Otago Central Rail Trail Adventure

They say that life is about the journey and not the destination.  And not a truer word has been spoken when it comes to our unseasonal visit to the Otago Central Rail Trail.

The trip from Christchurch to Middlemarch (the eastern end of the Rail Trail) is for the most part somewhat unremarkable, that is until one takes a diversion to those less travelled roads.  The Macraes Road, which roughly runs between Dunback and Hyde, is a gem.  Halfway along the road is Macraes Flat, an historic goldmining town that has lost none of its yesteryear charm.  By contrast, the massive Macraes gold mine makes a spectacular sight.  The enormity of the operation and the scale of the vehicles used today is certainly impressive.

 

 

Middlemarch - Waipiata

We pre-arranged our accommodation, bike hire, luggage transfers and shuttle with Ranfurly Bike Hire.  They offer a free booking service and tailor packages to suit indivdual needs.  We found them helpful, informative and friendly.

We stayed at the Strath Taieri Hotel in Middlemarch.  It wasn't our first choice, nor that of Ranfurly Bike Hire, but with most accommodation closed in the off-season you have to take what is available.  The accommodation was simple, modest and not the sort of place you would look forward to arriving at after a long day on the Rail Trail. 

We found the locals to be a little more accepting of 'townies' than we had encountered in the region than 10 years ago, but unfortunately Middlemarch hasn't really embraced the Rail Trail like many other communities along the trail. 

Ready to embark on the Rail Trail we awoke to heavy rain so we put off our start for an hour until the rain eased a little.  Then off we set, destination Waipiata some 54km up the trail.  Between Middlemarch and Hyde (the next community on the track) we passed through the site of the Hyde Railway Disaster.  The Hyde Railway Disaster occurred on 4 June 1943 near the small settlement of Hyde.  At the time, it was New Zealand's worst railway accident; of the 113 passengers on board, 21 were killed and a further 47 were injured.  Also along this section of trail is the impressive Five Mile Creek Bridge.

Wet, cold and hungry we arrived at the Otago Central Hotel Hyde.  Not knowing what to expect after Middlemarch, this hotel was an absolute delight.  The coffee is good as is the food, especially the sandwiches.  We were reluctant to leave and if not on such a tight schedule may well have stayed.

Leaving Hyde you do not have to cycle far before reaching some amazing feats of early engineering.  The 151m long curved Hyde Tunnel is truly impressive, as is the 91m long, 32m high Prices Creek Viaduct and the histroic Capburn Railway Bridge. 

The gangers' sheds scattered along the trail contain current and histroic information about the surrounds.  They also provide great places to shelter from the conditions and rest your weary legs. 

Finally in the late afternoon we reach the Waipiata Country Hotel.  Hopeful rather than expectant, we find our accommodation to be brilliant.  We literally have the hotel to ourselves and  after a nice warm shower and a change of clothes it is time to settle down with a beer or three in front of the fire.  Our hosts are firendly, interesting and personable people and we have dinner with them that evening.  

 

Waipiata - Ranfurly

The morning dawns crisp and clear despite Jim Hickey warning of an icy polar blast the previous evening.   Apparently the local weather authority, I think his name might have been Doug, assured us it would be fine all morning ... and he was right!

More soon.....

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