5 Day Rail Trail Daily trip notes

A 5 Day – 4 Night cycle from Clyde to Middlemarch along the original Rail Trail. Steeped in history and with a constant easy gradient, it is a great way to view scenery not seen from the highway.

Trip highlights Cycle the historic Rail Trail. Spectacular views of Mt Cook and the Southern Alps. Explore the old gold mining town of Clyde. Cycle through tunnels and over rail bridges. Try your hand at ‘curling’ ‑ bowls on ice! Take a journey on the famous Train.

This tour is a combined tour with Natural High and Adventure South.

DAY 1 – Christchurch to Clyde DAY 2 – Clyde to Lauder DAY 3 – Lauder to Ranfurly DAY 4 – Ranfurly to DAY 5 – Dunedin to Christchurch

The trip Voted #2 ‘Must Do Adventure’ in the most recent edition of Lonely Planet’s New Zealand guide book, this adventure will have you cycling back in time to New Zealand’s rural past along a trail that has been specially converted for walkers, mountain bikers and horse riders - with no motor vehicles allowed! The Trail follows the old branch railway line from Clyde to Middlemarch, passing through many towns along the way. This trip is not just about the cycling but rather exploring the many small towns and abandoned gold diggings as well as meeting the locals. Along the way you can even try your hand

Natural High Tel 0800 444 144 - email: [email protected] - www.naturalhigh.co.nz at the ancient art of curling (bowls on ice). This trip starts in Queenstown and finishes in Christchurch. The adventure culminates with us enjoying one of the world’s great train trips on the spectacular Taieri Gorge Railway into Dunedin. This adventure is fully supported leaving you with no concerns about accommodation or luggage.

Day 1 Important: The night before your tour is to depart your guide will call your pre tour accommodation to advise what time (approx 7.15am) they will collect you the following morning. If you are not around when your guide calls they will leave a message at reception – it’s really important that you check with reception if you have not heard from your guide directly. If for any reason you have not heard from your guide by the morning of the tour please call us in the NZ office on 0800 00 11 66 (from within NZ). Once at our depot, we conduct a quick check of your bike or we’ll fit you on one of our fleet of rental bikes. We then load the bike trailer and aim to depart by 8am. We’ll pick up lunch on the way in Geraldine before we start our cycle programme with a quiet ride alongside the Tekapo canal system with spectacular views of Mt Cook and the Southern Alps. Crossing over the Lindis Pass we descend down to Cromwell and travel alongside the scenic river gorge before arriving at the railhead at Clyde. The rest of the afternoon will be free to explore this old gold mining town or there are other cycling options that your guide can advise you on. In the evening we have our first group dinner. Meals: D Road Cycling - 22kms/14 miles

Day 2 The Rail Trail riding starts today as we leave town across the flat rural countryside. From Chatto Creek the trail starts to rise before levelling off to where we stop for lunch. We take a drive around the quaint township of Ophir and to the top of the Raggedy Range to get a real bird’s eye view of the trail and the path that it takes. After lunch the remaining 9km flow under the wheels until we arrive at Lauder. Late afternoon we will take a drive to the historic gold mining village of St. Bathans for a walk around the beautiful blue lake. This evening it is time for a relaxing beer and a game of pool at the local pub before dinner. Meals: B, D Rail Trail Ride - 44 kms/27 miles

Day 3 Today we ride through the first two tunnels and two rail bridges on the trip. With the willow tree edged gorge below the trail and the welcoming pools beckoning we finally emerge into the scenic Idaburn valley. One last short easy climb takes us to the summit of the trail and the beginning of the downhill descent that take us to the art deco township of Ranfurly. We ride on to our accommodation before wandering downtown for lunch at a local café. You’ll have some free time in the afternoon to relax, stroll around Ranfurly or catch up on some washing! Around 4:30pm we drive out to Naseby – a small foresting township, just off the trail. Here you have the option of joining us in playing curling; if you can imagine bowls on ice then you are on the right track – it’s a lot of fun and is at the only dedicated curling rink in the Southern Hemisphere. If curling isn’t your thing then you can still come out to Naseby with us and enjoy a relaxing pint at the iconic Royal Hotel, walk around town or in the forest plantation. After the afternoons activities we head back to Ranfurly for dinner and our nights accommodation.

Meals: B, D Rail Trail Ride - 47 kms/29 miles

Day 4 It’s out of bed and back onto the bikes for our longest ride today, but it is some of the best riding on the trip. From 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 lovely café at the old hotel at Hyde. From here a final 27kms takes us past the scene of the famous 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 celebratory drink at the ‘Kissing Gate Café’. However the day is not yet finished and if time allows we will visit the local “Stone Sheep Yards” before boarding the famous Taieri Express for a spectacular ride through the gorge described as one of the world’s great train journeys. The journey is included in your tour cost. We travel into

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Dunedin, the Edinburgh of the south. Our dinner tonight is in the form of a group celebration at a classic Italian restaurant to acknowledge the 150kms of Rail Trail riding. Meals: B, D Rail Trail Ride - 59 kms/37 miles

Taieri Express – A trip not to be missed! The 58kms of rail travel into Dunedin is rated as one of the world’s great rail trips. The 2 hour route traverses the Taieri gorge travelling across high iron viaducts and tunnels. (Note from Geoff – “As an aside, in my youth I scaffolded and sandblasted the main viaduct, which involved travelling this route on a daily basis!”) All trains feature heritage carriages and you may have a viewing carriage on your trip, which provides even better panoramas. The train arrives at the historic Dunedin railway station at 6.30pm in time for a transfer to our accommodation.

Day 5 We can ride some more today as we head north to Oamaru, leaving behind those who wish to finish in Dunedin. Before we depart Dunedin though, our first stop is Baldwin Street, reputedly the “steepest street in the world”, for a short but challenging early morning stroll! Then depending on time, the weather and what the group wants to do we will pop into the famous Fluer’s café in the picturesque Moreaki Village for a coffee. Or onto Moeraki Boulders – we might even be able to do both! From here we commence the final quiet 24km coastal ride, along the cliff tops and past farms, that takes us into Oamaru. Here in the old warehouse quarter the early buildings are being restored creating a fascinating opportunity to explore the past as you relax at a local cafe. Back on the road again we drive across the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch where we will deliver you to your chosen accommodation. Trip concludes on arrival (approx 6:00 pm). Coastal Rides - approx 24kms/15 miles Meals: B

KEY - B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner

Information

Included in trip cost  All breakfasts (excluding day 1) and 4 dinners  Great guide and transport during the Christchurch to Christchurch loop  Taieri Gorge train trip  Accommodation as detailed on a twin share basis with shared bathroom facilities  Access and Concession fees to the Department of Conservation land  NZ Goods and Service Tax (GST) of 15%  Otago Central Rail passport, which contributes funds to the Rail Trail trust

Not included  Arrival and Departure transfers  Meals not mentioned in itinerary - 5 lunches – we stop at cafes along the way  Personal expenses  Alcoholic and soft drinks with meals  Bike hire (including helmet)  Optional activities e.g. Curling in Naseby  Gratuities. (Tipping is not expected in NZ. It is at your discretion whether or not to reward for excellent service)

Natural High Tel 0800 444 144 - email: [email protected] - www.naturalhigh.co.nz

Pre & Post trip accommodation

If you are seeking a room before or after your tour, the following are our recommendations. Natural High has negotiated very competitive room rates and if you wish we can arrange the booking for you.

Accommodation Providers

Pavilions Hotel 42 Papanui Road, Christchurch Ph: 03 355 5633 Fax: 03 355 3554

Chateau on the Park 189 Deans Ave, Christchurch Ph: 03 348 8999 Fax: 03 348 8990

Optional start in Queenstown or finish in Dunedin.

This tour is designed so that you can start in Queenstown on Day 1 or finish in Dunedin on Day 5. Please contact us to confirm.

Accommodation and meals

The accommodation for this trip has been carefully selected to provide comfort and value in the best locations possible. The accommodation is in character lodgings on a twin share basis. If you wish to reserve a room to yourself, there will be a single supplement charge. Note: On nights 1, 2 and 3 accommodation is in double/twin rooms with shared bathroom facilities, on night 4 all rooms have private en-suites. A limited number of rooms with private bathrooms are available on the first three nights as an upgrade option at an extra cost. Please ask for a quote if you would like to take this option.

Equipment

Bicycles

You are welcome to bring your own bike on this tour. It must be a sturdy hybrid or mountain bike suitable for riding on an unpaved trail. Please ensure your bike has been serviced and is in good condition before bringing it on the tour. You will also need to carry two water bottles during the mid-summer season. If you wish to rent a bike, we can offer a 27-speed hybrid bike with front suspension providing a more upright riding position and with 38mm tyres. We ask clients to supply details of their height at the time of booking to allow us to allocate correct size frame.

As part of our cycle safety policy our bikes have side flags, which create space on the road and bright rear reflectors. We believe in “Be Safe – Be Seen”.

Note – we supply Helmets, Saddles & Pedals on our bikes but you may wish to bring your own for your personal comfort. We also have available for sale bright cycling vests and rear-vision mirrors. You also may like to bring your own mirrors but these should attach to your helmet or glasses, not to the bike.

Natural High Tel 0800 444 144 - email: [email protected] - www.naturalhigh.co.nz

Gear List The weather in New Zealand is often changeable, and due to the nature of the trip involved, you will need to have suitable clothing for a wide range of conditions. The following is a recommended list:  Tee shirt and shorts  Cycle pants and gloves (recommended but optional)  Highly visible/bright cycle clothing for increased safety on our roads  Long sleeved lightweight top or shirt  Lightweight woolen jumper or fleece  Windproof shell  Rainwear - top and pants  Socks and underwear  Suitable cycle footwear  Lightweight trekking / hiking boots or footwear for walks  Personal toilet gear, towel, sun cream and lip balm  Swimsuit for the brave and hardy  Insect repellent  Camera and film  Casual evening clothing  Small day bag for walks

Note – this region has both the hottest & coldest temperatures in New Zealand. Be prepared for very hot conditions in our mid-summer (Jan/Feb) & a wide variance of temperatures at other times.

Safety All adventures, no matter how modest, involve an element of risk - that is their nature. However throughout the holiday, safety is always a most important consideration. Only reputable, experienced and safety conscious operators are used for the specialist adventure activities, and your widely experienced guides undertakes all the activities with the group. This means there is always a high level of skilled support.

Health and fitness This is an active holiday so you need to be fit and in good health. If you are taking medication please let your guide know. Fitness is difficult to define. However as a general rule you should be able to comfortably cycle for up to 3 - 4 hours a day, on some uneven ground and with some uphill. If you don’t do a lot of physical activity we would recommend you set yourself a program starting with short cycles of say half an hour a day and gradually building up to 3 - 4 longer cycles each week, including some uphill. The secret is to start slowly, and increase your exercise gradually. The fitter you are the more enjoyable your trip will be.

Travel insurance We strongly urge you take travel insurance to cover cancellation and curtailment, baggage loss or damage, medical expenses, emergency travel, repatriation and personal accident.

Changing money There are plenty of opportunities to change money at banks during the tour. ATM machines are readily available, credit cards are accepted in most places and some of the hotels will change travellers cheques.

Smoking on tour In New Zealand we have a non-smoking policy in all indoor public areas (restaurants, bars). When travelling, there are plenty of opportunities during stops.

Natural High Tel 0800 444 144 - email: [email protected] - www.naturalhigh.co.nz

Voltage

New Zealand operates on a 230 volt (AC) main supply. The plugs are either 2 or 3 flattened prongs. Check if you need a universal plug adapter.

Culture

The Maori are the indigenous Polynesians of New Zealand and they account for approximately 13% of the population. The rest of the population is predominantly Europeans/pakeha (meaning white person). Due to a recent awareness and revival of Maori culture, most New Zealanders now accept they are part of a distinctly bicultural community. Culture and cultural activities are an important part of the New Zealand way of life. They are reflected in our museums, libraries, on Maraes (meeting place for Maori people), and through activities such as music, theatre, books, films, paintings, pottery, crafts etc.

Luggage

We recommend you pack your luggage in a soft sports bag for easy stowing in the trailer. We urge you to keep your luggage to a minimum. If you have extra luggage you do not require for your holiday we can easily arrange to have it stored until the end of the trip.

New Zealand

Some interesting facts about New Zealand  New Zealand is similar in size to the UK, Japan and the state of California  Population is 4 million  English is spoken by 95% of the population. However there are some English words that have a specific New Zealand meaning  Largest city - Auckland approximately 1.5 million. The capital, Wellington has a population of 331,100  New Zealand’s landscape is a mixture of flat land, rolling hill country and mountains. There are 360 glaciers in the Southern Alps, the largest, the Tasman Glacier is 29 km long  New Zealand has 7 universities and 25 polytechnics  New Zealand was the first country in the world to give women the vote in 1883  Apart from a small native bat, New Zealand has no native mammals  Parrots - New Zealand has the only flightless parrot in the world - the kakapo, and the only mountain parrot - the kea  There are 49.5 million sheep in New Zealand (that’s 14 to every person)  The Kiwi, a flightless bird, is a national symbol. It is also the name used to refer to New Zealanders.

Weather

New Zealand enjoys a sub-tropical maritime climate, i.e. a climate with few extremes. However the weather can be changeable. Maximum mid-summer temperatures range from 12°-25°C (65°- 77°F) with January and February being the warmest months. The temperatures are cooler in the mountain regions and it does rain at times especially on the West Coast. A good waterproof parka or anorak as well as rain-pants are crucial. Fortunately the weather rolls through quickly and often the next day is stunningly clear! Occasionally however weather conditions on the land may prevent us from completing a scheduled activity. The decision to alter the itinerary is made in the best interest of the group and its safety, and alternative plans are made.

Natural High Tel 0800 444 144 - email: [email protected] - www.naturalhigh.co.nz

Bibliography

‘A History of New Zealand’ - Keith Sinclair (Penguin Books) - an in depth read of NZ history

‘The Story of New Zealand’ - Bassett, Sinclair & Stenson ( Reed) - a quick light read - ‘The Native Trees of New Zealand’ - J.T Salmon. (Reed) - for interested botanists

‘Natural History of New Zealand’ - Nic Bishop (Hodder & Stoughton) - coverage of NZ fauna / flora by zone.

‘The Natural World of New Zealand’ - Gerald Hutching (Viking) - the reference book used by guides!

‘Cycling New Zealand’ – Lonely Planet publications - the bible for cycle touring in NZ

Natural High Tel 0800 444 144 - email: [email protected] - www.naturalhigh.co.nz