Otago Central Rail Trail. Cycling Distance: 60km / 37miles

• Day 4 : Begin Clutha Gold Cycle Trail, Overnight Lake Roxburgh

  The sensational cycling through the Otago region continues today with our first ride on the Clutha Gold Cycle Trail. We begin with a transfer to Lawrence, where we have the chance to explore this small historical and charming village, then hit the bikes for a gentle incline up to Big Tunnel Hill and its namesake, the 434m tunnel. After being rewarded with a gentle downhill into the small township of Beaumont, we’ll reach the swift turquoise waters of the Clutha Mata-au River, NZ's second longest river. After another 20kms of beautiful riverside cycling we arrive at the small farming town of Millers Flat. Here we load up the bikes and drive through to Lake Roxburgh Village and our lodge accommodation for the night. Cycling Distance: 42km / 26miles

• Day 5 : Cycle the Roxburgh Gorge Trail, Return to Queenstown

  From the lodge we drive the short distance back to Millers Flat where we start our final days riding on the Clutha Gold Cycle Trail. Today’s ride sees us squeezing past Dumbarton Rock, which once stretched all the way across the river, before riding past the network of orchards and rural farmland alongside the Clutha River back to Lake Roxburgh Village. We continue our journey onto Roxburgh Dam, the oldest Hydro Dam in the South Island, from where we connect with the final section of our ride, known as the Roxburgh Gorge Trail. The Roxburgh Gorge is a stunning landscape of steep hillsides strewn with giant boulders leading down to a willow-lined river and lake. Our final ride is split up with a scenic jet boat ride on the Clutha River before arriving in the town of Alexandra, where you can enjoy an afternoon wine tasting to celebrate the conclusion of your ride before travelling back to Queenstown. Trip concludes on arrival in Queenstown around 5.30-6:00pm when we will drop you off at a central city location. Cycling Distance: 31km /20miles

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Inclusions

• Hotel
• Sightseeing
• 4 breakfasts, 4 dinners
• 4 nights hotel/motel accommodation on twin share basis, mostly ensuite bathroom facilities
• Professional driver/guide
• 2 professional guides/drivers on trips with 8 or more people
• Private vehicle transport (except for Taieri Gorge train)
• Taieri Gorge Train trip to Dunedin
• Otago Central Rail Trail passport
• Scenic Jet boat ride on the Clutha River
• Water and snacks while cycling
• Access and concession fees paid to the Department of Conservation

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Exclusions

• International or domestic flights and taxes
• Arrival and departure transfers
• Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
• All beverages, other than breakfast
• Bike hire (including helmet)
• Water bottle (help us save the environment and bring your own bike drink bottle)
• Optional activities (eg. Curling, Wine Tasting)
• Personal expenses (eg. phone calls, internet, laundry, shopping etc)
• Travel insurance
• Visa (if required)
• Tips

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Terms & Conditions

Payment Terms & Methods :
* Some Advance Percentage of total booking amount
* Airfare/Transport fare to be paid full at one time in advance.

Cancellation & Refund Policy :
* Upon cancellation, refund will be made after deducting the Retention Amount.
* Retention Amount varies as per the number of days left before your package start date.

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This Tour is Offered by

Adventure South Ltd View Profile

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• Phillipstown, Christchurch, New Zealand - 8145
• XXXXXX1222 View Contact
• XXXXXXXXXX@adventuresouth.co.nz View Mail ID

About Adventure South Ltd

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