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About Off Trail Tours - Ranfurly

Off Trail Tours owner and operator George Lindsay comes from four generations of farming in the Maniototo. He knows Central Otago like the back of his hand, so you are in very good hands. Farming both sheep and deer in the raggedy high country has given him a very good insight into this sometimes harsh environment. He has operated Off Trail Tours for many years and was, in fact, the first to start tours on the Otago Central Rail Trail. George has many a tale to tell, whilst providing you with a unique and comfortable experience.

Not only does he have a great knowledge of Central Otago, but he can also give you an insight into the wider Otago and Southland region, including Dunedin, Otago Peninsula, Catlins Coast, Milford Sound, Queenstown and the lower West Coast with its unique glaciers.

George also offers a car rental service. This season Off Trail Tours will have a hire car for people wishing to explore the Maniototo on their own. We pay petrol for the first 35km and it is then 80 cents per kilometre thereafter. Hire time is 3pm to 10am for $55. This way you don't have to worry about the petrol!

Reviews from satisfied customers

Hi George,

We would like to thank you very much for taking us to St Bathans last week and later in the day to Naseby. We are very pleased that we allowed some extra time to do these things.

Our family discussion of "the best and worst bits" voted curling at Naseby the very best thing we did on holiday!! (beating even the Dart River Jetboat).

Best wishes for your tour business. We will certainly be recommending it to our friends. It was a pleasure meeting you.

Regards
Leigh & Fiona

Greetings George

I had meant to email as soon as we got home from our memorable cycle tour – but was unable to find your card – and work was as always, waiting desperately. However, I have now found your email address in the cycle trail booklet.

I would like to thank you for your very informative and personal tour of Naseby for curling, and St Bathans/and the Cambrians to see the old hotel and view a magnificent show of purple crocus.

I can't imagine what these tours might have been like had we done them on our own. We might have been tripping anywhere, a cup of coffee, a tour of the township – but never as informative a trip as you provided.

Your knowledge of the area, the little side trips to the dam at St Bathans, the garden as mentioned above, the Cambrian School. Your knowledge of the farming in the area, the mountain ranges, the soil types and crops – all such useful information and all in a leisurely timeframe allowing these holiday makers time to enjoy and experience these wonders of another part of New Zealand.

You have changed our concept of paying for tours, George. We learnt so much more than just 'tiki-touring' on our own. So much more is gained by going with someone who knows.

Our indebted thanks
Gaye and Laurie

Hi George,

Thanks so much for taking Maree and I around during our Otago rail trail cycle trip. We had a great time, and the highlight definitely was the off-trail trips with you to Naseby and St Bathans. Curling was a lot of fun, though I was a bit dubious about it at first, and the pub we visited in Naseby was a great experience – in hindsight, wished we'd stayed there longer for some more beverages and food! We really enjoyed the trip to Cambrian and St Bathans, and of course the highlight was meeting Bob, one of the locals – he is a great character and very inspiring! Thanks also for showing us your garden and home, and getting to meet Sal!

We will definitely be recommending you to others, and I've already had a few friends asking about it as they're keen to do the rail trail sometime as well.

Attached are a few pics from the tour that we thought you might like to see. My pics aren't quite as professional looking as some of yours, I will need to work on that with my next camera!!

Cheers and hope to see you again sometime when I'm in the area.

Regards,
Charmaine

PS: Feel free to use the above as a testimonial on your website.