OUR NEW ZEALAND CYCLING TOURS
Explore Otago
The best Otago cycle trails combined
On this Ebike tour, we cycle the highlights of the Otago Rail Trail, Clyde to Alex River Trail, Roxburgh Gorge, and Clutha Gold Trails. Experience the fragrant smell of thyme blooming in spring, breathtaking descents, spectacular gorges, dramatic landscapes, and the vibrant colours of autumn.
Next Available Departure
​
15.03.2025 – 20.03.2025
​
$3345 (Ebike incl)
Christchurch to Christchurch
6 Days / 5 Nights
​
Easy / Moderate Cycling
to your destination
Start
Christchurch ~ 9:00 to 9:30 am. Pick up options with tour confirmation.
​
Finish
Christchurch ~ 4:00 pm.
​
Included
-
Transport in minibus from/to Christchurch
-
4 days cycling (Otago Rail Trail / Clyde to Alex River Trail / Roxburgh Gorge Trail / Clutha Gold Trail)
-
4 days Ebike hire including helmet, rear carrier bag, drink bottle cage**
-
5 nights accommodation in holiday homes, cottages, motels (twin room/shared bathroom)
-
All transfers from/to daily start/finish of cycle track
-
5x breakfast, 5x picnic lunch, 3x dinner, snacks (2x dinner in restaurant/pub not included)
-
Welcome drink first night
-
Jetboat tour on the Roxburgh Gorge Trail
-
Visit Oamaru historic Victorian Precinct
-
Visit Moeraki Boulders
-
Professional female guide/driver
-
All access and concession fees
-
Detailed map & track brochure
**Please note that the hire bikes do not come with a bell – if you want to bring your own, we are happy to attach it for you.
​
Not Included
-
Any travel costs from your home to/from Christchurch
-
Travel insurance
-
Personal expenses
-
2x dinner in restaurant/pub
Optional
Single Room Upgrades
-
Single room/shared bathroom $355
- Single room/ensuite bathroom $455
We may only be able to confirm a combination of ensuite and shared bathroom for this tour when booking a single room. Please select your preference in the booking form. The surcharge will be adjusted accordingly.
Only limited single rooms available, early reservation recommended.
​
Double Room Options
-
Double room/shared bathroom instead of Twin room, if you book with your partner
-
Double room/ensuite bathroom, if you book with your partner - upgrade on request
​
Diet Adjustments
-
Gluten-free ($5 per day)
-
Dairy-free ($7 per day)
-
Gluten-free & Dairy-free ($12 per day)
Other diet requirements (vegetarian, allergies, etc) will be catered for free
of charge. You will be sent a Diet Requirement Form before tour departure.
​
Preparing for your trip
​Once you’ve booked, we will send you Trip Notes including a detailed Gear List and other important information to help you prepare for your adventure ahead.
​
If you are looking for more information and inspiration for your tour, you may want to check out some of these interesting posts in our Sidetracks Women Blog:
-
How to get fit for your first cycle tour - Part 1 Stretching
-
Can I do a Sidetracks Women cycle tour on a standard bike rather than an Ebike?
-
May we introduce - your Ebike for your Explore Otago Cycle Tour
​​
Please don't hesitate to contact us.
I enjoyed the company of lovely like-minded women and the fact that everything was organized for me. Totally stress-free holiday. Sandra
Sherryn
NZ$ 3345 per person
(incl Ebike)
min 6, max 10 participants
​
Guaranteed Tours - G
These tours are confirmed to run and ready for you to book with confidence.
Available Tours - A
Once we reach the minimum number of participants, they will be guaranteed!
​​
Dates
Season 2024/25
15.03.2025 – 20.03.2025 ORC25-1503 - A
08.04.2025 – 13.04.2025 ORC25-0804 - G
- only 3 spaces left
27.04.2025 – 02.05.2025 ORC25-2704 - A
​
Are you a group of six or more?
We can customise any of our tours or organize a customized tour for your group. Please contact us.
Friendship Discount
Bring a friend along and you will both get $50 off your tour booking.
​
Welcome Voucher
​
-
Get a $50 Welcome Voucher when you subscribe to our newsletter
-
Mention the voucher code in your tour booking to receive the discount
-
It is valid for 30 days from the date you subscribe
-
It can not be combined with a Friendship Discount
​
Newsletter & fb Specials
​
-
We regularly run specials, share interesting info and impressions of our tours. There are two ways we mainly communicate these - our newsletter and our facebook page
-
To subscribe to our newsletter, write your email address in the field under JOIN US at the bottom of this page and click on SUBSCRIBE
-
Click on this link to follow us on facebook
-
Do both and you will never miss any of our specials!
​
Cycling through history with spectacular views
​
The trails are varied, some climbs and downhill sections, but all with an easy surface. Into tunnels and over viaducts, spanning remote gorges, along lush farmland and following the majestic Clutha River, the scenery is always amazing. Now including the new section of the Clutha Gold Cycle Trail from Lawrence to Waihola!
​
Day 1: Christchurch – Lake Tekapo – Lindis Pass - Otago
We meet you in the morning around 9 to 9:30am in Christchurch and head South. We have a long drive ahead of us today, but will stop at several picturesque spots along the way and stretch our legs. We'll break for lunch at a cafe either in Geraldine or in Tekapo (not included). From the stunning colour of Lake Tekapo to the dramatic alpine area of tall, tussock-covered mountains of Lindis Pass - there are definitely many great photo opportunities today!
In the middle of the Otago heartland we arrive in the quaint little township of Lauder, where we spend the night in a lovely B& B in the former school building. For dinner (not included), we just have to cross the road to get to the Lauder pub and experience the local lifestyle first-hand.
Driving: 485km/6h (stops not included)
Accommodation: Lauder – School B&B
Meals: no meals included today
Day 2: Otago Central Rail Trail - Cycle Day 1
We drive the short distance to Auripo, the starting point for today’s cycle tour, our favourite part of the Otago Central Rail Trail. Our bikes get delivered to us here and we embark on our first ride - the peaceful Ida Valley, made famous by the paintings of Graham Sydney. Soon we get swept up in gold mining history, as we pass through two tunnels, ride over viaducts and into the secluded and rocky Poolburn gorge. Of course, we also stop for some good food along the cycle trail. There are almost endless views where you will want to stop to take photos. Today's cycle ride takes us all the way to Clyde where we spend the night.
Cycling: 57 km, easy
Accommodation: Clyde - Lodge & B&B
Meals: B, L, D, S
Day 3: Roxburgh Gorge Trail - Cycle Day 2
A fun start to the day is our cycle ride from Clyde to Roxburgh along the mighty Clutha/Mata Au River with its beautiful scenery. In Roxburgh, the Clyde River Trail meets the remote and unique Roxburgh Gorge Trail. A real gem awaits us here - we think it is the most beautiful bike track that you can ride in the South Island! The trail is filled with incredible scenery and includes a 12km boat trip along a section that is not accessible by bike. A true adventure experience, and our personal favourite. Our base for tonight is in beautiful Teviot Valley right on the banks of the Clutha River in Roxburgh.
​
Cycling: 41 km, moderate
Accommodation: Roxburgh - Holiday Home & Cottages
Meals: B, L, D, S
Day 4: Clutha Gold Trail - Cycle Day 3
Over the next two days, we will enjoy the Clutha Gold Trail, a highly memorable ride at an easy grade. There are secluded valleys, lush farmland, a 434m long tunnel, the Beaumont gorge, small towns with tasty food options, and many other highlights along the way to keep us motivated and amazed as we cycle along. The last stretch today follows an old railway line to the highest point of the trail, Big Hill Tunnel, followed by a wonderful sweep down to the small settlement of Lawrence, Otago's very first gold rush town. Can you believe its population once topped 11,500? Southern home-baking, local stone fruit, wild herbs and world-class hot pies and lamingtons beckon. We are sure to stroll around and visit the most interesting small gem of a museum here. This lovely township is our resting place tonight.
​
Cycling: 64 km, easy
Accommodation: Lawrence – Holiday Home
Meals: B, L, D, S
Day 5: Clutha Gold Trail - Cycle Day 4 & Dunedin
Today, we have the opportunity to explore the most captivating segment of the newly extended Clutha Gold Trail - from Lawrence to Stuart Reserve. We first traverse rolling farmland, a landscape distinctly different from the rock and tussock terrain we encountered in the Roxburgh Gorge. In Waitahuna, we take time to appreciate a unique form of art: tool art (we will let your imagination run wild with this until we get there). Hopefully, the coffee cart beside the historic Waitahuna Railway Station is open, but even if not, we’ll be able to have a look around this gorgeous part of local history.
From Waitahuna to Mt Stuart, the trail generally follows the old railway corridor, navigating through rail cuttings and featuring two tunnels and a viaduct. This section of the trail also passes through some picturesque woodland glades.
As we won't be cycling the entire route, we have ample time to savour the most interesting parts of the cycling trail. We will be picked up at Stuart Reserve with our bikes and taken back to Lawrence. From here, we take our bus to Dunedin (about 1.5 hours away), our overnight stop. In the evening, we dine in one of the local restaurants (not included) and share our favourite stories from our time together.
​
Driving: ~1.5h / 90km
Cycling: ~30 km, easy
Accommodation: Dunedin - Motel
Meals: B, L, S
Day 6: Dunedin - Moeraki Boulders - Oamaru - Christchurch
We make our way back to Christchurch and enjoy several interesting stops on the way. We take our time to look at the mysterious and unique phenomenon that is the Moeraki Boulders - huge spherical stones, found strewn along a stretch of beach. Then we stop in Oamaru - renowned for its Victorian architecture, and love of Steampunk. Finally, we weave our way through the wide Canterbury Plains to arrive back in Christchurch around 4 pm.
Driving: 4.5h / 360km
Meals: B, L
​
B-Breakfast L-Lunch D-Dinner S-Snack
​
​
Grading of this tour: Grade 2 (Easy) to Grade 3 (Moderate)
​The tour is mainly off-road easy grade (grade 2), with the Otago Rail Trail Section being a wide gravel path with minimal gradients. The width of the trail is mostly generous and can generally be ridden side by side. The Roxburgh Gorge section is classed as moderate (grade 3) as it is technically a bit more demanding and includes some steeper parts. The Clutha Gold Trail is a mix of grade 1 / easiest and grade 2 / easy.
​You can find more info here: Our Cycle Trail Grading System explained
2 / Easy to Grade 3 / Moderate
​
​
​
Click here to read more about our grading system.