Daily Tour Notes
Day 1 Christchurch to Clyde
Once at our depot, a quick check of your bike – or a fitting of one of our fleet of rental bikes will precede the loading of the bike trailer that will see us departing by 8am. We’ll pick up lunch along the way in Geraldine then we start our cycle program with a quiet ride alongside a canal system with spectacular views of Mt Cook & the Southern Alps. Crossing over the Lindis Pass we descend down to Cromwell and travel alongside the scenic river gorge before arriving at the railhead at Clyde The rest of the afternoon will be free to explore this old goldmining town or there are other cycling options that your guide can advise you on. The evening will then be finished off with our first group dinner. (D)
Road cycling- 22kms/14 miles
Day 2 Clyde to Omakau
The Rail Trail riding starts today as we leave town across the flat rural countryside. From Chatto Creek the trail starts to rise before leveling off to Omakau where we stop for lunch and our accommodation for the night. After lunch there will be time to check into the accommodation and refresh before a drive around the quaint township of Ophir. We will also drive to the top of the Raggedy Range to get a bird’s eye view of the trail and the path that it takes. Late afternoon we will take a drive to the historic gold mining village, St. Bathans for a walk around the beautiful blue lake. This evening it is time for a relaxing beer and a game of pool at the local pub before dinner. (B,D)
Rail Trail Ride – 37 kms/23 miles
Day 3 Omakau to Ranfurly
On this day we ride through the first two tunnels and two rail bridges on the trip. With the willow tree edged gorge below the trail and the welcoming pools beckoning we finally emerge into the scenic Idaburn valley. One last short easy climb takes us to the summit of the trail and the beginning of the downhill descent that will take us to Wedderburn. We load up the bikes and a short drive takes us through to Ranfurly – our stop for the next two nights. After settling into our accommodation we lunch at a local café. You’ll have some free time in the afternoon to relax, stroll around Ranfurly or catch up on some washing! Around 4:30pm we drive out to Naseby – a small foresting township, just off the trail – here people have the option of either joining us in playing curling; if you can imagine bowls on ice then you are on the right track – a lot of fun and its at the only dedicated curling rink in the Southern Hemisphere. If curling isn’t your thing then a relaxing pint at the iconic Royal Hotel is another option as is a walk around town or in the forest plantation. After the afternoons activities we all head to the Royal Hotel for a hearty meal before driving back to Ranfurly and our accommodation for the night. (B,D)
Rail Trail Ride – 41.5kms/26miles
 Day 4 Ranfurly
We start the day off the bikes with a short drive back to Wedderburn and a farm tour. It’s not your standard farm tour checking out sheep but a great insight into the running of a fifth generation high country family operation. Enough history to keep you interested and Devonshire tea at the homestead to finish with. After the local insight its back into the bikes and a short ride down to Ranfurly for lunch. Continuing on through the heart of the Maniototo Plain we ride through to Daisy Bank where you will meet your guide. We then load up the bikes and start to head back to Ranfurly. If time allows we will detour to vist MaCraes Gold Mine and enjoy the views from the spectacular Taieri Ridge. Once back in Ranfurly there is plenty of time to relax at the lodge or to explore more of the township. (B,D)
Rail Trail Ride – 39.5kms /25 miles
Day 5 Ranfurly to Naseby
We start the morning with a drive back to Daisy Bank from Ranfurly. After riding through one more tunnel you will be arriving into Hyde and our lunch spot. After lunch you’re on the home straight! From here a final 27kms takes us past the scene of the famous Hyde rail disaster of 1943 and then out onto the rolling plains slowly descending into Middlemarch. This is the end of the trail and time for a celebratory drink at the Kissing Gate Cafe. However the day is not yet finished and if time allows we will visit the local “Stone Sheep Yards” before boarding the famous Taieri Express for a spectacular ride through the gorge described as one of the worlds great train journeys. We travel into Dunedin, the Edinburgh of the South. Our dinner tonight is in the form of a group celebration at a classic Italian restaurant to acknowledge the 150kms of Rail Trail riding. (B,D)
Rail Trail Ride – 38kms/24 miles
Taieri Express – A trip not to be missed!
The 58kms of rail travel into Dunedin is rated as one of the world’s great rail trips. The 2-hour route traverses the Taieri gorge travelling across high iron viaducts and tunnels. All trains feature heritage carriages and you may have a viewing carriage on your trip, which provides even better panoramas. The train arrives at the historic Dunedin railway station at 6.30pm in time for a transfer to our accommodation.
Day 6 Dunedin to Christchurch
The riding is still not finished as we head north to Oamaru, leaving behind those who wish to finish in Dunedin. First stop is Baldwin Street, reputedly the “steepest street in the world”, for a short but challenging early morning stroll! Via the beautiful coastal roads we visit the famous Fluer’s café at picturesque Moreaki Village for coffee & fresh scones, & then the Moeraki Boulders before turning onto the final quiet 24km coastal ride along the cliff tops and farms that take us into Oamaru. Here in the old warehouse quarter the early buildings are being restored creating a fascinating opportunity to explore the past as you relax at a local cafe. Back on the road again we continue across the Canterbury Plains and finally reach Christchurch where we will deliver you to your chosen accommodation at the trip end, approx 5:30pm.
Coastal Rides - 24-40 kms/15-24 miles (B)
(B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
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