February 2025
Prior to commencing their Rail Trail cycle tour with Tuatara Tours, the Pharts have two days in Christchurch, and two in Queenstown. The former provides the opportunity to catch up with old school friends and their wives. Shaun and Michelle from London, Cameron and Maria from Nelson and Brian and Jo from Auckland.
We enjoy exploring central Christchurch, which is really quite vibrant and looking really good. We walk the Bridle Path, Botanic Gardens and dine at Roca, which is excellent. Great catching up with lifelong friends.
Back on the plane, and the Pharts fly to Queenstown. They have two nights at the Lomond Lodge, before being collected and hitting the Trail. Dinner that night is at Italian restaurant “Bella Cucina.” Ok .. 6 out of 10.
A cracking day the next day, so the energetic travellers climb Queenstown Hill. A reasonably tough climb, but fantastic views make it worthwhile.
Dinner that night is at “Finz” on Steamer Wharf, catching up with old cricketing friend Russell Mawhinney. We had the Blue Cod .. delicious!
The next morning, we are collected by Dennis from Tuatara Tours, and motor to Clyde to commence our Otago Rail Trail Bike Tour. There are ten of us on the tour, 4 Kiwis and 6 Aussies. We have stops on the way for morning tea and lunch, then a side trip to Ophir and a historic suspension bridge. Dinner that night is the Station Cafe at Lauder, and accommodation at the old Lauder School and Store.
Before jumping on the bikes and commencing day 2, Dennis drives the group to nearby St Bathans for a look. Now a small settlement, it thrived during the gold rush era.
It’s then back to Lauder, on the bikes and back on the trail. After the customary morning tea stop, we continue on to Hayes Engineering, where we stop for lunch. We are giving a tour around the site, and an explanation of many of the Hayes inventions, including the fence strainer.
We continue along the trail and arrive at Ranfurly and Hawkdun Lodge. This is to be our accommodation for the next two nights.
Dinner is food prepared at the nearby Maniototo Cafe. Delicious! We hit the hay early in preparation for tomorrow’s ride, Ranfurly to Hyde.
The day is misty and chilly as we set off for Hyde, but by morning tea the cloud has lifted, and temperature rising. The ride to Hyde only takes a couple of hours, and is very scenic and picturesque. After lunch, we motor back to Ranfurly and prepare for Curling in Naseby.
After a quick drive around Naseby, we head to the world class indoor Curling Rink. After instruction, we split into two groups and have a game. Great fun and quite a lot of skill involved.
Back to the Hawkdun, a quick scrub up, then out to the Wedderburn Tavern for our dinner. Top tucker!
We are woken early by heavy rain, but by departure it has cleared away. It is cool however, so an extra layer is required for our final day. We are driven by Dennis to Hyde, and prepare for the final 27km ride to Middlemarch, the end of the trail.
After the compulsory morning tea stop, it is the final 12 km push. The wind is strong, and we are directly into it. However Middlemarch arrives quickly, and the ride is over.
The bike tour has been a great success. Tuatara Tours does it well, and tour guide Dennis was excellent. We enjoyed the company of our fellow cyclists. Time to start thinking about next February’s tour!