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Short Breaks for Women
Cycling the Otago Rail Trail
The Otago Central Rail Trail is a classic New Zealand bike trip which follows an old removed railway line through stunning South Island scenery - we ride 3.5 to 4.5 hours a day. All your bags are transported and a cosy bed and a cool drink in a historic country pub await you each evening. It's not a race, but it is fun!
Dates: 8-12 November 2010, 7-11 February 2011 (4 days, 4 nights)
Meeting point: Queenstown or Dunedin
Price: NZ$1355
Everything included (bikes, meals, accommodation, guide, transport, excursions, Taieri Gorge train, transport at the start of the tour from either Queenstown or Dunedin) except for the evening meal on the first night and the last day lunch before the excursion train. Twin share accommodation in small hotels and lodges.
Highlights:
-Meeting colourful locals and tasting wonderful local food.
-Visiting historic gold mining sites, and in the evenings we take sidetrips to explore the historic gold mining towns of St Bathan's and Naseby.
-Try your hand at the ancient sport of curling, or sample a farm tour. We also visit NZs largest goldmine at Macraes Flat.
-At the end of your adventure you have the option of returning to Queenstown or travelling on the historic Taieri Gorge Railway to Dunedin.
Your 4 day rail trail experience starts with bus pickup from Queenstown the day prior to setting off on your tour with a get together at our base in Clyde. We introduce you to your cycle and make sure of the right size etc. Your accommodation at Clyde is supplied as bed & breakfast, twin/share. Clyde has a great range of eating places all within walking distance of your accommodation
Day 1
Clyde to Omakau 36 km
Your adventure starts from the base at Clyde. This is an easy days ride past vineyards and a wooden trestle bridge on the ride to Alexandra. Your lunch stop will be the historic stone Chatto Creek Hotel which has a reputation for excellent cuisine. From Chatto Creek you cycle up a gentle incline of 1 in 50m of Tiger Hill. From this point it's all down hill to Omakau where you will overnight at Tiger Hill Lodge. We visit Ophir an old gold mining village with an interesting post office and historic suspension bridge. From Omakau there is a short bus trip to St Bathans gold mining town. In the afternoon returning to the Omakau hotel for your evening meal.
Day 2
Omakau to Wedderburn 45 km
Highlights of todays adventure are a ride through the Poolburn Gorge section, featuring two tunnels and two viaducts all set in a secluded rocky gorge. Just before lunch you visit the Historic Places Trust, Hayes Engineering Workshop and visit the historic General Store at Oturehua. Lunch at the Oturehua Hotel then a short ride to the historic Golden Progress Mine. Accommodation is at Wedderburn Lodge B&B. There are two options in the afternoon; a farm tour or a short bus ride to Naseby to try your hand at the sport of curling. In the evening you dine at the Wedderburn Hotel.
Day 3
Wedderburn to Hyde 43 km
Wedderburn is just past the highest point on the trail, so today we ride mostly down hill to Ranfurly, the Art Deco Capital of Otago. Lunch is at the Waipiata Tavern. After lunch the days highlight is a lovely trail section between Daisybank and Hyde with the Taieri River close by, followed by the last tunnel on the trail.
Day 4
Hyde to Middlemarch 29 km
Just a short ride today and slightly downhill, past the site of New Zealand's second-largest rail disaster, then on to Middlemarch the end of your Rail Trail Adventure. It is then time for those traveling to Dunedin to board the Taieri Gorge Train or return to Queenstown by bus.
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