A guided cycle tour operator based in Ranfurly, in the heart of the Maniototo, Off The Rails runs premium tours of the Otago Central Rail Trail and beyond. The company is Qualmark accredited at Silver. Its most popular option is a four-day, three-night leisurely tour with time for sightseeing. There is also a three-day, two-night package for experienced cyclists, which adds a night at its Railway Cottage and can include the Lake Dunstan cycle trail. A five-day, four-night tour adds an optional day, and a day-tripper ride covers part of the trail. Bikes, accommodation and transport are included in the tour price. Guests are picked up in Queenstown, and tours finish in Queenstown or Dunedin. Each night is spent in the same accommodation, and the team takes guests to a different historic country hotel for dinner each evening.
Guests praise the organised tours, the knowledge of local history and the staff's hospitality. One group said the support on the route was perfect, with the company able to carry extra clothing and offer a lift when the wind made riding hard. The curling evening at Naseby is a highlight for many guests. The company says its staff are local and that it follows a responsible tourism policy.