The Otago Rail Trail

Day 5: Omakau to Clyde

February, 2016

Click on any image for a larger view;
Contact garya at this domain if you would like the high quality image for printing

The next day was our last day on the rail trail. The country opened up a bit, but was still rocky and sparsely populated.

Otago RT

Otago RT

We crossed the Manuherikia Bridge, and the trickle of water that was the Manuherikia River.

Otago RT Bridge Gary Otago RT Manuherikia R
Manuherikia Bridge
Photo by Dona 		Manuherikia River

Otago RT Tree Xxx Otago RT Bird Masked Lapwing Otago RT Bird Chaffinch Pahirini Fringilla Coelebs
Tree Xxx
Photo by Dona 		Masked Lapwing
Photo by Dona 		Chaffinch (Pahirini) (Fringilla Coelebs)
Photo by Dona

Otago RT Otago RT

Otago RT Olrig Gangers Shed
Olrig Gangers Shed

We started passing more irrigated land, and in the far distance we could see much taller mountains with what looked like patches of snow on them.

Otago RT Otago RT Distant Mountains
Distant Mountains

At the Galloway Gangers' Shed we enjoyed a display of native flora and fauna.

Otago RT Galloway Gangers Shed
Galloway Gangers Shed
Otago RT Native Plants
Native Plants

Otago RT Lizard Info Otago RT Plant Info
Lizard Info Plant Info

Inside the shed there was a display of silicified wood -- a from of petrified wood in which the wood has been replaced by any form of silica. and an explanation of how it is formed.

Otago RT Silicified Wood
Silicified Wood
Otago RT Silicified Wood Sign Otago RT Silicified Wood Info
Silicified Wood Explanation

From the Galloway Gangers' Shed we pedalled into the town of Alexandra, our first and only large population center on the trail.

At this point we had a choice of which way to go for our last 10km on the Otago Rail Trail. The rail trail proper pretty much takes a straight line from Alexandra to Clyde, where the trail ends. When we started out and picked up our bikes in Middlemarch, the folks at SheBikesHeBikes had told us about an alternate route that followed the Clutha River which sounded like a lot more fun. We decided on that option, so we wound our way through town, crossed the Clutha River, and headed down the municipal trail connecting Alexandra to Clyde.

Otago RT Clutha R
Clutha River

Right off the bat we were put in a festive mood with some art-deco objects in a little park-like setting.

Otago RT Art Deco Bench
Art Deco Bench

Then it was as if we had become kids again. The trail wound around along the river, going up and down, winding in and out, crossing small creeks with little waterfalls. We felt like we were twelve. Dona was riding ahead of me and I could almost see the smile on her face from behind.

Otago RT Alexandra Clyde Millennium Track Otago RT Alexandra Clyde Millennium Track
Winding through the trees Can you stay on the boardwalk?
Alexandra to Clyde Trail

Otago RT Alexandra Clyde Millennium Track

Otago RT Clutha R Otago RT River Trail
Clutha River
Photo by Dona 		River Trail
Photo by Dona

We stopped at a bench for a bite to eat, grinning all over.

Otago RT Lunch
Lunch

Otago RT River Trail Gary Otago RT River Trail Gary
Gary on the Trail
Photos by Dona
Otago RT Alexandra Clyde Millennium Track
Down and around the bend

All too soon we arrived at Clyde, and the end of the Trail. We pedalled around town, then found our way to the historic train station where the office of ShebikesHeBikes, the folks who rented us our bikes and set up our accomodations, are located. They had our bags waiting for us and told us when and where the bus to Queenstown would show up. We wandered around town and bought some ice cream, then hopped on the bus to Queenstown.

Otago RT Clyde Bridge
Clyde Bridge

Otago RT Clyde Post Office
Clyde Post Office

Otago RT Clyde Station She Bikeshe Bikes
ShebikesHeBikes Office in historic Clyde Train Station

What a fun five days! Then we were off to the Southern Alps.

This page last updated on 2016-11-29.
Valid HTML 4.01!