Along the Otago Central Rail Trail by road
Gold-rush towns, a dam, Art Deco Ranfurly and Naseby’s forest, following the old railway route from Clyde towards the Pacific coast.
- Distance
- 256 km (159 mi)
- Driving
- 2 h 48 min
- Suggested days
- 3
- Stops
- 10
- States
- New Zealand
- Updated
- May 5, 2026
At a glance: 3-day road trip of about 256 km (159 mi) with 10 stops, from Cromwell to Dunedin. About 2 h 48 min of driving in total.
More road trips in New Zealand · More road trips from Queenstown
Route description
Start from Cromwell and drive about 30 kilometres on SH6 to Clyde, the southern trailhead of the Otago Central Rail Trail, a 150-kilometre cycle route on the old Otago Central railway. Walk the stone streets of the Historic Precinct and drive on to see the Clyde Dam viewing area. Mind the heat in summer, as Central Otago is among the driest places in the country.
Alexandra is a short drive from Clyde and has fuel, supermarkets and a campground by the river. From there take SH85 north-east through Omakau and Ophir, with the rail trail often within sight and several small old stations. The road is quiet but long, and fuel is not available everywhere, so refuel in Alexandra. Drive on the left and watch for stock and cyclists.
About 80 kilometres further, Ranfurly is the centre of the Maniototo plain, with an Art Deco main street and a railway station on the trail. Take the 15-minute side road to Naseby, a forested gold-mining village with tracks and an indoor curling rink. Stay in Naseby or Ranfurly overnight; check campground availability, as cycling groups fill sites. Naseby’s forest has easy bike and walking tracks, and the nights are cold even in summer, so pack warm bedding.
From Ranfurly, SH85 crosses the Pigroot, a high pass with tussock hills, where snow and ice can close the road in winter. It then descends to Palmerston, roughly 120 kilometres and two hours away, with cafés and fuel. Turn south on SH1 for the last 55 kilometres into Dunedin. The Pigroot has few services, so check conditions before setting out in winter.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Cromwell
New Zealand - 223 km
Clyde
New Zealand - 31 km
Clyde Dam
HistoryClyde, New ZealandA concrete dam on the Clutha River completed in 1992, with a viewing area above the powerhouse and Lake Dunstan behind it. The dam is a short drive from Clyde. Check the information boards for the story of the construction and the flooding of the old Cromwell.
- 41 km
Clyde Historic Precinct
HistoryClyde, New ZealandA small gold-rush town of stone buildings, with an old railway station that is the southern trailhead of the Otago Central Rail Trail. Cafés, a museum and a bakery cluster on the main street. Park at the station and walk the town in an hour or so.
- 510 km
Alexandra
New Zealand - 669 km
Ranfurly
New Zealand - 70 km
Ranfurly Art Deco Town
HistoryRanfurly, New ZealandA Maniototo town rebuilt in the 1930s, with a main street of Art Deco shopfronts, a cinema and a railway station along the Otago Central Rail Trail. The town has a museum and a café. SH85 runs through the centre, with free parking on the side streets.
- 814 km
Naseby Historic Township
HistoryRanfurly, New ZealandA gold-mining village in the hills with stone and timber buildings, a forest with walking and bike tracks, and an indoor curling rink open to visitors. It lies off SH85 near Ranfurly, about a 15-minute drive. Check opening hours of the curling rink in advance.
- 982 km
Palmerston
New Zealand - 1056 km
Dunedin
New Zealand
Suggested stages and overnight stops
3 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Cromwell → Ranfurly · 105 km · 1 h 09 minOn the way: Clyde, Clyde Dam, Clyde Historic Precinct, Alexandra.
- Day 2: Ranfurly → Palmerston · 95 km · 1 h 02 minOn the way: Ranfurly Art Deco Town, Naseby Historic Township.
- Day 3: Palmerston → Dunedin · 56 km · 0 h 37 min
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually March–April and October–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and December–February. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
FAQs
How long is Along the Otago Central Rail Trail by road?
3-day road trip of about 256 km (159 mi) with 10 stops, from Cromwell to Dunedin. About 2 h 48 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Along the Otago Central Rail Trail by road?
We suggest 3 days: about 2 h 48 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Along the Otago Central Rail Trail by road start and end?
It starts in Cromwell and ends in Dunedin.
Which states does Along the Otago Central Rail Trail by road pass through?
New Zealand.
When is the best time for Along the Otago Central Rail Trail by road?
The most pleasant months are usually March–April and October–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and December–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
