Distance 163km | Ascent 1,142m | Grade 2-3 | Duration 1-2 Days | Surface 95% Gravel 5% Paved

Queenstown is a mecca for biking and so a fitting place to start this adventure. The airport is well serviced with regular domestic flights and daily connections to Australia. Queenstown offers a huge variety of accommodation to suit different travel styles and budgets with a myriad of cafes, bars and restaurants for pre-ride fuelling or post-ride celebrations upon completion of the Southern Way 1000. You’ll also find numerous bike shops for spares and help with any last-minute mechanicals.

This epic cycle journey starts with a crossing of Lake Whakatipu from central Queenstown to Walter Peak High Country Farm and the beginning of the Around the Mountains Cycle Trail. RealNZ offer regular cruises across the lake, with other private charter services also available.

Departing Walter Peak, you’ll follow the Around the Mountains route steadily uphill through the stunning Vonn Valley. Whilst the gravel road is quiet, be aware that it is open to traffic. From the summit of Vonn Hill descend to Mavora (50km) where a short detour through the rainforest to Mavora Lakes is worthwhile. Camping is available here. 

From Mavora it’s a mostly flat or downhill 53km ride to Mossburn where a selection of cafes and accommodation are available. For many people, this is likely to be a good place to finish day 1 of the ride. From Mossburn it’s a further 60km to Garston, with accommodation and food options also available at Lumsden, Five Rivers and Athol.

From Garston, the Around the Mountains Trail continues to finish in Kingston, but the Southern Way 1000 route heads eastwards here and up into the Hector Mountains. 

A great accommodation option in Garston is at the Welcome Rock Trails which offer authentic farm stay style cottages at the base of the Nevis Road, or rustic backcountry huts at the top of the Nevis Road. These huts are part of a 27km single track MTB loop trail – a worthy addition to the ride for those on mountain bikes.

Distance 105km | Ascent 2,278m | Grade 4 | Duration 1-2 Days | Surface 97% Gravel : 3% Paved

If this was Le Tour de France, stage 2 would probably be the Queen Stage….

The Nevis Road is one of NZ’s most remote and scenic public roads. It is a challenging day out by any cyclist’s standards and traverses a wild, backcountry environment with over 2,000m of climbing. For well-prepared riders, and with the right weather, its often one of the highlights of the Southern Way 1000. 

From Garston it’s a 10km climb (800m ascent) up the Nevis Road to the historic Garston Ski Hut, a good place to catch your breath and take in the spectacular views. This old hut provides good shelter from the elements in poor weather but is very basic for overnighting. 

Departing the ski hut descend into the Nevis Valley (take care on the descent as the road can be lose and rutted). From here the route undulates alongside the Nevis River with numerous creek and river crossings. After 52km, cross the Nevis River via a small bridge and begin the 8km climb up Duffers Saddle which tops out at 1,270m above sea level. 

(Top Tip: riding the Southern Way 1000 in an anticlockwise direction avoids a steep climb up Duffers Saddle from the Bannockburn side, and a very steep ascent up the Hawksburn Road from Clyde).

The steep and sometimes rutted descent from Duffer’s Saddle leads to a T-junction in the valley where the route turns right onto Hawksburn Road, and a hilly 20km ride across the Cairnmuir Mountains to Clyde. 

An alternative option at the end of the Nevis Road is to turn left and deviate a short distance to either Bannockburn or Cromwell, where there’s a variety of accommodation, shops (including bike shops) and cafes. Likewise, at the end of the Hawksburn Road, there are excellent accommodation options, cafes and services in Clyde.

From Clyde the route continues along the true right of the Mata Au | Clutha River on the River Track to Alexandra, where there are supermarkets, bike shops, cafes, restaurants and numerous accommodation options.

After a huge day in the saddle, you may feel like indulging yourself with a spot of luxury. If so, Earnscleugh Castle is the place for you. Located between Clyde and Alexandra, this lovingly restored heritage building offers a unique stay where the spa, sauna and pool are perfect for revitalising weary muscles.

Important Notes:

• This is an isolated, backcountry route and riders need to be self-sufficient with appropriate clothing, food, water and tools.
• The Nevis Road is closed over winter (June – September) due to snow and ice.
• There are numerous river crossings on the Nevis Road. Do not attempt this route after heavy rain.
• The Nevis Road crosses a sub-alpine area and can be subject to extreme weather at any time of year.
• The road is open to traffic: look out for farm vehicles, recreational 4WDs and motorbikes.

Distance 214km | Ascent 1,788m | Grade 2-3 | Duration 2-3 Days | Surface 75% Gravel : 25% Paved

The Roxburgh Gorge Trail starts under the Alexandra Bridge and follows the true right of the Clutha River deep into the Roxburgh Gorge to Doctors Point (10km). At this point a jet boat (water taxi) transfer is required to connect with the other end of the trail 12km downstream at Shingle Creek (bookings essential). The 12km ‘gap’ in the trail is currently under construction and due to open in early 2027.

From Shingle Creek the trail undulates up and down through the dramatic, rugged landscape of the gorge – which has become known as New Zealand’s Grand Canyon. The trail includes some short grade 3 sections which are narrow and exposed with short, sharp climbs or descents.

10km downstream from Shingle Creek, the trail makes its way up a series of switchbacks to a lookout over the impressive Roxburgh Dam. Cross the dam to connect to the Clutha Gold Trail on the true left of the river and then follow the trail to Roxburgh which has a good selection of cafes and a small supermarket. It’s also home to Jimmy’s Pies - world famous in NZ!

The Roxburgh Gorge Trail is a popular day ride, with bike hire and shuttle packages available from local bike tour companies.

From Roxburgh the Clutha Gold Trail meanders alongside the river as far as Beaumont (44km) and then on to Lawrence (20km) which makes a convenient overnight stop. From Lawrence its 63km to Waihola on a newer section of trail which opened in August 2023. Fish and chips on the lakefront in Waihola is an absolute must-do! Accommodation options are also available in Waihola.

The route from Waihola to Dunedin (44km) follows the spectacular coast road (paved) northwards from Taieri Mouth. Dunedin is the principal city in the Otago region; with all the services you’d expect from a metropolitan area… including bike shops and a significant number of craft breweries! Stage 3 of the Southern Way 1000 finishes on the Esplanade, St Clair in a picturesque beachfront setting, but excellent accommodation options are available city-wide.

Distance 125km | Ascent 2,437m | Grade 3-4 | Duration 1-2 Days | Surface 54% Gravel : 46% Paved

Another contender for the Queen Stage, with a serious amount of climbing on a backcountry road which will take your breath away (literally and figuratively)!

There are numerous ways to navigate your way through Dunedin to Port Chalmers where the route follows Blueskin Road and then Coast Road north via the picturesque seaside town of Karitane to Waikouaiti, but the Otago Harbour Cycleway (Te Aka Otākou - The Otago Vine), is a great way to experience the harbour city.

If you stayed in St Clair, follow the beachfront to Portobello Road and then join the cycle path which hugs the southern side of the harbour. At Portobello hop on to the Port-to-Port Ferry (bookings required) for a scenic cruise across the harbour to Port Chalmers.

An exciting new cycle trail is currently under development to connect Port Chalmers with Waikouaiti. Currently only 5km of the Coastal Connection is open and this short section has been included in the map and GPX coordinates for stage 4.

Grab a coffee in Port Chalmers before climbing up Blueskin Road and then Coast Road to Waikouaiti. This part of the route includes two short sections on a busy state highway (SH1) so take extreme care. Make sure you resupply, fill water bottles and refuel in Karitane, Waitati or Waikouaiti as there are no services on the next 65km section of the route to Middlemarch on Ramrock Road.

Shortly before Waikouaiti, turn left off SH1 and head inland on Ramrock Road, and some of the best gravel riding you’re likely to experience in New Zealand. The road climbs quickly from the coast, offering expansive views, and then rolls up and down valleys (sometimes steeply) all the way to Middlemarch. (Note: Ramrock Road is remote and is not recommended in winter, when it can be subject to snow. Expect to encounter farm vehicles, 4WDs and livestock).

The Strath Taieri Hotel in Middlemarch offers basic but very comfortable accommodation. Hearty pub grub and a cold beer is reward following a long day in the saddle.

Top Tip: If you want to avoid 2,000m of climbing, then catch the train! Dunedin Railways offer a service from Dunedin to Pukurangi (a 20km gravel ride south of Middlemarch) which includes the spectacular Taieri Gorge, one of NZ’s great train journeys.

Distance 152km | Ascent 1,038m | Grade 1 | 2-3 Days | Surface 100% Gravel

If one trail can lay claim to starting New Zealand’s modern-day love affair with cycling, it’s the classic Otago Central Rail Trail.

Opened in 2000, it was the country’s very first Great Ride and was borne out of tough times. Back in the 1990s, the rural communities of Central Otago were struggling. A downturn in farming meant small towns were losing shops, garages, post offices and even schools.

When the old railway line between Middlemarch and Clyde was officially decommissioned, a group of locals together with the Department of Conservation led a visionary project to transform the disused 152km rail corridor into a dedicated trail for cycling, walking, and horse riding…the rest, as they say, is history.

After a huge day of climbing to Middlemarch, the Rail Trail offers riders on the Southern Way 1000 some respite. Being an old railway line, the gradients are easy, and with a welcoming trail town (usually complete with pub, bakery and café) every 25km or so along the route, there’s plenty of opportunity to relax and recharge your batteries.

The Otago Central Rail Trail is the perfect introduction to multi-day bikepacking. Thousands of ‘first timers’ get their initial taste of bikepacking along the Rail Trail each year, with the trail supported by local bike tour operators which offer packages that include bike hire (inc. E-Bikes), accommodation and transportation – they even offer a daily baggage transfer service so you can travel light. If you’re new to bikepacking, then the Rail Trail is the perfect place to start.

The Rail Trail offers bikepackers countless opportunities for side trips on quiet country roads. A visit to Naseby to try curling is a must or explore the vast network of MTB tracks in Naseby Forest. From Naseby continue north to the iconic Danseys Pass Hotel for lunch or an overnight stay. From here you can connect to the Alps To Ocean Trail on the other side of the Pass near Duntroon and ride to Aoraki | Mt Cook. Visit St Bathans for lunch at the Vulcan Hotel (reportedly haunted!) and for more experienced riders plot a route through the spectacular Oteake Conservation Area in the foothills of the Hawkdun Range. From Omakau you can deviate from the Rail Trail on Thomson Gorge Road to Tarras and then on to Wanaka, Cromwell or the Lindis Valley to connect with more great trails.

Check out Trail Hub for more gravel biking and bikepacking itineraries off the Rail Trail.

Top Tip: Wedderburn Cottages, about halfway along the trail, is operated by the Duncan family who have been farming here for generations. It’s a highly recommended overnight stop that offers the chance to stay on a working high-country farm… and the Wedderburn Tavern is also conveniently located at the end of the driveway.

Distance 62km | Ascent 950m | Grade 2-3 | Duration 1-2 Days | Surface 98% Gravel : 2% Paved

*Note: the Kawarau Gorge Trail is currently under construction and due to open in September 2026.

In Clyde, the Southern Way 1000 transitions from the Rail Trail – NZ’s original Great Ride – to the Lake Dunstan Trail and then the Kawarau Gorge Trail, the newest additions to the Great Ride network.

Departing Clyde, cross the Clutha River via the photogenic red bridge and head north towards the Clyde Dam to connect to the Lake Dunstan Trail. The next 35km section of trail to Bannockburn is an engineering marvel with a series of cantilevered ‘bluff bridges’ which cling to sheer rock walls, the impressive Hugo Bridge, and the spaghetti-like switchbacks of the Cairnmuir ladder… all set against the dramatic backdrop of the Cromwell Gorge.

The Lake Dunstan Trail can be busy, and with some narrow, exposed sections of trail care is required and you should be prepared to meet oncoming cyclists. Check out the useful video below to help prepare for the trail.

Allow 3-4 hours to truly appreciate the Lake Dunstan Trail, and to include some time for lunch at one of the many wineries in Bannockburn.

The spectacular new bike trail through the Kawarau Gorge connects Central Otago to Queenstown. The trail is the essential piece of connecting infrastructure needed to complete the Southern Way 1000 circuit and is due to open in September 2026.

In Bannockburn take the cycle trail along Felton Road – one of NZ’s most prestigious wine-growing regions – and connect to the 32km long, brand-new Kawarau Gorge Trail. Follow the trail upstream via another series of impressive bridges and cantilevered walkways, to connect to the Gibbston River Trail, part of the Queenstown Trails network. There are various accommodation and dining options available through Gibbston, with Kinross Winery a particular favourite, or you can push on to Arrowtown or Queenstown if time permits.