As the Otago Central Railway pushed west from Middlemarch, construction gangs would uproot their camps and re-establish them further up the line. As often as they’d relocate to an existing settlement, they’d create their own township on rail side land --- which explains Tiroiti. From 1895 to 1897 this was the site of a major construction camp complete with shops, churches and a school. Although the workers moved on, the Tiroiti Railway Station continued to serve the local farming community right up until its closure in 1974. The Maori meaning for Tiroiti is Little View, though in fact views from the station site are anything but little.

If you're visiting Central Otago but only have time to experience just part of the Rail Trail, you'll find the 6km separating Tiroiti and Hyde delivers a memorable package of wonderful scenery, a steep sided gorge, a tunnel and lofty viaduct.

Tiroiti – Hyde

• 6km separates Tiroiti from Hyde
• Historic Cap Burn railway bridge, 32 m high Prices Creek Railway Viaduct and the 152m long Prices Creek tunnel.

Tiroiti – Kokonga

• 8km separates Tiroiti from Kokonga.
  
• Between Tiroiti and Kokonga the trail goes through a transition zone from moist coastal to Central Otago’s drier climate vegetation.

• As the trail nears Kokonga it leaves the relative confines of the Upper Taieri Gorge entering the wide-open spaces of the Maniototo Plain.

Historic Cap Burn Bridge 100m or so from the Tiroiti Station site presents a great opportunity to get up close to the amazing craftsmanship that went into bridges and other structures on the Otago Central Rail Trail. Quarried locally, the stone for abutments and piers was hand-shaped by stonemasons using just hammers and chisels. Photo: Chris Lidgard	Spooky! Don’t forget to bring a torch for going through Prices Creek and other tunnels on the Otago Central Rail Trail. Photo: Chris Lidgard
Uncrowded. Unhurried. Unwinding. Two Rail Trailers enjoy the Upper Taieri Gorge between Tiroiti and Hyde. Photo: Chris Lidgard

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