The route from Dunedin to Queenstown via the back roads of Central Otago is stunning. The landscape is like no other that I have seen before – huge wild landscapes with golden tussocks and crazy rock formations.

It has the perfect terrain and interest value for a fantastic off-road bike tour. The trip has great variety including some beautiful coastlines of Eastern Otago, stunning mountain valleys following meandering rivers in a region which can be the hottest (in summer), coldest (in winter) and driest in New Zealand. The route has world class vineyards and abandoned goldfields, the scene of a massive gold rush in the 1860’s and more recently used as settings for the famous “Lord of the Rings” movies. Covering 30-85kms per day; the terrain is ‘rolling’ and most enjoyable with a reasonable level of fitness.

The Back Country Gold Trail has been put together as a fully supported and guided trip. Riding it this way allows you to simply enjoy the biking and the scenes with a support vehicle behind to carry all your gear, or to hitch a ride if you feel like a break from the saddle. Picnic lunches are supplied each day and accommodation is in a variety of guesthouses, hostels and lodges with the ever-present hot showers, cold beers and opportunities to experience some of New Zealand’s finest hospitality and local cuisine.

Written by  Mandy Richards.

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