Planning a trip in winter?
If you are planning an Otago Central Rail Trail trip in June, July or August in order to enjoy the winter vistas of white mountains and blue skies...then do make sure you book accommodation in advance to ensure the service you need is available. While the trail remains open, some services are closed or have reduced hours for the winter. We are compiling a list of businesses that stay open all year round and will supply that online soon.
The Otago Central Rail Trail
The Much More Fun Trail
More accommodation, more history, more scenery, more to explore and much more fun for any age. Take your time; make the most of the shared pleasures of cycling the Otago Central Rail Trail. Meet fellow riders and Central Otago’s friendly people. Enjoy local food and famous Southern hospitality. This is the trail of discovery best enjoyed at a leisurely pace.
Otago Central Rail Trail Passport
Buy One Today
Just $10 buys you a quality souvenir and a lasting record of your achievement. Don’t forget to enquire whether your Rail Trail package includes one or more Passports when booking through a tour operator.
Read More and Order…
Otago Central Rail Trail
Scenery and History
Travel on the Otago Central Rail Trail, and you travel through 150km of Otago’s history. You’ll discover an untamed, natural environment, Otago’s harsh and daring past, and look in awe at the early engineering feats of the pioneers.
Get up close and personal with scenery, tunnels and bridges that once were the secret preserve of railway workers. The bridges are a virtual history of New Zealand railway bridge building; from the 1897 Capburn Bridge (Tiroiti) to the Prices Creek Bridge built 1961-63.
News & Updates
Due to the adverse weather conditions, the Trust’s Website and Social Media Workshops scheduled for Friday, 21 June 2013 has been postponed to Thursday, 11 July 2013.
For more information email facilitator@otagocentralrailtrailtrust.
Otago Central Rail Trail Surface Upgrade, Temporary Diversion between Daisybank & Ranfurly
Contractors are making a surface upgrade between Daisybank and Ranfurly. Part of which involves lowering a steep section next to the highway at Kokonga.
Last week’s wet weather caused difficulties for the contractor working on the Kokonga to Daisy Bank section and closing this section has become necessary. A temporary, signposted diversion goes along a paper road through Donald Carey’s property. (Trail users have not been diverted onto the State Highway).
For more updates, watch this space or e-mail the Otago Central Rail Trail Trust Facilitator.
Otago Central Rail Trail
Tours and Accommodation
The Otago Central Rail Trail is a Trail of choices. You can choose whether to do it yourself or you can choose one of the many tour operators to sort out your itinerary for you. You can choose to do it in three days or take a week. You can choose to stick with the Trail or take time to explore the gold mining history further afield. The choice is yours and this Website will help you make the right choices. Our Advice too, will help you have an enjoyable time…
For accommodation, you can choose to stay in a schoolhouse, 19th Century cottages, former historical commercial buildings and a wide variety of other types of accommodation. No matter whether you’re travelling with children, on your own, or in a group, you’ll find accommodation to suit.
Read More…
However, don’t take our word for it, read what others have to say.
“Something for Everyone - History and Scenery and Lots of Cool Cafe Stops!”
“The Central Otago Rail Trail is definitely worth a visit if you like riding a mountain bike. You don't have to own your own bike and you don't have to do all of the trail - you can hire equipment and there are small business operators who pick you up and drop you off at key entry points to the trail so you can do as little or as much as you wish…
Read more...
Otago Central Rail Trail Tour Operators and Accommodation
Otago Central Rail Trail businesses displaying the New Zealand Cycle Trail Official Partner logo meet minimum cycle-friendly standards. They provide a quality experience, high level of customer service for cyclists and prompt friendly service to all cyclists.
Their staff can provide first-hand knowledge of the Otago Central Rail Trail and explain how to get more information and maps of other local bike trails.
Cycle friendly accommodation will have made provision for securing bikes, a bike stand, basic tools, and/or know the contact details and opening hours of the nearest bike repair shop.
Click here for the New Zealand
Cycle Trail Official Partners…
FREE Official Otago Central
Rail Trail Leaflet
One of the handiest things you can take with you onto the Otago Central Rail Trail. Don’t wait until you arrive at the Trail though send away for it now.
Read more…