Lake Dunstan & Otago Rail Trail

Name: Lake Dunstan & Otago Rail Trail
Brand: Trail Journeys
SKU: TJDO
Rating: 4.93 (28 reviews)

Sunny day on Lake Dunstan | Will Nelson

Cyclists riding the board walk | Will Nelson

Debby and friends soaking in the end of their Rail Trail Journey | Debby Wong

Cycle over the stunning Poolburn Viaduct | Lachlan Gardiner

Friends enjoying the scenery | James Jubb

Review Debbie Lattey TJDO | Debbie Lattey

Start your Otago Central Rail Trail Trip with breakfast and great coffee! | Lachlan Gardiner

The sport of Curling in Naseby | Lachlan Gardiner

Plum Tree Cottage - Clyde | Lachlan Gardiner

Sunny day on Lake Dunstan | Will Nelson

Cyclists riding the board walk | Will Nelson

Debby and friends soaking in the end of their Rail Trail Journey | Debby Wong

Cycle over the stunning Poolburn Viaduct | Lachlan Gardiner

Friends enjoying the scenery | James Jubb

Review Debbie Lattey TJDO | Debbie Lattey

Start your Otago Central Rail Trail Trip with breakfast and great coffee! | Lachlan Gardiner

The sport of Curling in Naseby | Lachlan Gardiner

Plum Tree Cottage - Clyde | Lachlan Gardiner

Introductory to Moderate

Traveller Rating

Activities

5 days self guided cycling

Accommodation

4 nights comfort level accommodation on a twin share basis, ensuited where available
Superior and economy levels available

Meals

4 Breakfasts

Price

5 daysfrom

$1530NZD

View all pricing

View Inclusions

Trip Code: TJDO

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Trip highlights

Visit the vineyards of Bannockburn
Ride the stunning Cromwell Gorge - the most popular part of the trail
Cycle the full 152km Otago Central Rail Trail at a leisurely pace over 4 days
Explore the tunnels and viaducts of the Poolburn Gorge and Ida Valley
Ride through the scenic Maniototo Plains
Experience the local 'southern hospitality' of Central Otago

Combine the new Lake Dunstan Trail with the iconic Otago Central Rail trail on this 5 day self-guided trip.

From Cromwell you'll head through the wine-country of Bannockburn before heading through the stunning Cromwell Gorge featuring swing bridges and 'clip-on' trails.

You'll then head out on the Rail Trail, exploring the tunnels and viaducts as you enjoy local hospitality and weave your way to Middlemarch. Extra activities such as curling in Naseby, Historic Hayes and a wine tour fit perfectly into this slower paced itinerary.

We'll move your luggage each day, book the best suited accommodation and transport you where you need to be. All you need to do is pedal and unwind from everyday life.

Scroll down to view the full itinerary, select your dates and fill out our booking form (please note this is tentative).

Itinerary

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Day 1
Lake Dunstan Trail: Cycle - 40km

A morning briefing and bike fitting at our Highlands depot in Cromwell, or our Clyde depot, will get you set for your first day of cycling on the Lake Dunstan Trail. You can meet us there or you can add on a shuttle from Queenstown. Cycle through the Bannockburn wine-country before heading through the breathtaking Cromwell Gorge along the Clutha/Mata-au River to Clyde, stopping at the coffee boat along the way (if it's there). Stay the night in Clyde.

Meals: Nil

Day 2
Clyde to Omakau or Lauder: Cycle 37km - 44km

After breakfast, it's time to start your ride on the Otago Central Rail Trail. After 8km you'll reach Alexandra, a great place to stop for a coffee and a cheese roll. You'll then head towards Chatto Creek where the tavern serves an excellent lunch and is a recommended stop before Tiger Hill. The gradient is steady but easy, and then it is downhill to your overnight accommodation. The 5km loop to Ophir is highly recommended, with historic wooden and stone buildings from the gold-mining era and the iconic suspension bridge. Stay the night in Omakau, Ophir or Lauder depending on your preference and accommodation availability.

Meals: B

Day 3
Omakau or Lauder to Wedderburn: Cycle 24km - 31km

Today you'll cycle through the stunning Poolburn Gorge. This section features historic tunnels and viaducts in a secluded rocky setting. The gorge then opens out to the vast expanse of the Ida Valley. A tour of Historic Hayes is popular among our cyclists and is a great spot for lunch, as is the settlement of Oturehua just further down the road. Stay the night in Wedderburn.

Meals: B

Day 4
Wedderburn to Waipiata, Kokonga or Hyde: Cycle 21km - 46km

This morning is a great time to go curling at the famous Naseby Indoor Curling Rink Cycle (add to your itinerary) before cycling through Ranfurly and across the Maniototo Plains to Waipiata. Stay the night in Waipiata, or continue cycling through to Kokonga or Hyde depending on your preference and accommodation availability.

Meals: B

Day 5
Waipiata, Kokonga or Hyde to Middlemarch: Cycle 52km - 27km

Your last day on the trail passes the site of the 1943 Hyde railway disaster and down through the wide-open spaces of the Strath Taieri Valley and the impressive Rock and Pillar Range. The ride is downhill to the end of the trail at our Middlemarch Depot where you return your bike and equipment and catch your transport back to Clyde, departing 2:30 pm.

Meals: B

Inclusions

What's included

Standard bike hire for 5 days including helmet, repair kit and odometer (e-bike upgrade available)
4 nights' comfort accommodation on twin share basis, ensuited where available
Transport from Middlemarch to Clyde at the end of your trip (Transport to/from Queenstown can be added)
4 x breakfasts
Daily Luggage transfers (weight limit of 15kg per bag, 1 bag per person)
Detailed trip itinerary and map
Otago Central Rail Trail Passport
Haehaeata National Heritage and Lake Dunstan Trail Trust Donations

What's not included

Extra transport (e.g. to/from Queenstown or Dunedin)
Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
Optional activities and upgrades
Personal expenses
Travel insurance

Bike information

Electric Bike

E-bikes have made cycle touring possible and pleasurable for a wide range of people. They are simple to operate, and eliminate much of the cycling strain from legs and knees. Our European-designed E-bikes are built with comfort and ease of operation in mind, and feature unisex frames, 29” wheels, front suspension and proven Bosch electronics.

Standard Trail Bike

Our trail bikes are ideal for the Otago Central Rail Trail and other similar gravel trails. They feature an upright riding position, front suspension and a gel seat for maximum comfort. With their Australasian-designed Avanti frames and proven Shimano and Tektro componentry, these bikes ensure the best possible riding experience.

Low Step Trail Bike

Our low-step trail bikes are ideal for the Otago Central Rail Trail and other similar gravel trails. They feature an upright riding position, front suspension, swept back handlebars and a gel seat for maximum comfort, and a low-step frame to make getting on and off easy. With their Australasian-designed Avanti frames and proven Shimano and Tektro componentry, these bikes ensure the best possible riding experience.

Children's Bikes & Trailers

Small bikes, with 20” wheels (single speed) or 24” wheels (seven gears, twist shift).

Child’s seat – Fitted in place of a carrier on one of our trail bikes.

Tow bike – Not available for Lake Dunstan Trail due to narrow trails.

Child’s trailer – Not available for Lake Dunstan Trail due to narrow trails.

Please note the Lake Dunstan Trail is only recommended for children who are experienced riders.

Mountain Bike

Traditional mountain bikes are the bike of choice for more challenging terrain, or for those riders who prefer a more ‘aggressive’ riding position. Our mountain bikes feature 29” or 27.5” wheels, hydraulic disc brakes and front suspension.

Trail Surface

Compacted Gravel 99%

The majority of the Lake Dunstan Trail and Otago Central Rail Trail is compacted gravel. The Lake Dunstan Trail has mostly wide trails with some narrow sections that you'll need to be confident riding. The Otago Central Rail trail has wide trails throughout with some cattle-stop grates and "chicanes" (s-shaped safety gateways) to navigate.

Accommodation

Comfort Accommodation (Included)

Comfort accommodation is the perfect option for those looking for a clean, simple and comfortable way to enjoy their cycling holiday. Almost all locations will include ensuite facilities. These are a mix of motels, B&Bs, lodges and cottages.

Superior Accommodation

A level above, superior accommodation oozes quality, comfort and character for you to indulge in at the end of a day’s cycling. Rooms include ensuited facilities and are a mix of motels, lodges, cottages and farmstays.

As the Otago Central Rail Trail is situated in a remote area of New Zealand, there is limited availability for superior accommodation in some locations.

Economy Accommodation

Economy accomodation is for those looking for a clean, basic no frills style accommodation. They are a mix of ensuited rooms and shared bathroom facilities. Economy level accommodation can be added to your trip as a discount - based on availability.

Add on a Night

Additional nights at the start or end of your trip can be added onto any package, just ask us.

Suggested extensions

Highlands Power Hour, Museum or Taxi

Cycle around a world class motorsport track, visit the on site Car Museum or experience the thrill of a fast lap around the track in their 'Taxi'.

Curling - Naseby Ice Rink

Forget the professionals - Indoor Curling is a lot easier than it looks and is a fun activity for the whole family. The Naseby Indoor Curling Rink, which is open all year round, offers a cool retreat on a hot Central Otago summer day.

Hayes Engineering Works

Add on a Haye's Engineering Works tour of the workshop and homestead of Ernest and Hannah Hayes, 19th-century pioneers whose resourcefulness, skill and determination define the spirit of 'Kiwi ingenuity'.

Wine Tour

Book a private and relaxing wine tour to some of our local Otago winegrowers. The Otago region is the world’s southern most commercial wine growing region and famous worldwide for our Pinot Noir.

There are a number of quality vineyards to choose from, some with views that will take your breath away. Our team can help you plan your itinerary so that you can include a visit - and a tasting - at one of our Otago vineyards.

St Bathans and Cambrian Tour

Immerse yourself in the history and stunning scenery of St Bathans and Cambrian. St Bathans was settled mainly by the Irish seeking their fortunes on the goldfields and you can still enjoy a beer at the old and haunted Vulcan Hotel. Cambrian, where the Welsh came to mine gold and coal, has a number of surviving historic buildings preserved by Central Otago's dry climate. Cambrian is also home to New Zealand artist Grahame Sydney who has captured many of Central Otago's iconic landscapes in his painting and photography.

Grading

Introductory to Moderate
4

The 5 day Lake Dunstan and Rail Trail is graded Introductory to Moderate. The Lake Dustan trail has a mix of introductory and moderate trails that include some narrow, hilly and remote sections with some tight turns. If you are not a regular cyclist or are worried about these features, we recommend practicing riding on similar features at home before your trip. The Otago Central Rail Trail is wide with a gentle gradient. You'll need to be comfortable riding 30-45km over 5 days. The more training you have done on compacted gravel, the more enjoyable your trip will be. E-bikes are also suitable as long as they are ridden appropriately and have sufficient battery capacity.

Departure dates

Departs daily

Notes

Note:

All bookings are tentative. Our team will do their best to get back to you within 48 hours to confirm your booking. If your preferred date is within 48 hours please contact our office

Note:

Due to the rural location of the Otago Central Rail Trail, our superior upgrade offers a higher level of lodgings at locations where available.

Want to organise a customised tour?

School groups, friends, family trips, corporate events and even making the trail accessible for everyone. Learn how you can organise a Customised Tour with Trail Journeys.

Priceper person from

$1530NZD

Options & Supplements*

Transport from Queenstown to Clyde (return) - MIN 2 PaxNZD$170
eBike Upgrade (subject to availability)NZD$300
Transport from Queenstown to Clyde (return) - MIN 3 PaxNZD$140

*Prices listed are per person and also from

Videos

Otago Central Rail Trail Highlights

Trip reviews

Why travel with us

First On The Trail

Trail Journeys is the largest and longest serving bike hire business on the Otago Central Rail Trail. We have helped more cyclists explore our region since the trail opened in 2000 than any other company.

EXPERT LOCAL ADVICE

Our team is passionate about the Central Otago Region and their extensive knowledge and experience means you get the very best advice - every time. We will help you tailor the right cycling itinerary for your needs.

Quality services

Expect first-class and flexible support both on and off the trail. With regular bag, passenger and bike transport services, expert cycle mechanics and experienced consultants, enjoy a stress free cycling trip with Trail Journeys.