Travel book: Guide to the Central Otago Rail Trail

Trail riding is increasing in popularity in New Zealand - not least because the Prime Minister has made cycle trails a central part of our tourism strategy - and for the casual cyclist the Central Otago Rail Trail is surely the place to go.

Partly because it was one of the first proper cycle trails to be developed, but also because it goes through a particularly beautiful and historic bits of the country, the trail already attracts over 10,000 cyclists a year and numbers are rising rapidly.

If you're thinking about joining the pedalling throng, this book is an excellent starting point, offering plenty of practical information on how to get there, where to hire a bike, the best time to go, where to find food and accommodation and what you'll see along the way.

So what are you waiting for? The trail beckons.

* Guide to the Central Otago Rail Trail, by Gerald Cunningham, Penguin, $30.