Otago Central Rail Trail

If you're lucky enough to be cycling on the trail this coming weekend be sure to allow time to check out some of the festivities at the Alexandra Blossom Festival 25th - 27th Sept. The regions iconic event is on and has something for everyone.... More info: http://www.blossom.co.nz/ Credit: image central

Stunning spring cycling along the trail today, Manuherekia No 1 Bridge and the Manuherekia awa. There are variations of the meaning of Manuherekia - "including tied here, bird tethered here" #otagocentralrailtrail #nzoriginalgreatride Copyright: Adrian Morgan / Image central

As this week is Te Wiki o te Reo Māori (Māori Language week) some Maori place names along our makenu (trail)...their meaning & sound Kokonga - means ‘bend’ or ‘corner’, probably because the river takes a bend here at the northern foot of the Rock and Pillar Range From: nzhistory.govt.nz Sounds like: Ko - kow ko - kow nga - nah Ōmakau - means “Belonging to Husband & Wife” From nzhistory.govt.nz Sounds like: O - or ma - maa koh - koh Ōtūrēhua - means “Place Where the Summer Star Stands Still” From: nzhistory.govt.nz Sounds like: O - or tu - to re - ree hu - who a - a Waipīata - means "clear water" From nzhistory.govt.nz Sounds like: Wai - why pi - pee a - ahh ta - ta More info on our trail places: https://www.otagocentralrailtrail.co.nz/explore/trail-places/

As this week is Te Wiki o te Reo Māori (Māori Language week) a few key words relevant for our makenu (trail)... Bicycle/Bike: pahikara* Sounds like: pa - pie hi - he kara - cara Helmet: pōtae mārō* Sounds like: pō - paw tae - tie mā - ma rō - ro Trail: makenu* Sounds like: ma - maa ke - ken nu - u *From https://maoridictionary.co.nz/ Image: A cyclist near Omakau pronounced (Or-maa-koh) on the Otago Central Rail Trail Credit: Hannah Cameron Randall

Some gorgeous pics from instagram. We love seeing your images - thanks for sharing :) #otagocentralrailtrail #nzoriginalgreatride

It's a busy week this week starting with National Clean up week 7-13 Sept. We love keeping an immaculate trail, the Department of Conservation & local communities & neighbours help out to ensure its tidy & well maintained. It's still worth a reminder to make sure you take your rubbish with you and give a shout our to @missellaparker via instagram who helped out earlier this year! #otagocentralrailtrail #nzoriginalgreatride #keepnzbeautiful #nationalcleanupweek

This week along & around the trail as posted on instagram. A huge snow dump early in the week made for some stunning shots. #otagocentralrailtrail #nzoriginalgreatride

Spring on the Otago Central Rail Trail - cyclists near the Ida Valley. Credit: Clare Toia-Bailey #otagocentralrailtral #nzoriginalgreatride

Check it out, our website has had a refresh! Shout out to the Trust Manager, Tania Murphy together with our Honorary Life Advisory Trustee, Daphne Hull and the team at Swordfox for the huge effort in putting this together 👏. Your trip starts here... www.otagocentralrailtrail.co.nz #otagocentralrailtrail #nzoriginalgreatride

Happy Daffodil Day. We are starting to feel spring, and also are remembering one of our founding & late Trail Trustees - Philanthropist Les Cleveland, known as "Mr Daffodil" he donated more than two million daffodil bulbs and 8000 rhododendrons that grace many of Dunedin NZ public spaces. You can donate to the Cancer Society's Daffodil Day - link below. #OtagoCentralRailTrail #nzoriginalgreatride Credit: Hannah Cameron Randall

Every place has its story, and Otago’s story is of hard-working and very hardy people who dared to explore a harsh land we can still admire the early engineering feats of some of these pioneers. We have the chance to see close-up the culverts and embankments, the tunnels, bridges and viaducts that once were the secret preserve of railway workers. images: 1. Building the Poolburn Viaduct from rock outcrops on the hill 1 April 1903 from Over the Garden Wall - The Story of the Otago Central Railway by JA Dangerfield & GW Emerson 2.Poolburn Viaduct Today Credit: Clare Toia-Bailey Image central #otagocentralrailtrail #nzoriginalgreatride