A holiday containing excessive cycling doesn’t sound like much of a break for many, let alone a romantic activity during a honeymoon. Only a few days after tying the knot in October 2017, Paul and I decided to jump on the most uncomfortable seats in the world and cycle the 150km of the Otago Central Rail Trail, in New Zealand’s South Island. We spent four days cycling through some of the most breath-taking terrain, across hundred-year-old bridges and through tunnels with nothing but the light on our phones.

About Otago Central Rail Trail

Distance: 150km
Time: Minimum of 2 Days for the whole trail
Difficulty: Requires a medium amount of effort if you’re an amateur bike rider

The trail is 150km long which runs from Clyde to Middlemarch in Central Otago, this use to be the route where Dunedin and Otago would be connect via train line; hence the name ‘Otago Central Rail Trail’. The train tracks were removed in the 90’s, since then it has been purchased by DOC and repurposes as the recreational cycling and walking track you can experience today.

The gravel track has a gradient of 1:50 (for every 50 metres you travel, you go up or down 1 metre). And since it use to be a train route there are no twists, sharp turns, sudden drops or steep inclines. But there are sections where if you’re cycling downhill with the wind behind you, you can easily reach 60km/h.

The track is suitable for anyone who loves nature, a bit of exercise and is old enough to carry their own weight. Unless you don’t mind sticking a seat on the back and towing your offspring behind you

Cycling the Otago Central Rail Trail

Cycling the Otago Rail Trail takes a minimum of 2 days. 2 days being for experienced riders who want to see nothing but bugs colliding with their lycra at warp speed. Or 4+ days for a more leisurely pace with plenty of lunch breaks and view stops along the way.

This track itself is free to use for anyone and everyone wanting a piece of nature. The costs only come with hiring bikes or booking accommodation or transfers at any points along the track.

We booked our trip with Trail Journeys who organised our bikes, 3 different accommodations, return shuttle and luggage transfer after each night.
Trail journey offer a variety of package options depending on your budget. Accommodation options range from camping to luxury and they have a range of bikes to choose from depending on your ability and child towing needs. Tandem bikes are even an option for those who wants to test the strength of their relationship.

The Otago Central Rail Trail Route

You can start your journey at either town at each end of the trail, being Clyde or Middlemarch. Or if you’re wanting the most leisurely journey on offer, you can begin at the highest point and ride down to Clyde, catch a shuttle with your bikes back to the peak of the trail and make your way down to the other end.

The highest point of the track sits between Oturehua and Wedderburn at 618m. And the longest distance between towns is 27km between Hyde and Middlemarch, which is great if you’re travelling downhill.
There are plenty of food stops along the way, but it always pays to have a few snacks onboard. I highly rate the Chatto Creek pub fo a good burger or chips; this is one of the first establishments you will come across once you leave Clyde and a well needed break before you tackle Tiger Hill.

Preparing for 4 days of Cycling

This central Otago cycling trail isn’t for anyone who thinks it will be an easy and leisurely cycle; you need to prepare for all elements and possibly worse case scenario. Although you aren’t far from civilization to get help if you do fall off your bike, you still don’t want to be stranded and unprepared!

• Torch
• Warm clothes – wind/waterproof jacket
• Sunblock
• First aid kit
• Bike pants with padding (Not a necessity but you’ll thank me later)

Love hiking? Here’s a list of The Best Short Hikes in New Zealand

Night 1: Tiger Hill Lodge, Omakau

37km from Clyde

Tiger Hill Lodge in Omakau was the most modern and lavish of the places we stayed on the Otago Rail Trail. We had the large 4 bedroom cottage all to ourselves thanks to booking the trip outside of high season, which meant no awkwardness on who should use the private outdoor hot tub first.
We had dinner at the pub which was a short walking distance from the lodge, made friends with a guy who had more fingernails than he did teeth, then wandered on back home before nightfall.

I know what you’re thinking…it was our first night together in a large cottage in the middle of (almost) nowhere, a private hot tub and no neighbours within a couple of hundred metres… sounds like a recipe for romance, no? Well we were definitely up for half the night; I was worrying about whether I should call an ambulance for Paul who was writhing in pain from lactic acid poisioning after overworking his quadriceps. Our downfall was starting the hardest section of the ride too late in the day so we rushed one of the biggest inclines on the track which was Tiger Hill. The beer and hot tub probably didn’t help either…

By morning majority of Pauls leg pain had subsided and he was able to carry on cycling, but we decided to set off early so we could have regular breaks. We finished breakfast overlooking the paddock and watching the sunrise before setting off again at around 8am, leaving our luggage on the front door step waiting to be collect by the daily shuttle.

Night 2: Wedderburn Cottages, Wedderburn

41.5km from Omakau

A row of small cottages overlooking vast farmland and the pub down the road is what greeted us in Wedderburn. We arrived at The Wedderburn Cottages being only one of two guests on site. Our small one bedroom, self contained cottage backed onto a working farm where the sheep were so close they were able to peep in on us having a shower. The pub was an easy stroll where again, we had dinner and a few drinks and ended the night in far less pain than the one before.

The mornings ride was a far better, faster and more enjoyeable ride. Reaching 60km/h racing each other down the track, we reached Hyde in record time.

Love Otago? Check out the best short walks and hikes to do in this region!

Night 3: Otago Central Hotel, Hyde

46km from Wedderburn

From Wedderburn into Hyde we rode along gravel tracks containing specs of gold and large rocks containing quartz crystal. Being an old gold mining area it’s no surprise the path glistened in the sunlight.

Our last night was in the Otago Central Hotel where the hosts treated us like the guests of honour. The historic hotel still had a lot of it’s original signage and interiors. The hallway is decorated with 100 year old photographs and the lounge full of comfy mismatched furniture creating a cozy and homely feeling.
Again we had the whole place to ourselves and were treated to home killed venison steak for dinner, entertainment in the form of a family of wild rabbits and a beautiful view of the unpolluted night sky.

We set off in the morning later than usual because it was an easy downhill ride into Middlemarch. The weather however wasn’t willing to let our ride be too easy. We rode along an open ridge where we got absolutely hammered by the wind and I was nearly knocked off my bike.

Final Day: Middlemarch

27km from Hyde

We made it. After being battered by the wind we reached our pick up point just as the weather turned and began pelting Middlemarch with heavy rain. I don’t think either of us had been so happy to see a town which comprised of a small dairy, cafe and a historic train station.

---

The Otago Central Rail Trail took us through tunnels, over old bridges crossing deep rivers and across hills overlooking nature for as far as the eye could see. I never thought I would say, as an early 20-something year old, that cycling through small rural towns and wide-open country sides would be more fun than it sounded.
Our trip on the Otago Central Rail Trail would have gone on without a hitch if it wasn’t for the bout of lactic acid poisoning and my ignorance into thinking I didn’t need padded bike shorts. But we ended with a desire not to cycle that far again without some prior training.

Anyone who is thinking of committing to the Otago Central Rail Trail, or any trail… get your bum use to the seat and make sure those quads have some sort of cycling training.

If this sounds a bit like you but you’re not yet keen to dedicate yourself to a 3 day cycle ride, check out the Arrowtown cycle trail to Gibbston Valley. This trail takes half a day at the most and ends at your choice of pub or tavern. A good way to get your glutes working and a great way to reward yourself after a ride through the beautiful canopy of trees through Arrowtown. And if you don’t feel like cycling back to Arrowtown the company will come a pick you and your bike up for a small fee. Easy peasy!

Want more South Island ideas? Check out my 10 Day South Island Itinerary!