Central Otago Cycle Trails

One Day Tours

Enjoy a taste of Central Otago

Central Otago offers several great one day rides.  The below one day tours 

offer a taste of the Central Otago Cycle Trails and are ideal if you have limited

time. 

The Otago Central Rail Trail - Daisybank to Middlemarch

Clyde to Alexandra Loop

The Roxburgh Gorge Trail

 The Roxburgh Gorge Trail

Daisybank to Middlemarch on the Otago Central Rail Trail

Distance:  38km (approximately 4 hours cycling)

Grade:  Easy - suitable for cyclists of all levels

Start Location:  Cycle Surgery Middlemarch Depot

Finish Location:  Cycle Surgery Middlemarch Depot

Food and Refreshments:  There are no food or refreshments between Daisybank and Middlemarch - we recommend carrying plenty of snacks and water and having a late lunch in Middlemarch at Tap and Dough or The Kissing Gate Cafe

Itinerary

8.30am - Meet at Cycle Surgery Middlemarch.  You will be fitted onto your hire bikes.

9.00am - Shuttle from Middlemarch to Daisybank

Cycle 38km from Daisybank to Middlemarch

Cost Per Person - Includes bike hire and shuttle

Uni-Sex Step Thru Hire Bike $80.00 per person

Rail Trail 29ner Bike Hire $90.00 per person

E-Bike Hire $160.00 per person

A fantastic one day ride for families, couples and groups of all ages and fitness abilities.  This is one of  the most scenic sections of the Otago Central Rail Trail.  You will cycle through the spectacular Upper Taieri Gorge with the Prices Creek Tunnel and the Prices Creek Viaduct.  From Hyde you will cycle through the heart of  Strath Taieri Valley through rural farmlands to Middlemarch.

Middlemarch is a 1 hour drive from Dunedin

Clyde to Alexandra Loop 

7km Otago Central Rail Trail

1km Manuherikia River Track

12km Alexandra to Clyde River Track

Distance:  20km (approximately 3 hours cycling)

Grade:  Easy/Intermediate - suitable for regular cyclists

Start Location:  Cycle Surgery Clyde Depot

Finish Location:  Cycle Surgery Clyde Depot

Food and Refreshments:  Clyde and Alexandra both offer a range of great cafes, restaurants and hotels.  We recommend visiting Industry Lane Eatery right beside the Rail Trail in Alexandra, The Courthouse Cafe in Alexandra and The Merchant Cafe and Oliver's Bar and Restaurant in Clyde.

Itinerary

Collect your hire bikes from Cycle Surgery Clyde and set off at your own pace!

Cost Per Person - Includes bike hire, a map, helmet, puncture repair kit and panniers

Uni-Sex Step Thru Hire Bike $45.00 per person

Rail Trail 29ner Bike Hire $55.00 per person

E-Bike Hire $120.00 per person

Optional:  Shuttle to and from Queenstown $130.00 per person.

Optional:  Overnight accommodation in Clyde - from $60.00 to $180.00 per person

An awesome one day ride with a mixture of flat Rail Trail and MTB single track on the River Track from Alexandra to Clyde.  This is one of my favourite rides!  The River Track runs alongside the Clutha River and offers a mix of board walks, single track, up's and down's with some jumps waiting for those willing to find them.  Lots of fun!

Clyde is a 1 hours drive from Queenstown.

The Roxburgh Gorge Trail

20km Roxburgh Gorge Trail

14km Jet Boat Ride

12km Alexandra to Clyde River Track

Distance:  32km (approximately 4 hours cycling)

Start Location:  Cycle Surgery Clyde Depot

Finish Location:  Cycle Surgery Clyde Depot

Food and Refreshments:  Please note that there are no food or refreshment shops on the Roxburgh Gorge Trail.  We recommend carrying plenty of snacks and water and having a late lunch in Alexandra at either the  Industry Lane Eatery right beside the Rail Trail or the The Courthouse Cafe.

Itinerary

9.00am Meet at Cycle Surgery Clyde and collect your hire bikes

9.30am Shuttle from Clyde to Lake Roxburgh Dam

10.15am Arrive at Lake Roxburgh Dam.  Cycle 11km to Shingle Creek Jetty.

12.15pm Clutha River Cruises Jet Boat Ride.  A unique opportunity to explore the isolated reaches of the Mighty Clutha (Mata-Au) River and view some of New Zealand’s best examples of European and Chinese gold mining.  45 minute Jet Boat ride

1.00pm Cycle 10km from Doctor's Point to Alexandra

2.00pm Food and refreshment stop in Alexandra

2.45pm Cycle 12km from Alexandra to Clyde on River Track

Cost Per Person - Includes bike hire, shuttle to Lake Roxburgh Dam, Jet Boat Transfer, a map, helmet, puncture repair kit and panniers

Uni-Sex Step Thru Hire Bike $245.00 per person

Rail Trail 29ner Bike Hire $255.00 per person

E-Bike Hire $335.00 per person

Optional:  Shuttle to and from Queenstown $130.00 per person.

Optional:  Overnight accommodation in Clyde - from $60.00 to $180.00 per person

One of my favourite one day rides in Central Otago.  The Roxburgh Gorge is a challenging ride with a few climbs - but worth it for the spectacular views