CENTRAL RAIL TRAIL CLYDE MIDDLEMARCH 1-5 DAYS 150km

OTAGO Trail Info CENTRAL Rail Trail 1-5 Days Steeped in history, this pioneering cycle trail 150km to do some exploring off the trail. If offers a 150km scenic journey into the Central you’re after a shorter ride, there are Otago heartland. numerous townships located along the trail where you can start or end your TRAIL GRADES: amed after the old railway There are over 20 townships located on ride. As a well-established cycle trail, CLYDE TO ALEXANDRA line, built between 1891 and off the trail. Take the opportunity to there are plenty of places to stop for ALEXANDRA TO CHATTO CREEK and 1907, the Otago meet the locals with their still-present refreshments and accommodation. N CHATTO CREEK TO Central Rail Trail is ’s pioneering spirit and take detours The climate is OMAKAU TO LAUDER original ‘Great Ride’. and side trips to places such as old characterised by hot summers, cold abandoned gold diggings left over from LAUDER TO It travels through big-sky country where winters and low rainfall. The autumn the gold rush and the country’s only OTUREHUA TO WEDDERBURN cyclists traverse ever-changing dry and landscape is renowned in these parts international curling rink. WEDDERBURN TO RANFURLY rocky landscapes, high-country sheep for the kaleidoscope of browns, golds RANFURLY TO stations, spectacular river gorges, You should allow at least four full days and reds. You can experience four WAIPIATA TO KOKONGA TO tunnels and viaducts. to bike the trail – more if you want seasons in one day, so be prepared! TIROITI TO HYDE HYDE TO MIDDLEMARCH LOOK OUT FOR... - ALL GRADE 1 (EASIEST) Alexandra Activities Breathtaking Views MOBILE PHONE COVERAGE: Coverage is good in the open plains Alexandra is the heart of the Central well as exploring by bike, you can walk This is a journey of varied and distinctive but limited to non-existent in the Otago region. An area of contrasts, not alongside or cruise the , landscapes. Stop and take in the magical gorges and tunnels, and limited least its distinct marvel at the hillside clock, check out the scenery along the way, including views sometimes during bad weather. seasons, this is a historical Shaky Bridge, fi sh for trout on of Alexandra, the Gorge, the beautiful place the Clutha and Manuherikia rivers, visit Plains and the . DRINKING WATER: Please buy to visit any time the museum or the Tailings water as many local schemes have of the year and Historic Reserve, take a wine-tasting limited capacity and are funded Main Image: Cycling there’s plenty to tour and have fun at the outdoor ice rink © Otago Central Rail Trail Trust locally. see and do. As (during winter) or at the aquatic centre. LEFT: The historic Shaky Bridge, Alexandra

121 Clyde Alexandra Omakau Oturehua Ranfurly Hyde Middlemarch OTAGO CENTRAL RAIL TRAIL

8km 29km 28km 26km 32km 28km

Manuherikia River Idaburn ge n OTUREHUA a Summit 618m Naseby R n a t Wedderburn s Ida Bu n Lauder rn Ida Valley u rn 85 oolbu Gorge to Cromwell D P OMAKAU e g d Lak 8 i RANFURLY e D R

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Dam R N Tiroiti

ALEXANDRA ge HYDE n MAP LEGEND a R r open section i-SITE Visitor Centre a er 8 ll iv i i R optional route town r P ie d Rock and Pillar Ta heritage train ride café/restaurant n a

start / fi nish point toilets k c 87 o Ngapuna

point of interest accommodation R r ve bridge 1 state highway to Lawrence Ri

ha MIDDLEMARCH t © AA Traveller 2015 lu C RIDING THE TRAIL Wedderburn to Ranfurly, “I spent 5 days biking the Historic Otago Central Hotel, Hyde © davidwallphoto.com 14km rail trail with friends and Easy riding east across the open Maniototo we had an absolute blast. Plain to the second biggest service town on the trail. Consider a diversion to Naseby to try We were sad to be getting indoor curling or mountain bike tracks. off our bikes at the end, Ranfurly to Waipiata, 8km despite not being very fi t to Easy downhill ride to small rural township start with...” with hotel and some accommodation. Great Jeff Miller, fl y fi shing available in the . Travel Agent at Mondo Travel Waipiata to Kokonga to Tiroiti to Hyde, 24km Clyde to Alexandra, 8km Chatto Creek, which also has New Zealand’s Lauder to Oturehua, 21km The trail now leaves the Maniototo through Make sure you visit the historic Clyde township smallest operating post offi ce. There is a gentle rise north into the Poolburn the upper , following the river. before you start at the railhead for the trail. Gorge with its two tunnels. Then it is a Chatto Creek to Omakau, Kokonga and Tiroiti have accommodation This section is fl at and a good way to get straight ride up the Ida Valley past historic 12km available and some nice picnic sites. Flat, settled in the saddle. The main feature is the Hayes Engineering. Oturehua boasts Gilchrists Ride up Tiger Hill on a sweeping rise crossing easy riding with a viaduct and tunnel makes wooden Muttontown Viaduct. The trail is a general store, that is still set out as it was 100 the state highway twice. Enjoy the views and this section a perfect one-day taste-tester. couple of kilometres from the retail and service years ago, and a hotel. the ganger shed information boards along the Hyde has a café, accommodation and fuel. part of Alexandra so if you need to shop there way. Then you have a straight descent into Oturehua to Wedderburn, Hyde to Middlemarch, do allow time. Alexandra is the largest town Omakau, a town with most services. A side 12km on the trail and is fully serviced. 28km trip to historic Ophir and the 1880 suspension Immediately you are offered a diversion An easy downhill ride south, unless a Alexandra to Chatto Creek, bridge is worth the additional few kilometres. to Golden Progress Mine where there are southerly is blowing, into the 17km gold-mining remains and a stamper battery. Omakau to Lauder, 7km valley. The is on your Heading north, this section follows the Then it is a slow climb out of the Ida Valley to Past newly established dairy farms and more right. The end of the trail is also the terminus which fl ows south to join the highest point of the trail before you start intense irrigation, Lauder has accommodation, for the Taieri Gorge Railway. A walk around the mighty Clutha. The trail traverses the swinging east into the Maniototo. Wedderburn a hotel and a café. It also has a NIWA weather New Zealand’s only inland salt lake to the farming area of Galloway and is completed has pub food and accommodation. A popular base. south of the valley is a nice time-fi ller. at New Zealand’s best small hotel (2013) at diversion is to St Bathans.

122 races, built back in the 1860s to OTAGO CENTRAL RAIL TRAIL bring water to the long-gone gold mines. Steam trains chugged along this railway line for 83 years, but once the roads were improved and the gold rush was long over, the line was offi cially closed in 1990 and the railway tracks removed, leaving a long, relatively fl at path through Central Otago.

Nowadays, the Department of Conservation and the Otago Central Rail Trail Trust manage the trail, and there is no charge for using it.

As you ride along it you’ll see countless reminders of the railway and associated gold rush, including RIDING THROUGH HISTORY long, dark tunnels, trestle and stone bridges, abandoned gold diggings Immerse yourself in the The was in 1907. It truly is a testament to and remains of mining machinery, old once an economic lifeline for the human endeavour – the detailed history and romance of stone and mudbrick dwellings and Central Otago region. Built to connect workmanship of the stone bridges the Otago railway and preserved gold-mining settlements. gold rush. with Central Otago, a thriving and tunnel facings along the trail gold-mining area, the track took 16 have stood the test of time and the Cycling the Otago Central Rail Trail years to complete and was fi nished mountains still bear scars of the © Tourism Central Otago

Alexandra Clyde after Princess Alexandra of Denmark • 191km NW of Dunedin after a Scottish general • 221km NW of Dunedin

• Ideal start/fi nish point for Otago Central Rail Trail & Alexandra Holiday Park Roxburgh Gorge Trail • 7 self-contained Riverside Location 1 & 2-bedroom units • Groups welcome. Ask about the • Short stroll to Clyde’s well-known eateries and bars complex (sleeps 30 - 5 brms) in the historic precinct • 400 power sites • Continental breakfast buffet in • Cabins & tourist flats Schist stable (Oct-Apr) • Heated ablution block in winter • FREE bike & car storage on site

56 Sunderland St, Clyde CENTRAL OTAGO P: 03 449 2709 E: [email protected] Manuherikia Rd (PO Box 7), Alexandra www.alexandraholidaypark.com Ph: 03 448 8297 email: [email protected] FREEPHONE: 0800 99 22 66 • www.antiquelodgemotel.co.nz

CALL 0800 BIKE NOW 23 Holloway Street, Clyde Ph: 03 449 2228 Email: [email protected] (245 366) www.bikeitnow.co.nz or BOOK ONLINE 1800 446 356 AUS FREEPHONE

OFFERING PACKAGES & BIKE HIRE FOR: Otago Central Rail Trail Roxburgh Gorge Trail Clutha Gold Trail BIKE IT NOW! CLYDE, CENTRAL OTAGO Quotes from Clients: • Top quality bike hire • Half-day to multi-day hires ALSO OFFERING FANTASTIC “PROFESSIONAL/FAULTLESS!!” Guided High Country & Single Track MTB Tours • Bike Tours • Itinerary planning Neil Robertson - Australia • Transport • Bike repairs • E Bikes “BIKE IT NOW Otago Rail Trail • Bike Retail (Avanti, Scott and Raleigh) 10 out of 10” 88 Centennial Avenue, Alexandra Paul Harmer - Auckland Tel: 03 448 8917 • Mob: 021 456 918 • Email: [email protected] • Otago Central Rail Trail, Roxburgh Gorge & Clutha “Superb Service from BIKE Gold Trails IT NOW!” www.altitude bikes.co.nz The Personal Touch because it is “All about you!” John Holstein - Australia 123 OTAGO CENTRAL RAIL TRAIL

Cnr Pery & Reade Sts, Ranfurly Ph: 0800 726 387 OPHIR 0800 RANFURLY • www.ranfurlyholidaypark.co.nz holds the record for NZ’s coldest temperature at -22ºC Spring blossom

THE GOLD The region is alive with colour in WAS DISCOVERED AT spring as blossom trees in full bloom 5 studio motels, 2 accessible 1-brm motel units, 9 cabins, power & tent sites in sheltered CLUTHA surrounds. Central location for Rail Trail, walk to supermarket and restaurants, fi shing, GABRIEL’S dot the landscape – an amazing sight! golfi ng, art deco, curling, 4WD and hunting. FREE WiFi in motels. Book on our website. MATA-AU GULLY Tariff: tent sites $30, cabins $56, motels $110-$135 (2 persons). Peak rates may apply. in1861 RIVER is

338KM The LONG ART Historic Ranfurly Hotel DECO Hotel Built in 1934 Art Deco Era THE ROCK AND PILLAR RANGE’S HIGHEST POINT Living in the Maniototo IS 1450M The Maniototo Plain has been the inspiration for works by painter Grahame Sydney, writer Janet Frame and poet James K Baxter.

10 Charlemont St, PO Box 12, Ranfurly • Ph: 03 444 9140 • Fax: 03 444 9142 Ranfurly Email: [email protected] • www.ranfurlyhotel.co.nz after Governor of NZ 1897-1904 • 134km NW of Dunedin on SH 85 RANFURLY MOTELS Rail TrailOtago 100m

Spacious ground-fl oor serviced family & studio units (full kitchens) in quiet, park-like grounds. Breakfast available. Heating, electric blankets, guest laundry. Winter ice skating, curling rink. Golf course. Free WiFi. Tariff: $110-$130 www.ranfurlymotels.co.nz Ph: 0800 100 559 wedderburn cottages

• Complement your Central Otago Rail Trail journey. • Customised tours of Naseby curling, Ranfurly Museum, gold panning, fi shing, tussock adventure. • Modern four-wheel-drive vehicle or • Comfortable 1928 farm homestead & 14 attractive, self-contained nine-seater van. cottages + miners huts • 9-hole golf course • Professional, reliable guides with • On Central Otago Rail Trail. Under the Hawkdun Range, personalised service. surrounded by stunning farmland/tussock landscape • Visit the Red Barn for water, toilets, shade, coffee and information. www.offtrailtours.co.nz 45 Dungannon St, Ranfurly, CENTRAL OTAGO Ph: 03 444 9194 • Mob: 027 268 9194 • E: [email protected] P: 03 444 9127 • E: [email protected] www.wedderburncottages.co.nz 124 On the Otago Central Rail Trail © Otago Central Rail Trail Trust Ophir, a short detour from the trail, has OTAGO CENTRAL RAIL TRAIL LEFT, TOP: Spring blossom, Central Otago many great historical buildings, such as © Tourism Central Otago LEFT, BELOW: SH85 near Oturehua, Maniototo the Ophir Post Offi ce. In St Bathans, a detour at Lauder, check out the reputedly haunted Vulcan Hotel and the stunning Blue Lake with its glaring white cliffs.

Aside from curling, at Naseby you can mountain bike the Naseby Forest or visit the Naseby Luge, the fi rst snow and ice luge track in the southern hemisphere.

From the trail’s end at Middlemarch, a great option is to take a ride on the Taieri Gorge Railway. You’ll pass breathtaking scenery before arriving at the architecturally striking .

The huge marble-like boulders strewn Located 23km from the start of the trail along the beach at Moeraki are a sight SHORTCUTS & DETOURS at Clyde, Cromwell is ‘the fruit bowl of to behold and are best seen at low tide. the south’ and is a growing town set in a They were formed over millions of years rocky, barren landscape. Visit a vineyard by a layering process similar to the The Otago Central Rail Trail covers a the region as you can. From short and sample the region’s famous pinot formation of oyster pearls. Palmerston decent chunk of Central Otago, but detours to nearby towns to adding noir, learn about the gold-mining history has heritage trails and a butterfl y and in such a varied and interesting area a train ride to the end of your cycle at Goldfi elds Mine, visit the Cromwell it’s well worth exploring as much of journey, the options are endless. bird haven. For a great view, climb Heritage Precinct and marvel at the Puketapu, the sacred hill that overlooks beautiful . the town. Middlemarch after a creek that formed a boundary (march) • 77km NW of Dunedin Dunedin Gaelic name for Edinburgh, Scotland • 283km E of Queenstown

315 George St, Dunedin Phone: 03 477 9929 Fax: 03 477 9939 Email: [email protected]

Dunedin City Centre Location FREE WiFi

Reservations: 0800 387 638

• Luxury hidden in the heart of the city, 26 luxury suites. • Shops, café culture and fi ne dining only metres away. • Super comfortable beds, free inner city parking, 50+ Sky channels, very spacious. • Stay in comfort, elegance and style. Mosgiel • Tariff: from $160. www.eurodunedin.co.nz after Robbie Burns’ farm Mossgeil • 17km W of Dunedin on SH 87 MOSGIEL REGENCY MOTEL You’re assured of cleanliness, friendliness and true southern hospitality • 16 well-appointed clean, FREE ULTRA FAST comfortable spacious Very spacious units ground-floor units BROADBAND surrounding quiet courtyard parking • Suitable for family, business or leisure travellers • Close to Dunedin International Airport • Hotspot WIFI Owners: Bronwyn & Gary BOOKINGS: 0800 162 162 • www.mosgielregency.co.nz 50 Gordon Road, Mosgiel l P: 03 489 4711 l F: 03 489 4434 | E: [email protected] 125 Dunedin Railway Station © Tourism Dunedin OTAGO CENTRAL RAIL TRAIL DUNEDIN CITY CENTRE LOCATION, 7min WALK TO OCTAGON DUNEDIN

• 27 superbly appointed units 185-195 High St, • Choice of studio, 1, 2-brm units, some with spa baths Dunedin • Sophisticated luxurious decor P: 03 477 8293 • Perfect location close to City Centre, Casino & Restaurants F: 03 477 8298 • Ultrafast Broadband & Wireless Internet available E: [email protected] Tariff: $155-$260 www.dunedinpalmsmotel.co.nz for 2 persons, extra $20 Book on these channels for best rates: Reservations 0800 (782 938)

Harington Point Motel Dunedin is often said to be the The heart of the city, the Octogan, • Closest motel to albatross, best-preserved Victorian and is lined with St Paul’s Cathedral, penguin & seal colonies S Edwardian heritage city in the the Dunedin Public Art Gallery, plus • Self-contained individual 1, 2 & 3-brm cottages set out on 1.6ha T southern hemisphere – you will restaurants, cafés and bars. Eco- • Beach (and sea lions) 400m X feel like you have stepped back in tourism in Dunedin is fl ourishing with • Yellow-eyed penguin reserve 600m Z time. Present-day Dunedin is a city easy access to diverse wildlife. The • Dunedin 35min \ of culture and education and home natural environment, in particular • Tariff: $120-$180 (2 persons), to one of New Zealand’s largest Otago Peninsula, supports seals, sea extra person $25 6 universities, the University of Otago. lions, yellow-eyed penguins and the Bursting with vitality, the more than northern royal albatross. Local tour 25,000 students give this city its operators will take you to the best 932 Harington Point Rd, Otago Peninsula, Dunedin Harington Ph: 03 478 0287 Fax: 03 478 0089 Point Village distinctive culture. viewing spots. Motel Email: [email protected] www.haringtonpointmotels.co.nz

Law Courts Hotel • Central city, close to Octagon, Forsyth Barr Stadium, hospital, Cadbury, university, railway station. • Ample parking. • Licensed restaurant, open 7 days. • Bar, gaming room. • Sky Sports in bar. • 24 rooms with ensuites. • Free WiFi • Tariff: $85 (single), $120 (twin/ double), $25 extra person. • Cooked or continental breakfast available. Situated downtown Dunedin, close to bars, cafés, restaurants, 65 Stuart St, Dunedin movie theatres, art gallery, settlers museum, brewery, casino, Ph: 03 477 8036 • Fax: 03 477 8654 Chinese Garden, Cadbury World and main shopping area. Email: [email protected] STUART ST

www.lawcourtshotel.co.nz T CUMBERLAND HE 200m from railway station. Pick-up/drop-off point for tours. OCT AGON Law Courts Easy walking distance to Forsyth Barr stadium. Hotel DUNBAR ST Facilities include bar, lounge, writing area, laundry, internet, message centre, access room, luggage storage, off-street parking and 24hr check-in. FREE internet. Hotel: single/twin/double rooms, suites, units, dorm rooms

Gorge yourself Tariff: Dorm $30 Single $100 Taieri Gorge Railway is the perfect Double/Twin $110-$130 way to start or finish your adventure Executive $170 on the Otago Central Rail Trail. And your bicycle can travel on the train with you. Book now.

www.dunedinhotel.co.nz

www.dunedinrailways.co.nz phone 03-477-4449

126 OTAGO CENTRAL RAIL TRAIL things to do... Classic southern hospitality is evident alongside the trail, with over 20 townships on or just off the trail.

Clyde has many buildings preserved from the gold-rush era in its historic precinct. Visit the museum and the controversial – the largest concrete gravity dam in New Zealand. Oturehua has a heritage trail where you can visit the historic Hayes Engineering Works – a great example of Kiwi ingenuity. At nearby Wedderburn you can visit the goods shed made famous by a Grahame Sydney painting. Ranfurly is known as New Zealand’s rural art deco town because of its 1930s-style architecture. The focal point of the town is the refurbished railway station housing the information centre. Curling With its welcoming hotel, historic buildings and gift shop, Hyde is a good place to take a break. The ancient sport of curling is still A farming community, Middlemarch is alive and well in Naseby, New at the foot of the Rock and Pillar Range, Zealand’s home of this time-honoured which is ideal for skiing in winter. Visit sport. It’s a bit like lawn bowls on ice the museum, check out New Zealand’s – and is great fun! Try it at Maniototo only salt-water lake, play a round of Curling International in Naseby. golf, fi sh the Taieri River and see historic ALONGSIDE THE TRAIL buildings such as Middlemarch Station.

Moeraki ABOVE: Wedderburn Tavern - Otago Central Rail Trail daytime sleep • 74km NE of Dunedin RIGHT: Curling, Naseby. Both © Tourism Central Otago

• Stunning views & beach frontage • Motel units, tourist flats, cabins, bunkroom (8 people) Stay with us at MOERAKI on your cycle trail journey • Modern facilities, power points & tent sites • WiFi available • Close to penguins, seals, restaurants • Tariff $60-$140 (2 persons), tent/power sites $32

114 Haven St, Moeraki, Otago • Ph/Fax: 03 439 4759 Email: [email protected] www.moerakivillageholidaypark.co.nz At Woodlands our spacious motels Hosts: Kristina & Robbie Mitchell and apartments will make your stay in Dunedin enjoyable. Centrally located PalmerstonP l adjacent to the Otago University and after British PM • 53km NE of Dunedin Dunedin Hospital, close to the city’s retail shops, restaurants and cafes. 56 Tiverton St Easy walking distance to Forsyth Palmerston, Otago Barr Stadium. Self-contained 1 and PioneerPioneer MotelsMotels Ph: 03 465 1234 2-bedroom units (1 to 8 persons). Full kitchen, on-site laundry. GS: Free internet. Off-street parking. TZ[ Adjacent to KFC, McDonald’s, pizza outlets and supermarkets. Guest BBQ & playground. Tariff: $120-$180 (2 persons), extra person $25. 594 Great King Street, PO Box 112, Dunedin, NZ Situated 200m from town centre. 40min from Dunedin or Oamaru & gateway to Tel : 03 477 0270, Fax: 03 477 0282 Central Otago • 10 comfortable, clean, ground-fl oor units (each sleeps up to 4) Email: [email protected], • Kennel facilities • WiFi, Freeview TV & continental breakfast available Web: www.motel594.co.nz • 15min to Moeraki Boulders • Tariff: $80-$120 (for 1-2 persons), extra $20 Freephone: 0508 594 594 Email: [email protected] • www.pioneermotelsotago.co.nz

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