Everything you need, and a few things you didn't expect

Ride All Day. Recharge at the Hacienda.

Central Otago is made for riding. Historic railways, wide-open landscapes, river gorges, mountain ranges and vineyards come together across a network of remarkable cycle trails. 

Stay at Mad Hacienda in Alexandra and you have a comfortable base for exploring them. Ride out for the day, take on a longer route, then return to secure bike storage, a hot spa, sauna, fresh laundry and somewhere good to put your feet up. 

Explore the trails. Stay at Mad Hacienda. 

New Zealand's original Great Ride follows the route of a former railway line between Middlemarch and Clyde. Expect wide gravel paths, historic gold-mining country, tunnels, viaducts, small townships and the big skies that define Central Otago. 

The gentle gradient makes it one of the region's most accessible multi-day rides, with plenty of places to stop along the way. 

Follow the shores of Lake Dunstan, the Kawarau River and the Clutha Mata-Au on one of Central Otago's most varied rides. 

The trail passes through the vineyards of Bannockburn and into dramatic landscapes around Cromwell Gorge. Some sections are remote and more challenging, making this a good choice for confident riders looking for a little more adventure. 

Ride into the remote landscape of the Roxburgh Gorge, following the Clutha Mata-Au past weathered schist bluffs, gold-mining remains and native vegetation. 

The full experience combines cycling with a boat transfer between Doctors Point and Shingle Creek, making this one of the region's most distinctive day rides. 

Follow the Clutha Mata-Au through a landscape shaped by gold mining, farming and fruit growing. The trail brings together river views, open country, historic sites and small settlements along the way. 

Ride the full route or choose a shorter section for a day out. Its variety makes it an easy trail to build around your stay in Central Otago. 

A new connection between Central Otago and the Queenstown Trails, the Kawarau Gorge Trail will run from Cromwell towards Gibbston through dramatic river and gorge country. 

The route includes swing bridges, cliffside sections and more than 800 metres of climbing. It is designed for confident riders and will add another major ride to the Central Otago network. 

A good ride starts with the trail. A great riding stay takes care of everything after it.

Mad Hacienda is a dedicated cycling accommodation in Central Otago for cyclists, with secure undercover bike storage, a workshop bench, track pump, tools and e-bike charging. There is a guest laundry for kit that needs to be ready again tomorrow, plus a gym, cedar sauna and private spa pool for recovery.

Alexandra puts you in a useful corner of Central Otago for exploring the region by bike. The town sits close to major trail routes and offers an easy base for riders who want to combine time on the bike with good food, wine, local history and time outdoors.

At Mad Hacienda, the riding experience continues after you leave the trail. There is space to clean up, recover, refuel and plan the next day's route without giving up the comfort of a proper place to stay.

For anyone looking for bike friendly accommodation in Alexandra, the idea is simple: