Otago Central Rail Trail

The Otago Central Railway – from 1879 – 1990. Called “One of the Great Train Trips in the World” – this is the railway that opened up Central Otago. You can still experience the first 64 km of the original Otago Central Railway by travelling on the Taieri Gorge Railway from Dunedin to Middlemarch.

New Zealands’s first Rail Trail and Original Great Ride opened in 2000, the 152km long trail follows the former route of the Otago Central Railway. The former railway line was ideal for New Zealand’s first off-road cycle-way and walking trail. The compacted gravel pathway is easy to cycle or walk on – as it was made for a train, there are no really steep hills and it is wide enough for cyclists to pass each other comfortably.

Come and experience for yourself why thousands of people love exploring the Otago Central Rail Trail at a leisurely pace. Whatever your interests are, there's something here for you. Discover old historic gold-mining villages, country pubs, rugged scenery, or try some great off-trail adventures in the region. Get a group of friends together and find what "Southern Hospitality" is all about.

The trail is suitable for all ages, but you need to be reasonably fit and competent on a bike. Most cyclists allow three to four days to complete the trip – if cycling at 10 kmh and covering 35-40 km a day. Four hours a day on a saddle is enough for most recreational cyclists and allows time to relax with friends and explore further afield. Most walkers (if covering 25 km per day at a speed of 4-6 kph) allow at least six days for the whole trip.