OTAGO RAIL TRAIL
23rd – 27th March 2026
This 5 day – 4-night tour is designed to cater for people who enjoy fully hosted tours.
Join us on an unforgettable journey through the stunning landscapes of Queenstown to Dunedin with a 4-night “relaxed” version of the NZ iconic Otago Rail Trail.
We have a lot of knowledge of this area to ensure a seamless and enjoyable experience for up to 10 participants. Note our spare day in the middle adds our own twist to this tour.
All accommodation places are double/twin share with full linen beds.
Day One, 23rd March – Fly from New Plymouth to Queenstown. Depart New Plymouth at 6:30am and arrive Queenstown 9:45am via Christchurch.
Once we have our van we will travel to Clyde (or Alexandra) to get fitted out for bikes. You will then ride the first 29kms to the little village of Omakau. This section follows the Manuherikia River upstream; after crossing over the river, you head to Chatto Creek to see NZ smallest Post Office. From there it is 12km into Omakau.
Meals today – Lunch and Dinner
Day Two, 24th March – Ride Omakau to Wedderburn – todays 42km ride has a lot to offer. You will reach the highest point of the trail of 618m as well as crossing 45 degrees Latitude South. Other highlights are Poolburn Gorge, Ida Valley, 2 tunnels and the Poolburn Viaduct. From the high point you descend into the Maniototo Valley into Wedderburn.
Meals today – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day Three, 25th March – As part of a team building initiative, we have planned a visit to Naseby this morning, where we will indulge in a 1.5-hour Curling activity. A word of caution to those who have never tried Curling before, it can be addictive. The entry fees have been taken care of as part of the package. We then head into the Otago Mountain foothills to have lunch at the Dansey Pass Hotel. A visit to St Bathans and Cambrians in the afternoon on the way back to Wedderburn. You can use your bike to ride the Ophir loop on the later afternoon once back if you wish.
Day Four, 26th March - We will embark on a 46km ride to Hyde. Beginning with an easy ride across the Maniototo Plain to Ranfurly then downhill across farmland to Waipiata. Waipiata means ‘shining water’ referring to the Taieri River. You cross the historic stone cap Burn Bridge then over the 32m high Prices Creek Viaduct and through Prices Creek Tunnel before Hyde.
Meals today – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day Five, 27th March – Nice leisurely 28km ride to Middlemarch where we will meet our bike operator and say goodbye to our faithful new 2-wheel friend, that we are sure you got very attached to (literally). During this section of the ride is the memorial to a tragic train crash in 1943.
After lunch at Mosgiel we will head to Dunedin Airport for our flights home.
Our flight departs Dunedin at 4:55pm arriving at New Plymouth at 8:35pm.
Meals today – Breakfast and Lunch included.
Price per person $3,450.00 all-inclusive of flights (refer to notes below), 4 nights’ accommodation, full linen beds (twin/double share) all meals as outlined, E-Bike hire, all transport and full support during ride. Van will follow each day through stopping at villages, Carol will bike with group as Tail End support. There is no pressure, you will do the ride at your own pace.
Single supplement on request
$1500.00pp ($650.00 if booking own flights) deposit is required by 27th September to purchase flights and make necessary deposits to secure accommodation etc.
Email
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