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Southern Scenic 7 day Tour
Duration
7 days
Site savings
$23
From
$2,200 USD
Cycle the deep south of New Zealand from Queenstown to Dunedin over 7 spectacular days from the mountains to the sea. You will follow the Southern Scenic route on a journey through magnificent mountains, along the shores of lakes and beside innumerable waterfalls to Milford Sound and beyond to the empty spaces of the Catlins Forest Park and the rugged Southern coast. You will finish your tour in the lofty surroundings of historic Larnach Castle Lodge, perched high on the Otago Peninsula, with sweeping views.
- CategoryRoad Cycling
- TypeFully Guided
- Duration7 days
- Culture LevelFamiliar
- Skill Level2 - Novice
- Activity Level3 - Active
- Elevation2 - Moderate
- TerrainCoastal
- Distance118.7 miles
- Avg. Daily Distance29.8 miles
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Quick Stats
- Duration7 days
- Main DestinationSouth Island
- Distance118.7 miles
- Avg. Daily Distance29.8 miles
- Elevation2 - Moderate
- TerrainCoastal
Route Map (click to view larger image)
Itinerary Details
- Day 1Arrival
You will meet at 3.00 pm at the Millenium Hotel, 32 Frankton Road, Queenstown. Please meet your guide in the foyer. Your guide will fit you to your rental bike or help to unpack your own.
- Millenium Hotel, Queenstown
- Dinner
- Day 2Queenstown (Kingston) to Te Anau
Today's riding options are:
Kingston to 5 Rivers : cas. 47 km / 29 mi
Kingston to Mossburn : int. 67 km / 42 mi
Kingston to Te Anau : adv. 125 km / 79 mi
Due to high traffic density, you will drive along the eastern shore of Lake Wakatipu to Kingston, home of the vintage steam train called the Kingston Flyer, the only remaining remnant of a rail line that once connected Dunedin to Queenstown, with the last leg of the journey by lake steamer. You will enjoy views of dramatic jagged peaks on either side of the lake. South of Kingston, the land is mostly pastoral and gently undulating all the way to Te Anau, with views of the Murchison and Kepler Mountains in the distance. There are cafes at Kingston, Athol 5 Rivers and Mossburn (check out the meat pies-a New Zealand favourite). Lake Te Anau, lying on the border of Fiordland National Park and Te Wahipounamu World Heritage Area is the largest lake in the South Island and an access point for several of New Zealand’s Great Walks, including the Kepler Track and the Milford Track.- 29.2 miles
- Distinction Te Anau Hotel & Villas, Te Anau
- Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
- Day 3Te Anau to Milford Sound (pop.150) and return (driving and walking)
Milford Sound is in Fiordland National Park, a World Heritage Area of 1.2 m hectares. The road to Te Anau is one of the most spectacular in the world and is lined with short walks which you will stop to enjoy. There are superb viewpoints along the way. A highlight is the optional walk to Key Summit (6km, 2½-3 hours return) an alpine meadow, where there are stupendous views of the surrounding mountains and valleys on the world-renowned Routeburn Track. After Homer Tunnel (built between 1935 and 1953) the road descends steeply to the sea. Enjoy a spectacular, scenic boat trip on the fiord before we drive back over the Divide to Te Anau.
- Distinction Te Anau Hotel & Villas, Te Anau
- Breakfast and Lunch
- Day 4Te Anau to Invercargill (pop. 53,000)
Cycling options today are:
Te Anau to Blackmount School:cas. 59 km / 37 mi
Te Anau to Clifden Suspension Bridge:int. 87 km / 54 mi
McCrackens Rest Area to Reefton: 38km / 24 mi
You will head south to Lake Manapouri and then join the Southern Scenic Route, on the edge of Fiordland National Park on your way to Southland. A slight downhill is followed by a gradual climb to the only significant hill of the day:-Blackmount Hill. Thereafter it's mostly downhill at a very leisurely pace to a picnic lunch at the historic Clifden suspension bridge over the Waiau River. The region is known for sheep and crop farming, forestry and milling. You will drive from Clifden to the McCraken’s Rest Area on the South coast with the option to then ride 37km (23mi) to Riverton from where you will drive the final 40kms (25mi) to Invercargill, New Zealand’s most southerly city.
- 23.6 miles
- Homestead Villas, Invercargill
- Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
- Day 5Invercargill to Papatowai (pop. 78)
Today's riding options are:
Invercargill to Papatowai: 110 km / 69 mi
Invercargill to Fortrose: cas. 48 km / 30 mi
Invercargill to Niagra Falls: int. 82 km / 51 mi
Quiet rural riding through mixed farmland with some excellent coastal views. From Curio Bay, you will head through Catlins Forest to the small seaside settlement of Papatowai. There may be time to visit the fossilized trees embedded in coastal bedrock or take a hike to Cathedral Cave (tide permitting). The region is known for interesting wildlife, including yellow-eyed penguins, fur seals, and Hooker's sea lions.
- 29.8 miles
- Southern Secret Motel & Catlins cottages, Southern Scenic Route, Papatowa
- Breakfast and Dinner
- Day 6Papatowai to Dunedin (pop. 126,000)
Today's biking options are:
Papatowai to Blaclutha: cas/int/adv. 58 km / 36 mi
Waihola to Dunedin: int/adv. 59 km / 36 mi
On reaching Balclutha (58 km/36mi) you will drive through to Waihola Lake from where there is a second optional ride along the coast into Dunedin, known for its rich architectural heritage and solid Scottish origins. Dunedin was the ancient Celtic name for Edinburgh. Historic Larnach’s Castle is set high on the Otago Peninsula with superb views, a magnificent location for your final stay and celebration dinner.
- 36 miles
- Larnach Castle Lodge, Otago Peninsula, Dunedin
- Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
- Day 7Dunedin - Departure