Off The Rails Cycle Tours
Off The Rails Cycle Tours
Off The Rails Cycle Tours
5
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Full view
About
Cycle the Otago Central Rail Trail in comfort. Our fully supported 4 day / 3 night cycling packages feature front suspension mountain bikes, helmet & waterproof panniers, our own superior heritage accommodation in Ranfurly, continental breakfast & home baking, personalised transport & optional sightseeing excursions, all tailored for your comfort and enjoyment. Departures from Sept to May. Customised itineraries, stand alone accommodation, bike hire and transfers also available.
Ranfurly, New Zealand
Awards
Travellers' Choice
2023
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingSimilar Experiences
Off The Rails Cycle Tours
Booking unavailable on Tripadvisor
Want other options you can book now?
Show optionsTravellers talk about
(39 reviews)
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
5.0
203 reviews
Excellent
198
Very good
5
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Michelle F
6 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
Wow what an amazing experience
All we had to worry about was cycling, Off the Rails took care of everything else
There bikes were easy to ride and very comfortable
They met us each day with morning tea, took us to the best places for lunch and then picked us up each night and took us to different local restaurant
Absolutely nothing was a problem
We would do this trip again without hesitation
All we had to worry about was cycling, Off the Rails took care of everything else
There bikes were easy to ride and very comfortable
They met us each day with morning tea, took us to the best places for lunch and then picked us up each night and took us to different local restaurant
Absolutely nothing was a problem
We would do this trip again without hesitation
Written 19 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks so much for travelling with Off The Rails. Really enjoyed hosting you. Thanks for the great review.
P.S. Kev's Pickles are great. Thoroughly recommend them.
Written 9 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Companion50549291727
1 contribution
Mar 2023 • Couples
This was an awesome experience. My wife and I loved the four days we spent cycling on the Otago Rail Trail. It was made enjoyable and achievable by the setup and services provided by Nick and Pauline from Off the Rails. Their system of staying each night at the same accommodation in Ranfurly removed the hassle of packing and repacking each day. We could return to a 'familiar' room with our own hot shower and cooking facilities. Travelling the region by van before and riding each day gave an overall sense of the land and context in which we would then be riding "up close and personal". I highly recommend this trip and the "Off the Rails" way of doing it.
Written 22 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks so much for the great review. We are really humbled by this and really appreciate you choosing to travel with Off The Rails.
Written 9 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
David B
Lancaster District, UK2 contributions
Apr 2023 • Solo
Really good trip! Nicely paced social ride, well thought out and organised and comfortable accommodation.
Written 14 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your review. We are delighted you enjoyed your Off The Rails cycle tour so much. It's a great social activity with friends.
Written 9 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Kellie L
1 contribution
Apr 2023
A huge thank you to Nick and Pauline at Off The Rails for hosting our recent 4-day cycling tour of the Central Otago Rail Trail. From start to finish, it was a fantastic trip filled with beautiful scenery, perfectly timed activities, delicious food, and ideal accommodations. It left us feeling a bit sad when it all came to an end.
Nick’s knowledge about the area was extensive, and he shared fascinating insights and stories throughout the tour. It was like having a walking encyclopedia guiding us along the trail, ready to answer any question we threw his way. Nick went above and beyond to ensure that everyone had a memorable experience.
The value for money provided by Off The Rails was excellent. Considering the quality of the experience, the accommodations and the exceptional service, I believe it was worth every penny. The availability of high quality e-bikes was an added bonus, making the cycling portions of the tour accessible to all skill levels.
Our cycling tour with Off The Rails was an absolute delight. It surpassed our expectations in every way, from the well-planned itinerary and stunning scenery to the warm accommodations and the expertise and generosity of our host. If you're considering a cycling tour in the Central Otago region, we wholeheartedly recommend Off The Rails for an unforgettable experience.
Nick’s knowledge about the area was extensive, and he shared fascinating insights and stories throughout the tour. It was like having a walking encyclopedia guiding us along the trail, ready to answer any question we threw his way. Nick went above and beyond to ensure that everyone had a memorable experience.
The value for money provided by Off The Rails was excellent. Considering the quality of the experience, the accommodations and the exceptional service, I believe it was worth every penny. The availability of high quality e-bikes was an added bonus, making the cycling portions of the tour accessible to all skill levels.
Our cycling tour with Off The Rails was an absolute delight. It surpassed our expectations in every way, from the well-planned itinerary and stunning scenery to the warm accommodations and the expertise and generosity of our host. If you're considering a cycling tour in the Central Otago region, we wholeheartedly recommend Off The Rails for an unforgettable experience.
Written 10 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a positive review for us. It was an absolute pleasure getting to know the four of you and to make such a strong connection with your group. We are delighted you enjoyed your Off The Rails cycling experience so much and we really appreciate your recommendation of our tours.
Written 14 May 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
sp511
Christchurch, New Zealand26 contributions
Mar 2023
My mum and I cycled the Rail Trail on Off the Rails' four-day trip and had an absolutely fantastic time. Pauline, Nick and Rock made it a seamless experience all throughout. Everything to do with the bikes was taken care of for us, all we had to do was show up!
Each morning we were dropped off at our starting point , given plenty of time to cycle the planned route, picked up at the end, and then driven to a different place each night for dinner. The third day had less biking so we could go to Naseby in the afternoon and try curling, which was a really enjoyable addition. Rock, our driver, was fantastic - he had a wealth of local knowledge and plenty of suggestions for places to stop along the trail. He met us at various stops each day with snacks and water, took lots of photos, and even proved to be an enthusiastic curling coach!
Neither of us had been on a bike in years - I went for a normal bike and my mum got an e-bike, and we both found it very achievable. If you're nervous about your fitness, I'd recommend going for an e-bike, but if that's not a worry then a regular bike will be fine.
The accommodation in Ranfurly was well-equipped and very comfortable. Supplies for a continental breakfast were provided and the home baking was a really nice touch. Unlike a lot of other rail trail tour companies, we stayed in one place for the whole trip. We didn't think about this too much when we booked, but it turned out that it was really good having a "home base" for the trip and not having to pack up and move on each morning.
Thank you again Off the Rails for a fantastic experience, we would highly recommend this tour company to anyone wanting to cycle the Rail Trail!
Each morning we were dropped off at our starting point , given plenty of time to cycle the planned route, picked up at the end, and then driven to a different place each night for dinner. The third day had less biking so we could go to Naseby in the afternoon and try curling, which was a really enjoyable addition. Rock, our driver, was fantastic - he had a wealth of local knowledge and plenty of suggestions for places to stop along the trail. He met us at various stops each day with snacks and water, took lots of photos, and even proved to be an enthusiastic curling coach!
Neither of us had been on a bike in years - I went for a normal bike and my mum got an e-bike, and we both found it very achievable. If you're nervous about your fitness, I'd recommend going for an e-bike, but if that's not a worry then a regular bike will be fine.
The accommodation in Ranfurly was well-equipped and very comfortable. Supplies for a continental breakfast were provided and the home baking was a really nice touch. Unlike a lot of other rail trail tour companies, we stayed in one place for the whole trip. We didn't think about this too much when we booked, but it turned out that it was really good having a "home base" for the trip and not having to pack up and move on each morning.
Thank you again Off the Rails for a fantastic experience, we would highly recommend this tour company to anyone wanting to cycle the Rail Trail!
Written 29 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks very much for the great review Sarah. We are delighted you both enjoyed your Off The Rails cycling tour so much. We really appreciated you choosing to travel with us. It's such a lovely family experience to cycle with your mum.
Written 10 May 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Robyn D
Auckland, New Zealand2 contributions
Mar 2023 • Friends
This was a brilliant trip and so achievable even if you are not that fit (if you take the e-bike option).
Our driver and guide for our adventure, Rock, was an amazing wealth of knowledge, really friendly and helpful yet not intrusive in any way.
We had amazing, warm clear weather on day 1 then snow on day 2, so if you're travelling near the end of the season make sure you include your winter woolies. Made for some incredible scenery and once-in-a-lifetime experiences for our group.
The bikes were way more comfortable than our own bikes, the seats are well padded and the handlebars come in close so you can sit up comfortably and are not hunched forward.
The accomodation is great and having a 'base' was a really convenient way to do this adventure.
I couldn't recommend this highly enough.
Our driver and guide for our adventure, Rock, was an amazing wealth of knowledge, really friendly and helpful yet not intrusive in any way.
We had amazing, warm clear weather on day 1 then snow on day 2, so if you're travelling near the end of the season make sure you include your winter woolies. Made for some incredible scenery and once-in-a-lifetime experiences for our group.
The bikes were way more comfortable than our own bikes, the seats are well padded and the handlebars come in close so you can sit up comfortably and are not hunched forward.
The accomodation is great and having a 'base' was a really convenient way to do this adventure.
I couldn't recommend this highly enough.
Written 12 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks very much Robyn. We are delighted you enjoyed your tour with Off The Rails so much. Thanks for choosing to travel with us.
Written 29 April 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Matt Currie
5 contributions
Mar 2023 • Friends
Thanks Nick and Pauline. You did an incredible job of looking after us for 4 days and giving us all a memorable experience. Both kids and adults had a great holiday.- The scenery, food and accommodation were all excellent. Highly recommended.
Written 12 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks very much Matt. It was our pleasure getting to know you all and we are so pleased you enjoyed your Off The Rails cycle tour with us.
Written 29 April 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Sue Y
Melbourne, Australia8 contributions
Mar 2023
Our party of seven women had a fantastic time cycling the Otago Rail and Lake Dunstan trails with Nick.
Everything was well organised. The bikes were modern and very comfortable and he was able to provide us a mix of ebikes and hybrids.
Nick worked extremely long hours to ensure our comfort. He drove us to great places for dinner.He is extremely knowledgeable about the history of the area.
The accomodation in Ranfurly was excellent, and we liked returning to the same rooms each night.
It was also great value for money.
Highly recommend choosing this company.
Everything was well organised. The bikes were modern and very comfortable and he was able to provide us a mix of ebikes and hybrids.
Nick worked extremely long hours to ensure our comfort. He drove us to great places for dinner.He is extremely knowledgeable about the history of the area.
The accomodation in Ranfurly was excellent, and we liked returning to the same rooms each night.
It was also great value for money.
Highly recommend choosing this company.
Written 18 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks very much Sue. It was an absolute pleasure to host you all and we are delighted you enjoyed your Off The Rails cycle tour with us.
Written 29 April 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Bumsteer55
Noosa, Australia26 contributions
Feb 2023 • Couples
We spent 4days on the Otago trail with this very well oiled machine. Our bus driver/local hero Rock was a great source of local knowledge. Even though the weather was not kind to us on the first day Rock did his best to keep us safe and dry. Great to have a single accommodation for the 3 nights , best way to do it.
Written 13 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks very much for travelling with Off The Rails. Rock always does a great job of looking after everyone, even when the weather isn't behaving. We're glad you enjoyed our accommodation. It certainly makes it easier for our guests.
Written 29 April 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Gail W
1 contribution
Feb 2023
Amazing experience and great group of people to share it with. Thanks to Nick and Pauline for all their effort and organisation. The local information provided on the drives to and from the trail added another dimension to the tour. Great accommodation and local food.
Written 28 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks very much Gail. We are so pleased you chose Off The Rails for your cycle tour. We loved meeting you.
Written 12 March 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
jackyowen100
Leeds, UK
Mine nichts schoon zoon was in een koers vandaag,juist verwonderd hoe hij het stelde.Ik woon in Engeland,ben a 4 mmal naar NEW ZEALAND geweest en tis wonderful.grt.