Idaburn
OMAKAU
Dunstan
La ke
Chatto Creek
Ophir
CLYDE
Ida Valley
e
e
Tiroiti
to Lawrence
Roxburgh Gorge Trail
Clutha River
Ra ng
optional route
café/restaurant
start/finish point
toilets
point of interest
accommodation
bridge
state highway
Clyde 8km
e
HYDE
ive iR
Rock and Pillar
to Dunedin 78km
Alexandra
Ngapuna
© AA Traveller 2020
nzcycletrail.com for more Trail Detail... Ōtūrēhua
Ōmakau
29km
r
MIDDLEMARCH
i-SITE Visitor Centre
riding the trail 600m
Roc ka nd Pil la r
Lake Roxburgh
town
Kokonga
Daisybank
MAP LEGEND
Waipiata
ALEXANDRA open section
Kyeburn
RANFURLY
28km
Ranfurly 26km
Hyde 32km
Middlemarch 28km
400m 200m 0m
CLYDE TO CHATTO CREEK, 25KM
Allow plenty of time to explore historic Clyde before you set off. The trail is well signposted from the centre of town. Not long into the journey, it crosses its first railway curiosity – Muttontown Viaduct – one of the trail’s only two wooden trestle bridges without stone abutments. Orchards, vineyards and pasture line the route to Alexandra, the trail’s largest town, from where it heads through old gold diggings and high-country farms – home to the world’s finest merino sheep. Schist outcrops scraggle a landscape cut through by the willow-lined Manuherikia River. This section ends at Chatto Creek where there’s a charming country pub.
CHATTO CREEK TO LAUDER, 19KM
Continue through the irrigated lower Manuherikia Valley before ascending the sweeping S-bend up Tiger Hill. At Ōmakau, riders can detour to a noteworthy old bridge and yet another charming country town, Ophir. It boasts well-preserved mud-brick and stone buildings from the gold rush, including the photogenic Post Office. Back at Ōmakau, the trail meanders through a lovely open landscape flanked by the Dunstan and Raggedy ranges. At Lauder, admire a clutch of rustic old buildings and breathe in the crisp air – said to be some of the purest on the planet.
LAUDER TO ŌTŪRĒHUA, 22.5KM
As you set off on this easy roll through rugged terrain, spare a thought for the 300 workers who took three years to build the two tunnels and two impressive bridges along the way. Manuherikia No.1 Bridge is first up, from where the trail climbs gradually into the stunning Poolburn Gorge to pass through the two tunnels that cut through sheer schist – 201m and 230m long respectively. The trail then crosses the 108m-long Poolburn Viaduct before descending past the old Auripo and Ida Valley stations, and Ida Burn Dam where the ancient sport of curling is played when it freezes over. Ōtūrēhua is a veritable goldmine of local history – don’t miss Hayes Engineering Works & Homestead and the totally eye-popping Gilchrist’s Store. From Ōtūrēhua, it’s possible to take the highly recommended detour to St Bathans – worth visiting for its man-made lake (great for swimming) along with a clutch of historic buildings including a crusty pub. It’s a 20km ride to get there, some reasonable hill climbs en route. Bike back to Ōtūrēhua for a 40km total off trail detour, or rejoin the trail further east at Idaburn, a 39km total off trail detour.
ŌTŪRĒHUA TO RANFURLY, 25.5KM
The latitude line of 45 degrees south is the first notable landmark beyond
Ōtūrēhua, follow the intersection with Reefs Rd where a detour may be made to the Golden Progress Mine site and its wooden poppet head. There are splendid views of the Hawkdun and Ida ranges as the trail climbs gently to its high point of 618m above sea level. A little further along is the Wedderburn Goods Shed made famous by lauded landscape artist Grahame Sydney. It’s a good spot for contemplation before the cruise downward across the Māniototo Plains. Before you hit Ranfurly, it’s worth considering a side-trip or overnight stop in Naseby. Around 10km off the trail, Naseby is a little winner with its two lovely old pubs, indoor curling rink, unusual swimming dam and forested MTB trails suitable for all ages. Another 25km on from Naseby is Dansey’s Pass, a one-horse town well off the beaten track, famous for its rustic hotel. Unless you’re super fit and eager, the distance and nature of the terrain make this detour best suited to driving. Back on the main trail, this section ends at the sweet little country town of Ranfurly, notable for its art deco architecture and a smattering of serviceable shops and cafés.
RANFURLY TO HYDE, 32.5KM
This section offers broad views of the Kakanui Mountains and Ida Range as it heads towards Waipīata, where it’s worth cycling up to the historic Hamilton cemetery for expansive views of the
surroundings. As the trail leaves the Māniototo Plain, it skirts the sunken depression where Lake Taieri used to be before it was silted up by gold miners. The trail passes yet another rustic gangers’ shed at Kokonga, then enters the upper Taieri Gorge. This pretty section passes the old Red Dwarf gangers’ hut at Daisybank, and at Tiroiti there’s a well-preserved stone bridge with iron trusses. Further along at Price’s Creek is a notable viaduct followed by a 152m-long, fully bricked tunnel. The trail then enters the open and dramatic country of Strath Taieri Plain. The old gold-mining town of Hyde is a popular place to break the journey.
HYDE TO MIDDLEMARCH, 27.5KM
Check out the Hyde Railway Station before continuing on an easy downhill ride into the Strath Taieri Plain and its many bridges and culverts. Just south of Hyde Station, a memorial cairn commemorates the site of the region’s worst rail disaster in which 21 were killed in 1943. The trail traverses the foothills of the 1400m high Rock and Pillar Range with its huge rocky outcrops, before meandering through the valley’s productive farmland to the Ngāpuna Station site. In the east is the 700m high Taieri Ridge. The trail finally reaches its end at Middlemarch. Built in 1891, the railway station is still in
121
GREAT RIDE • OTAGO CENTRAL RAIL TRAIL
Lower Manorburn Dam
Ida Bur n olburn Po Go rg
Naseby
Wedderburn
Ta ier
Lauder
to Cromwell to Queenstown 79km
Summit 618m
OTUREHUA
North Rough R idg e
n ta
Rag ge dy Ra ng
Du ns
Manuherikia River
e ng Ra
