Time for a post from Neil :)
So we're following the Central Otago Rail Trail. The original tracks were put in from Dunedin to Cromwell to open up the interior to development. Originally funded by the gold rush of 1860s-70s, it the line was mainly completed in the 1890s. Come 1980s is was minimally used and discontinued. It was converted to a rail trail in the early 90s. Climate in the area is the only location in NZ that is "continental".
The trail itself is primarily pea gravel. Fairly nice to ride though a bit sticky when it's wet. Numerous bridges and so far one tunnel en route. Most people seem to ride
We started by taking the Taieri Gorge train from Dunedin, which follows the Taieri River. Every so often the train runs to Middlemarch and the rail trail head, but most of the time the train turns around at Pukerangi. So we disembarked at Pukerangi and rode to Middlemarch. At Pukerangi we disembarked with others, a flurry of buses and the departure of the train ensued. And we were left with just us.... it was pleasently quiet. We then rode the 20km to Middlemarch, stopping by the Sutton Salt Lake en route. I'm told this was used in one of the LotR films but can't picture the scene myself
Middlemarch is.... tiny. 1 "store" (front room of a house converted into selling limited food), the pub serves food 2 hrs each day, and a cafe. Very limited. We spent the night at a campground and left the next morning despite the rain.
Middlemarch to Ranfurly was 60km of rail trail. Initially uphill with a tail wind, then switched to a head wind as we turned part way through the day. We passed many riders going the other direction - they looked miserable riding into a headwind with rain. None of them were really dressed for it though (we had our wonderful rain gear on and stayed relatively dry). Distance wise we may have opted for a shorter distance except there were no other suitable stops en route (though we did have dinner in Waipiata.... Scenery was notable for a cute campsite by the river, scenic shots of the Taieri River, bursting streams from the rain, sheep, cattle, and hills.
Ranfurly (~1060 people) itself is cute. Originally named Eweburn, it was a community founded in 1897 to be a hub for the rail line, the site having been chosen due to the flat land. When it was founded Naseby (~14km away in the hills) was the larger centre, having grown in the gold rush. Once Ranfurly was founded it boomed and Naseby faded. Ranfurly itself had a series of fires in the 1930s and a large part of the town is in art deco style which is quite pretty. In terms of services it's booming: 2 grocery stores, a pharmacy, a book store, 2 cafes, a restaurant/pub, car mechanic etc... compared to Middlemarch - lovely :)
Today was a "rest day". We spent 2 nights in Ranfurly. With the free day we rode unloaded to Naseby, where we toured the village, including the only dedicated curling rink in the Southern Hemisphere! Naseby was cute and we had lunch here before heading back to Ranfurly to walk around and enjoy a drink at the pub.
Tomorrow it's back on the rail trail, targeting Omakau for tomorrow night, then on to Alexandra, Cromwell, and Queenstown for the weekend. We plan on resting for a few days in Queenstown and then will continue on... somewhere :)
So we're following the Central Otago Rail Trail. The original tracks were put in from Dunedin to Cromwell to open up the interior to development. Originally funded by the gold rush of 1860s-70s, it the line was mainly completed in the 1890s. Come 1980s is was minimally used and discontinued. It was converted to a rail trail in the early 90s. Climate in the area is the only location in NZ that is "continental".
The trail itself is primarily pea gravel. Fairly nice to ride though a bit sticky when it's wet. Numerous bridges and so far one tunnel en route. Most people seem to ride
We started by taking the Taieri Gorge train from Dunedin, which follows the Taieri River. Every so often the train runs to Middlemarch and the rail trail head, but most of the time the train turns around at Pukerangi. So we disembarked at Pukerangi and rode to Middlemarch. At Pukerangi we disembarked with others, a flurry of buses and the departure of the train ensued. And we were left with just us.... it was pleasently quiet. We then rode the 20km to Middlemarch, stopping by the Sutton Salt Lake en route. I'm told this was used in one of the LotR films but can't picture the scene myself
Middlemarch is.... tiny. 1 "store" (front room of a house converted into selling limited food), the pub serves food 2 hrs each day, and a cafe. Very limited. We spent the night at a campground and left the next morning despite the rain.
Middlemarch to Ranfurly was 60km of rail trail. Initially uphill with a tail wind, then switched to a head wind as we turned part way through the day. We passed many riders going the other direction - they looked miserable riding into a headwind with rain. None of them were really dressed for it though (we had our wonderful rain gear on and stayed relatively dry). Distance wise we may have opted for a shorter distance except there were no other suitable stops en route (though we did have dinner in Waipiata.... Scenery was notable for a cute campsite by the river, scenic shots of the Taieri River, bursting streams from the rain, sheep, cattle, and hills.
Ranfurly (~1060 people) itself is cute. Originally named Eweburn, it was a community founded in 1897 to be a hub for the rail line, the site having been chosen due to the flat land. When it was founded Naseby (~14km away in the hills) was the larger centre, having grown in the gold rush. Once Ranfurly was founded it boomed and Naseby faded. Ranfurly itself had a series of fires in the 1930s and a large part of the town is in art deco style which is quite pretty. In terms of services it's booming: 2 grocery stores, a pharmacy, a book store, 2 cafes, a restaurant/pub, car mechanic etc... compared to Middlemarch - lovely :)
Today was a "rest day". We spent 2 nights in Ranfurly. With the free day we rode unloaded to Naseby, where we toured the village, including the only dedicated curling rink in the Southern Hemisphere! Naseby was cute and we had lunch here before heading back to Ranfurly to walk around and enjoy a drink at the pub.
Tomorrow it's back on the rail trail, targeting Omakau for tomorrow night, then on to Alexandra, Cromwell, and Queenstown for the weekend. We plan on resting for a few days in Queenstown and then will continue on... somewhere :)
Thanks for the details Neil. I can hear your voice in the comments. Sounds like you are covering good ground but staying relaxed and enjoying the process. Don't wait so long again before you post the details. I enjoy the sense of 'being there' and enjoying the story.
ReplyDelete