New Zealand’s First Railtrail
The Otago Central Rail Trail at 150 kilometres long is the single longest recreational facility of its kind in New Zealand. Since 1993 it has been re-developed from abandoned railway line into a unique trail for walkers, cyclists and horse riders. The railtrail links many small communities near Dunedin through to the Central Otago heartland.
Work on the trail has involved redecking and handrailing over 60 bridges, several over 100 metres long, grading, removing the heavy rock ballast, clearing weeds, and the provision of visitor information kiosks and signage.
The trail will be officially opened on Sunday 20 February 2000 by the Governor-General of New Zealand. The opening ceremony will be part of a full weekend of events and activities including the first ever 150 km running and cycling duathlon along the railtrail.
For more information: Owen Graham, Executive Officer, Otago Central Rail Trail Trust. C/- Otago Conservancy, Department of Conservation, Box 5244, DUNEDIN, New Zealand.
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More News
On 24 March, Rail Trails Australia hosted the 2023 Rail Trails Forum in Murwillumbah NSW, timed to coincide with the Com...
The Tweed region in northern NSW celebrated the opening of the first section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail in a big ...
Come and walk or ride the Great Southern Rail Trail at the official opening event for the extension between Nyora to Leo...
The O’Keefe Challenge is gearing up for its annual Light the Rail Trail on Saturday 29 April 2023. The annual event ...
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