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Here is a quick guide to the options available for booking your journey on the Otago Central Rail trail.  You have the following considerations

1. Getting you and your gear to the start point
2. Whether you’re going to bring your own bike or hire one
3. How many legs you’re going to break the journey up into and therefore where you are going to need accommodation
4. How your luggage is going to follow you along the way (unless you’re really travelling light and it’s all in your pannier bags)

At this point you have three options

1. Contact a dedicated rail trail booking agent such as Rail Trail Services, EcoTrek,  Adventure South, Trail Journeys, SLS, Cycle Surgery etc (we’ll provide a comprehensive list here soon). For most of them, this is their core business and they handle it all for you and depending on who you choose there is no additional cost because they make their money in accommodation commission, bike hire etc. Who you choose is down to  your needs and any extras you might require, so be sure to have a look at their websites and then give them a call.
2. Contact a New Zealand I-site and they’ll book it for you. It may pay to contact one of the I-Sites in the vicinity of the trail because they’re familiar with the products on offer. I-sites are definitely commission only and will give you an unbiased selection of options.
3. Do it yourself by looking at the main rail trail informational websites such as www.centralotagorailtrail.co.nz www.otagorailtrail.co.nz where you’ll find links to transport, accommodation and bike hire.  This can take quite an effort on your part as you try to sort out your itinerary and we’d really only recommend this if you’ve already completed the trail once before. However, don’t be afraid to use this to pick your accommodation preferences because you’ll see the widest range of options this way.

Some thoughts on accommodation

I’ve just been reading the results of the 2008 – 09 rail trail survey conducted by Tourism Central Otago. Overall their were few comments about accommodation. However I’ve pulled out the essential questions you might want to ask if they cover things that are important to you. In many respects the points outlined below could be considered questions you’d ask any accommodation provider in the world.

- Can I choose my accommodation from a list of options (something to ask your tour package provider)

- What size are the double beds and do they have roll together (of course some people really like roll together)?

- Are there any cooking facilities?

- Does my room have an en-suite, or, how many people will I be sharing a toilet with

- Is my room fairly sound proof and is it located close to a venue where there might be late night noise (eg a hotel)

- Are there any Tea or Coffee making facilities?

- Does our accommodation have a spa or a pool?

- Can they provide an evening meal?

- Does the bed have an electric blanket?

- What sort of bedding do you have eg Duvet, blankets etc

- Could I get a cooked breakfast if I wanted (most places do continental)