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. You will find Hyde Coffee Caravan & Store located in the main street, which is your only chance to refill your body before you cycle another 25km to Waipiata. Check the coffee Caravan is open if not take extra supplies for the days journey. 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 five 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/Ranfurly or Wedderburn )

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), Ranfurly(33km) or Day 2 start from Waipiata will take you to accommodation in Wedderburn (21km).  

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/Ranfurly or Wedderburn finish Oturehua)

This is the day we recommend exploring and overnighting in Oturehua -- the tiny Rail Trail town big on attractions. Just 33km from Waipiata, 25km from Ranfurly and 12km from Wedderburn on Oturehua’s northern outskirts is the historic Golden Progress Mine where Otago’s last remaining wooden gantry (‘Poppet head’) stands 14 metres over a 46 metre shaft. Oturehua is also home to New Zealand’s longest serving general store and Hayes Engineering Works and Homestead where there’s something for both men and women.

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 Lauder or 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 from Oturehua to Lauder is only 23km with Omakau/Ophir just 7km further along the trail. Spending time in Lauder or staying Night 4 there, this is a great opportunity to organise a visit to the NIWA atmosphere research station. Only a few hundred metres north on the road out of Lauder.

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 Lauder or Omakau/Ophir finish Clyde )

Your final day on the Otago Central Rail Trail. Whether you set out from Lauder or Omakau/Ophir, 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 Alexandra or Clyde, both towns offering plenty to see and do.

With Alexandra or Clyde 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

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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