Lake Dunstan Cycle Challenge
Mid-month annually. Road Cycle 96km around Lake Dunstan on generally flat State Highways

Lake Dunstan Triathlon
Early month annually. Choose from either Swim 500m, or Kayak 5.5km; then Road Cycle 23km and Run 5.8km

Omakau Races
Held early in the month at the Omakau Racecourse, this is an annual Central Otago summer holiday highlight that’s just a few km’s ride from the Otago Central Rail Trail. Join happy crowds enjoying a full race programme and lots of off track entertainment

Otago Daily Times AOK Rally – Mountain Bike Ride, Alexandra
Mid-month annually. Two-day recreational, social mountain bike ride…
“It’s a ride, not a race”. Course takes cyclists over local sheep stations, a pedal through at least one vineyard and a chance to visit historic places like Ophir, Clyde, Poolburn and remote Hawksburn

Naseby Rodeo
Annually

Shell One-Day Cricket, Alexandra
Alexandra is on the circuit of this popular provincial teams series that forms part of the State Championship. Usually held late January/early Feb

Roxburgh Trotting Races
Held annually around Jan 6th. A family picnic day of action packed racing in the Central Otago sunshine

Roxburgh Triathlon/Duathlon
An annual fixture on the events calendar in this old gold mining and now fruit growing town on the banks of the Clutha just 35 mins south of Alexandra

Otago Central Rail Trail Duathlon
Last weekend of the month annually. Growing in popularity the event is now capped at 600 entrants. A wonderful way to quench the competitive spirit before setting out on a leisurely tour of the Rail Trail

Otago Central Rail Trail Short Course Duathlon
Run in early-Feb/late Jan as part of the New Zealand Masters Games, Dunedin
Biennial – next 2010

Rural Art Deco Weekend
Last weekend of the month annually. A large helping of nostalgia served up in a lively festival atmosphere

Dunedin Summer Festival
Through most of February. An annual festival celebrating Dunedin and its lifestyle

Orientation Week
After you have delivered them to Dunedin safely now treat yourselves to three or four days on the Otago Central Rail Trail

Central Otago Food & Wine Festival, Queenstown
Early month annually. Celebrates Central Otago wineries with food prepared by leading guest chefs, Central Otago summer fruits, a farmer’s market and Central Otago art

Cromwell Golf Club Tournaments
Annually. Situated on the shores of New Zealand's newest lake, this 18-hole championship golf course reflects the best the world can offer

Goldrush Multisport Event
Mid-March Annually. Three days of kayaking, road biking, mountain biking and running make up the disciplines. Second day includes the Rail Trail from Auripo Station down the Poolburn Gorge to Lauder

Cromwell Races
First Sunday of March annually. New Zealand’s biggest Sunday race meeting. Experience great horse racing, food, wine and other entertainment at the picturesque Cromwell Racecourse

Ghost to Ghost Triathlon, St Bathans
Second week of March annually. Held in and around the historic mining town of St Bathans. Another opportunity to flavour an Otago Central Rail Trail experience with a taste of family-orientated competition

Dunedin Fashion Week
Early month annually. The country’s only fashion week designed for the public

Otago Goldfields Cavalcade
Every March hundreds of horses and riders, wagoners and walkers follow the old gold trails throughout Otago and Northern Southland in a re-enactment of the discovery of gold on which the Otago province was founded. Some years includes a section of the Otago Central Rail Trail

Cromwell Golf Club Tournaments
Annually. Situated on the shores of New Zealand's newest lake, this 18-hole championship golf course reflects the best the world can offer

Dunstan Trail Classic
Annual mountain bike adventure ride. A fully supported two-day ride with the option of 5 days for out of towners. What better way to add to the experience than a leisurely cycle tour along the Otago Central Rail trail

Scottish Week, Dunedin
Held annually, the week highlights Dunedin's strong Scots traditions yet reflects its own style in this wonderful celebration

Dunedin PGA Golf Classic.
Annually at the seaside Chisholm Park Golf Link. After following the competitors why not follow the sun as it sets over the Otago Central Rail Trail

Warbirds over Wanaka
Biennially at Easter ( next 2010). For three days Lake Wanaka becomes centre-stage for an extravaganza of aerial action with plenty of activities on Terra Firma to keep the huge crowds enthralled. Before or after Warbirds, this is a wonderful time of year to tour the Rail Trail among the spectacle of autumn colours

Middlemarch Singles Dance
Biennially at Easter. (Next 2009) What better way to cement a new-found romance or mend a broken heart than cycle the Otago Central Rail Trail

Carricktown Crusher
Annual mountain bike race. The course takes riders to 1300 metres on the unsealed Nevis Road, New Zealand’s highest public road

Clyde Wine & Food Festival
Easter annually. Held within Clyde’s historic precinct. Features wineries, restaurants and food outlets, market stalls, and children’s entertainment

Middlemarch Easter Show
Easter annually. Gymkhana, Hunts, dog trials, farm animal competitions and all the fun of the fair

Dunedin Orienteering Club
Naseby early April. Otago Champs and South Island Challenge and South Island School champs. A wonderful opportunity to discover the Otago Central Rail Rail.

Alexandra Harriers Rail Trail Relay
May Annually – walk/run 33 km along the Rail Trail from Lauder to Alexandra

Maniototo Ice Rink Highland Ball
Annually

Dunedin Film Festival
Annually early-mid month. Described as two glorious weeks of celluloid with something for everyone to enjoy

University of Otago Graduation
Celebrate their success with three or four days on the Otago Central rail Trail

Brass Monkey Rally, Oturehua
The Brass Monkey Motorcycle Rally is one of the last great motorcycling adventures in New Zealand. The Rally is always held over Queen’s Birthday weekend at Oturehua… one of the communities on the Rail Trail. So why not swap horsepower for pedal power before or after Brass Monkey to ride all 150km or a section of the Otago Central Rail Trail

Clyde Dam to Alexandra Road Races
Annually

Maniototo Curling Competitions
Annually

Ice Triathlon
Annually

Roxburgh Golf Tournament
Late August annually. Bounded by the Clutha River, this 18-hole course is fairly short but challenging and very picturesque.

Taste Otago Food And Wine Festival
Annually. An event that aims to be fresh, fun and vibrant, and focuses on all things related to wine and food. If ever there was an event calling to exercising away those calories on the Rail Trail this is it

Cadbury Chocolate Carnival, Dunedin
Each year the nation’s chocolate lovers have the best part of a week to indulge in their favourite treats with a full programme of events. Another event that necessitates exercising off those calories with a few days cycling all or part of the Rail Trail

International Film Festival, Dunedin
Each year the latest and best in international filmmaking takes centre-stage in Dunedin. So why not visit Dunedin to check on their academic progress, take in a movie or two and then cycle the Rail Trail before heading back home to face urban living feeling refreshed and recharged

Alexandra Blossom Festival
Mid month to early October. Visiting Alex and not hiring a bike to ride at least one section of the Otago Central Rail Trail would be cheating yourself of a memorable experience.

D.O.C. Alexandra Blossom Festival Bike Ride
Annually on the 4th weekend of the month. Ride 17 Km along the Otago Central Rail Trail from Chatto Creek to Alexandra.

Alexandra Lions Club Blossom Festival 5km Fun Run
End of month annually

Cycling Otago Rail Trail Classic 100 Mile Adventure Ride
Annually. Last Sunday in September.
Start Clyde 8am. Finish 6pm Middlemarch.

Cromwell Half Marathon
Annually. Course takes competitors around Cromwell and Lake Dunstan including vineyards and orchards.

Cromwell Golf Club
Annual Pinot Challenge. A unique golf event followed by a 3 course food & wine experience, with local wine makers as guest speakers.

Maniototo Market Day
Annually at Labour Weekend on the green in front of the Railway Station. Something that shouldn’t be missed when you’re riding the Rail Trail over Labour Weekend

Alexandra Market
Annually late October. High quality goods, from concrete to ceramics, emus oils to fabric, fruit liqueurs to flowers, photography to salami, toys to wood ware.

Thyme Festival
Mid-month annually. With a host of thyme-related events and activities, this popular festival is designed to entertain the soul, enlighten the mind and energize the spirit. A wonderful time of year to include the Rail Trail in your itinerary

Bannockburn Gutbuster MTB
Annually. From Garston south of Lake Wakatipu, this event takes riders up two 1300 metre climbs and through the magnificent Nevis Valley to Bannockburn, a few kms south of Cromwell. Why not take advantage of being in the area to wind down with a few days cycling the Rail Trail

Bannockburn MTB Classic
Annually

Cromwell Harness Racing
Annually. A great day out for all the family at the Cromwell Racecourse.

Millers Flat Rodeo
Annually. A highlight on the South Island’s rodeo calendar.

Naseby Triathlon
Annually

Alexandra Market
Annually. Everything you can imagine and lots more besides. From flowers to photography, fruit liqueurs to emu oils.

Roxburgh Golf Tournament
Late December annually. Bounded by the Clutha River, this 18 hole course is fairly short but challenging and very picturesque.