5 Day Itinerary Middlemarch to Clyde

Our Recommendation: Day 1/Night 1 (start Middlemarch, finish Hyde)

From Middlemarch it’s a gentle 27km climb through the Strath Taieri Valley to Hyde.  A further 6km will take you to Tiroiti’s and then a further 14.5km to Kokonga or go a further 10.5km to Waipiata for some accommodation choices.

Setting out from Middlemarch also provides the opportunity to visit the huge, fully operational Oceana Gold Mine on the outskirts of historic Macraes Flat. The hosts of Stanley’s Hotel at Macraes Flat providers transport solutions for guests staying in their accommodation. 

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

Our Recommendation: Day 2/Night 2 (start Hyde, finish Waipiata or Ranfurly)

Day 2 from Hyde an easy ride through the scenic Upper Taieri Gorge and around the shores of the long gone Taieri Lake will take you to accommodation in Waipiata (25km) or Ranfurly(33km).

Night 2 is an opportunity to give curling a go in Naseby and perhaps even stay the night. There is a shuttle service to collect you from the Rail Trail at Wedderburn and deliver you back in the morning( Naseby Transfers : 03 444 9884 / 027 464 6337 ). There is also a car rental option from Wedderburn which gives you added flexibility ( Trail Rentals : 03 444 9504 / 021 0222 3314 ).

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

Our Recommendation: Day 3/Night 3 (start Waipiata or Ranfurly, finish Oturehua)

This is the day we recommend exploring and overnighting in Oturehua

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

Our Recommendation: Day 4/Night 4 (start Oturehua, finish Omakau/Ophir)

From Oturehua the trail crosses the floor of the Ida Valley and up a short climb to the Poolburn Railway Viaduct. From there it’s a ‘wheee’ 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

Our Recommendation: Day 5 (start Omakau or Ophir, finish Clyde)

Your final day on the Otago Central Rail Trail. It’s a relatively easy pedal to Clyde that takes in the fun of freewheeling down Tiger Hill between Omakau/Ophir and Chatto Creek. Day 5 can also become Night 5 on the Rail Trail should you plan to stay in Clyde, offering plenty to see and do.

Clyde is so close to Queenstown what better way to complete your Otago Central Rail Trail experience than to at least get a taste of New Zealand’s most popular tourist destination. Year round Intercity departs Clyde for Queenstown. ( Intercity Bus Timetable ) 

If you wish to bus back to Dunedin, timetables will have a big influence in your overnighting decisions… Intercity departs the Clyde Trail Head daily for Dunedin.

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

 Self Planning Guide

Introduction to Self PlanningClyde to Middlemarch3 Day Itinerary4 Day Itinerary5 Day ItineraryMiddlemarch to Clyde3 Day Itinerary4 Day Itinerary5 Day ItineraryFAQsWeather & WindSeasons on the Trail
Trail Map
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The Rail Trail Guide Book

The single most important resource when travelling the Central Otago Rail Trail

A beautifully crafted book with amazing photography by Peter Andrews showing Central Otago as it truly is, one of the most rugged, extreme and beautiful locations on the planet. Stunning scenery, amazing and important historical and current information, detailed maps, lists of accommodation, frequently asked questions, where to eat, how far between towns, etc. It’s all in here.

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