Page 30 - Trail Journeys Wholesale Pricing 2019-2021

Total Trail Executive Tour
4 Days/3 Nights
Ex Dunedin
Availability: September to May Duration: 4 Days
Distance: 155km
Description:
This independent cycle tour begins with a scenic train ride from Dunedin through the spectacular Taieri Gorge. The trail is vehicle-free, has an easy gradient and takes you through amazing scenery, through tunnels and over viaducts. Along the way, there are many old historic hotels to visit, experience wonderful cuisine and meet colourful local folk. Adding to the rail trail experience is a guided tour through the historic gold mining township of Naseby. Here you can also try your hand at curling - this is always full of fun and laughter. The tour finishes with a shuttle ride to Queenstown.
The adventure begins at the historic Dunedin Railway Station and the scenic Taieri Gorge Railway to Pukerangi. Our shuttle bus will meet you at the station and transfer you to our depot in Middlemarch where you will be fitted with your bicycles and briefed on the tour.
The trail takes you through the wide open spaces of the Strath Taieri, past the site of the 1943 Hyde Rail disaster and on to Hyde. The landscape then narrows where the trail passes through a tunnel, over the Capburn and Prices Creek Bridges and alongside the Taieri River. Tonight’s accommodation is at Kokonga Lodge.
From Kokonga the next town is Waipiata and then onto Ranfurly, the Art Deco capital of Otago. From Ranfurly, there is a gradual climb to the highest point on the trail at Wedderburn followed by a steady downhill to your accommodation at Oturehua. Amazing views from the highest point as well as rolling countryside are part of the day’s highlights. From your accommodation in Oturehua, there is a guided tour of Naseby and curling. Other attractions in this area include the historic Hayes Engineering Works & Homestead, the old Gilchrist’s Store and the remains of the Golden Progress Mine just north of Oturehua.
Beyond Oturehua is the start of one of the most spectacular sections of the trail, the Poolburn Gorge, the home to the rare New Zealand falcon. It also features two tunnels and two viaducts in a secluded rocky setting. Lauder is a good place for a lunch stop or to consider taking some provisions from Oturehua as there are many opportunities to stop and enjoy the scenery while you eat. Accommodation tonight is in Ophir where there are some historic buildings. The settlement is 2kms off the trail from Omakau.
Day 1
Middlemarch to Kokonga
Distance: 43kms
Meals: N/A
Day 2
Kokonga to Oturehua
Distance: 42kms
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3
Oturehua to Ophir
Distance: 31kms
Meals: Breakfast
Otago Central Rail Trail • Roxburgh Gorge Trail • Clutha Gold Trail