Otago Central Rail Trail

Do you enjoy wine? Double the enjoyment and cycle the trail. We have amazing local wines available the length of the trail. You can enjoy tastings at the cellar door from Queenstown through to Alexandra. You may need too book ahead... https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/experiences/cycling-holidays/300326676/new-zealands-best-cycle-trails-for-wine-lovers

Great opportunity for Central Otago locals...

Some pics via instagram of the 40th & final Brass Monkey Rally function at Oturehua, close to the rail trail, this weekend. If you are/were in the area you probably would have seen some of the attendees. The iconic hills in the background are the majestic Hawkduns which also frame the trail & are visible throughout the Maniototo. 📸 1 Tourism Property Brokers Ltd 2 & 3 Andy Woods Photography

Talofa lava (hello to you in Samoan), happy riding this long weekend, keep warm and please share your pics with us! Fa (good bye) for now.... #OtagoCentralRailTrail #nzoriginalgreatride More about: https://www.otagocentralrailtrail.co.nz/

HISTORIC: Hyde Railway Disaster 4 June 1943 Before the trail was NZ's original Great Ride it served as an important railway line connecting Central Otago to Dunedin - the Otago Central Railway. On this date (4 June) in 1943 the Hyde railway disaster occurred. The Cromwell–Dunedin express, travelling at speed, derailed while rounding a curve near Hyde. Twenty-one of the 113 passengers on board were killed and 47 injured in what was then New Zealand’s worst rail accident. More info: https://www.railtales.nz/strawcutting image: Today, rail trailers can visit a memorial near the rail trail not far from where the accident occurred. Credit: Tim Hawkins

If you are around the trail this weekend, be warned there will be plenty of bikers of a different kind enjoying the 40th and final Brass Monkey gathering in Oturehua. It has usually been held annually, on a local farmers land who happens to be a Trustee too, Ken Gillespie. Not into motorbikes ? Then perhaps enjoy some of the many dining establishments along the trail.... More about the Brass Monkey Rally: http://www.brassmonkeyrally.org.nz/http://www.brassmonkeyrally.org.nz/ Trail friendly dining options: https://www.otagocentralrailtrail.co.nz/ride/restaurants-cafes-and-wine-in-central-otago/

The Trust is supportive of options to extend the trail between Hindon & Middlemarch, and undertaking a feasibility study to consider the merits of extending the trail to Dunedin...

TRUST UPDATE: Last week the Trust undertook it's annual inspection of the trail with the the land owners - the Department of Conservation (DOC). This usually involves the Trail Manager, Tania Murphy & a couple of the volunteer Trustees driving the length of the trail with DOC staff. Together, they review the trails condition - such as the water tables, culverts, and discuss priorities for work programmes for next year. The Trust Managers assessment - given the traffic this season is.. "it's in pretty good condition...." Thank you DOC & our volunteer Trustees for undertaking this important piece of work to help us give you a Great Ride! Interested in supporting trail development you can here: https://givealittle.co.nz/org/OCRTTrust image credit: Ken Gillespie

We welcome families on trail & there are a plethora of things to see & do along the way to entertain everyone.

Beautiful evening light & 'warm' conditions along the rail trail near Omakau tonight. The trail is looking very rideable and is open all year round :) More about Omakau here: https://www.otagocentralrailtrail.co.nz/explore/trail-places/omakau/

HISTORIC: Prior to being a cycling & walking trail the Otago Central Rail Trail operated as the Otago Central Railway. The image below is taken 17 May 1991 of the train engine known as the Pink Panther with a demolition train in Poolburn Gorge. Credit: DLA Turner in Over the Garden Wall - The Story of the Otago Central Railway

Making the most of the last of the Autumn rays near the trail. A beautiful capture of St Bathans Lake by @jamessyoung via instagram. A must do stop along the trail. More about St Bathans https://www.otagocentralrailtrail.co.nz/explore/trail-places/st-bathans/ #otagocentralrailtrail #nzoriginalgreatride