Following the old Maniototo rail line from Middlemarch to Clyde after a train ride on the spectacular Taieri Gorge.
This tour is not just about cycling, rather exploring small towns, meeting the locals and enjoying the small cafes and hotels along the way.
November
Thursday 11 Dunedin D
Meet at our central city hotel by 5pm. Enjoy dinner and meet your fellow cyclists.
Friday 12 Dunedin – Middlemarch B
This morning transfer to the railway station. On arrival in Middlemarch your bags will be taken to the hotel while you walk to the Cycle Shop to be fitted for your bike. Dinner tonight is available at the hotel.
Saturday 13 Middlemarch – Waipiata B (56kms)
Today is a very gentle steady uphill ride. A long lunch at Hyde is a pleasant experience – sitting on the deck overlooking the trail with cyclists coming and going. This evening enjoy the pub at Waipiata and dinner in their restaurant.
Sunday 14 Waipiata – Ranfurly – Wedderburn B (22kms)
Relax this morning unless you wish to cycle a detour to Naseby enroute to Wedderburn.
Ranfurly is the service centre for the Maniototo. Many buildings in Ranfurly have been restored to their former glory and a visit to the Art Deco Gallery is very worth while.
Wedderburn is but a dot on the highway now – our accommodation is new and overlooks the classic Maniototo landscape. We have a short walk to the local for dinner.
Monday 15 Wedderburn – Lauder B (35kms)
This morning we continue the uphill ride for a few kilometres then it’s all down-hill to Clyde- or almost! Oturehua is an excellent break on the ride – there are several places to have lunch, a working original general store and Hayes Engineering Works to explore. We have a ‘great ride’ this afternoon through the Ida Valley to Lauder and the Old School House – our overnight accommodation.
Tuesday 16 Lauder – Clyde B (44kms)
Today explore Omakau and Ophir enroute to Chatto Creek for a lunch break. This afternoon you start to slowly realise the population is on the increase - explore or by pass Alexandra then cycle onto Clyde and our accommodation in the historic area of Clyde at the Dunston Hotel. Your bikes will be collected tonight.
Wednesday 17 Clyde – Queenstown B
After breakfast we depart by coach for Queenstown