South Island Otago Region 2021 Middlemarch to Clyde

Middlemarch to Clyde

Otago Region South Island

New Zealand

2021

Middlemarch

Photos on the road from Mosgiel to Middlemarch. Not wise to be in a hurry, good road but some serious downgrades with no overtaking we stayed behind a cattle truck all the way.

Staying two nights at the Middlemarch Holiday Park $35 on power for two.

Otago Central Rail Trail

Middlemarch

Starting from camp this morning at 10.30 am the sun was out but so was the frost, we cycled from Middlemarch to Hyde and had a break at the Hyde railway station. We then cycled back home, 60 km return trip, and only passed one other couple.

Middlemarch

We had two detours adding about 5kms to the ride

Turn around point

Inside the old rail station

60km Return trip

BQ out even though it's only 5 degrees outside and a blood moon tomorrow night.

Otago Central Rail Trail

Ranfurly

Yesterday we drove to Hyde and parked then biked halfway to Ranfurly turned around had lunch then drove to Ranfurly NZMCA. We are happy to do half a section in one day then get home and thaw out lol.

Starting from Ranfurly this morning in one-degree temperature to finish our second section.

Starting section Hyde to Ranfurly

Halfway turn around 32km return

Staying 3 nights, nice camp

Started from Ranfurly Station back towards Hyde to finish the section.

Ranfurly Station is also the i-site

Nice looking trail

Return ride 33 kms

Otago Central Rail Trail

Ranfurly

From Ranfurly NZMCA we biked on the next stage of the trail to Wedderburn and then returned. Drizzle settled in and now rain. Today we have moved on to our next camp Crows Nest a small camp on the camp saver.

So here we sit and wait for the rain to stop so we can do the trail in both directions from here.

The Tavern is closed until the weekend so just as well we stocked up at Ranfurly. Can’t understand why services supporting the rail trail have closed until next season lol.

Staying 4 nights, small camp

Otago Central Rail Trail

Oturehua

Well, you might be thinking where is Oturehua? Good point lol Biking from Crows Nest camp yesterday we got ready to go and before we got outside it started to shower with rain. One thing about rain it doesn't freeze the fingers like frost 24 km return and another section done.

Today we biked in the other direction from camp to do half of the next section. We enjoyed the ride that included a great old rail bridge, two tunnels, and nice views, in contrast to what we have had up to date it’s nice to have a change of scenery. 36kms return and we met one other couple to have a chat with, they had hired e-bikes with saddlebags and booked accommodation along the way.

Tomorrow is a rest day and a chance to check out the historic general store just up the road.

This is the turnaround station

A bit wet but hot!! Had to take the hat off to let steam out

Another section done and dusted

Today's ride

Viaduct rail bridge

The river is swollen from the terrible rain only a fraction of what Canterbury got.

Getting the torch out

Look at the rock above

36 kms return ride

Otago Central Rail Trail

Oturehua

We check out the historic general store

Otago Central Rail Trail

St Bathans

We had another day off from cycling. Leaving Oturehua yesterday it was worth a side trip to visit St Bathans. We stayed the night at the Domain (free parking, no internet coverage, walking distance to town and lake walks)

We had lunch and walked into town for a look at the historic buildings, needing more fuel to do the walk around the lake we stopped in at the tavern.

The lake walk was interesting with plenty of history boards to read. We were invited to look at the old jail and constables house, before heading back to camp with the sun setting

We had a good look around St Bathans

Otago Central Rail Trail

Omakau

Travelled from St Bathans this morning to bike from Omakau to finish that section we started 2 days ago. It's been a fantastic day the sun is out and no wind, it was nice to ride without all the winter gear on. We are staying tonight and will bike halfway to Alexander tomorrow.

That's us parked up for the night

Snow-capped rangers all around us

We passed through Lauder Station

24km return ride

Otago Central Rail Trail

Alexandra

We biked halfway to Alexandra from Omakau this morning and back to have lunch then moved on to Alexandra for 3 nights of free camping.

We were here in summer to do other cycle trails and the Clyde to Alexandra section of this rail trail. So tomorrow we finish the Otago Central Rail Trail and we have done twice the distance.

On the road to Alexander

Love the nude trees

31 kms return ride

Staying 3 nights free camping in town, thanks Alexandra

Otago Central Rail Trail

Alexandra

We finished the Otago Central Rail Trail today. It was windy in contrast to the other days where we had sun, clouds, mostly no wind, frost, and rain.

So this year so far we have cycled from Cromwell to Middlemarch and around Queenstown and Alexandra.

We have booked the bikes in for a service in Cromwell so will be heading that way next.

Today ride started 2kms from camp

Nice view riding from Alexandra but extremely windy today

Turn around point

30 kms return trip from camp

Last section 150 km to Middlemarch where we started but we have done return rides so 300kms for us

We cycled from camp in Alexandra along the river trail and back via the rail trail.

Otago

Cromwell / Lowburn

Back staying at Lowburn. We went for a walk up the steep 45th Parallel Loop Track with fabulous panoramic views. Starting from camp on SH 6 there is an all-purpose track, we usually cycle along here but decided to walk it for a change. We crossed the highway and began climbing heaps of steps to the top, it's then a short walk through old gold diggings down to the inlet and back to camp.