Rail Trail: Day 2 to Wedderburn

We set off on day 2 in sunshine with a leisurely 35km on the cards.

First impressive bridge for the day: Manuherikia no.1

In our very near future was one of the fabulous Central Otago mountain ranges, the Raggedy Range. Thanks to tunnels, this was traversed with relative ease.

I love the schist outcrops down here

I love the vistas like this down here. I pretty much love everything down here

One of the distinctive gangers’ huts, shelters used by railway workers

One of the old ‘mile markers’ except this is metric and is the distance in kms from the depot just outside Dunedin

You can easily imagine the railway winding through here

One of the many excellent information panels along the trail

Here we deviated further to check out the relics of the workers’ camp build on the hillside (see the chimney remains to the right)

Never far from your thoughts is the Rail Trail’s former life. Isolation, challenging terrain and climate would have made construction a feat of endurance. Remains of camps and work sites can be seen here and there and the more enduring structural legacies along the trail leave you at times in lengthy contemplation.

Such as when you’re navigating long dark tunnels.

Walking through the longest tunnel on the trail, Poolburn no.2, 229m long. Pretty sure I spent the whole time hoping there weren’t spiders lurking anywhere near me

And gawping at big viaducts.

The amazing Poolburn Viaduct, regarded as the most impressive structure on the trail

Quick deviation for some views

Another very long straight

Hmmm?… You can’t reach the lock?… Gosh well that’s a shame…

Down in the Ida Valley we stopped at the Idaburn Dam for an explore. This water reservoir (used for irrigation) was in a fairly dry state on our visit but is famous for hosting winter sports and a winter motorcycle rally – brrr. I love its historical touches including the shed containing racks of old skates. A couple of years later we stopped by here in winter.

In winter the Idaburn Dam turns to ice and in some years is thick enough for a bonspiel to be declared

Back on the trail outside the dam – just ahead is the small settlement of Oturehua

A few kms on we reached the highest point on the trail and passed (twice) 45 degrees south latitude. Then it was downhill to our stop for the night: Wedderburn.

Approaching the top (618m)

This very small place is great. Cute cottages, historic station buildings, and a pub – all you need for a short stay.

At the Wedderburn Cottages (taken the morning of day 3). Loved this place

Wedderburn is a good example of the Northumbrian place names in Otago. In case you were wondering, Wedder means castrated sheep.

Iconic imagery this, if you’re familiar with the artwork of Grahame Sydney

Feeling happy but a bit pooped after two big days pedalling in the sun

Beer in the garden bar – superb idea

Station stamps collected from: Ida Valley, Auripo, Oturehua, Wedderburn. Two days down, two to go.