Off The Rails - Central Otago Rail Trail

The Otago Central Rail Trail is paradise on two wheels. Once a busy railway, The historic Rail Trail used to connect many small inland gold towns to the big city of Dunedin. Passing through historic towns, massive viaducts, spectacular tunnels and stunning scenery, the closure of the railway in the 1990s opened up a year round trail for bikers, hikers, and horsriders to explore.

A 'must do' activity, Off The Rails makes cycling the Otago Central Rail Trail a breeze. Our customised tours are self-guided on trail, but fully supported throughout. Our friendly local driver picks you up in Queenstown, and delivers you to your heritage accommodation in Ranfurly after each days biking. In the evening you can relax in your comfortable surroundings, enjoy the art deco town of Ranfurly, or explore the nearby towns of St Bathans & Naseby with your local hosts.

Travel the Otago Central Rail Trail with us and you will be experience a slice of New Zealand; the people, the places and the best Central Otago landscapes.

Price 4-Day / 3-Night Standard Tour:

• NZ $1275 Adult
• NZ $955 Child (5 to 11 years inclusive -Not recommended for children under 5 years.)

Duration: 4days/3nights

Tour Includes:

• Pick up in Queenstown or Clyde and transfer to the start of the Rail Trail.
• Front-suspension mountain bike, helmet and waterproof panniers
• Accommodation in Off The Rails' heritage properties in Ranfurly.
• Personalised transport to and from the Rail Trail each day.
• Evening trips to St. Bathans & Naseby (where you can try your hand at a spot of curling!)
• Continental breakfast & afternoon tea each day.
• Return transfer to Queenstown/Middlemarch/Pukerangi* as per below Clyde at the end of the tour.

* If finishing in Middlemarch or Pukerangi there is an extra cost to travel on to Dunedin via the Taieri Gorge Scenic Railway at the end of your tour. See below for rates/information specific to each tour.

Please bring:

• A good weatherproof jacket.
• Polypropylene long-sleeved top and long johns, with cooler/thinner clothing over the top. (The idea is to have several layers which you can either strip down or add to depending on the daily weather conditions.)
• Shoes - suitable for short walks as well as on the bike
• Sunscreen and hat
• Padded cycle shorts
• Cycle gloves
• Camera
• Torch for the tunnels
• Toilet paper
• Basic First Aid Kit
• Water - we provide you with a refillable water bottle

Departure & Pickup:

Each tour begins with a pick-up from your accommodation in Queenstown between 8 - 8.30am on the specified tour start date.

Tour finishing locations vary. Our next few tours finish as follows:

• 26 Nov Tour - finishing at Pukerangi in time for the 11.45am Taieri Gorge Scenic Railway on 29 Nov ? extra cost for the train is $56 per person.
• 18 Dec Tour ? finishing back in Queenstown early evening on 21 Dec, or you may choose to finish at Pukerangi in time for the 11.45am Taieri Gorge Scenic Railway on 29 Nov ? extra cost for the train is $56 per person.

Restrictions:

'Deals' are limited to an Off The Rails 4-Day, 3-Night Tour with the below start/finish specifications.

• Tour 26 Nov - begins Queenstown 26 Nov, ends Pukerangi 29 Nov in time for the 11.45am Taieri Gorge Scenic Railway to Dunedin.
• Tour 18 Dec - begins Queenstown 18 Dec, ends either back in Queenstown, early evening of 21 Dec OR ends in time for the 11.45am Taieri Gorge Scenic Railway at Pukerangi for onward travel to Dunedin.

Not discounted and with an additional charge:

Taieri Gorge Scenic Railway as specified above i.e.

Tour 26 Nov - Pukerangi to Dunedin 29 Nov @ NZ $56 per person

Tour 18 Dec - Pukerangi to Dunedin 29 Nov @ NZ $56 per person