Otago Rail Trail Classic

Itinerary Details

1. Day 1Christchurch to Clyde

   Your adventure begins with the drive across the picturesque Canterbury Plains. After pausing for refreshments at the sweet country town of Geraldine, you'll continue through rolling farmland to reach Fairlie where you’ll stop for lunch.

   The scenic journey over Burke’s Pass is a fitting introduction to the famous Mackenzie Country, where Lake Tekapo soon appears as a bright, blue jewel. Hopping on your bike, you’ll warm up with an easy ride along peaceful hydro-canals lined with epic panoramas of the Southern Alps.

   Driving over the stunning Lindis Pass to reach Central Otago, you’ll arrive in Clyde. Enjoy a relaxing stroll around the old town before we meet up for our first group dinner.
   

   • 13.7 miles
   • Dunstan House, Clyde
   • Lunch and Dinner

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     Dunstan House, Clyde

     Charming lodgings await on this superb tour of the rail trail

2. Day 2Clyde to Lauder

   Leaving Clyde via the historic railway line, you’ll track across rural plains encircled by dramatic mountain ranges. Beyond the tiny settlement of Chatto Creek, the trail climbs gently before levelling off to reach the lunch stop, Omakau.

   You’ll then hop on the bus for the short detour to must-see Ophir township and the Raggedy Range lookout for a bird’s eye view of the region. Back on the bikes, it’s another 9km (6mi) of easy riding to reach Lauder.

   Late afternoon you’ll drive to St Bathans for a walk around the surreal Blue Lake formed during the 1800s gold days. Enjoy a game of pool or banter at the Lauder pub before tucking into a well-earned dinner.
   

   • 27.3 miles
   • Lauder School B&B
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

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     Lauder School B&B

     Experience atmospheric heritage accommodation along the route

3. Day 3Lauder to Ranfurly

   Today’s ride features the trip’s first tunnels and bridges as you trace the pretty Poolburn Gorge and head into the Idaburn Valley. You’ll stop at Hayes Engineering Works, a delightfully rustic heritage site, and Oturehua’s old-fashioned grocery store.

   After lunch, it’s a gentle climb to the rail trail’s highpoint, then a downhill roll to Ranfurly with its striking art deco architecture. Late afternoon, you’ll take the short drive to Naseby, a cute forestry town famous for its indoor curling rink. Here’s your chance to try ‘bowls on ice’ – it’s very addictive! Naseby is also terrific for a stroll or a sup at the old pub, both nice ways to wind down before you return to Ranfurly for dinner.
   

   • 29.2 miles
   • Hawkdun Lodge, Ranfurly
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
4. Day 4Ranfurly to Dunedin

   Today combines the trip’s biggest daily distance with some of its most fun riding. The trail tracks towards Waipiata then follows the edge of an old lake before entering the Taieri Gorge with yet more bridges and tunnels. It’s a flowing downhill run to the historic Hotel Hyde, a picturesque spot for a breather.

   From here, the final 27km takes in the poignant 1943 Hyde rail disaster memorial, then wends across rolling plains towards the trail’s end at Middlemarch. After a well-earned café lunch, you’ll board the support vehicle for the drive through to Dunedin where we‘ll celebrate our trip with a final group dinner.
   

   • 36.7 miles
   • Dunedin Palms Motel
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

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     Ride the Taieri Gorge Train

     At the end of the tour, journey to Dunedin on this spectacular journey

5. Day 5Dunedin to Christchurch

   After breakfast, you'll head off to ride alongside the Otago Harbour to Portobello. This ride takes you down the harbour, surrounded by volcanic hills on both sides, and home to nesting albatross, penguins, and seals, as well as the site of historic shipwrecks. You’ll get a closer look as you board the vessel ‘Sootychaser’ for a mini wildlife tour across to Port Chalmers. The Sootychaser is named after the Sooty shearwater, New Zealand’s muttonbird, and on our tour you’ll hear about history of the area, see the boats, make a detour to see harbour birds and Larnach Castle from a distance.

   From Port Chalmers, drive north stopping for a wander around the Victorian Precinct and portside park in Oamaru. After lunch we continue driving northwards across the Canterbury Plains, and on to Christchurch for a central city drop-off around 6pm.

   • 9.3 - 12.4 miles
   • Breakfast