Experience the wide-open skies and stunning mountain backdrops of the Dunedin hinterlands as they merge into Central Otago.
The historic and charming town of Middlemarch(opens in new window) sits in the Strath-Taieri Valley overlooked by the impressive Rock and Pillar Range(opens in new window). The rural location provides scope for a number of recreation pursuits in the area, including hiking, river fishing and cycling.
The town sits at the original railhead for the old Central Otago railway line, which now forms the Otago Central Rail Trail cycle journey. Travel by train from Dunedin through the Taieri Gorge(opens in new window) to meet a cycle tour or hire bikes at Middlemarch and traverse the beautiful Central Otago back country all the way to Clyde, enjoying excellent country hospitality along the way. Cycle hire is available from Cycle Surgery(opens in new window) and Trail Journeys(opens in new window).
Stay a few days in Middlemarch and walk in the stunning schist landscape where scenes for Lord of the Rings were filmed, explore Sutton Salt Lake(opens in new window), fish for trout, have a beer in the last remaining pub the Strath Taieri Hotel, visit a farm, dine on gourmet food or just unwind and enjoy the generous hospitality of the locals who love to share their country interests.
