About Us
Off The Rails is a well established cycle tour company specialising in premium cycle tours of the Otago Central Rail Trail. Our wonderful Central Otago staff are the real stars of the show. They offer our guests unparallelled hospitality and service - nothing is too much bother for them. Over the years they have brought hundreds of smiles to hundreds of faces.
Whether you are a couple, a family or a group of friends getting together to tick the Otago Central Rail Trail off your bucket list, our tours provide you with a one stop shop. Bikes, accommodation and transport are all included in our tour price. We will pick you up from Queenstown at the beginning of your tour and return you to either Queenstown or the Taieri Gorge train to Dunedin at the end of your tour. Our drivers all have a wealth of local knowledge, which they will share with you each day.
Our guests love staying in the same accommodation each night. This is a real point of difference when you travel with Off The Rails. You can relax and enjoy the wonderful country hospitality of our staff and the Maniototo area after your riding each day. Our drivers will take you out to a different country hotel for a meal each evening The curling at Naseby on the last evening of your stay is a real highlight for our guests.
Our dedication to sustainable business practices in this unique environment is paramount, as is working alongside the local community. We invite you to read about the practical initiatives we have taken, and continue to develop, in our Responsible Tourism Policy.
We are also an official Central Otago Brand user and a member of the Rail Trail Operators Group, marking our involvement with the Rail Trail's local tourism industry.
We are proudly a Qualmark accredited business with a Silver rating. This ensures that you will be receiving first class service all of the time!
Off The Rails is located in the heart of the Maniototo - Ranfurly, Art Deco capital of the South Island and hub of the Rail Trail. Ranfurly is the location for the company's two restored heritage properties used for guest accommodation and an Art Deco commercial building to house our bikes and passenger transport.
Between us, we know the characters and quirks of Central Otago. We know the best fishing spots, back roads and country pubs. We love the Rail Trail's history, its landscape and its people.
Our passion is sharing it with others - let us share it with you.
Our Staff
I too am a born and bred local who was fortunate to grow up in the beautiful Maniototo. Whilst farming with my husband and raising our 3 girls, I spent the last 20 plus years in education, teaching primary and secondary students and most recently in the Early Childhood sector. Much of my spare time is filled with following my girls with their sport, enjoying the outdoors and when the time allows, getting out my sewing machine. We look forward to helping provide you with a memorable experience in this spectacular part of the country.
I was born in Ranfurly and educated in Maniototo before going to boarding school at Otago Boys High School. Prior to purchasing Off The Rails, I have been farming with Trina and our 3 girls Liv 16, Tessa 14 and Evie 7 for the last 25 years. In my spare time I love mountain biking, hunting, fishing and getting on my dirt bike. We are looking forward to getting our teeth into a new venture and expanding the current business.. watch this space!
Shirley is a long standing local who has experience in the accommodation business.
As your Hostess you will meet her on day one at the time of your arrival. She is there to help make your stay as stress-free as possible.
Shirley also plays a key role is keeping your accommodation clean and well stocked.
Rock is a long time local who knows this area like the back of his hand.
He has spent 50 years driving trucks, doing farm work and being a rural postie is the Maniototo and Central Otago.
He is an expert on the area who is keen to share his knowledge of people and places.
Mark is a recent local who has joined the team as a driver. He is really keen on the early history of the district and he is keen to share this with our guests.
As a passionate, active goldminer he has some unique knowledge to share.