Otago Central Rail Trail
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The Otago Central Rail Trail is a 150 kilometre walking, cycling or horse riding track in the South Island of New Zealand. It runs in an arc between Middlemarch and Clyde, along the route of the former Otago Central Railway.
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[edit] History
This railway line was completed at the turn of the 20th century, and provided a link between Central Otago and Dunedin until closure in 1990. The first 64 km from the junction with the Main South Line in Wingatui remain operational; the initial 4 km constitute ONTRACK's Taieri Industrial Siding and the remaining 60 km through the Taieri Gorge to Middlemarch is operated by the Taieri Gorge Railway as a tourist attraction. The New Zealand Department of Conservation recognised that the remainder of the route to Clyde had potential as a recreational facility, and bought the formation after the rails and sleepers had been salvaged.
[edit] Location
The trail starts at Middlemarch in the east, loops north through the spectacular countryside of the Strath Taieri and the Maniototo to end at Clyde, on the banks of the Clutha River. An option also exists where the return journey to Middlemarch or Dunedin can be made on foot or by bicycle over the historic Old Dunstan Road. This road was used by the early goldminers to access Central Otago. It traverses open country with no accommodation of food. Users need to be self sufficient.
[edit] Trail walking/cycling
To enjoy the scenery, the engineering involved in building the railway and the towns and people along the way, 5-7 days should be allowed to walk the Trail, and 3-5 days to cycle it. The Trail starts at 201 metres above sea level in Middlemarch and rises to its highest point of 618 metres between Ranfurly and Oturehua. On the journey it passes through three tunnels and over several large viaducts. A torch is advised for the tunnels. The Trail is well maintained and signposted. Toilets are available at several points on the Trail and the contour is best described as easy.
The trail passes through or past several small towns. Mountain bikes can be rented from outlets in Middlemarch, Ranfurly, Alexandra and Clyde. Some of these cycle shops will also provide transport for riders and bikes, and will move luggage. The trail is very popular, and accommodation should be booked well in advance during busy periods such as long weekends and holidays.
The manager of the Rail Trail, the Otago Central Rail Trail Charitable Trust has a website and publishes a leaflet that provides detailed information on the route, and advertisements for businesses providing services to users of the trail. There are visitor information centres in Alexandra, Cromwell, Roxburgh, Ranfurly and Dunedin. Several books on the Rail Trail and the surrounding area can also be purchased at retail bookshops thorought New Zealand. These include, Guide to the Otago Central Rail Trail, Illustrated History of Central Otago & the Queenstown Lakes District, Guide to the Otago Goldfields Heritage Trail, Otago Central Rail Trail - A Pictorial Journey. All are written by Gerald Cunningham and published by Reed Publishing.
[edit] See also
- Little River Rail Trail, a similar, smaller rail trail in Canterbury established along the route of the Little River Branch
- Waipiata
- Cavalcade
[edit] External links
- Otago Central Rail Trail website
- New Zealand A-to-Z Guide Rail Trail page
- Details of the Middlemarch end of the trail
- Railways of New Zealand: Otago Central Branch Railway
- Two English tourists' experience of the Rail Trail
- Guide to the Otago Central Rail Trail
- Rail trail accommodation
- Account of day on rail trail
- Accommodation in the Ida Valley section
