What you will see and do:

• Cycle through deep gorges, tunnels, cross historic bridges and enjoy amazing mountain scenery
• Experience famous southern hospitality
• Side Trips to off the trail including St Bathans, Naseby and Ophir
• Cycle as much or as little as you choose and non-cyclists can be catered for
• Opportunity to taste Central Otago wine and food
• Experienced guide will meet you every 10-12km, with a smile, food & drinks and the offer of a rest in the support vehicle if needed.
• Opportunity to travel on the Taieri Gorge Railway to Dunedin or return to Queenstown or Wanaka

Guaranteed to depart with a minimum of 6 people.

Where we stay...

Colonial Manor Motel –Cromwell
Cromwell is at the heart of the Central Otago Wine Growing Region (over 70% of the grapes are grown here), home to the award winning Provisions gourmet preserves and baking and of course amazing fruit (cherries, apricots, peaches, nectarines, apples and pears) which is a direct result of our hot, dry summers.

Colonial Manor is described as the best motel in Cromwell, independently rated by Qualmark as 4 star Colonial Manor offers modern accommodation in lovely grounds.

Blacks Hotel – Ophir
Ophir is a tiny settlement next to the Manuherikia river that ranks alongside St Bathans and Clyde as one of New Zealand’s most authentic gold mining towns.

Blacks Hotel is art deco in style and was established in 1937. Hosts Steve and Annie Chapman extensively refurbished the hotel a couple of years ago and one of the most popular additions is the large deck at the rear of the hotel – perfect for soaking up the sun and enjoying some local wine.

Naseby Trail Lodge – Naseby
Naseby was once the main service town for the Maniototo before it was replaced by Ranfurly with the arrival of the Railway. Surrounded by exotic forest, Naseby has a distinct alpine feel and is quaint with its winding lanes and historic shop frontages.

Naseby Trail Lodge is only a couple of years old but has been built to fit with the surrounding town. Throughout the complex extensive use is made of mud bricks moulded from local clays. Rather than aluminium, window frames are wooden, milled from trees grown in Naseby's Black Forest. Onsite is the Falconer Restaurant, serving up a delightful menu with a focus on incorporating Central Otago ingredients wherever possible. Your host is Karen Stringer who is Central Otago born and bred.

Your Meals...

Most meals are included except where indicated on the itinerary. The following is what you can expect to eat whilst on tour.

Breakfast
Continental style with cereals, toast, spreads and fruit.

Morning and Afternoon Teas and Snacks
Homemade fruit cake and fruit & oat biscuits, Trail Mix (Fruits, Nuts and Seeds), Muesli Bars Cheese, Crackers, Seasonal Central Otago Fruit and Preserves and selection of hot drinks including herbal teas, juice and water.

Lunch
At Chatto Creek we enjoy one of the Tavern’s now famous lunches which may include ham off the bone, fresh out the garden carrots, salad roast potatoes. In Wedderburn we order off the pub menu and the next day we have a picnic lunch prepared by the Falconer in Naseby. Our Historic Station lunch is usually a full roast with the meat coming from the farm, vegetables, salads, dessert and Central Otago wine.

Dinner
In Naseby we dine at the Falconer where you can choose from delights such as grilled Maniototo lamb loin with gingered sweet potato mashers, sautéed courgette with red onion and juniper jus or Pan fried chicken breast stuffed with brie apricots hazelnuts with spring onion mashers, sautéed spinach and a white wine mushroom sauce. On BBQ night we enjoy smoked pork and bacon sausages from the award-winning Fridge butchery in Alexandra, more Central Otago lamb and southern beef.

There are two dinners that are at your own cost. In Cromwell choose from the award winning Feast or one of the local hotels. In Ophir you can order a hearty country pub style meal off the menu at Blacks Hotel.

A selection of Central Otago wines and other beverages are available for purchase with your meals.

Your Bike
Designed and built for maximum comfort all bikes feature:

• Suspension forks & seat posts for your riding comfort and safety.
• Gel seats with additional elastomer for maximum comfort for both male and female clients.
• Large pedals to give you a secure riding platform and stop sore foot arches
• Uniquely designed handlebar position for maximum back and neck comfort
• Full disc brakes front and rear for improved control and safety
• High quality Shimano components to ensure reliability
• High quality Duro tyres for strength and tractions on the trail
• Panniers, set of two per bike 35 litres capacit, perfect for a jacket, onbike snacks and your camera

Alternatively you can bring your own bike. Your tour cost then reduces by $140.00pp

Fitness
To participate in this tour you need to be able cycle independently for at least 1.5 hours.  A range of people join our groups from those who have spent very little time cycling to those that are fit and/or regular cyclists.  This tour is more about taking in Central Otago at a leisurely pace, enjoying your time on the trail, meeting the locals and getting to experience life in New Zealand's least populated region!

Photo Credit: Ross & Petrea McRobie