Plan & prepare

Getting there

The Middlemarch end of the trail is accessible by car from Dunedin (about 1 hour 30 minutes) or on the Taieri Gorge Railway, which will carry bikes free by prior arrangement. The Clyde end is beside State Highway 8, about a kilometre east of Clyde. The trail is also accessible by road at many points.

Users' guide

Kokonga (Daisybank) level crossing,
Otago Central Rail Trail.

Clothing – be prepared for rain, shine and wind

Water – not available on the trail, please take a sufficient amount

Left hand rule – keep to the left when meeting traffic

Horses –Take care when passing and give way to them on bridges

Riders – lead your horse across bridges and through tunnels

Gates – leave them as you find them

Livestock – don’t disturb, especially during lambing (Aug to Oct)

Toilets – always use the trailside toilets (toilet paper not provided)

Dogs – on a lead

Rubbish – please take it with you

Torch – useful in tunnels

Prohibited – motorcycles and vehicles, open fires and firearms