Lauder to Oturehua (approx 25 kms)
A typical itinerary for the day tripper looks like
this...
This one-day ride from Lauder to Oturehua starts with a pick-up
from your accommodation in either Queenstown, Dunedin or Clyde at
approx 8.00am. This should see you pedalling by about 10am, with
your morning tea, stainless steel water bottle and Rail Trail
passport in your panniers. Soon you'll be crossing the Manuherikia
River on the trail's second longest bridge 110.6m). Then it's on
through the Poolburn Gorge with its dramatic schist bluffs and two
tunnels. These are very dark and even with a torch it's advisable
to walk, not cycle, through them. The next treat in store is the
37m high Poolburn Viaduct - and if it's a clear day you can see
forever, so make sure you've got your camera!
From here, slowly descend Raggedy Range to the Ida Valley - home
to the rare NZ falcon, the Karearea. It is also boasts the Ida Burn
dam, which is used as a natural skating rink in winter and, very
occasionally, the call goes out for a 'bonspiel' where curling
enthusiasts come from all over the district to compete on the
dam.
On your way into Oturehua, you'll pass the Hayes Engineering
Works, where Ernest Hayes invented and manufactured many
indispensable farming tools in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The
barn workshops remain pretty much unchanged since the days when the
cattle stop and wire strainer came into being. After lunch, your
driver will bring you here for a fascinating tour of the works and
farmstead.
But you will be hungry by now, so we have included in your
package a lunch at the Oturehua Tavern, where they know how to feed
hungry cyclists. While your meal is being prepared, it's well worth
a visit across the road to Gilchrist's, New Zealand's oldest
continually operating general store - and again, it looks very much
the same as it did when it first opened!
After your tour of the Hayes Engineering Works, your driver will
collect you for your journey to Queenstown, Clyde or Dunedin, where
you should arrive at approximately 6pm.
Other one and two day
packages available by arrangement.
Please
contact us for a package to meet your needs and
budget.
book now
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