Daily Tour Notes
NB - The notes below are for traveling from Queenstown to Middlemarch. When traveling from Middlemarch to Queenstown the itinerary is reversed. The route and activity inclusions are the same. Upon making your booking we will provide you with the relevant trip notes. We are also happy to assist with pre or post tour accommodation bookings in Queenstown or Dunedin.
Day 1
You will be picked up from your pre tour accommodation in Queenstown and enjoy a scenic drive past the old gold diggings on the Kawarau Gorge Highway. You have the opportunity to stop at one of the vineyards in the Gibbiston Valley to learn why Central Otago is the fastest growing wine region in New Zealand. Arriving in Cromwell you can relax with your hosts over an excellent dinner at your overnight accommodation “ The Orchard House”. (D)
Day 2
This is a non-cycling day. After breakfast, clear your senses for your wine adventure. At the “ Big Picture” , a wine steward will introduce you to the Aroma Room where an audio/visual wine tasting awaits. Taste the world-renowned Central Otago Pinot Noir as you are guided on a personal tour by your lodging hosts to several of the vineyards in the Cromwell basin and Bannockburn region. In the evening enjoy dinner with the locals at the Bannockburn Hotel before spending another night back in “ The Orchard House”. (B ,D)
Day 3
The riding starts today as you travel to historic Clyde where you are fitted with your bikes. The cycle from Clyde is across scenic rural countryside surrounded by the beautiful Raggedy Range & Dunstan Range, to Chatto Creek where the trail starts to gently rise. We recommend a café stop in Omakau before continuing to Lauder where you will meet your hosts for the next two nights. A short drive to St. Bathans offers the opportunity for a walk around the beautiful blue lake before you drive into Naseby to your lodgings, the “ Old Doctors Residence” in time for a home cooked evening meal. (B ,D)
Rail Trail Ride – 44 kms/27 miles
 
Day 4
After breakfast you are driven back to Lauder to continue cycling the Rail Trail, this section through the Poolburn Gorge includes the first tunnels and old rail bridges on on the trip. With the willow tree edged gorge below the trail and the welcoming pools beckoning you finally emerge into the scenic Idaburn valley. Your hosts will meet you at the Wedderburn tavern or you can cycle the short distance back to Naseby. Time to enjoy this quaint village with its hiking & cycling trails, before you try the sport of curling in the local indoor curling rink, the first in the southern hemisphere. Tonight’s dinner is at a local country pub. (B ,D)
Rail Trail Ride – 35 kms/22 miles
Day 5
The morning sees a return to Wedderburn, the finishing point from the yesterday’s cycling where it is time to say goodbye to your hosts from the last two nights. Time to enjoy some more riding in Otago’s beautiful countryside before travelling through the art-deco village of Ranfurly. After Waipiata (a nice pub stop) the trail follows the edge of the old lake to Kokonga. Take some time to explore this small town and go for a walk on the Taieri Riverside Walk or Kokonga Town Walk which both start at your luxurious overnight accommodation “ Kokonga Lodge”. In the evening it is time for a relaxing beer or wine in the comfortable lounge or adjoining library of the lodge. (B,D)
Rail Trail Ride – 31 kms/20 miles
  
Day 6
After breakfast you cycle the last section of the Rail Trail, including traversing more tunnels and bridges in the beautiful Taieri Gorge before a fast downhill to Hyde. From here a final 27 kms takes you past the scene of the famous Hyde rail disaster of 1943 and then out onto the rolling plains slowly descending into Middlemarch. With the knowledge of having cycled 150kms of the Rail Trail you are driven back to Kokonga to enjoy your last evening meal at the lodge. (B ,D)
Rail Trail Ride – 42 kms/26 miles
 
Day 7
After the efforts of the last few days its time to relax at your comfortable lodge with options for several local activities. Your hosts will offer suggestions such as trout fishing with a local guide or a walk through the Clachanburn Gardens. If you would like to do something more adventurous we recommend a 4WD tour to explore the magnificent landscape www.nature-wise.co.nz. Depending on the train timetables your hosts will take you late morning or mid-afternoon to connect with the Taieri Gorge Train. This spectacular ride on the historic Taieri Gorge Railway, described as one of the world’s great train journeys, is also the final act of a wonderful experience with your tour finishing in Dunedin. We are happy to help with local lodging if required (B)
Included meals - B = Breakfast, D = Dinner
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