3 minute read
SOUTHLAND TRAVERSE
MOSSBURN to BLUFF
2-3 days - 137km
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© AA Traveller 2022
TRAIL INFO
TRAIL GRADE:
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), Invercargill (104km), and Bluff (137km).
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.The newly opened section of the trail between Invercargill and Bluff is named Te Ara Taurapa.
TYPE OF BIKE: A touring bike, mountain bike or e-bike is suitable for the terrain.
Signpost, Southland Traverse
RIDING THE TRAIL
This route can be started from either Mossburn or Lumsden. From Mossburn, head east on the trail, which runs beside SH 94. After 13km, turn right off the cycle trail, state highway 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. 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. Take the shared path across the river and then turn right to follow a gravel path around the western edge of Invercargill. There are various places where you can branch away from the trail and into the city for supplies or accommodation. After crossing Tweed Street, continue following the gravel path south, around New River Estuary and south to Kekeno Pl. From Kekeno Pl, the trail mostly follows parallel to SH 1 and is sealed. It provides a fast, safe ride, to Greenhills, before skirting around Bluff Harbour and into Bluff. Follow the main street for another few kilometres to Stirling Pt where you will find the famous yellow AA signs pointing
