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Central Otago Rail Trail – A New Zealand Cycling Adventure

Jen Adams | March 20, 2014 | 6:55 pm | Comment

I don’t ‘ever’ remember travelling to a place and feeling embarrassed that I hadn’t been there before. But this was a common occurrence during our recent trip to New Zealand.

It felt like it wasn’t long after we took off from Melbourne that we were flying over the massive, snow-capped mountains the South Island is so famous for. I remember my jaw dropping, literally, and saying to my flying companion and cameraman Nick “You have got to be kidding me? I have spent my life flying all over the world in search of this kind of place, and here it is, just a few hours away. How have I never been here yet?”

As it turned out over the next couple of weeks, New Zealand really is my kind of place. Adventure. Fun. Spectacular scenery. Incredible food. Culture. And best of all, welcoming, warm-hearted locals. To make my point I wish you could all meet Shayne (a former New Zealand cricketer by the way) from local rail trail tours company Trail Journeys. They were the first company to kick off guided and independent New Zealand cycling tours on the Central Otago Rail Trail, and to be honest, when you see the size of their bike shed, you quickly realize they are a well-oiled machine! (You don’t even have to bring a bike; it’s all there!)

Guided rail trail tours with Trail Journeys
Guided rail trail tours with Trail Journeys

Our cycle adventure kicks off in the charming town of Clyde in the Central Otago Region. Known for its rolling farmland, fruit orchards, turquoise rivers and dramatic gorges, it is a place born out of the gold rush. So you can imagine how stunning it is, filled with charm and character. We stayed at Oliver’s Lodge & Stables, which was an old general store in late 1800’s, and beautifully restored by owners David and Andrea Ritchie. We enjoy breakfast with fellow riders and a roomful of laughter and chatter sets the tone for the next few days.

Oliver's Lodge & Stables, Central Otago Rail Trail accommodation
Oliver’s Lodge & Stables, Central Otago Rail Trail accommodation

The “rail trail” is just that. An old disused railway line that was pulled up in the 90’s. Farmers used the tracks as fence posts, and the track itself was turned into a bike trail that’s got more people on it these days than it did when gold fever gripped the area.

The ride itself is 150km, all the way from Clyde to Middlemarch over three days. “All you’ve got to do is think like a train,” Shayne smiles ‘There are no hills! You will only have to climb as much as a steam train can”. Now do you see why I am raving about this trip? There are no hills!

The ride is sometimes more about what happens off the trail than on it. Cafés, old pubs…we even stop in at Como Villa winery for a drop of Pinot. Plus, would you believe it, we also went curling!

The further we make our way along the trail, the more the sheer engineering feat of the line’s construction mesmerises me. As we roll through the landscape, we cross medieval-looking bridges made in the 1800’s and cycle through tunnels that were carved out of the rock by hand.

Everywhere we stop has another story. Even our rail trail accommodation on the second night, Wedderburn Cottages, is a row of beautifully appointed cottages right on a farmer’s property (I even bumped into the farmer in the pub!).

Wedderburn Cottages, Central Otago Rail Trail accommodation
Wedderburn Cottages, Central Otago Rail Trail accommodation

It’s hard to describe my time on the Central Otago Rail Trail. It was one of friendship and good times with locals, capped off with a bike trail that was constructed over a hundred years ago and filled with such rich history. Maybe this was its destiny all along.

A big ‘shout out’ to Shayne, Nev and the team at Trail Journeys. Thanks for one of the most memorable trips. Kiwis certainly know how to turn on first class hospitality.

‘Till next time.
Jen x

Places We Go travelled to New Zealand as guests of Tourism New Zealand. For more New Zealand inspiration visit www.newzealand.com

Have you been to New Zealand? We’d love to know where you went and what you did! Or will you admit to having not made it across the ditch yet? Tell us below!

About Jen Adams

Places We Go is Jen's dream come true. As the founder, she simply wanted to 'share the world with the world'. With the tag line “It’s not just the places we go, but the people we meet that capture our heart” Jen knows that it's always the locals that bring our travels alive.

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I was lucky enough explore regional Victoria earli I was lucky enough explore regional Victoria earlier in the year (between lockdowns!), and tour the Goldfields with @big4holidayparks – Sure, I got my much-needed fix of the outdoors and was able to feed my insatiable curiosity as I explored the regions utterly fascinating history & culture, but it was sitting up at the old bar of family run Munari wines, just outside of Heathcote that got me.
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 Chatting to the chief winemaker Adrian Munari, and his daughter India (over a lovely red, of course) I heard all about the historic sheep station that was established in 1871, and life on the property today. (I wonder how the farmers endured the pandemic in 1919?)  
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Here’s to a happy summer holiday for us all, of enjoying those ‘moments’, wherever we are. 
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 I based myself at the @BIG4BendigoAscotHolidayPark 
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 See link in bio if want to plan your own getaway 😍
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#holidayhearthisyear #ExploreBIG4 #BIG4HolidayParks #VisitVictoria @visitmelbourne
WHO WANTS TO **WIN** A LUXURIOUS 2-NIGHT GETAWAY? WHO WANTS TO **WIN** A LUXURIOUS 2-NIGHT GETAWAY?
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How would you (and a friend!) like to escape to NSW’s New England Tablelands on a 2-night LUXURIOUS getaway, experiencing the best of Armidale’s premium accom, stunning food, wine & beer, an immersion in the local arts AND a World-Heritage Listed backyard to cap it off? 
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Your weekend will include: 
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- 2 night premium suite package at the historic Tattersalls Hotel (including food & drink from their award-winning restaurant & breakfast included) 
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- A special "Private Directors Tour" at the New England Regional Art Museum of HINTON: Treasures of Australian Art, plus some goodies to take home! 
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- Grabbing a beer at Great Hops Brewing Company PLUS some special gifts delivered to your home
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- A special Hema Australian Atlas & Guide plus a NSW State Map 
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Take it from me, this is worth entering, and if you do in fact WIN, set your alarm and get up for sunrise in the New England National Park, followed by a trip to Wollomombi Falls (the second highest falls in the county!) - it was sincerely exceptional.
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Oh and say hello to John at the Tattersalls Hotel, Rachael from the Art Gallery, and Sam from Great Hops Brewery. 
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 **TAG A FRIEND YOU'D  LOVE TO TAKE, and increase your chances of winning by both entering.. I know I would 😉❤
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Good luck, 
Jen xx
WE HAVE LIFT OFF!!! ON TV TODAY 😎🕺 . Would WE HAVE LIFT OFF!!! ON TV TODAY 😎🕺
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Would love you to join me as we celebrate the locals of #armidale on TV today
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Tune in (or set your record buttons) @ 1.30pm, ON TEN **TODAY**
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A special thanks to all those that not only shared their magnificent backyard with us, but who opened their hearts and let our TV cameras in.
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Armidale, you can no longer use the term “hidden treasure” 😉
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Ps did I say “today” enough times? 😆🤪🙏 Jen xx
ARMIDALE IN THE SPOTLIGHT Ready for another cele ARMIDALE IN THE SPOTLIGHT
 
Ready for another celebration of a brilliant person and travel experience for us all?
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Meet James Rainger from @fleetadventures 
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He not only spends his life taking us travellers on scenic chopper tours over his World-Heritage Listed backyard of the #newengland region – he’s one of the many brilliant pilots who you’ll find hovering above the blazing heat helping fight our Australian Bushfires.
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“To be part of the firefighting team is being in the #armidale  community - we all live here, our kids go to school here, so we love it. Armidale is a community where we all band together, we’re very passionate about our backyard, and we hope it shows.. and we certainly hope people come and see what it’s like. We’ve got a unique view of part of the world that not many people get to see. And there are not hordes of people here, so it’s very personal, we like to bring people into our world and our life – and share it – thank you for taking the time to come and visit us… “
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As for the flight? Put it on your @theaustralianbucketlist
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Jen xx

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