4 Days | Clyde to Middlemarch

Otago Rail Trail 4 day Itinerary

Day One – Clyde to Omakau (37 km)

You start with two options for riding to Alexandra, either the  River Track (12 km) or the Rail Trail (8 km). Both are great, but take the Rail Trail if you don’t ride often or need a flat, wide trail. Stop for morning tea in Alexandra then ride through to Galloway (don’t miss the historic Ladies Waiting Room), then Chatto Creek for lunch at the most amazing Tavern. Ride up Tiger Hill – don’t worry as it’s not too long and the gradient is only 3% at maximum. Then find your accommodation in Omakau or Ophir and fuel up with some dinner and a laugh about those funny moments from Day 1.

Day Two – Omakau to Wedderburn or Naseby (42 km)

If you didn’t stay in Ophir, make sure you ride through this historic town. Visit New Zealand’s oldest working Post Office and ride across the Daniel O’Connell suspension bridge. Pick up a coffee and gather supplies for a picnic lunch, or plan on having lunch at one of the cafes in Oturehua.

Onward through Lauder Station, then across the trail’s longest bridge and into the stunning Poolburn Gorge, with its tunnels and viaduct. Ride through the quiet beauty of the Ida Valley, then stop at Hayes Engineering Works and Gilchrist’s Store in Oturehua to explore and have lunch.

From there, continue towards Wedderburn with a visit to the Golden Progress Mine along the way.  The trail gradually climbs you will want to stop and take that magic photo at the high point sign on the trail just before Wedderburn.  Many people choose to be stay off-trail in Naseby tonight, it’s a hidden gem – home to the Maniototo Adventure Park with indoor ice curling and summer luge, the Star Dust local gallery, and unbeatable stargazing in the dark sky reserve.

Day Three – Wedderburn/Naseby to Hyde (48 km)

If you didn’t watch the super informative video about the trails conception at the Wedderburn Red Shed yesterday then take some time to do it today. You can’t miss taking a photo at the Green Goods Shed (made famous by artist Grahame Sydney), as you pedal on towards Ranfurly, with another photo stop at the cute Wedderburn Station.

Roll down through Ranfurly, known for its Art Deco architecture and railway display at the old station. Lunch today is either here in Ranfurly at one of it’s many cafe’s, grabbing some food for a picnic or pushing on and devouring one of the famous Waipiata Pies at the Waipiata Country Hotel. With accommodation for this leg of the journey spread from Waipiata through to Hyde you’ll be finishing somewhere along this section. Today’s highlights include the quirky Waipiata Man, the remains of Lake Taieri, the scenic stretch past Daisybank, and the Prices Creek Tunnel, and Viaduct.

Enjoy your dinner and the conversation that flows from three days on the trail.

Day Four – Hyde to Middlemarch (27 km)

Your final stretch! Reflect on your journey as you pass and pay your respects at the Hyde Rail Disaster Memorial, ride beneath the Rock and Pillar Range, and roll past Ngapuna Station toward your final stop at Middlemarch Station.

Check in with the friendly staff at the Shebikeshebikes depot, grab some lunch, and enjoy a celebratory drink before your onward transport. You did it, Clyde to Middlemarch – 4 days, and hopefully you took some amazing photos along the way. It’s hard not to in Central Otago!