Steam back in time at Hyde Railway Station

Step inside the restored Hyde Railway Station and glimpse into the past, with fascinating tales of a busy railway town and a unique display of railway memorabilia. Built in 1894, on a site chosen as the only flat land suitable for a railhead, the station included an engine shed and the line's first locomotive shed.

This serene photogenic spot used to be a hive of activity with railway wagons loaded with Hyde clay for pottery works in Christchurch and Auckland.

Directions: Located on the trail 2km from the Hyde Township, heading towards Middlemarch.

Pretty Hyde Station – looking as good as it did when it was built in 1894!

Strike it lucky at the Golden Progress Mine

Visit the historic workings of the old Golden Progress quartz mine and marvel at the intact poppet head – the only one remaining in the Otago Goldfields. With massive 182″ (4.6m) and 165″ (4.2m) shafts coming off the drive, operating it was a huge undertaking that employed up to 25 miners working in one shift. 

Directions: Located up Reefs Road 2km east of Oturehua, heading towards Wedderburn.

The spectacular setting of the Golden Progress mine (Tim Hawkins/Otago Central Rail Trail).

Survey the graceful Daniel O’Connell Suspension Bridge at Ophir

Constructed between 1879 and 1880, this photogenic structure is a characteristic example of a Central Otago suspension bridge with schist masonry towers.

At its opening in May 1880, the bridge was named after Irish hero, Daniel O’Connell (1775–1847) – an appropriate and seemingly popular choice, as the bridge was located in an area heavily populated by Irish Catholic immigrants.

Ophir awesomeness – the heritage-listed Daniel O’Connell Suspension Bridge (Tim Hawkins/Otago Central Rail Trail).

Download the Great Rides App

This awesome (and free) app will help you locate this Great Ride's hidden secrets, and track your adventure using GPS (no mobile signal required). It also has maps, trail descriptions and info on trail services. 

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Find out more about the Otago Central Rail Trail, New Zealand's original Great Ride, here.