138-142 Around the Mountains Track 2016.Indd
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AROUND THE MOUNTAINS TRAIL AROUND THE MOUNTAINS Around the Mountains Trail © www.southlandnz.com KKINGSTONINGSTON WWALTERALTER PPEAKEAK 44-5-5 DDAYSAYS 1180km80km AROUND THE Cycle Trail Info MOUNTAINS Trail When fully completed in 2016, the Around the heartland of Southland, this section of Mountains Cycle Trail will be a 180km, 4-5 day the trail is 85km long and can take two to three days. 4-5 Days trip through gorgeous surrounds. 180km The trail from Mossburn to Mavora Lakes will not be fi nished until 2016. he Around the Mountains all part of experiencing real, heartland Riders are advised to take a shuttle for Trail will allow cyclists to New Zealand. this section rather than ride on the road. TRAIL GRADES: explore and discover some Cyclists can follow the route of the KINGSTON TO ATHOL T Getting to Queenstown, the departure of New Zealand’s most secluded and Kingston Flyer railway and ride from - GRADE 1 (EASIEST) TO GRADE 3 rustic settings at a relaxed pace without point for this trail, is easy. The town is the historic settlement of Kingston, at (INTERMEDIATE). sacrifi cing the comforts of home. well served by domestic fl ights from the southernmost tip of Lake Wakatipu, ATHOL TO LUMSDEN New Zealand’s main centres as well as Along the way you will be welcomed by alongside the Eyre Mountains, through - GRADE 1 (EASIEST) TO GRADE 3 international fl ights. (INTERMEDIATE). charming locals, served mouth-watering the towns of Garston, Athol and BELOW, LEFT: Skydiving LUMSDEN TO MOSSBURN meals and told stories about the Lumsden to Mossburn via a wide © Nzone Queenstown BELOW, RIGHT: Lake Wakatipu - GRADE 1 (EASIEST) TO GRADE 3 beautiful places they call home – smooth trail. Passing through the © Destination Queenstown (INTERMEDIATE). MOSSBURN TO MAVORA LAKES LOOK OUT FOR... Due to be completed in 2016. Queenstown Thrills Lake Wakatipu MAVORA LAKES TO WALTER PEAK - GRADE 3 (INTERMEDIATE) Adrenalin junkies will fi nd it hard not visual appeal makes skydiving a This pristine lake with a mountainous MOBILE PHONE COVERAGE: to overdose in Queenstown thanks to spectacular experience, or you can hop backdrop is accessible from Queenstown, Coverage available from Kingston its astonishing on board a jet boat and zip down the Kingston and Walter Peak. number of Shotover River at full speed. Then there’s Cruising on the to Mossburn. No coverage from heart-pounding the buzz of rafting and canyoning, the TSS Earnslaw, Mossburn to Walter Peak. adventure known as ‘Lady exhilaration of paragliding or hang DRINKING WATER: Can be taken pursuits. If you’re of the Lake’, is the gliding, the thrill of river boarding and from taps in the towns along the way brave enough, river surfi ng and the family-fun option best way to take or purchased from shops. the region’s of riding the Skyline Luge. it in. 138 Kingston Athol Lumsden Mossburn Mavora Lakes Walter Peak AROUND THE MOUNTAINS TRAIL AROUND THE MOUNTAINS 31km 31km 19km 50km 48km shuttle 6 Kawarau R iv QUEENSTOWN er Spirit of Queenstown 6 Mt Nicholas Cruise TSS Earnslaw L Steamship a Nevis River Von River k Walter Peak e W a k MAP LEGEND a t i open section p d u other route oa R las ho TSS Earnslaw ic s Steamship N n KINGSTON MAVORA LAKES t i M ta Spirit of Queenstown Mararoa n Cruise River ou M Mataura River 6 start / fi nish point yre E point of interest Fairlight Station Shuttle / road section Under appeal - due to i-SITE Visitor Centre open at the end of 2015 Garston town e Cr café/restaurant Eyr eek toilets Athol camping 94 6 accommodation 1 state highway to Te Anau 97 Five Rivers r ve Ri ia Oreti R ka Mossburn iver ai W r e iv LUMSDEN R ra u a t 6 94 a © AA Traveller 2015 M RIDING THE TRAIL Views to Glenorchy from Mt Nicholas To start this trail either drive to Kingston or take a Mossburn to Mavora Lakes, 50km Station © Southern Discoveries 45-minute shuttle ride from Queenstown. (via shuttle) This section is under construction and will be completed Kingston to Athol, 31km in 2016. A bus is available to shuttle riders to the From Kingston the trail rolls past Fairlight Station (the Mavora Lakes sub-alpine area. Kingston Flyer Steam Train destination) and on to the settlement of Garston before stopping the night at either Mavora Lakes to Walter Peak, Athol or Five Rivers. 50km From Mavora Lakes a wilderness no-exit road leads Athol to Lumsden, 31km through Mt Nicholas Station and alongside Lake From Athol ride through Jollies Pass to Five Rivers Wakatipu to fi nish the trail at Walter Peak Station. where it’s a gentle 15km descent to Lumsden. Here the Riders then embark on the TSS Earnslaw steamship to trail parallels the Oreti River with its picnic spots making Queenstown. it a popular stop for fi shers, swimmers and cyclists. If you don’t wish to cycle to the very end of the trail at Lumsden to Mossburn, 19km Walter Peak you have the option of catching the Spirit of Spend the night in Lumsden or Mossburn. It’s a good Queenstown cruise from Mt Nicholas to Queenstown. idea to buy lunch for the next section to Walter Peak. 139 AROUND THE MOUNTAINS TRAIL AROUND THE MOUNTAINS things to do... SOUTHLAND ATTRACTIONS As the popularity of this Kingston cycle trail has increased so At the southern end of Lake Wakatipu, too have the attractions Kingston is surrounded by mountains and alongside it. is a relaxing spot to visit. It’s home of the Kingston Flyer steam train (currently A number of local businesses have out of service). Cycle around the town opened alongside the trail in the past and count the quirky cribs (South Island couple of years. Welcome Rocks baches), enjoy the lake, birds, starry Trails in Garston has a hand-built 27km skies, friendly locals and the café/bar. biking/hiking trail following the old Athol, a farming locality near the stays – it’s the ideal place to visit if you’re gold-miners’ water race (online booking ALONGSIDE junction of the Mataura River, has after a low-key, relaxing break away required). The Trailer Sixty6 food plenty of appeal for anglers. They come from city life. Keen anglers fl ock from truck and Stables Hunny Shop also for the ultimate fl y-fi shing experience all over the region to try their luck at in Garston, American 1950s-themed THE TRAIL and to catch large numbers of free- catching brown trout, which the local rising trout. Oreti River is teeming with. If golf is Route 6 Café in Lumsden, Five Rivers Around an hour’s drive from more your thing then there’s a 9-hole Café in Five Rivers and the Dome Café Queenstown, Lumsden and Mossburn golf course in Lumsden. There are also in Mossburn are all a welcome boost share much of the spectacular scenery, cafés and craft shops here. Combining civilisation and for the rider in need of sustenance – including snowy mountains and crystal- Mossburn is the deer capital of New seclusion, this trail passes clear rivers, yet are completely away Zealand, and the large statue of a stag and the local economy. through friendly towns and from the hustle and bustle. in the town supports this title. It has a many a breathtaking sight. LEFT: Around the Mountains Trail Lumsden is a rural service town known range of accommodation and places to © www.southlandnz.com grab a bite to eat. TOP, LEFT: View to Kingston © for great fi shing and authentic farm Destination Queenstown Kingston after a town in Ireland • 47km S of Queenstown • Café Bar •ATM • Groceries •Sky TV • Souvenirs •FREE WiFi • New Zealand •Info Post take your bike on a across Cruise the lake MT NICHOLAS Open & cycle 7 days U 8am to MOUNTAINS 7.30pm Cnr SH 6 & Kent Street, Kingston P: 03 248 8596 • www.facebook.com/KingstonCafeBar Queenstown 284km NW of Dunedin on SH 6 DEPARTS DEPARTS $ ONE QUEENSTOWN MT NICHOLAS 35 WAY 45 WITH BIKE MINS 9.00AM* 10.00AM* 11.00AM 12.00PM 0800 264 536 1.00PM 2.00PM southerndiscoveries.co.nz 3.00PM 4.00PM #discoverqueenstown * OPERATES 1 OCTOBER — 30 APRIL 140 AROUND THE MOUNTAINS TRAIL AROUND THE MOUNTAINS NEARBY DESTINATIONS Culture and heritage are a major around the world, including the John The Catlins’ beauty is magnetic. The drawcard to the southern rural town Money collection and works from area is known for its rugged seclusion of Gore. Famous for its country premier New Zealand artists, Ralph and wildlife – yellow-eyed penguins music and brown trout fi shing, Gore Hotere and Rita Angus. In July there head to coastal nests, Hector’s dolphins is growing into a hub of history and is fabulous fashion at the Hokonui play in the waves and seal-lions bask art. The Hokonui Moonshine Museum Fashion Design Awards. The Croydon on rocks. Hidden lakes, stunning gives an insight into the illegal whisky Aircraft Company in Mandeville waterfalls and the fossilised remains distilling era, while the Eastern specialises in restoring vintage planes of a Jurassic period forest at Curio Bay Southland Gallery houses fi ne art from and offer fl ights to the public. beckon the inquisitive traveller. Lumsden Cycling, Lumsden. after George Lumsden, Mayor of Invercargill • 62km NW of Gore ABOVE: Couple rock jumping at the Petrifi ed Forest, The Catlins. Both © www.southlandnz.com 7 Hero St, Lumsden, Southland Ph/Fax: 03 248 7418 MOTEL Email: [email protected] FREE WiFi www.lumsdenmotel.co.nz • 5 self-contained ensuite units sleep 1-5 • Guest BBQ andd outdoortd socialisingi li i area • 3 Sky Channels, laundry & dryer available • Short walk to eateries & Four Square • Overnight stop on Around the Mountains supermarket Cycle Trail • Secure cycle storage • Opposite playground, shops and town centre • A quiet and comfortable rest is assured • Tariff: $120-$170 (1-5 persons).