Rail Trail Travel Planner

We can plan, organise and book your Otago Rail Trail trip from a range of options available. You can choose to ride or walk the 150km trail independently or enjoy the benefits of a fully supported package.

We will customise your trip to suit your needs, including time available and budget. Let us know your requirements and how we can best help to ensure a hassle free adventure.

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Guest Comment:

I would really like to thank you for looking after Sue and myself so well on our rather gruelling Otago Rail Trail. We appreciated the attention you paid to our welfare. (Yes…. I remember!! We were wrong!).

Rose Cottage was by far the best bed and breakfast we stayed in on the Rail Trail. Noel was a most considerate and helpful guide. Noel’s knowledge of the area meant that we got to see very interesting sights after our day’s biking that we would never otherwise have known about. Noel took very good care of us. Accommodation and activities on our Rail Trail trip were carefully planned and were very enjoyable.

Despite our lack of preparation and the weather we both really enjoyed biking the Rail Trail and we attribute that enjoyment in large part to you Noel. Thank you.

Julie Girvan
Sue Pearson

Rail Trail Packages

At Rail Trail Planner we provide a range of bike riding/walking options. Choose from personalised packages to suit your own needs and time requirements to fully supported pre-arranged packages for small groups (maximum of ten people). For example, we can arrange for you a one-day Rail Trail highlights tour.

Personalised packages

Before bookings are finalised we seek your input and approval to ensure the itinerary and services required are right for you. For example, you may wish to self-guide your ride/walk or you may elect to have full transport support and guiding. We take pride in being able to provide you a very flexible, efficient and friendly service.

Our complete Rail Trail packages are priced to include all accommodation, breakfasts, bike hires, transport and guiding. Side-trips to the historic goldfield towns of St Bathans and Naseby are an important part of our Rail Trail experience. If your time permits we also include a visit to William Hill Vineyard at Clyde.

We book your evening meals after discussing with you the different dining experiences available. Although we can provide daily lunches it is recommended you choose to buy these, including snacks and coffee, at the various cafes and pubs along the way.

Chilled water, energy bars and sunscreen are available from your support vehicle. You will enjoy a relaxing and satisfying time surrounded by beautiful scenery.

To request further information or to tell us about your requirements please email us at inquiries@railtrailplanner.co.nz or phone: 64 3 464 3755 Mobile: 027 251 0049

Sample Personalised Rail Trail Package (5 days)

or download as PDF PDF icon (154KB)

Day One
  1. Arrival in Middlemarch: We can collect you from Dunedin Airport or off the Taieri Gorge Train at Pukerangi.
  2. Visit cafes /museum/ Sutton Salt Lake.
  3. Selected accommodation: Rose Cottage Bed and Breakfast.
    Tariff: $130 per couple (includes breakfast).
    Suggested venue for evening meal: Quench cafe
Day Two
  1. Mt Ida Adventure Tours air-conditioned minibus and trailer takes you to Clyde.
  2. Cycle from Clyde to Omakau - (37km).
  3. Selected accommodation: Omakau Accommodation.
    Tariff: $140.00 per couple (includes breakfast).
  4. Trip to historic towns of Cambrians and St Bathans. Visits include Blue Lake and Vulcan Hotel.
    Suggested venue for evening meal: Omakau Hotel or Vulcan Hotel in St Bathans.
Day Three
  1. Cycle from Omakau to Wedderburn - (40km).
  2. Selected accommodation: Wedderburn Cottages.
    Tariff: $150.00 per couple (includes breakfast).
  3. Trip to Naseby. Experience Curling.
    Suggested venue for evening meal: Royal Hotel in Naseby.
Day Four
  1. Cycle from Wedderburn to Hyde - (46km).
  2. Selected accommodation: Hyde Central Hotel.
    Tariff: $150.00 per couple (includes breakfast).
  3. Trip to Oceania Goldmine at Macraes (New Zealand’s largest opencast goldmine).
    Suggested venue for evening meal: Hyde Central Hotel or Stanley Hotel at Macraes.
Day Five
  1. Cycle from Hyde to Middlemarch - (27km).
  2. Celebrate trail completion at Kissing Gate Cafe in Middlemarch.
  3. Stay another night in Middlemarch or departure. We can return you to Dunedin Airport or book you a Taieri Gorge train trip to Dunedin.

Itemised cost per couple for 5 days Rail Trail Adventure:

Taieri Gorge Train ticket or bus transfer to airport: $122.00
Accommodation 4 nights + breakfasts: $570.00
Bike Hire: 4 days (panniers included): $320.00
Bag transfers / Side-trips / full support for trip: $460.00
Bag transfers only: $50.00
Curling: $30.00
Total cost per couple without full support and side-trips: $1092.00
Total cost per couple with full support and side-trips $1502.00

What to bring

The following items provide a useful checklist.

Pre-Arranged Packages

Currently we have vacancies for our 5 day guided tours for November and December, 2010. The dates are:

These trips are limited to a maximum party size of ten. You are advised to contact us early as possible for bookings.

Sample Pre-Arranged Rail Trail Package (5 days)

or download as PDF PDF icon (178KB)

Day One:
  1. Pick-up from Dunedin Airport. Transfer to Middlemarch.
  2. Arrival in Middlemarch: 
  3. Visit cafes /museum/ Sutton Salt lake
  4. Selected accommodation: Rose Cottage Bed and Breakfast or Strathmore Bed and Breakfast. Tariff: $130 per couple. (Includes breakfast)
    Venue for evening meal: Quench café.
Day Two:
  1. Mt Ida Adventure Tours minivan and trailer takes you to Clyde.
  2. Cycle from Clyde to Omakau- (37km)
  3. Selected accommodation: Omakau Accommodation. Tariff: $140.00 per couple. (Includes breakfast)
  4. Trip to historic towns of Cambrians and St Bathans. Visits include Blue Lake and Vulcan Hotel.

Venue for evening meal: Vulcan Hotel in St Bathans.

Day Three:
  1. Cycle from Omakau to  Oturehua- (32km)
  2. Selected accommodation: Oturehua Lodge. Tariff: $140.00 per couple. (Includes breakfast)
  3. Trip to Naseby.  Experience Curling.

Venue for evening meal: The Falconer Restaurant or Royal Hotel in Naseby.

Day Four:
  1. Cycle from Oturehua to Waipiata- (33km)
  2. Selected accommodation: Waipiata Motels. Tariff: $156.00 per couple (Includes breakfast)
  3. Trip to Oceania Goldmine at Macraes (New Zealand’s largest opencast goldmine)

Suggested venue for evening meal: Stanley’s Hotel at Macraes. 

Day Five:
  1. Cycle from Waipiata to Middlemarch- (51km)
  2. Celebrate trail completion at Kissing Gate Café or Quench Cafe in Middlemarch.
  3. Taieri Gorge Railway trip from Middlemarch to Dunedin. Departs Pukerangi at 4:45p.m. - Arrives in Dunedin at 6:30p.m.

Itemized cost per couple for 5-days Rail Trail Adventure:

Taieri Gorge Train ticket or bus transfer to airport: $122.00
Accommodation 4 nights + breakfasts: $566.00
Bike Hire: 4 days (panniers included): $320.00
Bag transfers / Side-trips / full support for trip: $460.00
Bag transfers only: $50.00
Curling: $30.00
Total cost per couple without full support and side-trips: $1088.00
Total cost per couple with full support and side-trips $1498.00


What to bring

The following items provide a useful checklist.


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