Otago Central Rail Trail

Today is International Women’s Day so as well as wishing you a "Happy Women's Day" we thought we'd reintroduce the current Otago Central Rail Trail Trust. The Trustees support gender equity, and facilitate an inclusive & diverse environment for women. From Left to Right Ken Gillespie from Oturehua, Colleen Hurd from Ophir, Daphne Hull (honorary & Life Trustee) from Alexandra, Kate Wilson (Chairperson) from Middlemarch & Sam Inder from Naseby. All are voluntary, & their work is supported by DOC, Trail Partners & two other (female) contractors not included here. The Trust Manager, Tania Murphy & Clare Toia-Bailey (Social Media). All love serving their community & get a huge kick out of hearing that you (male or female!) love exploring our back yard too via the Otago Central Rail Trail! To contact the Trust/Trustees email: hello@otagocentralrailtrail.co.nz To learn more about the work of the Trust: https://www.otagocentralrailtrail.co.nz/about/trail-trust/ image: Clare Toia-Bailey #ChooseToChallenge #IWD2021 #otagocentralrailtrail #nzoriginalgreatride

READ: Nice to read about Stuff's Travel journalist, Brooke Sabin in the area discovering the Central Otago Touring Route. He liken's it to the "Otago Central Rail Trail" for cars. We've got the walking, jogging, horse riding & cycling covered offering a gentle gradient trail that's mostly off road & stretches 152km from Middlemarch to Clyde. The things to see & do along the way whether you explore by trail or by road are shared opportunities to discover Central Otago / Otago #otagocentralrailtrail #nzoriginalgreatride #dunedinnz #centralotagonz #queenstownnz

READ: The recent stuff article which mentions Clyde (the start or finish of the Otago Central Rail Trail) as one of the small towns to visit in autumn... https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/destinations/nz/300234809/five-of-the-best-small-towns-to-visit-in-new-zealand-in-autumn?fbclid=IwAR1VL9JTJUCvCF0rVHYGIHL2eXFIQ8YjzfsJyNR_GahbYtePKDJ2rdPrOaA

Happiness is cycling the Otago Central Rail Trail... Planning: www.otagocentralrailtrail.co.nz #otagocentralrailtrail #nzoriginalgreatride 📸 via instagram @Physioonhand

Ever wondered about the wild animal life that you can see along the trail? It can range from pesky rabbits to soaring birds of prey. The Kārearea or NZ Falcon can often be seen near Poolburn Gorge. The Eastern Falcon that's found in the gorge lives in grasslands & is fast disappearing; however Central Otago is one of its more successful breeding areas* #otagocentralrailtrail #nzoriginalgreatride Credit: Don Lousley *From Steam Trains to Pedal Power - The Story of the Otago Central Rail Trail

BEFORE: Sheep farming was the economic base of many of the service towns that sprang up along the Otago Central Railway line. All 18 stations had stockyards. Omakau loaded out the largest numbers of sheep annually for many years. The image below shows Omakau stockyards & station area in Feb 1960. Credit: NZR Photographer. AFTER: 1) Rail trailers today enjoy cycling past the Oamkau Goods shed and where the railway station once was. You can stop and check out the Goods Shed & stamp your passport! Credit: Hannah Cameron Randall 2)Rail Trailers checking out the sheep in the Ida Valley near the trail. Credit: James Jubb #otagocentalrailtrail #nzoriginalgreatride

What are your plans for autumn? It's a very popular time on the trail during this season especially with Otago Anniversary next month (22 March) & Easter in 2- 6th April. The trail is always & open & if you're coming through the area enroute to other events eg Wanaka Show feel free to pop in :)! For accommodation or specific meals we always suggest to book in advance. More info & planning & events: https://www.otagocentralrailtrail.co.nz/ Credit: Tim Hawkins

UPDATE: Heads up there's a power outage in Middlemarch tomorrow, this will affect businesses like the Kissing Gate Cafe. So please note their changed opening hours from 7:30 am - 10:15 am tomorrow Weds, 24th Feb. (Outside these hours the nearest coffee/refreshment stop maybe Hyde/Waipiata.)

HISTORIC: It's 21 years & a few days since the whole trail opened... sections of the trail were officially opened as it happened but the whole trail opened in 2000. Here are the founding Trustees who were tasked with helping to raise funds to convert the railway line to a cycle trail. L - R (Hilary Calvert), Les Cleveland (Founding Chairman), Daphne Hull, Rt Hon Sir Michael Hardie Boys (Governor General), Lady Hardie Boys, John Gibson & Owen Graham (Trust CEO) taken at the official opening of the whole trail in 2000. It opened in 19-20th Feb 2000 by the Governor General Rt Hon Sir Michael Hardie Boys The rest is history more about NZ’s Original Great Ride here...https://www.otagocentralrailtrail.co.nz/about/nzs-original-great-ride/

We love seeing the 📸📸📸 by you ! These have been shared on instagram #otagocentralrailtrail recently. Keep ‘em coming & cycling....

Yipee! Whatever the level we are open. There's no better time to explore our trail. #otagocentralrailtrail #nzoriginalgreatride More info: https://www.otagocentralrailtrail.co.nz/ Image credit: James Jubb

READ: About Dr Lambrechtsen”s trip on the trail, thoroughly retold, we are super proud he’s 86 years young 👏 #otagocentralrailtrail #nzoriginalgreatride