Itinerary
- Day 1
Queenstown to Omakau/Ophir
You'll start with an 8am pickup in Queenstown and head by private vehicle to Clyde, which takes around 1.5 hours. Once there, get fitted with your Trek Roscoe 7 bike and hit the famous Otago Rail Trail. The ride covers about 13km past vineyards, over an old wooden trestle bridge, and along the Clutha River Track to Alexandra. After resting in this historic gold rush town, you'll continue cycling through Chatto Creek and over Tiger Hill before heading downhill to Omakau/Ophir for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided bike ride on Otago Rail Trail from Clyde to Omakau/Ophir
- Bike fitting at Clyde
- Cycling past vineyards and along Clutha River Track
- Cross old wooden trestle bridge
- Visit Alexandra gold rush-era town
Optional Activities
- Bungee jumping in Queenstown
- Mountain biking in Queenstown
- Kayaking in Queenstown
- Rafting in Queenstown
- Helicopter rides in Queenstown
- Jet boating in Queenstown
- Paragliding in Queenstown
- Dinner and locally-brewed Dark Horse beer or cider at Commercial Hotel in Omakau/Ophir
Landmarks/POIs Otago Rail Trail Kawarau River Clyde Clutha River Alexandra - Day 2
Omakau/Ophir to Wedderburn
Today takes you through the scenic Poolburn Gorge with two tunnels and two viaducts. You'll pedal through Ida Valley farmlands and pass Idaburn Dam, which is one of New Zealand's few outdoor curling sites, then visit Hayes Historic Engineering Works. Stop for lunch at Oturehua Tavern and continue north to the Golden Progress Mine. After climbing to the trail's highest point, you'll roll into Wedderburn for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at Oturehua Tavern)
Included Activities
- Guided bike ride through Poolburn Gorge
- Cycling through two tunnels and two viaducts
- Pass Idaburn Dam
- Visit Hayes Historic Engineering Works
- Ride to Golden Progress Mine
- Climb to highest point of Otago Rail Trail
Optional Activities
- Traditional farm-style meal at Wedderburn Tavern in the evening
Landmarks/POIs Poolburn Gorge Idaburn Dam Hayes Historic Engineering Works Golden Progress Mine - Day 3
Wedderburn to Ranfurly
This is a shorter 23 kilometre day, mostly downhill from Wedderburn to Ranfurly, Otago's Art Deco capital. You'll have morning tea and time to explore this small, eclectic town, then cross the Maniototo Plains. This area is further from the sea than anywhere else in New Zealand, with flat plains giving way to snow-capped mountains on the horizon, and it's Lord of the Rings country.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided bike ride from Wedderburn to Ranfurly
- Explore Ranfurly Art Deco town
- Cycling across Maniototo Plains
Landmarks/POIs Ranfurly Maniototo Plains - Day 4
Ranfurly to Middlemarch
You'll cycle approximately 55 kilometres with views of the Rock and Pillar Ranges. Start by riding alongside the Taieri River, New Zealand's fourth-longest, cross the historic Capburn Bridge and Price's Creek Viaduct, and pedal through tunnels including the famous Daisybank tunnel. Stop at the Hyde Railway Disaster Memorial for a moment, grab a morning snack along the way, then arrive in Middlemarch. After lunch locally or at Maggies Ice Cream shop, you'll transfer by vehicle for about 3 hours back to Queenstown where your trip ends.
Included Activities
- Guided bike ride through Rock and Pillar Ranges
- Cycling alongside Taieri River
- Cross historic Capburn Bridge
- Cross Price's Creek Viaduct
- Ride through Daisybank tunnel and other tunnels
- Visit Hyde Railway Disaster Memorial
- Transfer from Middlemarch to Queenstown
Optional Activities
- Lunch at local eatery in Middlemarch
- Ice cream at Maggies Ice Cream shop in Middlemarch
Landmarks/POIs Rock and Pillar Ranges Taieri River Capburn Bridge Price's Creek Viaduct Daisybank tunnel Hyde Railway Disaster Memorial Middlemarch
