Some Tips for a wonderful Rail Trail experience…
Make sure you -
- Book your accommodation early and in advance
- Take plenty of bottled water with you. You can buy more at trail-side businesses
- Share the Trail with consideration for other users
- Keep an eye out for those coming towards you and keep left when you are passing.
- Take your rubbish away with you
- Bring a torch for the tunnels, sunscreen, first aid, bike repair kits and clothes for all seasons
- Bring your own toilet paper. There are eco-toilets along the Trail - see the OCRT leaflet. Toilets in cafes and hotels are provided for customers
- Leave gates as you find them
- Take time to admire the workmanship of railway stonemasons on the tunnels, bridges, culverts and viaducts
Remember that -
- Cars, motorcycles, quad bikes are not permitted on or along the Trail
- ATM machines are in Alexandra and Ranfurly. Carry cash in case Eftpos is not available
- Cattle stops allow a maximum width of less than 1 metre
- Mobility scooters and electric wheelchairs are permitted on the Trail
- Dogs are allowed on the Trail but must be on a short lead and kept under control at all times
- Central Otago can be hot and dry in the summer. If it is going to be very hot, start early and don’t bike in the midday sun. And if it is very cold and frosty in autumn or winter – don’t start early or finish late. Winter days are shorter and the chill starts immediately once the sun disappears.
- Horses are a great way to enjoy the Trail ride at walking pace and in single file on the side of the Trail. Lead over bridges and through tunnels. Remove dung from the Trail.
- If you are travelling as a large group and plan to eat at a particular cafe or pub, they will appreciate you phoning ahead
Please Don't -
- Light open fires along the Trail
- Risk offence by eating your own food in a pub's garden bar
- Disturb/rescue stock in paddocks, especially during lambing (Aug to Oct)
- Herd stray animals on the track into a paddock... you don't know which farm they belong to.
- Ride the Trail on easily-spooked horses