Central Otago Rail Trail

If you're looking for an active sort of holiday, then I'd recommend the cycling the Central Otago Rail Trail in New Zealand. It's a former railway line that fell into disuse and was then transformed into a walking/cycling/horse-riding trail by ripping up the train tracks and levelling it out with gravel. We stayed in little two-horse towns along the way, which would otherwise be dead if it wasn't for this rail trail initiative. The first night we stayed in Ophir, quite proudly the coldest place in NZ, in a hostel not unlike horse stables. I later read that it had been shearers' quarters until the late 70's. It was then that I recalled ticking the "Budget" box on the accommodation preferences. Nevertheless it was warm and dry and Magi even managed a nudey run from the shower block to our stable at about 3 degrees temperature.

We cycled the trail after Easter, in the beautiful cool, clear and dry autumn weather and saw the change of colours of the trees as well. The track was of gravel of varying degrees of size and of an acceptable gradient, as it was built for trains. Having said that, the first day was an uphill slog of 50km; on a normal road this would be fine for us, but on gravel, and Mikey especially towing Magi in the trailer with panniers full of snacks and the sorts, it was a considerable effort. We eventually received the downhill dividend on the last day; a howling arctic tail wind made it a very fast descent through Wedderburn, passing a lot of sorry, grumbling souls heading the other way. The trip ends in a train ride through the Taieri gorge to Dunedin, where I recommend you don't stay in the Manor House backpackers, as in the words of the proprietor; "If the fire alarm goes off, just get the hell out!!" Enjoy the little slide show.

Central Otago Rail Trail on PhotoPeach