AROUND THE MOUNTAINS Cycle Trail AROUND THE MOUNTAINS TRAIL

KINGSTON to Cycling Around the Mountains Cycle Trail WALTER PEAK © Venture Southland TRAIL INFO Along the way you will be welcomed by charming locals, served mouth- watering meals and told stories 4-5 days 180km about the beautiful places they call 4-5 Days home – all part of experiencing real, 180km heartland . Cyclists can follow the route of the Explore some of New Zealand’s most Kingston Flyer railway and ride from the historic settlement of secluded high-country and rustic settings Kingston, at the southernmost tip TRAIL GRADES: without sacrificing the comforts of home of Lake Wakatipu, alongside the KINGSTON TO ATHOL Eyre Mountains, through the towns GRADE 1 (EASIEST) TO GRADE 3 along this inspiring trail. of Garston, Athol and Lumsden to (INTERMEDIATE) Mossburn via a wide smooth trail. ATHOL TO LUMSDEN mix of secluded agricultural from towering peaks, picturesque Passing through the heart of GRADE 1 (EASIEST) TO GRADE 3 hinterland, welcoming little lakes and golden tussockland to Southland, this section of the trail can (INTERMEDIATE) Atowns and the urban buzz remote high-country stations, but take two to three days. The trail from LUMSDEN TO MOSSBURN of Queenstown create an exciting rest assured you’re never too far Mossburn to Mavora Lakes follows GRADE 1 (EASIEST) TO GRADE 3 diversity. Drink in spectacular vistas, from a hot meal and a cool drink. the Mavora Lakes gravel road and (INTERMEDIATE) can get busy in peak seasons. MOSSBURN TO MAVORA LAKES GRADE 1 (EASIEST) TO GRADE 3 (INTERMEDIATE)

MAVORA LAKES TO WALTER High-Country Stations look out for... PEAK GRADE 3 (INTERMEDIATE) The trail passes Mt Nicholas MOBILE PHONE COVERAGE: Queenstown: scenery in which you can jump out a and Walter Peak, which are Coverage available from plane over, zip by on a jet boat, take both excellent examples of Adventure Capital Kingston to Mossburn. No a thrilling rafting or canyoning trip historic sheep and cattle It’s the ‘adventure capital of the coverage from Mossburn to through, whizz down through stations that showcase the world’, so you’d expect nothing less Walter Peak. on a luge, or fly over in a paraglider or best of high-country than an astonishing number of hang-glider. The family-fun option of scenery, from expansive DRINKING WATER: Can be taken heart-pounding adventure activities riding the gondola up Bob’s Peak and tussock plains to beautiful from taps in the towns along the in Queenstown. What might surprise the luge back down is always river valleys. way or purchased from shops. you, however, is the spectacular a winner. 127 6 KINGSTON EESTOW The charming Spirit of Queenstown town of 6 Kawarau River Take a Mt Nicholas Cruise Kingston sits nestled TSS Earnslaw L Von River Steamship a Nevis River between the break Walter Peak k

e Eyre Mountains and Although the trail may seem

W the Hector Range at MAP LEGEND secluded, once you leave

a the southern end of Lake

Von Hill k open section Wakatipu. It’s a pretty spot Queenstown you’re never too a far from a hot coffee or a cool t where you can visit the i TSS Earnslaw p Steamship Kingston Flyer steam train drink. The trail offers many u (currently out of service), places to pause and take a Spirit of Queenstown d take photos of the views and break. R Cruise las cribs ( baches) ho s These include the Kingston MO ES ic n IGSTO on road section and enjoy the lake, birds, N i t a Corner Café Bar in Kingston, M t start / finish point starry skies, friendly locals Mararoa n The Stables Hunny Shop in AROUND THE MOUNTAINS TRAIL River ou Along the trail and the café/bar. AROUND THE MOUNTAINS TRAIL e M Mataura River 6 point of interest Garston, a few cafés and a yr farm shop in Athol, Five Rivers E i-SITE Visitor Centre Alternating following the old gold-miners’ water Mossburn is the deer capital of Fairlight Station Café in Five Rivers, American Shuttle / road section civilisation with race (book online). There’s also a New Zealand, as the large statue town 1950s-themed Route 6 Café seclusion, this trail honey shop here, a pub/restaurant, (crowned with genuine stag antlers) café/restaurant gallery and accommodation. in town suggests. Mossburn is in Lumsden as well as a pub Garston encounters friendly Lumsden is known for its great located on the main highway and other cafés, Bracken Hall, yre Cr toilets E eek towns and many fishing and authentic farm stays. between Queenstown and Mossburn Hotel and Dome Café toilets to open late a breathtaking Away from the hustle and bustle, and has a range of in Mossburn. Athol 2108 outlook. it’s an ideal stop if you’re after accommodation options and places camping somewhere low key. Keen anglers to eat. he Mataura River runs through flock to try their luck at catching Mavora Lakes is Lord of the 4 6 accommodation brown trout, which the local Oreti Rings territory, where scenes TOP, LEFT: Cycling Around the Garston, New Zealand’s most Mountains Cycle Trail, Old Lumsden to 1 state highway inland village. Check out River is teeming with. There’s a from the movies were shot amid Railway Station © Southland NZ Five Rivers T TOP, RIGHT: View to Kingston Centre Hill Welcome Rock Trails, which has a nine-hole golf course here, cafés the landscape of snow-capped © Destination Queenstown r hand-built 21km biking/hiking trail and craft shops. mountains, pristine lakes, forest and ve Ri grassland. ia Ore ka ti Rive ai Mossburn r W r e CONTACT FOR: iv R MSDE ra Accommodation u a t Bike Hire 6 4 a M © AA Traveller 2018 Southland Bike Transfers Guided Tours and Alternating Operators civilisation with Trail Shuttle Bus seclusion, this trail Trail Information riding the trail + Itineraries encounters friendly Kingston Athol Lumsden Mossburn Mavora Lakes Walter Peak www.aroundthemountains.co.nz 800m towns and many a 31km 31km 19km 50km 50km 600m breathtaking outlook. shuttle / road section 400m

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To start this trail either drive to Kingston LUMSDEN TO MOSSBURN, MAVORA LAKES TO WALTER On the Around the Mountains Cycle or take a 45-minute shuttle ride from 19KM PEAK, 50KM Trail © www.southlandnz.com Queenstown. Spend the night in Lumsden or From Mavora Lakes a wilderness no-exit KINGSTON TO ATHOL, 31KM Mossburn. It’s a good idea to buy road leads through Mt Nicholas Station From Kingston the trail rolls past food for the next section of the trip to and alongside Lake Wakatipu Fairlight Station (the Kingston Flyer Mavora Lakes if you are doing a self- to finish the trail at Walter Peak Station. Steam Train destination) and on to supported ride. Riders then embark on the TSS Earnslaw steamship to Queenstown. Garston before stopping for the night at MOSSBURN TO MAVORA Athol or Five Rivers. If you don’t wish to cycle to the very LAKES, 50KM end of the trail at Walter Peak you have ATHOL TO LUMSDEN, 31KM Ride along the Mavora Lakes gravel the option of catching the Spirit of Queenstown cruise from Mt Nicholas From Athol ride through Jollies Pass road and admire the Eyre and to Queenstown. Alternatively you can to Five Rivers where it’s a gentle 15km Livingstone mountains as they begin catch the TSS Earnslaw steamship from descent to Lumsden. Here the trail to rise around you. There is also the Queenstown to Walter Peak Station, parallels the Oreti River with its picnic option of taking a shuttle bus for this The New Zealand We All Dream Of... or the Spirit of Queenstown cruise to spots making it a popular stop for section as well. Mt Nicholas station and complete the fishers, swimmers and cyclists. trail in reverse. Visit southlandnz.com now and plan your escape to the south! [email protected] 0064 (0) 27 241 0858

128 129 LEFT: , Southland © Southland NZ BELOW: Gore, Hokonui Moonshine © Venture Railway Hotel, , Southland Queenstown Southland Tourism The Deep South © Venture Southland Tourism Mountain Bike Park AROUND THE MOUNTAINS TRAIL AROUND THE MOUNTAINS TRAIL

n the fight for New Zealand’s are confronted with a mind-boggling With a total of 30 trails criss-crossing the down the hill offering big views of The mountain-biking crown, Queenstown number of downhill runs at the southern flanks of Bob’s Peak and an Remarkables and Lake Wakatipu. The Igives other regions a good run for Queenstown Bike Park. array of different terrain, you can cruise park is open from September to May their money. The gondola gives riders easy access and soak up the scenery or test your with dedicated gondola cars that take Dropped off by the Skyline gondola to a 22km network of phenomenal mettle and your brakes! up to four bikes and riders. amongst the pine trees nearly 500m biking opportunities that cater for all The latest addition to the park is the above central Queenstown, riders skill levels. Thunder Goat trail which swoops Queenstown 284km NW of Dunedin on SH 6 ulture and Gallery houses fine art from around The Catlins’ beauty is magnetic. heritage the world. This secluded area has a rugged VISIT TE ANAU are a major coastline and varied wildlife – across C Invercargill, New Zealand’s the lake drawcard to Gore. yellow-eyed penguins head to Cruise Two hours’ drive from Queenstown and a worthy detour if southern-most city, has a strong Known for its coastal nests, Hector’s dolphins there ever was one, the National Park is beautiful Scottish heritage reflected in its & c yc l e country music and play in the waves and sea lions bask beyond compare. Here, at the home of the famous Milford wide, tree-lined streets, distinctive U trout fishing, Gore on rocks. Hidden lakes, podocarp MOUNTAINS Sound, waterfalls plummet down cliffs into fathomless fiords Victorian, Edwardian and art is growing into a hub forest, stunning waterfalls and the and lush green mountains poke their head into the clouds. deco architecture. Bill Richardson of history and art. The fossilised remains of a Jurassic Explore it all from Te Anau, a pretty township alongside a Transport World reputedly has the Hokonui Moonshine period forest at Curio Bay await the sparkling lake – the second biggest in the country. Tours to largest private collection of its type Museum gives an insight inquisitive traveller. Milford Sound usually start from here as do people setting in the world with more than 300 into the illegal whisky distilling out on the Milford Track, one of New Zealand’s Great Walks. trucks and Henry Ford models. LEFT: Stewart Island © Southland NZ era, while the Eastern Southland

Lumsden Mossburn after George Lumsden, Mayor of Invercargill • 62km NW of Gore Scottish place name • 113km S of Queenstown

7 Hero St, Lumsden, Southland LUMSDEN Ph: + 64 3 248 7418 Mossburn Country Park Email: [email protected] 333 Mossburn Five Rivers Rd, Mossburn • Phone: + 64 3 248 6444 MOTEL Café Email: [email protected] & GIFT SHOP

FREE WiFi Breakfasts, lunches, coffee, venison pies, real-fruit ice creams, QUEENSTOWN TO DEPARTS DEPARTS takeaway lunches MT NICHOLAS CRUISES QUEENSTOWN MT NICHOLAS $ ONE www.lumsdenmotel.co.nz Free WiFi available 9.00am* 9.45am* • Beautiful, peaceful campground set amongst 28 acres of farmland 34 WAY 45 • 5 self-contained ensuite units sleep 1-5 • Guest BBQ and outdoor socialising area Phone: +64 3 248 6033 WITH BIKE MINS 11.00am 11.45am • 3 Sky Channels, laundry & dryer available • Short walk to eateries & Four Square supermarket Email: [email protected] • Tame farm animals to feed by hand • Overnight stop on Around the Mountains • Sherpa Shuttle service for ATMCT available Open: 8.30am to 5.30pm • Plentiful power and non-power sites 1.15pm 2.00pm www.brackenhall.co.nz 0800 264 536 Cycle Trail on request • 7 lovely country cabins of varying sizes and bed configurations southerndiscoveries.co.nz 3.15pm 4.00pm • A quiet and comfortable rest is assured • Opposite playground, shops and town centre • Hot showers and clean toilets, fully equipped kitchen and laundry • Space to store your bicycles securely out of the weather #discoverqueenstown * OPERATES 1 NOVEMBER — 30 APRIL • Continental breakfasts by arrangement • Tariff: $130-$180 (1-5 persons). Extra adults Main Street, Mossburn $20 each, children $15 www.mossburncountrypark.co.nz 130 131