Central Otago is at the bottom of the South Island of New Zealand – best access is via Dunedin, but easily found on a South Island Tour.

It is a rich historic gold mining area which used to have a train connecting its small communities.  The train tracks have long since gone, replaced with one of the best cycling trails in New Zealand – The Otago Rail Trail.

The Otago Rail Trail is literally a cycle from pub to pub – in a huge high country landscape, it should be on any ones bucket list – even if you just cycle a small section of the trail.   This is what I did recently and combined the trip with Curling – a scottish stone throwing on ice tradition, and a four wheel drive tour.  I have also done the whole trail with a group of friends.  Follow the link below for more stories

If you are planning to visit New Zealand Spend some time in Central Otago!

See our posts about Central Otago and the Otago Rail Trail

Picture yourself swilling wine in a hot tub at the end of an invigorating day’s bush hike, or relaxing in a country pub having biked the classic Otago Rail Trail, or taking a dip in the turquoise waters of the glorious Abel Tasman after sea kayaking to a golden beach…

do these things sound like something you would like to experience? Well, read on, because your prayers have finally been answered!

As busy women we often have a myriad of (often feeble) excuses why we don’t do things for ourselves. But let’s face it: there is never an excuse good enough for not doing something positive for yourself – like taking a well-deserved short break somewhere!

Venus Adventures – Trips for Women – is now offering a range of short breaks within New Zealand (and Europe) for women who, well, just need a break! The breaks include anything from culture to adventures, and are always a lot of fun, and the website is a one-stop shop for short breaks for women.

The idea behind women-only trips is to help women escape their everyday roles and routines as busy mums, wives or workers, and to get away with the girls and have some fun!

“More and more women are realizing the importance of getting away from it all and letting someone else do all the organizing for a change”; says Julie Paterson, founder and owner of Venus Adventures Trips for Women. “Women naturally bond and network easily. Doing a trip which gets you out of your comfort zone a little is easier in a supportive women’s group. It’s a great environment in which to try new things. But, depending on the trip, we also indulge in fun things like spas and a little retail-therapy! Age also doesn’t matter as long as the spirit is there!”

All you have to do is get yourself to the trip starting point and all the rest is taken care of. So what are you waiting for? Your next adventure is just a mouse click away…for more information visit www.shortbreaksforwomen.com.

By Julie Paterson

Venus Adventures – Trips for Women

www.venusadventures.travel

www.shortbreaksforwomen.com

In New Zealand the Prime Minister John Key, who is also the Minister for Tourism is promoting the idea of a national cycle trail from one end of NZ to the other - both as a focus for tourism and also for generating jobs in the current recession to build and develop the trail. There is already a fabulous model – in the Otago Rail Trail in the South Island. Read more

Take 5 people, average age 62, average fitness , 5 bikes and a old railway line.Mix in the classic gold and barren landscape of Central Otago in the South Island of New Zealand, some country pubs and mellow autumn sun, and you are in for a great ride. Or so we thought. Read more of this story and see more photos here Explore the Otago Rail Trail – I would love to do it again. We only scratched the surface of this magnificent area. All sorts of people do it – all shapes, sizes, ages – its great fun and not that hard to cycle 30 kms a day, especially when it is basically pub to pub!