7 minute read
Around The Mountains Cycle Trail
Tracing the gentle curves of Lake Wakatipu and under the careful watch of Eyre Mountains, this easy, family-friendly ride follows well-graded paths over the course of four to five adventurous days.
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Linking Queenstown’s Walter Peak Station to Kingston, the trail can be done in either direction, but starting from the foot of Walter Peak allows riders to first enjoy a scenic Lake Wakatipu crossing aboard the historic TSS Earnslaw steamship. Once onshore, the trail briefly skirts the lakefront before delving into a remote landscape. Grand vistas saturate every view point, and the isolation will have you believe that no one else has ever step foot here. Nearby Mavora Lakes offer a serene campsite setting and camp fires are permitted in fire drums that the campground provides. Cyclists are encouraged to attack this trail at their own pace, with itineraries customised to suit every member of your clan. With numerous high country townships speckling the route, there is every opportunity to stop at cosy, comfortable lodges– you’ll never have been more pleased to see a fluffy white towel. Local shops showcasing regional craftmanship, southern hospitality and unique cafés are highlights of the route. Once in Kingston, Lake Wakatipu comes back into view, signalling the conclusion of your ride. Jump on a scenic shuttle back to Queenstown and complete your voyage with hot food and drinks at one of the town’s inviting taverns.
Water Peak © Real Journeys
Riding the trail
WALTER PEAK STATION TO MAVORA LAKES, 50KM
The scenery on this initial leg will possibly knock your socks off. It begins with the scenic cruise across Lake Wakatipu with stunning views of the mountaintops as you approach Walter Peak. Here you can explore the historic homestead, enjoy the café and even watch a live shearing demonstration. As it traces the lakeshore towards Mt Nicholas Station, the trail reveals postcard views across to the Richardson Mountains and beyond towards Mt Aspiring National Park. Riding on a gravel road surrounded by golden grasslands and tussocky mountains tops, it’s a short but fairly grunty climb up Von Hill. It’s then pretty much downhill all the way to the magical Mavora Lakes.
MAVORA LAKES TO MOSSBURN, 53KM
The Mavora Lakes are a sight to behold, surrounded by forest and nestled between the Livingstone and Thomson mountains. Bike-packers can immerse themselves for longer in this magical environment made famous by The Lord of The Rings trilogy by pitching up overnight at the DOC campsite. From Mavora, the trail continues along the gravel road to Centre Hill (29km), from where the trail joins the purpose-built off-road trail. The gravel section can get dusty in the summer months; you may prefer to organise a shuttle through to Mossburn. Self-proclaimed deer capital of New Zealand but surrounded by cows, Mossburn enjoys a splendid setting in mountain surrounds and is a good place to stop overnight.
MOSSBURN TO LUMSDEN, 20KM
The ride through northern Southland to the town of Lumsden is quite the contrast to the previous day, rolling farmland taking the place of tussock clad high country. This section traverses a mix of old railway line and well-graded track, threaded between the highway and farmland.
LUMSDEN TO ATHOL, 33KM
This section serves up more charming rural countryside. Continuing along the old railway line, it also traces the edge of the Ōreti River, well known for fly fishing. Five Rivers is a good place to rest and rehydrate. Riders will continue on the well-manicured track to Athol where you can enjoy some time with southern folk.
ATHOL TO KINGSTON, 30KM
Athol is a tiny rural town situated on a small plain surrounded by mountains including Mid Dome (1478m) to the south and Flagstaff (1037m) to the east. As you leave Athol look out for the wooden suspension bridges that locals have nicknamed the Golden Gate Bridges. Garston, known as New Zealand’s most inland town, is a good place to stop for refreshments. From there, the final leg of the ride takes you past historic Fairlight Station, once home to the Kingston Flyer train. From here the trail follows the glacial moraine heading gradually downhill, finishing in Kingston on the shores of Lake Wakatipu where you can watch the sun hit the mountain tops and reflect on the amazing journey through a special slice of New Zealand.
TRAIL INFO
TRAIL GRADES: WALTER PEAK STATION TO MAVORA LAKES GRADE 3 (INTERMEDIATE)
MAVORA LAKES TO MOSSBURN GRADE 3 (INTERMEDIATE)
MOSSBURN TO LUMSDEN GRADE 2 (EASY)
LUMSDEN TO ATHOL GRADE 2 (EASY)
ATHOL TO KINGSTON GRADE 2 (EASY)
MOBILE PHONE COVERAGE: Reliable around Queenstown and the trail’s southern towns. Virtually non-existent between Mt Nicholas Station and Centre Hill Shelter.DRINKING WATER: Bottles can be filled at various settlements. Water supply at shelters in the Von Valley and at Mavora Lakes DOC campsite; boiling or treating is recommended. SAFETY INFO: There are two river crossings between Walter Peak and Mavora Lakes, please check weather conditions before riding.TYPE OF BIKE: A ship-shape mountain bike is recommended; e-bikes are also permitted.
GRADE 2 (EASY) GRADE 3 (INTERMEDIATE)
Mavora Lakes © Getty Images
Highlights of the trail
• Glacier carved Mavora Lakes are pretty as a picture and perfect for a picnic. The $8 per night campsite provides barbecues and steel drums for cosy camp fires under starlit skies.
• In Mossburn, a giant statue crowned with genuine stag antlers confirms that this is New Zealand’s deer capital.
• Lumsden is revered for its farm stays and fishing. Keen anglers flock here to try their luck at catching brown trout, which the local Oreti River is teeming with. For non-fishers, the cafés and craft shops welcome visitors with the same sincerity they do long-term locals.
• Between Athol and Kingston on the trail’s last leg, is Garston, New Zealand’s most inland town. A 10km detour along the Welcome Rock Trail leads to Mud Hut, a rough and ready trampers’ shack complete with rustic outdoor bath – and nothing but tussock views.
Route 6 Café Café Southland Tourism
5 PLACES FOR A GOOD MUNCH
1. Lumsden is a tiny town with a fresh cream doughnut, you’ll be the first.
2. Route 6 Café and Bar (also located in Lumsden) is pretty ordinary from the outset but step inside and you’ll find a retro American diner, complete with 1955 Dodge Kingsman car.
3. In wee Garston, gobble up a hot bomb (sandwich) from retro caravan-cum-café, The Coffee Bomb. It’s a bit of a secret but we’re spilling the beans.
4. Bracken Hall café is in Mossburn, and to quote a recent TripAdvisor review, ‘This place needs to be a UNESCO World Heritage site based on today’s venison pie!’
TOP QUEENSTOWN ACTIVITIES
Ben Lomond Track © Getty Images
Hikes The 2km Queenstown Hill Time Walk passes the Basket of Dreams sculpture; Ben Lomond is an eight-hour leg burner and the Frankton Arm Walk takes in Lake Wakatipu over three beautiful hours. You can also access Bob’s Peak on an hour-long walk via the Tiki Trail.
Discover Bob’s Cove This pretty inlet lies just 20 minutes out of town on the road to Glenorchy and is reached via a lake-fringing walkway. Several heavenly beach spots reveal themselves, including a jetty you’ll immediately want to jump off.
Bob's Cove © Getty Images
Kiwi Birdlife Park Sitting at the bottom of Queenstown’s Skyline gondola in the heart of town, meet parakeets, kea and weka and observe kiwi feeding at the Kiwi Encounter show.
Water fun Kayak down Dart River, try canyoning or riverboard the rapids of Kawarau River. Jump on a jet boat or pedal across Lake Wakatipu on a 3-wheeled aqua bike.
Indoor activities Enjoy all the exhilaration of skydiving without the 12,000 feet drop at indoor skydiving centre, iFLY. Bundle up and hit the ice rink, get lost in Odyssey Sensory Maze or descend on Thrillzone for virtual reality gaming.
Lake cruises Shimmy across Lake Wakatipu on boats of all sizes and style. Take a sunset cruise for one humdinger of an experience.
MAIN IMAGE ABOVE: © Around the Mountains Cycle Trail
