Introduction: Join us on this family adventure to cycle along the Otago Central Rail Trail. The route follows the old Maniototo rail line from Clyde to Middlemarch, and takes you back into New Zealand's rural past. Starting from Christchurch we visit the Orana Wildlife Park, spend a night on a farm, and learn about glaciers at Mt Cook. In Queenstown there is plenty of time for optional activities, and maybe a trip to Milford Sound. Then our cycling adventure begins with chances to explore small towns and abandoned gold diggings along the way, as well as meet local inhabitants, and maybe try the ancient art of curling. We even travel on one of the world's great train trips as we travel on the spectacular Taieri Gorge Railway to Dunedin. A chocolate factory, Living History Show and Blue Penguins Tour are still to come before we finish back in Christchurch.
Photography is courtesy of Colin Monteith, Hedgehog House.
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Day 1
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Join Christchurch
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Day 2
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Orana Wildlife Park, Drive Fairlie - Farm Tour, Farm Stay
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Day 3
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Drive Mt Cook via Tekapo - Hot Pools, Glacier Explorer Tour
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Day 4
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Mt Cook National Park, Wanaka - Puzzling World
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Day 5
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Drive Queenstown - Free Afternoon for Optional Activities
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Day 6
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Queenstown - Free Day for Optional Activities
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Day 7
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Drive Clyde, Cycle on Otago Rail Trail via Chatto Creek, Omakau to Lauder - Visit Gold Mining Village
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Day 8
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Cycle on Otago Rail Trail to Idaburn Valley Ranfurly, Naseby - Optional Curling
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Day 9
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Cycle on Otago Rail Trail to Taieri Gorge, Hyde, Middlemarch, Taieri Express to Dunedin
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Day 10
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Dunedin - Cadbury Chocolate Factory, Moeraki - Boulders, Oamaru - Living History Show, Blue Penguins Tour
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Day 11
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Vanished World Trail, Elephant Rocks, Cycle via Waimate Gorge to Waimate, Drive to Christchurch Where Tour Ends on Arrival
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| New Zealand |
| • South Island • Christchurch • Orana Wildlife Park • Farm Stay • Tekapo Hot Pools • Mt Cook • Glacier Explorer Tour • Mt Cook National Park • Wanaka Puzzling World • Queenstown • Otago Rail Trail • St Bathans Gold Mining Village • Ranfurly • Naseby • Taieri Gorge • Hyde • Middlemarch • Taieri Express Train • Dunedin • Cadbury Chocolate Factory • Moeraki Boulders • Living History Show • Oamaru Blue Penguin Tour • Vanished World Tail • Elephant Rocks • Waimate |
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| • 9 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch, 5 Dinners • All Activities and Entrance Fees as per Itinerary • Escorted Tour - Local Tour Guide or Guides • Taieri Gorge Train • Glacier Explorer Tour • Oamaru Blue Penguin Tour • Otago Rail Trail • Bicycles and Support Vehicle |
ACCOMMODATION AND TRANSPORT:
| Accommodation |
| • Hostels/Chalets/Lodges/Cabins/Motels (9 Nights) |
| • Farm Stay (1 Night) |
| Transport |
| • Private Vehicle |
| • Bicycle |
| • Train |
| • On Foot |
Easy - suitable for anyone with an average level of fitness and mobility
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Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 09:00-18:00
Saturday: 10:00-15:00 EST
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