Otago Central Rail Trail: The Classic New Zealand Cycling Journey
The Otago Central Rail Trail follows 150 km of disused railway through the high country of inland Otago, passing through gold rush towns, dramatic gorges and landscapes of extraordinary light. It is one of New Zealand's most beloved multi-day cycling routes.
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Middlemarch Starting Point
The trail begins at Middlemarch in the Strath Taieri, accessible from Dunedin by train or bus. The landscape here is high-country sheep country with a vast, open character unlike anywhere else in New Zealand.
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Poolburn Gorge
The most dramatic section of the trail passes through the Poolburn Gorge, a narrow schist rock canyon with several historic stone bridges and tunnels. The light on the orange and gold schist in afternoon sun is extraordinary.
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Gold Rush History
The trail passes through former mining towns including Omakau, Ophir and Alexandra, each with remnants of the frantic 1860s gold rush that transformed Otago. Many buildings still stand in the dry climate.
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Rock and Pillar Range
The high schist tors of the Rock and Pillar Range overlook the trail from a distance, creating the distinctive Otago Central skyline of rounded granite formations on tussock ridges.
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Alexandra and Clyde
The endpoint towns of Alexandra and Clyde are the heart of the Central Otago wine country, with excellent pinot noir available at cellar doors throughout the valley. The transition from cycling to wine tasting is seamless.
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Logistics and Accommodation
The trail can be cycled in three to five days in either direction. Numerous shuttle companies, bike hire operations and accommodation providers along the route cater specifically to rail trail cyclists.