Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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 contain-
ing old rail bridges, viaducts and tunnels.
With excellent trailside facilities (toilets, shelters and information), few hills, gob-
smacking scenery and profound remoteness, the trail attracts well over 25,000 vis-
itors 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 de-
tours 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 information,
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
country life.
Activities
Catering to riders on the Otago Central Rail Trail year-round, both of the following busi-
nesses have large depots on Middlemarch's main street and provide bike rental and logist-
