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THE EXPERIENCE

Rail Trail Classic

Our original rail trail experience running since 2004. An amazing 4 days of cycling along the famous Otago Central Rail Trail. Get off the trail a little and enjoy fun activities off the bike like curling. Visit historic gold mining towns and get a taste of some of the best Central Otago has to offer, leaving you wanting to come back for more.

Your Experience Includes:

  • 4 nights boutique accommodation
  • 5 days e-bike hire with all accessories
  • All breakfasts
  • Cycling through amazing scenery
  • Have a Go Curling Session
  • Sightseeing trip to St Bathans
  • Great food, drinks, times and hospitality
  • Choose from one of the many optional activities on offer
  • Return transfers – Queenstown to Clyde, Ranfurly to Naseby return, Middlemarch to Queenstown or Dunedin
  • Supported trip with The Luxury Trail Co, van and driver throughout.

Itinerary

This is a taste of what your Rail Trail Classic experience will look like.

You will be picked up from Queenstown and transferred to the historic township of Clyde. Once a bustling gold mining village, today Clyde is famous for its historic precinct, cafes, restaurants and galleries. Enjoy lunch at one of the Clyde cafes. Enjoy an afternoon ride on the Clyde to Alexandra River Track – a lovely walking and cycling track which runs alongside the mighty Clutha River. On your return cycle to Clyde on the Rail Trail you may wish to call into one of the Alexandra Vineyards.

Today you will cycle through typical Central Otago landscapes of wild thyme and schist rock. Enjoy lunch before ascending Tiger Hill a gentle ‘S’ bend climb to the top of Tiger Hill. It is then downhill into Omakau.

Today you will enjoy a sightseeing trip to the historic Gold Mining town of St Bathans before Cycling the most popular and scenic section of the Otago Central Rail Trail – The Poolburn Gorge. You will cycle through schist cuttings, through two long tunnels and over the 37m high Poolburn Viaduct. With spectacular 360 degree views, you will be immersed Central Otago beauty!

Visit Hayes Engineering, 1km before Oturehua, and marvel at the workshop and homestead of inventor Ernest Hayes, 19th century pioneers whose resourcefulness, skill and determination define the spirit of “kiwi ingenuity”. Enjoy a well-earned coffee and lunch. After lunch cycle into Oturehua and step back into yesteryear and visit the Gilchrist General Store.

Today you will cross the highest point on the Trail then drop down into Wedderburn and cross the Maniototo Plains to the art deco town of Ranfurly. The team from Luxury Trail Co. will meet you in Ranfurly and transport you to Naseby for a Have a Go Curling Session – enjoy a hot time on ice!

Today is your final day on the Otago Central Rail Trail. From Kokonga you will enter the upper Taieri Gorge, another scenic and popular section on the Rail Trail. The picturesque gorge follows the Taieri River as it meanders south through the Strath Taieri Valley. You will cross the Prices Creek Viaduct and enter the 152m long Prices Creek tunnel. Between Hyde and Middlemarch, you will pass the site known as Straw Cutting, where on 4 June 1943 the Cromwell to Dunedin passenger train crashed, killing 21 passengers. You will cycle through the heart of the Strath Taieri with the vast Rock and Pillar range on your right.

Helpful information

We’re all about giving you the best experience possible, here are some notes that you might find helpful.

Yes, return transfers to and from Queenstown and back to Queenstown or Dunedin. And you will be fully supported privately with The Luxury Trail Co, with private van and driver throughout. Daily baggage transfers (2 bags per person – maximum weight limit per bag – 15kg).

  • Lunches, snacks and drinks
  • Evening Meals (except Kokonga Lodge)
  • Alcoholic beverages

We supply a fleet of excellent, comfortable e-bikes with high spec components. Along with all the accessories you might need like gel seats, panniers and more to ensure a comfortable ride.

Grade 1 (Easiest) – Suitable for novice riders, families and those seeking an easy, relaxing cycling experience. Gravel surface with only gentle climbs.

Itineraries are subject to changes due to availability, weather conditions and/or factors outside our control.

What people say

  • star rating  The Alps to Ocean trail takes you through really beautiful parts of New Zealand country! Great moments of excitement include a helicopter ride, some gnarly segments, a glamping experience with... read more

    avatar thumb J7750GHnancyd
    30 November 2023

    star rating  Beaut Bike Ride through historic towns and magnificent country. - A very enjoyable way to explore Central Otago.
    Daily distances very manageable and daily itinerary is flexible. Our tour consultant Alicia was obliging and responsive to our requests to modify... read more

    avatar thumb Resort35002869073
    10 November 2023

    star rating  The most wonderful experience - A wonderful experience and truly one of the best ways to experience the beauty of the Otago Rail Trail. I was very nervous as I had never ridden an... read more

    avatar thumb Bethelz
    23 October 2023
  • star rating  5 exceptional days - This was an awesome experience. The company is well organised, excellent communication, top quality bikes and accommodation. Alicia looked after us so well during our journey. We started our ... read more

    avatar thumb Mandy132
    15 September 2023

    star rating  Awesome again - This is the second time I've cycled with LRTT organising my itinerary and transporting me around. Again they have looked after me, listening to what I wanted to do... read more

    avatar thumb BobBlackadderJones
    23 May 2023

    star rating  Just the best and easiest way to book the Central Otago cycle trails - Dave and Alicia saved our holiday when they booked us an itinerary at late notice, right in the busy season.

    Friendly, organised, helpful and just lovely.

    avatar thumb markcQ8424LR
    14 May 2023
  • star rating  From the moment we contact Alicia the process was efficient and seamless. We arrived at Clyde, had an effective briefing, bags were dropped at our hotel (which was perfect)... read more

    avatar thumb BryceH196
    12 May 2023

    star rating  Great on a good day, exceptional in a crisis - My wife and I have wanted to cycle the Central Otago Rail Trail for some years, when we finally got round to making it happen we were overwhelmed by how... read more

    avatar thumb AotearoaTroy
    11 May 2023

    star rating  Stunning part of New Zealand and a great 4* way to explore it!  - Such a fun journey with these people! Top class accommodation, food and service. Itinerary was well thought and flowed well.
    Great bikes, but might have benefitted... read more

    avatar thumb 208bridgets
    6 May 2023
  • star rating  Great Experience - Great tour, meet great people, and the staff was fantastic. The accommodation was very comfortable, and the pubs and meals were very nice.

    avatar thumb Danielle_Moa
    2 May 2023

    star rating  Luxury Rail Trail tours nailed it! - What an awesome adventure we had. To start Alicia listened to our wants and assessed our competence and recommended 2 days of Rail Trail and 1 on Roxburgh Gorge trail... read more

    avatar thumb glendap565
    24 April 2023

    star rating  Great staff - so friendly and helpful  - Such great personal service, we have an amazing itinerary fantastic bikes - shame about the weather we will be back!

    avatar thumb 430janes
    13 April 2023
  • star rating  Perfect combination of adventure, nature and luxury! - Perfect combination of adventure, nature and luxury!
    My husband and I did the rail trail together and loved every minute. We felt we were in good hands from the... read more

    avatar thumb dundas12
    12 April 2023

    star rating  The service from the staff at the Luxury Trail company was excellent. Friendly,helpful and knowledgeable. The Sinch e-bike provided was enjoyable to ride. The side trips to St Bathans and... read more

    avatar thumb Jet644903
    12 April 2023

    star rating  Fantastic Trail experience - This is the second time we’ve used Luxury Trail and once again their exceptional service, knowledge and friendly staff never fail to impress! The e-bikes we hired were fantastic and... read more

    avatar thumb Brayfamily06
    31 March 2023
  • star rating  What a wonderful bike trek experience!!! - The Otago Rail trail proved to be a wonderful exprience. It was full of variety, surprises and incredible landscapes. By using the services of Luxury Rail Trail Tours,... read more

    avatar thumb PaulF438
    27 March 2023

    star rating  Beyond Expectation’s A2O - When my Sister invited my wife and I to do the Alps to Ocean with the Luxury Trail Company I was unsure if I could manage the ride and tour... read more

    avatar thumb Kiwisouth
    12 March 2023

    star rating  Amazing cycle experience - The trip was amazing. Very well supported by the Tour company. An absolute must if you are into scenic cycling with the assistance of battery power. Accommodation... read more

    avatar thumb lizandgarym
    28 February 2023
  • star rating  Fabulous trip. Thoroughly enjoyed the Lake Dunstan and Roxburgh Gorge rides. The e-bikes that were provided with our package were top quality and made the ride a pleasant one. The... read more

    avatar thumb angiewallienz
    25 January 2023

    star rating  Amazing family adventure. - Nick and his team at Luxury Rail Trail Tours provided a fantastic trip.
    The organisation was faultless, from pick up to drop off.
    Next time we'll include the... read more

    SiClats
    6 January 2023

    star rating  the whole adventure was great
    The route was beautiful and interesting we had great bikes and enjoyed the variety of countryside and accomodation on route, we loved that we... read more

    avatar thumb nicolapeacocke
    6 January 2023
  • star rating  We had an awesome time riding the Otago Rail Trail, Roxburgh Gorge Trail and the Lake Dunstan Trail over 6 days.
    Everything was spot on, the e-bikes were fantastic,... read more

    avatar thumb mightymeg
    22 December 2022

    star rating  The Otago Rail Trail was great and e-bikes made it possible for all the family to have the holiday that they wanted.

    Highly recommend Luxury Rail Trail Tours... read more

    avatar thumb baychaser
    12 December 2022

    star rating  Amazing trip and so well organised - thank you everyone at Luxury Rail Trail Tours.
    Highly recommend them 🙂

    avatar thumb clairerG548AF
    8 December 2022
  • star rating  Based on advice from family that have done this before we based ourselves in one spot - Clyde. Accommodation was amazing - The Lord Clyde - can't speak highly enough... read more

    avatar thumb TarynT84
    25 November 2022

    star rating  As "mature but active" travelers we wanted an experience of good cycling in interesting and attractive surroundings with luxury accommodation each night accompanied by gourmet dining and this is exactly... read more

    avatar thumb billiebro70
    15 November 2022

    star rating  The company advertises luxury but accomodation deteriorated each day.
    We felt that the company could have text each evening checking that you had a great day and had arrived safely.... read more

    avatar thumb Susan E
    8 November 2022
  • star rating  We were booked and had to postpone 3 times due to Covid restrictions. We had paid the full price up front and were encouraged to postpone, which was fine. However... read more

    Barbara L
    28 November 2021

    star rating  A very special trip, what a wonderful team who provided everything for a great, comfortable and very well fed trip.

    Scottrodgers
    13 April 2021

    star rating  We did the Otago Rail Trail in the last week of March. We had a great time. Nick,Andrea, Rosco, Claire and Gwyneth were amazing, friendly and welcoming. Accommodation was outstanding... read more

    Wharepoa63
    12 April 2021

What people say

  • star rating  Nick and Andrea were amazing. Nick organised the whole trip including luxury accommodation. We cycled the Otago Trail, Roxburgh Gorge & Clutha Gold with support along the way. Fantastic. Their... read more

    R6273JFjohnb
    6 December 2020
  • star rating  Awesome again - This is the second time I've cycled with LRTT organising my itinerary and transporting me around. Again they have looked after me, listening to what I wanted to do... read more

    avatar thumb BobBlackadderJones
    23 May 2023
  • star rating  What a wonderful bike trek experience!!! - The Otago Rail trail proved to be a wonderful exprience. It was full of variety, surprises and incredible landscapes. By using the services of Luxury Rail Trail Tours,... read more

    avatar thumb PaulF438
    27 March 2023
  • star rating  We were initially a little overwhelmed by the choice of operators to help us cycle the rail trail and almost gave up booking anything. We wanted a personal experience... read more

    RidgwayPark
    17 January 2021
  • star rating  This tour exceeded all expectations from the brilliant accomodating communication to the food, accom, bike equipment and scenery. Don't miss curling in Nasby, it is 'must do'.
    Cheers Sos... read more

    Sunshine53563689895
    7 December 2020
  • star rating  Stunning part of New Zealand and a great 4* way to explore it!  - Such a fun journey with these people! Top class accommodation, food and service. Itinerary was well thought and flowed well.
    Great bikes, but might have benefitted... read more

    avatar thumb 208bridgets
    6 May 2023
  • star rating  Fabulous trip. Thoroughly enjoyed the Lake Dunstan and Roxburgh Gorge rides. The e-bikes that were provided with our package were top quality and made the ride a pleasant one. The... read more

    avatar thumb angiewallienz
    25 January 2023
  • star rating  The Alps to Ocean trail takes you through really beautiful parts of New Zealand country! Great moments of excitement include a helicopter ride, some gnarly segments, a glamping experience with... read more

    avatar thumb J7750GHnancyd
    30 November 2023
  • star rating  The company advertises luxury but accomodation deteriorated each day.
    We felt that the company could have text each evening checking that you had a great day and had arrived safely.... read more

    avatar thumb Susan E
    8 November 2022
  • star rating  Very very good organisers, both the owner Nick and our main guide Roscoe
    Accommodation was perfect, no small beds, lots of fluffy towels, and small touches.
    Everything well organised. Great... read more

    RobertS13200
    15 March 2021

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