New Zealand, Dunedin and the Otago Rail Trail

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-well this was from Nov 2011, just continuing to catch up on my blog, so anyway, after leaving the Antarctic, I went by bus to the lovely Southern NZ city of Dunedin, a city I had previously visited- but not for many years. Dunedin is a 'uni-town', and lots of Scottish heritage. Its got amazing beaches, wildlife and gateway to the wild south coast that looks toward Antarctica. (and the Cadbury chocolate factory!) I came here to visit a friend from the Ice and to do the Otago Central Rail Trail, a 120 Km mountain bike journey through the historic and scenic 'big sky' central Otago region of New Zealand. Following an old gravelrailroad bed, the trail winds through dry tablelands, ridges and huge sheep farms, and passes through towns far far from the backpacker circuit. Towns with less than 100 people, where in the Pub you meet locals, fellow bikers and see a New Zealand you didnt expect. Due to a weather delay, I was only able to do 100 km of the trail over my 4 days, but it was a great way to see a different side of this country. I would highly reccomend it!

Many thanks to the Dunedin and Alexandra Information Centres-(I-site)

......and on to the mountain city of Queenstown

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