At a Glance
Embark on a New Zealand cycling adventure that combine the tunnels and viaduct section of the iconic Otago Central Rail Trail with the new Lake Dunstan Trail and spectacular Roxburgh Gorge on this 3 day self-guided itinerary. A scenic and historic journey into the Central Otago heartland, you'll cycle 3 to 5 hours per day traversing ever-changing mountainous rugged landscapes, tunnels, viaducts, spectacular river gorges, old historic gold-mining villages and picturesque vineyards.
Your adventure begins in Queenstown, where you’ll be transferred to the charming township of Oturehua. Launch your e-bike cycling journey along the spectacular Otago Rail Trail featuring pioneering history and bucket-list scenery as you pedal the tunnels and viaducts of the Poolburn Gorge. You’ll continue your incredible adventure onto the new Lake Dunstan Trail through the stunning Cromwell Gorge. ...
Trip Highlights
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What's Included
- E-bike hire for 3 days including helmet, repair kit and odometer (standard bikes available)
- 2 nights' in boutique accommodation in Clyde on a twin share basis
- 2 x breakfasts, 2 x lunches
- Detailed trip itinerary and map
- Pickup and dropoff Queenstown
- Entry into Historic Hayes Engineering
- Transport to and from Clyde on the Otago Central Rail Trail
- Transport from Clyde to Cromwell to start the Lake Dunstan Trail
- Transport from Roxburgh to Clyde after the Roxburgh Gorge Trail
- Jet boat transfer and history tour: Doctors Point to Shingle Creek
- Haehaeata, Lake Dunstan, and Roxburgh Gorge Trail Trust Donations
Itinerary
Approx. 40km, 3-5 hours biking Your adventure begins with a pick up from Queenstown and transfer to the Clyde depot. Enjoy a morning brief and bike fitting at Clyde depot before a shuttle ride to the charming township of Oturehua. Here, you will begin your biking adventure along the spectacular Otago Rail Trail featuring pioneering history and bucket-list scenery. Start at the Historic Hayes Engineering and spend time exploring this homestead. Take a glimpse of what life was like for those working in the engineering trade and way of life in rural New Zealand. Your cycling adventure takes you through Oturehua, completing your day at Chatto Creek Tavern. You'll be met by your transport and transferred to your hotel for the evening. Your home for the next two nights will be in the charming small town of Clyde. |
Approx. 35-55 km, 3-5 hours biking Enjoy a delightful breakfast before choosing between several distance options on the Lake Dunstan Trail. Keen cyclists can pedal the full 55km trail traversing from Smith’s Way, out of Cromwell to Clyde cycling through unique and wonderful landscapes of Central Otago along Lake Dunstan, the Kawarau River and the impressive Cromwell Gorge. Alternatively, choose to cycle the shorter route of 33km. Either way, your highlights include the man-made landscapes, rich Maori and early pioneer history, sweeping views from the trail summit, lush vineyards and cellar doors in Banockburn and the Heritage Precinct in Cromwell where you can meander boutique galleries, restaurants and cafes. Explore the region’s rich modern, pioneering and Maori historical stories integrated along the way, some of which are brought to life in the Heritage Precinct in Cromwell. |
Approx. 37 km, 3-4 hours biking Savour another wholesome breakfast before a pick from your hotel at approximately 9am for a shuttle (with your bikes) to Roxburgh. Here, you will begin your trail to Shingle Creek where you’’ll board a jet boat and stow your bike for a thrilling ride to Doctor’s Point while taking in an array of sight and stories from early Maori travels to gold rush. Miners’ huts made from stone, water races and Mrs Herron’s cottage are some of the hidden highlights. Disembark and hop on your bikes for another scenic ride back to Clyde depot. Your cycling journey to Roxburgh Gorge brings an unforgettable end as you pass a beautiful blue river, eroded bluffs, historic gold mine areas and native shrubs. Marvel at captivating landforms, shapers and seasonal colors that give a striking snapshot of Central Otago’s heritage and natural history. You’ll end your incredible cycling adventure in Clyde depot where you’ll be transferred to Queenstown for your onward travels. NOTE: This itinerary is provided as an example only – prevailing conditions and local arrangements may cause variation. |
Dates & Prices
Daily departure on request. Please contact us for group bookings. Single Supplement is available at an additional charge.
More Info
- The starting and finishing point is Queenstown
Central Otago has the most distinctive climate in New Zealand, hot summers, cold winters and low rainfall. You can experience four seasons in one day on the Otago Central Rail Trail, so carry clothing sufficient to cope with a range of temperatures. Be sure to apply sunscreen no matter what the season as the sun can burn in even in colder months.
Electric Bike: E-bikes have made cycle touring possible and pleasurable for a wide range of people. They are simple to operate and eliminate mch of the cycling strain from legs and knees. You will use European-designed e-bikes built with comfort and ease of operation in mind, and feature unisex frames, 29” wheels, front suspension and proven Bosch electronics.
Standard Trail Bike: Ideal for the Otago Central Rail Trail and other similar gravel trails. They feature an upright riding position, front suspension and a gel seat for maximum comfort. With Australasian- designed Avanti frames and proven Shimano and Tektro componentry, these bikes ensure the best possible riding experience.
Compacted Gravel: Cyclists should be confident riding on compacted gravel, some uneven surfaces and riding up and down switchbacks.
Onlyluxe Travel acts as travel agency and work with different tour operators.
Payment Detail
All pricing is in Australian dollars and are quoted on a per person twin share basis. A supplementary price is available (see below). Bookings are not confirmed until full payment and the signed Booking Form has been received by Onlyluxe Travel.
A non-refundable 30% deposit is payable within 7 days of your booking, with the final balance due 60 days prior to departure. If a booking is made 60 days or less before departure, the full payment is payable immediately. Last minute bookings are payable before arrival. Failure to pay on time may result in automatic cancellation of a booking with cancellation penalties payable to Onlyluxe Travel. If you pay by credit card or PayPal a surcharge will be added to the total price.
Single Supplement
All accommodation is twin share. Single guests will share with someone of the same gender. If a single room is demanded, a supplementary price of will apply. The supplementary price refers to our quotation and needs to be stipulated at the time of booking.
General Cancellation Policies
- Outside of 60 days monies will be refunded less 30% of full fee
- Within 60 days prior to arrival all monies will be forfeited
- No refunds will be given in the event of non-arrival, any unused services or unused nights due to flight or weather disruption
- We strongly recommend guests protect themselves with travel insurance and medical insurance
Please Note: Cancellations must be advised in email and will take effect from the date they are received.
Liability
The participant agrees to indemnify Onlyluxe Travel, and its servant, tour operator and agents, in relation to any liability, loss and damage which the tour operator, or its servants and/or agents may incur as a result of the participants, negligence or misconduct during the tour.
Smoking is not permitted on the bus, or in tents or in other accommodation being used by tour operator at the time that a trip is being conducted.
Child Policy
Please consult travel consultant on age limit.
Changes to Itineraries
Local conditions may necessitate changes to sightseeing, walking and driving routes, camping and accommodation locations. While every effort will be made to provide the services and experiences as offered in our brochure, on our website, and in our trip letters, we reserve the right to vary your itinerary. In the event that we are forced to change your arrangements, substitute arrangements of a similar standard will be provided. The tour operator will not be liable where interruptions to itineraries are caused by weather conditions, technical problems to transport used by the tour operator, industrial action, political or civil commotion or other circumstances beyond our control. We refer you to the conditions regarding travel insurance.
Changes in Prices
While we will do its utmost to honour its pricing unforeseen circumstances may mean that prices may be subject to change without notice.
Pre-Existing Medical Conditions and Age Limits
You need to advise Onlyluxe travel and the tour operator on any pre-existing medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability that might reasonably be expected to increase the risk of your requiring medical attention, or that might affect the normal conduct of a trip and the enjoyment of other trip members. Onlyluxe Travel and the tour operator may require an assessment of your medical condition from a qualified medical practitioner. If you fail to adequately notify the tour operator of any pre-existing medical conditions and/or disability, the tour operator reserves the right, at its reasonable discretion, to cancel your participation in a trip at any time, including after the commencement of your trip, with no right of refund if your medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability could be reasonably expected to affect the normal conduct of the trip and the enjoyment of other trip members.
Cancellation by The Tour Operator
The walks take place in very special wilderness settings. The tour operator is at the mercy of nature in all her beauty and all her fury. The tour operator will under no circumstance knowingly place at risk the health and well-being of our guests and guides. In the case of natural threats, acts of God and the like (e.g. bushfires, impassable snow, etc) the tour operator may need to cancel a walk with very little notice. In some cases, this can occur after the walk has commenced. The tour operator reserves the right to cancel any walk up to 60 days prior to departure if a minimum of 4 walkers are unable to meet for a tour. If the tour operator needs to cancel for any reason, the cost of the walk or any other costs associated with travel to the designated pick up point, overnight accommodation, meals, etc will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore we strongly recommend travel insurance be taken out prior to travel.
Force Majeure
'Force Majeure' means (without restriction) any event which Onlyluxe Travel or its third party providers could not, even with due care, foresee or avoid. Force Majeure covers events such as, but not limited to, adverse weather conditions, fire and all similar events beyond our control. In the case of Force Majeure Onlyluxe Travel will not accept liability, and reserves the right to change and cancel trips.
Evacuations
In rare circumstances, due to injury or unforeseen illness, the tour operator may need to evacuate you from a remote part of the walk. Helicopter evacuations are expensive and in most cases will be at a cost to the customer.
For Australian residents, under the Australian Government Medicare Act, it is prohibited for any domestic travel insurance product to provide any financial reimbursement with regard to ambulance or air ambulance services. We therefore strongly advise our customers to take specific ambulance cover through their health insurance provider. Evacuation cost will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore it is also strongly recommended that our customers take out travel insurance to cover (amongst other things) the costs associated with evacuation.
Travel Insurance
In view of the heavy cancellation penalties applied to cancelled reservations in certain circumstances, we strongly recommends suitable travel insurance be purchased at the time the holding deposit is paid. We recommend insurance cover that covers any loss which may be suffered due to cancellation. We also strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance against loss of baggage and medical expenses.