050723 Autumn Colours & Fiordland - Flipbook - Page 10
Day 4: Sunday 9th February
Ophir to Oturehau
Cycling on: Central Otago Rail Trail
This morning you will be cycling 29km from Omakau to Oturehua.
The orst part of this section you will be cycling from Omakau to
Lauder which will take approx. 30 minutes (7km). Between
Omakau and Lauder you will cycle through the Matakanui Valley,
surrounded by
deer, sheep and cattle farms. To the north-west you will see
Dunstan Mountain, to the north the distinctive Hawkdun
Mountain Range and to the south-east the Raggedy Range.
Accommodation: Inverlair Lodge
Address: 3422 Ida Valley-Omakau Road, Oturehua
Hosts: Fleur & Roger McKinney
Phone: 03 444 5026
Nights: One
Breakfast: Included
Room type: King Room with En-Suite
The onal part of the track will be cycling 22km from Lauder to
Oturehua which will take approx. 1 hour 30 minutes on an E-Bike.
From Lauder the Rail Trail crosses the Manuherikia No 1 Bridge the longest bridge on the trail. The trail then passes through the
Poolburn Gorge to the Ida Valley - this is one of the most
spectacular sections on the Rail Trail. You will cycle through
schist cuttings, over steep-sided man-made embankments,
through two long tunnels (remember your torches!) and over the
37m high Poolburn viaduct. You will then descend Blackstone
Hill to the Ida Valley. From here you will begin cycling down the
long Ida Valley, you may think the long stretch of Rail Trail is never
going to end - but it does, and you will arrive in Oturehua!
Inverlair Lodge is a purpose build lodge with spectacular views of
the Hawkdun Ranges. Situated just metres from the Otago
Central Rail Trail. The outdoor spa is a welcome sight at the end
of a day9s cycling! Complimentary afternoon tea upon guest
arrival as well as luxury bathrobes are included to add to a
memorable stay.
