Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
CENTRAL OTAGO
Rolling hills that turn from green to gold in the relentless summer sun provide a backdrop
to a succession of tiny, charming gold-rush towns where rugged, laconic 'Southern Man'
types can be seen propping up the bar in lost-in-time pubs. As well as being one of the
country's top wine regions, there are fantastic opportunities for those on two wheels,
whether mountain biking along old gold-mining trails or traversing the district on the
Otago Central Rail Trail.
OTAGO CENTRAL RAIL TRAIL
Stretching from Dunedin to Clyde, the Central Otago rail branch linked small, inland goldfield towns with the big
city from the early 20th century through to the 1990s. After the 150km stretch from Middlemarch to Clyde was
permanently closed, the rails were ripped up and the trail resurfaced. The result is a year-round mainly gravel trail
that takes bikers, walkers and horseback riders along a historic route containing old rail bridges, viaducts and tun-
nels.
With excellent trailside facilities (toilets, shelters and information), few hills, gob-smacking scenery and pro-
found remoteness, the trail attracts well over 25,000 visitors annually. March is the busiest time, when there are so
many city slickers on the track that you might have to wait 30 minutes at cafes en route for a panini. Consider
September for a quieter ride.
The trail can be followed in either direction. The entire trail takes approximately four to five days to complete by
bike (or a week on foot), but you can obviously choose to do as short or long a stretch as suits your plans. There are
also easy detours to towns such as Naseby and St Bathans.
Mountain bikes can be rented in Dunedin, Middlemarch, Alexandra and Clyde. Any of the area's i-SITEs can
provide detailed information. See
www.otagocentralrailtrail.co.nz
and
www.otagorailtrail.co.nz
for track informa-
tion, recommended timings, accommodation options and tour companies.
Due to the popularity of the trail, a whole raft of sleeping and eating options have sprung up in remote locales en
route, although some stops are still poorly served.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Middlemarch & Around
POP 156
With the Rock & Pillar Range as an impressive backdrop, the small town of
Middlemarch
(
www.middlemarch.co.nz
)
is the terminus of the Taieri Gorge Railway, and also one end of the
Otago Central Rail Trail. It's famous in NZ for the Middlemarch Singles Ball (held across
Easter in odd-numbered years), where southern men gather to entice city gals to the coun-
try life.
