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Lake Wakatipu

This pristine lake with a mountainous

backdrop is accessible from Queenstown,

Kingston and Walter Peak.

Cruising on the

TSS Earnslaw,

known as ‘Lady

of the Lake’, is the

best way to take

it in.

Adrenalin junkies will fi nd it hard not

to overdose in Queenstown thanks to

its astonishing

number of

heart-pounding

adventure

pursuits. If you’re

brave enough,

the region’s

Queenstown Thrills

Trail Info

4-5 Days

180km

TRAIL GRADES:

KINGSTON TO ATHOL

- GRADE 1 (EASIEST) TO GRADE 3

(INTERMEDIATE).

ATHOL TO LUMSDEN

- GRADE 1 (EASIEST) TO GRADE 3

(INTERMEDIATE).

LUMSDEN TO MOSSBURN

- GRADE 1 (EASIEST) TO GRADE 3

(INTERMEDIATE).

MOSSBURN TO MAVORA LAKES

Due to be completed in 2016.

MAVORA LAKES TO WALTER

PEAK - GRADE 3 (INTERMEDIATE)

MOBILE PHONE COVERAGE:

Coverage available from Kingston

to Mossburn. No coverage from

Mossburn to Walter Peak.

DRINKING WATER: Can be taken

from taps in the towns along the way

or purchased from shops.

LOOK OUT FOR...

When fully completed in 2016, the Around the

Mountains Cycle Trail will be a 180km, 4-5 day

trip through gorgeous surrounds.

AROUND THE MOUNTAINSCycle

Trail

visual appeal makes skydiving a

spectacular experience, or you can hop

on board a jet boat and zip down the

Shotover River at full speed. Then there’s

the buzz of rafting and canyoning, the

exhilaration of paragliding or hang

gliding, the thrill of river boarding and

river surfi ng and the family-fun option

of riding the Skyline Luge.

The Around the Mountains

Trail will allow cyclists to

explore and discover some

of New Zealand’s most secluded and

rustic settings at a relaxed pace without

sacrifi cing the comforts of home.

Along the way you will be welcomed by

charming locals, served mouth-watering

meals and told stories about the

beautiful places they call home –

all part of experiencing real, heartland

New Zealand.

Cyclists can follow the route of the

Kingston Flyer railway and ride from

the historic settlement of Kingston, at

the southernmost tip of Lake Wakatipu,

alongside the Eyre Mountains, through

the towns of Garston, Athol and

Lumsden to Mossburn via a wide

smooth trail. Passing through the

heartland of Southland, this section of

the trail is 85km long and can take two

to three days.

The trail from Mossburn to Mavora

Lakes will not be fi nished until 2016.

Riders are advised to take a shuttle for

this section rather than ride on the road.

Getting to Queenstown, the departure

point for this trail, is easy. The town is

well served by domestic fl ights from

New Zealand’s main centres as well as

international fl ights.

BELOW, LEFT: Skydiving © Nzone QueenstownBELOW, RIGHT: Lake Wakatipu © Destination Queenstown

4-5 DAYS4-5 DAYS 180km180km

KINGSTONKINGSTON WALTER PEAKWALTER PEAKAround the Mountains Trail © www.southlandnz.com

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To start this trail either drive to Kingston or take a

45-minute shuttle ride from Queenstown.

Kingston to Athol, 31kmFrom Kingston the trail rolls past Fairlight Station (the

Kingston Flyer Steam Train destination) and on to the

settlement of Garston before stopping the night at either

Athol or Five Rivers.

Athol to Lumsden, 31kmFrom Athol ride through Jollies Pass to Five Rivers

where it’s a gentle 15km descent to Lumsden. Here the

trail parallels the Oreti River with its picnic spots making

it a popular stop for fi shers, swimmers and cyclists.

Lumsden to Mossburn, 19kmSpend the night in Lumsden or Mossburn. It’s a good

idea to buy lunch for the next section to Walter Peak.

Mossburn to Mavora Lakes, 50km (via shuttle)This section is under construction and will be completed

in 2016. A bus is available to shuttle riders to the

Mavora Lakes sub-alpine area.

Mavora Lakes to Walter Peak, 50kmFrom Mavora Lakes a wilderness no-exit road leads

through Mt Nicholas Station and alongside Lake

Wakatipu to fi nish the trail at Walter Peak Station.

Riders then embark on the TSS Earnslaw steamship to

Queenstown.

If you don’t wish to cycle to the very end of the trail at

Walter Peak you have the option of catching the Spirit of

Queenstown cruise from Mt Nicholas to Queenstown.

RIDING THE TRAIL

Kawarau River

6

6

6

6

6

94

94

97

Eyre Mountain

s

Lake Wa

ka

tipu

QUEENSTOWN

MAVORA LAKES

LUMSDEN

KINGSTON

Mt Nicholas

Walter Peak

Mossburn

Five Rivers

Athol

Garston

Fairlight Station

Nevis RiverVon River

MararoaRiver

Mataura River

Eyre Creek

Mat

aura

River

Oreti River

Waikaia River

Mt N

icholas Road

to Te Anau

Shuttle / road sectionUnder appeal - due to

open at the end of 2015

TSS EarnslawSteamship

Spirit of QueenstownCruise

Walter PeakMavora LakesMossburnLumsdenAtholKingston48km50km19km31km31km

shuttle

open section

other route

TSS Earnslaw Steamship

Spirit of Queenstown Cruise

start / fi nish point

point of interest

i-SITE Visitor Centre

town

café/restaurant

toilets

camping

accommodation

state highway

MAP LEGEND

Views to Glenorchy from Mt Nicholas Station © Southern Discoveries

© AA Traveller 2015

1

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Queenstown284km NW of Dunedin on SH 6

things to do...

ALONGSIDE THE TRAIL

Combining civilisation and seclusion, this trail passes through friendly towns and many a breathtaking sight.

Athol, a farming locality near the

junction of the Mataura River, has

plenty of appeal for anglers. They come

for the ultimate fl y-fi shing experience

and to catch large numbers of free-

rising trout.

Around an hour’s drive from

Queenstown, Lumsden and Mossburn

share much of the spectacular scenery,

including snowy mountains and crystal-

clear rivers, yet are completely away

from the hustle and bustle.

Lumsden is a rural service town known

for great fi shing and authentic farm

stays – it’s the ideal place to visit if you’re

after a low-key, relaxing break away

from city life. Keen anglers fl ock from

all over the region to try their luck at

catching brown trout, which the local

Oreti River is teeming with. If golf is

more your thing then there’s a 9-hole

golf course in Lumsden. There are also

cafés and craft shops here.

Mossburn is the deer capital of New

Zealand, and the large statue of a stag

in the town supports this title. It has a

range of accommodation and places to

grab a bite to eat.

At the southern end of Lake Wakatipu,

Kingston is surrounded by mountains and

is a relaxing spot to visit. It’s home of

the Kingston Flyer steam train (currently

out of service). Cycle around the town

and count the quirky cribs (South Island

baches), enjoy the lake, birds, starry

skies, friendly locals and the café/bar.

Kingston

A number of local businesses have

opened alongside the trail in the past

couple of years. Welcome Rocks

Trails in Garston has a hand-built 27km

biking/hiking trail following the old

gold-miners’ water race (online booking

required). The Trailer Sixty6 food

truck and Stables Hunny Shop also

in Garston, American 1950s-themed

Route 6 Café in Lumsden, Five Rivers

Café in Five Rivers and the Dome Café

in Mossburn are all a welcome boost

for the rider in need of sustenance –

and the local economy.

As the popularity of this

cycle trail has increased so

too have the attractions

alongside it.

LEFT: Around the Mountains Trail © www.southlandnz.comTOP, LEFT: View to Kingston © Destination Queenstown

Kingstonafter a town in Ireland • 47km S of Queenstown

• Café Bar• Groceries• Souvenirs• New Zealand

Post

Cnr SH 6 & Kent Street, KingstonP: 03 248 8596 • www.facebook.com/KingstonCafeBar

Open 7 days 8am to 7.30pm

•ATM•Sky TV•FREE WiFi•Info

DEPARTS QUEENSTOWN

9.00AM*

11.00AM

1.00PM

3.00PM

DEPARTS MT NICHOLAS

10.00AM*

12.00PM

2.00PM

4.00PM

0800 264 536 southerndiscoveries.co.nz#discoverqueenstown

ONE WAY35$

WITH BIKE MINS45

* OPERATES 1 OCTOBER — 30 APRIL

UMOUNTAINS

across the lakeCruise

take your bike on a

MT NICHOLAS& cycle

SOUTHLAND ATTRACTIONS

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Culture and heritage are a major

drawcard to the southern rural town

of Gore. Famous for its country

music and brown trout fi shing, Gore

is growing into a hub of history and

art. The Hokonui Moonshine Museum

gives an insight into the illegal whisky

distilling era, while the Eastern

Southland Gallery houses fi ne art from

around the world, including the John

Money collection and works from

premier New Zealand artists, Ralph

Hotere and Rita Angus. In July there

is fabulous fashion at the Hokonui

Fashion Design Awards. The Croydon

Aircraft Company in Mandeville

specialises in restoring vintage planes

and offer fl ights to the public.

NEARBY DESTINATIONS

The Catlins’ beauty is magnetic. The

area is known for its rugged seclusion

and wildlife – yellow-eyed penguins

head to coastal nests, Hector’s dolphins

play in the waves and seal-lions bask

on rocks. Hidden lakes, stunning

waterfalls and the fossilised remains

of a Jurassic period forest at Curio Bay

beckon the inquisitive traveller.

Cycling, Lumsden.

ABOVE: Couple rock jumping at the Petrifi ed Forest, The Catlins.

Both © www.southlandnz.com

Lumsdenafter George Lumsden, Mayor of Invercargill • 62km NW of Gore

7 Hero St, Lumsden, SouthlandPh/Fax: 03 248 7418Email: info@lumsdenmotel.co.nz

• 5 self-contained ensuite units sleep 1-5• 3 Sky Channels, laundry & dryer available• Overnight stop on Around the Mountains

Cycle Trail • Secure cycle storage• A quiet and comfortable rest is assured• Continental breakfasts & packed lunches

by arrangement

• Guest BBQ and outdoor socialising area• Short walk to eateries & Four Square

supermarket• Opposite playground, shops and town centre• Tariff: $120-$170 (1-5 persons). Extra adults

$20 each, children $15

MOTEL

FREE WiFi

BBQ d td i li i

www.lumsdenmotel.co.nz

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The renaissance of Invercargill has

seen it grow into a modern centre

that is the vibrant heart of Southland.

New to the city is the Bill Richardson

Transport World (open late October

2015). It is reputedly the largest private

collection of its type in the world.

Stewart Island and Rakiura National

Park are Southland’s jewel. The island

is home to many native birds, including

the kiwi, and catching a glimpse of

our national icon is a priority for many

visitors. Enjoy breathtaking views of

the heavens and strikingly clear waters.

Many people visit Invercargill

to admire the elegant

Victorian and Edwardian

buildings, gardens and

landscaped parks.

THE DEEP SOUTH

Boatsheds in Watercress Bay, Stewart Island © www.southlandnz.com

VISIT TE ANAU

About an hour’s drive from Lumsden,

Te Anau is a spot worthy of a detour.

The sparkling blue waters of Lake Te

Anau form the largest lake in the South

Island and the second biggest lake in

New Zealand (after Lake Taupo).

The town of Te Anau lies beside the lake

and near mountains and lush virgin

forest in one of the country’s most

spectacular locations. Tours to Milford

Sound usually start from here as do

people setting out on the Milford Track,

one of New Zealand’s greatest walks.

Te Anau © Tracey Tibbles

Te Anaucave of swirling water • 172km SW of Queenstown on SH 94

MossburnScottish place name • 113km S of Queenstown

Breakfasts, lunches, coffee, venison pies,real-fruit ice creams,

takeaway lunches

Free WiFi availablePhone: 03 248 6033

Email: brackenhall@xtra.co.nzOpen: 8.30am to 5.30pmwww.brackenhall.co.nz

Main Street, Mossburn

Café& GIFT SHOP

Mossburn Country Park333 Mossburn Five Rivers Rd, Mossburn • Phone: 03 248 6444

Mobile: 021 251 9246 • Email: info@mossburncountrypark.co.nz

www.mossburncountrypark.co.nz

• Beautiful, peaceful campground set amongst 28 acres of farmland• Tame farm animals to feed by hand• Plentiful power and non-power sites

• 7 lovely country cabins of varying sizes and bed confi gurations • Hot showers and clean toilets, fully equipped kitchen and laundry

• Space to store your bicycles securely out of the weather