Otago Central Rail Trail

What does this gorgeous shot of the Omakau Goods shed and our amazing night sky have to do with a toilet? Well this image adorns the new toilets in Omakau just a short cycle or walk from the Goods shed. There are DOC toilets along the trail and we do recommend you bring your own loo paper especially in peak season (summer months). However, if you can hold on to Omakau do check out Victoria Bowman Photography night sky capture on the toilets. Links to her website below if you want to check out more of her work. & autumn

Some trail icons beautifully captured by Graham Young. The Omakau goods shed & Ida Valley Gangers Shed.

Did you get to enjoy the Spoke ‘n’ Word Tour? If not, stay tuned as they filmed their tour. In the meantime enjoy some of their wonderful images...

If you've travelled on Air New Zealand this month, you may have read the feature in Kia Ora magazine about one of our local Operators - The Lord Clyde. For other accommodation options for all budgets check out the Official Trail Website: https://www.otagocentralrailtrail.co.nz/plan/accommodation/

Have you purchased your rail trail passport? It’s a handy pocket sized book that you can stamp where there were stations along the Trail. There's a little bit of info about the trail and is a great momento of your trip. All profits go back to the Otago Central Rail Trail Trust so it can continue to fund trail enhancements. Usually available from DOC in Alexandra or all great Operators along the trail. More passport info: https://www.otagocentralrailtrail.co.nz/plan/riding-independently/ Credit: Clare Toia-Bailey

Earlier this week the Otago Central Rail Trail Trust meet for its 25th AGM at the Royal Hotel in Naseby. The voluntary Trustees that live in towns along the trail from left - right: - Colleen Hurd from Ophir - Ken Gillespie from Oturehua - Kate Wilson (Chair) from Middlemarch, and - Sam Inder from Nasby *Daphne Hull, Honorary and Life Trustee not pictured from Alexandra. The Trust has pioneered the trail's establishment, the inspiration behind all of NZ's Great Rides. They're all set to continue with the support of their contractors & partners to make your trip an amazing experience! Start planning here: https://www.otagocentralrailtrail.co.nz/plan/ Credit: Clare Toia-Bailey

Where do you want to be this weekend? Exploring our amazing backyard by bike? Creating great memories with friends? We love seeing your images, don't forget to tag us :) #otagocentralrailtrail #nzoriginalgreatride #DoSomethingNewNZ #GOweekNZ

The Otago Central Rail Trail Trust together with reps from the Central Otago Department of Conservation had a special meeting earlier this week. They celebrated a milestone & marked the occasion with a quick but delicious lunch at the Royal Hotel in Naseby. An example of some the yummy dining options along the trail. (More about that meeting soon!) ps All lunches are paid by the Trustees so all trust funds go back into trail enhancements. Credit: Clare Toia-Bailey More about the Trust here: https://www.otagocentralrailtrail.co.nz/about/trail-trust/

According to this article we are ‘brilliantly conceived’ and an easy ‘roll’ being a former railway line ... added to that we think we are a ‘must-do’ again and again :)

EVENT: Don't miss out on the the rail:lines a spoke'n'word tour of the Otago Central Rail Trail. Laura & Liz together are e-biking the trail stopping for poem shows at Clyde, Ophir, Oturehua, Ranfurly and Middlemarch from November 20th - 24th. They will be collaborating with some others along the way including Brian Turner. Buy your tickets ahead via eventfinda or at the door...

This week is 'Get Outdoors Week' and is all about safely and easily exploring New Zealand's great outdoors and runs this year from 14-22 of November. There's no better time to enjoy the Otago Central Rail Trail, open all year round, relatively flat and mostly off road. The trail is 152km long stretching across stunning Otago countryside giving you ample opportunity to safely connect and enjoy the outdoors by foot, bike or horse. For more on Get Outdoors Week - www.getoutdoorsweek.co.nz #GOWeekNZ For more about the Trail- www.otagocentralrailtrail.co.nz Image: A family cycles across Manuherekia No 1 Bridge in Poolburn Gorge 📸 James Jubb

READ: Chris Ord from Tourism Recreation & Conservation outlines how Rail Trails are a powerful tool in (re)connecting the community and energising local economies. The Otago Central Rail Trail, NZ's original Great Ride! is central to the story & provides a wonderful example/evidence of this... #otagocentralrailtrail #nzoriginalgreatride