Special Interest Tours - Bike Tours
5-Day Central Otago Latest & Greatest Cycle Holiday
price from
NZ$ 1899
per person (twin share)
New Zealand - South Island 
Self-guided Tour 
5 days 
Cromwell 
Middlemarch Central Otago’s Latest & Greatest | 5-Day Otago Central Rail Trail Luxury Cycle Tour | Lake Dunstan Trail, Poolburn Gorge & Historic Tunnels | Wine Country, Art Deco Ranfurly & Hyde Memorial | Bikes, Luggage Transfers and Local Cuisine Included
The luxury option, and it earns that label.
This Otago Central Rail Trail journey runs five days, four nights. It starts on the Lake Dunstan Trail before joining one of New Zealand’s original Great Rides. Historic tunnels, old viaducts, real southern hospitality, this trip has it all. You’ll ride three to four hours a day, and we handle the luggage. For a shorter Central Otago option, our 4-Day Golden Gorges Cycling Adventure Tour covers four different trails instead. Queenstown, Kawarau Gorge, Lake Dunstan and Roxburgh Gorge, all in one trip.
Wine Country to the Rail Trail
Day one starts at our Cromwell depot and follows the Kawarau Arm of Lake Dunstan toward Bannockburn. Vineyards and olive groves line the way the whole time. Carrick Winery is worth the stop, a glass of wine on the outdoor bean bags never hurt anyone. The trail climbs through the Cairnmuir slide and crosses the Hugo Suspension Bridge. It finishes at Clyde Heritage Precinct for the night.
From Clyde, you join the Otago Central Rail Trail proper. Day two takes you through Alexandra and Chatto Creek, home to New Zealand’s smallest Post Office. Then comes the Tigerhill climb and a night in Ophir. Day three winds through the Poolburn Gorge, cut clean through schist rock with tunnels and viaducts. Then on to the Ida Valley and historic Hayes Engineering Works near Oturehua.
Art Deco Towns and a Sobering Memorial
Ranfurly greets you on day four, the Art Deco heart of the Maniototo and the trail’s second-biggest town. Waipiata follows, famous for enormous pies at the local hotel. Then it’s on to Kokonga for a luxury final night, dinner included. The last day threads through Prices Creek viaduct and tunnel before opening onto the Strath Taieri plains. A stone cairn near Hyde marks the tragic 1943 train crash, a quiet moment before the trail finishes at Middlemarch.
If you’d prefer a different combination of Central Otago trails, take a look at our other cycle tours below.
- 5‑Day Abel Tasman National Park Cycle Tour
- 10‑Day Top of the South Cycling Trails – New Zealand’s Best Routes
- 4‑Day Abel Tasman Coastal Experience – New Zealand Luxury Escape
- 5‑Day South Island New Zealand Wilderness Cycle Tour
- 4‑Day Golden Gorges Cycling Adventure Tour
- 5‑Day Central Otago Latest & Greatest Cycle Holiday
Tour Photo Gallery
Tour Information, Departure Dates & Price
Transportation
- Rental bikes
Tour Departures
- Please review the cruise departure options below
Airport Transfers
- Included
Pricing
-
from NZD1,899
Meals
- Check the meal details in the itinerary
Accommodation
- Boutique Hotels / Boutique B&B's
Cities/Regions Visited
-
Cromwell – Bannockburn – Clyde – Alexandra – Chatto Creek – Ophir – Poolburn Gorge – Oturehua – Wedderburn – Naseby – Ranfurly – Waipiata – Kokonga – Hyde – Middlemarch
Group Size
- no minimum number
Tour Code
- KJ22082026
Pre & Post Accommodation
- Available
5-Day Central Otago Latest & Greatest Cycle Holiday Days
43km
Your adventure starts at our Cromwell depot, arriving 8:30am for your bike fitting and briefing. Transport can be arranged from Queenstown, or pickup from your Cromwell accommodation.
Cromwell Heritage Precinct sits 2.5km down the trail, your first stop for coffee among boutique galleries, retail stores and cafes. Follow the Kawarau Arm of Lake Dunstan toward Bannockburn Bridge, with amazing vistas across the lake to Bannockburn vineyards. After crossing under the bridge, loop around the inlet toward Cornish Point.
Continue past vineyards and olive groves, with views back across to Cromwell and the Heritage Precinct. This section includes the first of the bluff bridges. You’ll cycle at the base of the Cairnmuir slide’s stonework faces, a unique feature high on the slopes above the lake. Stop at Carrick Winery & Restaurant here for a glass of wine on the outdoor bean bags.
The next section requires more attention and skill, narrow sections, steeper gradient, and the highest point on the trail. Make the most of the views. The Hugo Suspension Bridge sits in the middle of this stretch. “Coffee Afloat” is your last food and drink option until Clyde.
Near Halfway Hut, a short switchback section brings tight corners and a good climb and descent. New Zealand’s third largest hydro-dam, the Clyde Dam, dominates this end of the trail, first generating power in 1992. The final stretch follows the sealed road in places, sharing the Clyde Bridge with other traffic. It climbs up toward Clyde Heritage Precinct, well worth exploring before you settle in for the night.
Note: food and water are readily available before departing Cromwell. Coffee Afloat sits roughly midway. Long stretches without food or water mean riders should be self-sufficient, especially in summer when heat makes extra water essential.
Accommodation: Clyde
39km
Today’s ride runs 39km along the Otago Central Rail Trail. Prefer the scenic option? The Clutha River Track adds 4km of riverside beauty from Clyde to Alexandra.
Alexandra is your first stop, coffee at one of the local cafes. Then head on to Chatto Creek Hotel for lunch and a drink at a genuine old country pub. While there, visit New Zealand’s smallest Post Office, tucked into the hotel’s front yard.
After lunch, continue to Omakau and take on the Tigerhill challenge. It’s a short uphill push before heading back downhill toward Ophir. Come off the trail in Omakau, turn into Harvey Street beside the Omakau School. Cycle past the Omakau Commercial Hotel, across the main road and onto the single lane bridge. A further 2km in the dedicated cycle lane brings you into Ophir township.
Accommodation: Ophir
44km
Today takes you through the stunning Poolburn Gorge and Ida Valley.
Lauder is your first stop for coffee and a treat. From there, enter Poolburn Gorge, cut clean through schist rock bluffs with historic tunnels and viaducts. From Lauder, continue to Ida Valley and Oturehua. Just before Oturehua township, the famous Hayes Engineering Works sits in its original condition. Well worth exploring for lunch or a tour. From here it’s another 12km to Wedderburn, passing the trail’s highest point along the way.
A shuttle transfer carries you from Wedderburn Red Barn into Naseby for your night’s luxury accommodation. Please be ready by 3:30pm.
Accommodation: Naseby
31.5km
After your transfer from Naseby back to Wedderburn this morning, cycle 13.5km downhill to Ranfurly. This is the famous Art Deco town of the Maniototo. It’s a great excuse to stretch your legs, grab a coffee and take in the views of the Kakanui Mountains. Ranfurly is the second-biggest town on the trail, a good spot to top up supplies, too.
Back on your bike for 7.5km to Waipiata, a quiet countryside town. Known for enormous pies at the local hotel, it’s a great lunch stop. The last section runs 10.5km from Waipiata to your accommodation in Kokonga for the night.
Accommodation: Kokonga
41.5km
Your final day on the trail. The first section runs from Kokonga to Hyde (14.5km), including Prices Creek viaduct and tunnel. From there, the trail opens onto the Strath Taieri plains at Hyde.
Hyde Station, just 2km south of the village, offers a glimpse into the past. Continue on and you’ll come to the stone cairn, a sobering memorial to the tragic Hyde train crash of 1943.
Continue downhill through the Strath Taieri Valley, taking in the Rock & Pillar ranges. The trail ends at Middlemarch township. A shuttle transfer to Cromwell or Dunedin can be arranged, departing 1:30pm.
Note: Start dates are flexible from 15 September to 15 May, subject to accommodation availability. NZ Tourism Tours will work with you to tailor the itinerary to your preferred dates.
Inclusions & Highlights
- Ride the Lake Dunstan Trail through wine country to Clyde
- Cross the Hugo Suspension Bridge and cycle beneath the Cairnmuir slide
- Explore historic tunnels and viaducts through Poolburn Gorge
- Visit New Zealand’s smallest Post Office at Chatto Creek
- Tour historic Hayes Engineering Works near Oturehua
- Wander Art Deco Ranfurly and finish at Middlemarch
Includes: Bike hire with standard bike, helmet, pannier bags, repair kit and pump, detailed NZ Tourism Tours travel wallet with map and information, 4 nights luxury twin share ensuite accommodation, breakfast each morning, evening meal at Kokonga Lodge, all bike relocation and transport, daily luggage transfers (1 bag per person, 15kg limit, surplus luggage stored at our Cromwell depot or relocated to Middlemarch), and shuttle from Middlemarch back to Cromwell, departing 1:30 pm.
Excludes: All personal items, meals not listed, travel insurance, eBike upgrades, transfers to and from Queenstown, shuttle from Middlemarch to Dunedin, side trips (Naseby curling, St Bathans tour, 4WD trip, Hayes Engineering Workshop tour), and pre- or post-trail accommodation.
Optional Add-Ons: Hardtail eBike upgrade (350pp), premium full-suspension eBike, dual-suspension KTM Chacana (475pp), transfers to and from Queenstown, shuttle from Middlemarch to Dunedin, side trips including Naseby curling, St Bathans tour, 4WD trip and Hayes Engineering Workshop tour.
Tour Departure Dates
15 September to 15 May, subject to availability. Rates valid until 31 May 2026.
Accommodation
Your nights on this tour move through some of Central Otago’s most characterful small towns: Clyde, Ophir, Naseby and Kokonga. Each has its own slow-paced charm. Naseby in particular is a treat, tucked away in the forest and full of old gold rush character.
Accommodation is generally 4-star, and in some cases 5-star boutique. All rooms are en-suite, with twin, double or single occupancy configuration available. Breakfast is included each morning, and your final night at Kokonga Lodge includes dinner, too.
Included activities
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