Five Rivers, Around the Mountains Cycle Trail © Tourism NZ
MOSSBURN to INVERCARGILL
SOUTHLAND Traverse
2 days
104km Southland Traverse, Mossburn BELOW: Welcome Rock Trails © Great South
HEARTLAND RIDE • SOUTHLAND TRAVERSE
BEST FOR: Getting from Mossburn to Invercargill without using the busier highway. 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. .
TOP TIP – Welcome Rock is a private, 27km cross-country cycle trail located on a high country station an hour’s drive from Mossburn. Enjoy a day trip or book accommodation for a multi-day adventure.
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onnecting Mossburn (or Lumsden) to Invercargill over 104km and two days, this Grade 2-4 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 weatherworn 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 percent sealed road and 5 percent 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.
