It's easy! It's fun! It's invigorating!
Formerly the Otago Central Branch railway line from Middlemarch to Clyde, the Rail Trail is 150 kilometres, crosses more than sixty bridges and passes through three tunnels. No cars, no trucks, and NO tour buses makes it a great place to cycle.
History
The Otago Central Rail Trail - what it once was and how it became what it is today.
1877. The route was chosen from seven proposed because it accessed the greatest area of Crown Lands, presented the fewest engineering difficulties and was the most direct route to Dunedin.
1879. Construction of the Otago Central Branch railway line from the main trunk line at Wingatui is commenced.
- 1891 - reaches Middlemarch.
- 1898 - Ranfurly.
- 1904 - Omakau.
- 1906 - Alexandra.
- 1907 - Clyde.
- 1921 - Cromwell, the railhead.
1921 - 1979. Fruit, freight and passengers. Though improvement to roads and the consequent decline in passenger numbers mean regular passenger service is discontinued in 1976.
1979. The newly formed Otago Excursion Train Trust runs its first public excursion train from Dunedin to Cromwell.
1980. The line through the Cromwell Gorge to Cromwell is dismantled, leaving Clyde as the railhead. Construction commences on the Clyde Dam.
1981 - 1989. Cement and steel become the principle freight.
1987. The Otago Excursion Train Trust launches The Taieri Gorge Limited service as a regular tourist train.
30th April 1990. The end of the line. The Otago Central Branch railway is closed.
1990. Supported by public appeal, the section: North Taieri to Middlemarch is purchased by the Dunedin City Council for the Otago Excursion Train Trust, thus creating the longest privately owned railway in the country and securing the future of The Taieri Gorge Limited.
1993. The remaining corridor from Middlemarch to Clyde is handed over to the Department of Conservation for preservation and restoration as the Otago Central Rail Trail.
2000. Restoration work is completed and the Otago Central Rail Trail is officially opened.
Historical information courtesy of the Taieri Gorge Railway.
For more information visit the Otago Central Rail Trail Web Site.
General Information
Information Panels are provided at road to trail access points and at points of interest along the way.
Toilets are also provided. Locations are indicated on the Information Panels.
The surface of the trail compares favourably to that of a gravel road and the gradient where present is slight. Tunnels should be walked. A torch is recommended.
Bridges and viaducts have secure handrails and are fully decked.
The Rail Trail provides access to scenery not visible from the road.
For more information please see our FAQ.