Three days divided into the 152km of the Otago Central Rail Trail equals around 50km per day, pretty close to today’s recommended ride from Waipiata to Lauder (48km).
Do try to give Oturehua your time. On the northern outskirts is the historic Golden Progress Mine where Otago’s last remaining wooden gantry. Oturehua is also home to New Zealand’s longest serving general store and Hayes Engineering Works and Homestead where there’s something for men and women.
From Oturehua, the trail crosses the floor of the Ida Valley and up a gradual climb to the Poolburn Railway Viaduct. From there it’s a relaxing downhill ride through the fantastic Poolburn Gorge with its two long tunnels (don’t forget to bring a torch) and the chance of spying a kārearea, the NZ native falcon and world’s fastest diving bird of prey.
The distance between towns ( Middlemarch to Clyde )
- Middlemarch to Hyde: 27km
- Hyde to Kokonga: 14.5km
- Kokonga to Waipiata: 10.5km
- Waipiata to Ranfurly: 8 km
- Ranfurly to Wedderburn: 13km
- Wedderburn to Oturehua: 12km
- Oturehua to Lauder: 23km
- Lauder to Omakau: 7km
- Omakau to Chatto Creek: 12km
- Chatto Creek to Alexandra: 17km
- Alexandra to Clyde: 8km
