25 Years On Track

For over a quarter of a century, the Otago Central Rail Trail has become more than just a bike ride. It’s a journey through time and community - a ride that connects people, landscapes, and stories. From the stoic local businesses that have been welcoming riders since day one, to the new operators and experiences that continue to pop up along the trail, the Rail Trail’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and enduring Kiwi hospitality.

As we celebrate the trail’s silver jubilee, we take a look back - and a look forward - at the people and places that make the Otago Central Rail Trail such a special ride.

Wedderburn Cottages

Wedderburn Cottages have been operating since the inception of the Rail Trail, and the trail actually runs right through the heart of the property.

Operated by the Duncans, a fourth generation Central Otago farming family, a stay at the cottages allows riders to experience a genuine rural farming lifestyle – with an iconic country pub right at the end of the driveway for added authenticity!

But back at the beginning, patriarch Graeme Duncan was unconvinced about the trail’s potential. He credits his son, Stu, for being particularly enthusiastic about the future opportunities to come from the Rail Trail having seen similar projects succeed overseas.

Today, Graeme has changed his tune somewhat and reckons that “the Otago Central Rail Trail has been the biggest thing for the region since the gold rush”!

Historic Hayes, Oturehua

Located on outskirts of Oturehua in the Ida Valley, just off the Rail Trail, is Historic Hayes – a remarkable living museum which celebrates the ingenuity of 19^th century rural life.

Ernest Hayes came to New Zealand from the England in 1884. He was a millwright by training, experienced with machinery and their power systems. Hayes established an engineering workshop in 1895 close to the Ida Valley Flour Mill in which he had earlier installed the milling equipment. But with the arrival of the railway, and flour now delivered to the communities of Central Otago by train, the Hayes family had to pivot their business….

...but, you’ll have to visit Historic Hayes to find out what happened next!

Self-guided or guided tours are available, but guided tours need to be booked in advance. Coffee and cake at Hannah’s Café onsite is highly recommended.

Gilchrist’s Store, Oturehua

Another Oturehua gem, Gilchrist’s Store is the oldest continuously trading shop in New Zealand.

Built in 1899, today the store is a living museum and a nostalgic step back in time

The packed shelves display an eclectic collection of memorabilia such as the original telephone exchange, an antique bacon slicer, tinned coffee and food from the late 1800’s. Rest assured, present-day goods and supplies for Rail Trail riders are also sold, and the store is a great stop for an ice cream or coffee - John the current proprietor / guardian of the historic store being an excellent barista.

Chatto Creek Tavern

This iconic stone and mud brick tavern has been serving thirsty travellers since 1886.

Initially serving as a hub for the local community, including rabbiters and railway construction workers, the Chatto Creek Tavern provided food and refreshment for a township of 800 people and was also a coach stop on the route between Alexandra and Dunedin. Today, it remains a popular rest stop, especially for cyclists on the Otago Central Rail Trail, and offers hearty pub fare in a historic setting.

Grant and Fiona became the tavern’s most recent guardians in 2020, bringing with them Pablo, Henry and Benjamin Button… the pub’s resident donkeys! They’d love a carrot or two before you head back onto the trail (the donkeys, that is, not Grant and Fiona)!

Poolburn Viaduct

The Poolburn Gorge section of the Otago Central Rail Trail is one of the trail’s scenic highlights. It encompasses two bridges and two tunnels as the trail gently snakes along the dramatic gorge.

Standing 37m tall and 108m long, the Poolburn Viaduct is the highest bridge on the rail line. It was built between 1901 and 1904. Schist rock quarried from outcrops close by was trimmed and bolstered to construct the piers and abutments with the help of large gantry hoists to lift and position the stone slabs. The construction of the railway through the gorge took over three years, with up to 300 workers employed at the peak of construction.

Orkney Wetland, Omakau

The Orkney Wetland is a newly restored, five-hectare wetland in Omakau located alongside the Rail Trail. It was created as part of the Thomsons Catchment Project, to improve water quality and biodiversity.  A viewing platform just off the Rail Trail provides riders an opportunity to stop and enjoy the native wildlife that now inhabit the wetland.

It’s a great example of what happens when the local community and expert scientists’ team up to tackle environmental challenges.

Thomsons Creek sits in a busy farming area of Central Otago and faced multiple environmental issues, including declining water quality, vulnerable native fish, and limited native biodiversity. The project took a collaborative approach to address these challenges, focusing on community involvement to make real, lasting change and the project has delivered substantial infrastructure and environmental improvements.

Maniototo Adventure Park, Naseby

Since 2006, curling has somewhat unexpectedly become one of the absolute must do activities on the Rail Trail following the opening of the Naseby Indoor Curling Rink – the Southern Hemisphere’s only dedicated curling rink!

Central Otago has a long history with curling which was introduced by Scottish gold miners, with the first reported game in Maniototo, on 6 July 1878. Scottish and Irish immigrants would go to the small towns such as the village of Naseby, and in the harsh winter conditions they’d use the natural ponds and the goldminer’s dams to play their native homeland sport of curling.

Today, the curling rink is part of the larger Maniototo Adventure Park which incorporates a winter ice luge and the newly refurbished Gold Rush summer luge for those seeking an adrenaline rush!

Monte Christo Winery, Clyde

Monte Christo Winery is the birthplace of the Central Otago wine industry, where the very first vines in the region were planted in 1864 by Frenchman Jean Désiré Féraud.

The current winery complex - which opened in 2023 - has undergone loving refurbishment by the Paris family who consulted closely with Heritage New Zealand on the restoration of the original stone building which serves as their cellar door and tasting room.

With the addition of an expansive underground cellar for exclusive tastings, visitor accommodation, Fritzy the food truck and beautifully landscaped grounds, Monte Christo is both the newest winery on the Rail Trail, but also the oldest…