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Southland Traverse
Mossburn to Invercargill - 2 days, 104km
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Take the scenic route all the way to Invercargill by negotiating the pleasant, reasonably quiet highways of the Southland Traverse. Good looking vistas come thick and fast on this two-day ride.
Connecting Mossburn (or Lumsden) to Invercargill over 104km and two days, this Grade 4 bike ride slices through the South Island’s lower region, one that’s freckled with cyclists and sightseers soaking up the beauty.
This Heartland Ride is also part of the 3000km Tour Aotearoa trail which travels all the way from Cape Rēinga at the top of the North Island to Bluff at the bottom of the South Island. You may meet a fair few weather worn cyclists along this route who have just done over 2000km. Cyclists should also be aware that the track often traces or criss-crosses parts of the Southern Scenic Route, a popular tourist highway that’s used by buses and couch tour companies. It is still a fantastic alternative to busier highways and primarily uses scenic back roads. In total, the track utilises 95% sealed road and 5% gravel road or gravel path.
In between drinking up the pastoral scenery and bucolic views, stop in charming small towns such as Winton and Wallacetown for provisions and a rest.
Cycling through Queens Park, Invercargill © Southland Tourism
TRAIL GRADES:
GRADE 2 (EASY) - 20% GRADE 3 (INTERMEDIATE) - 70% GRADE 4 (ADVANCED) - 10%
MOBILE PHONE COVERAGE: Available throughout the route.
FOOD, ACCOMMODATION & TOILETS: Available at either of the starting points, Mossburn/ Lumsden, and then Camp Taringatura (40km), Winton (67km), Wallacetown (90km), and Invercargill (104km).
NEED TO KNOW: The route is 95% sealed road, and 5% gravel road or gravel path.
This route is part of the 3000km Cape Rēinga to Bluff route called Tour Aotearoa. You are likely to meet weather-beaten tour riders on their final day of riding the length of the country.
In winter the weather can be bitterly cold in Southland, so expect the unexpected.
The route is signposted with Ngā Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails’ signs.
TYPE OF BIKE: A touring bike, mountain bike or e-bike is suitable for the terrain.
Riding the Trail
This route can be started from either Mossburn or Lumsden, two towns on the Around the Mountains Cycle Trail. From Mossburn, head east on the Around the Mountains Cycle Trail, which runs beside SH 94. After 13km, turn right off the cycle trail, cross the highway and ride south on Dipton Castlerock Rd. Follow the Ngā Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails’ signs south, turning right at West Dipton down George St, then left onto South Hillend Dipton Rd.
When you are 54km from Mossburn, turn right onto Hundred Line Rd and shortly after, left onto Riverside Rd. When you reach SH 96, turn left and cross the Oreti River, then turn right on to Winton Substation Rd. A few minutes later, turn left onto Gerrard Rd and ride into the centre of Winton, where there are dozens of shops. From Winton, ride back out of town on Meldrum St, and after 600m, turn left onto the Winton Walkway to follow a gravel path around the edge of town. Then follow Price Rd, Substation Rd, Calder Rd, Nelson Rd, Lochiel Branxholme Rd, Young Rd and Ryal Bush Wallacetown Rd to Wallacetown. There are a few shops at Wallacetown, and public toilets in the garage on your left as you enter town (only open when the garage is open). From Wallacetown, carefully follow SH 99 for 3.5km before turning right down Steel Rd. Turn left at West Plains Rd, and right at Gloucester St. After entering the fringe of Invercargill, turn left along Bay Rd, and then at the main road (SH 6) turn right onto the signposted cycle path that crosses the Waihopai River. At the southern end of the Waihopai River bridge you can turn right onto a gravel path that skirts around the edge of Invercargill. There are several options for branching off this path and heading into town. The last one is at Tweed St.
MAIN IMAGE ABOVE: Southland Traverse, Mossburn © Southland Tourism
