The Southern Way 1000

The Southern Way 1000 is a fresh new bikepacking route that’s fully mapped, and with the imminent opening of the Kawarau Gorge Trail, will be ready to ride from spring 2026. It connects the network of existing Great Rides across Otago and Southland into a massive figure-eight loop. The route comprises of a mix of purpose-built cycle trails with quiet backcountry gravel roads, stretching from the Southern Alps in Queenstown to the coastal landscapes of Dunedin and back. 

The full circuit of up to 1,000km is likely to take most recreational riders up to 2-weeks to complete, but the route can be broken down into shorter stages or sections that are supported by local bike tour companies and which offer bike hire, transport and accommodation packages making the Southern Way easily accessible.

The official Southern Way 1000 website has a detailed breakdown of all the stages including interactive maps and GPX coordinates, but a summary is provided below. Given the Southern Way 1000 is a loop, you can start from anywhere along the route but with both Queenstown and Dunedin serviced by international airports either of these centres make a logical starting point.

STAGE 1: Queenstown to Garston
via Around the Mountains Cycle Trail

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

Begin with a ferry crossing of Lake Whakatipu from Queenstown to Walter Peak High-Country Farm and connect to the Around the Mountains Cycle Trail. Mossburn is a convenient overnight stop after 100km of riding, and then staying in Garston before tackling the mountainous Nevis Road on Stage 2 is recommended.

STAGE 2: Garston to Alexandra
via Nevis Road and Hawksburn Road

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

Arguably the Queen Stage of the Southern Way 1000.

The Nevis Road is one of NZ’s most remote and scenic public roads. It’s a challenging ride though a backcountry environment with over 2,000m of climbing. Riders need to be fully self-sufficient and well-prepared for changes in weather. The Nevis Road is not recommended after heavy rain as there are numerous creek and river crossings.

Accommodation options are available in Bannockburn or Cromwell at the end of the Nevis Road, or in Clyde and Alexandra at the end of Hawksburn Road.

NOTE: The Nevis Road is closed in winter from June-September.

Stage 3: Alexandra to Dunedin
via Roxburgh Gorge Trail and Clutha Gold Trail

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

The longest stage of the route follows the Mata Au | Clutha River from Clyde to Alexandra, then through the spectacular Roxburgh Gorge all the way to Beaumont. From here the Clutha Gold Trail takes riders as far as Waihola on a purpose-built, off-road trail.

From Waihola the route follows the paved road along the coast from Taieri Mouth and on to Dunedin.

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

Follow the Otago Harbour Cycleway (Te Aka Otākou - The Otago Vine) to Port Chalmers and then on quiet, paved roads hug the coast as far as Waikouaiti. Here, head inland on Ramrock Road to Middlemarch. Ramrock Road offers some great gravel riding, but be prepared for some long, steep climbs and make sure you have plenty of food and water as there are no services between Waikouaiti and Middlemarch.

Alternatively, you can catch a train from Dunedin to Pukurangi (a 20km gravel ride south of Middlemarch) which avoids 2,000m of climbing and includes the spectacular Taieri Gorge, one of NZ’s great rail journeys.

Stage 5: Middlemarch to Clyde
via the Otago Central Rail Trail

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

After a couple of long, challenging stages, the Otago Central Rail Trail offers the chance for some respite with easy gradients and a country town every 25km or so to refuel at the local bakery, café or pub.

A detour from the Rail Trail to check out Naseby, potentially even Danseys Pass, and St Bathans is highly recommended. This part of Central Otago is criss-crossed with dozens of excellent options for gravel biking to explore off the beaten track, with the trail towns along the Otago Central Rail Trail offering regular access to shops and services.

Stage 6: Clyde to Gibbston
via Lake Dunstan Trail and Kawarau Gorge Trail

Distance 62km | Ascent 950m | Grade 2-3 | 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, transition from the Rail Trail - New Zealand’s oldest Great Ride - to the newest, the spectacular Lake Dunstan Trail. The Lake Dunstan Trail is an engineering marvel that follows the Cromwell Gorge from Clyde to Bannockburn via a series of dramatic cantilevered bluff bridges and breathtaking rugged Otago landscapes.

In Bannockburn, potentially after a lunch stop at a winery, connect to the Kawarau Gorge Trail. As well as being another astonishing bike track, the Kawarau Gorge Trail is the essential piece of cycling infrastructure that connects Central Otago’s trail network to the 150km+ of trails in Queenstown.

Stage 7: Gibbston to Queenstown
via Queenstown Trails

Distance 67km | Ascent 785m | Grade 1-3 | 1-Day | Surface 80% Gravel 20% Paved

There’s a myriad of routes you could take from Gibbston back into Queenstown, but a nice ride to complete the Southern Way 1000 is from Gibbston to Arrowtown for coffee or lunch, then onto Arthurs Point on the Wharehuanui Trail to connect with the new Shotover Gorge Trail. This leads to the Tucker Beach Trail, Twin Rivers Trail and then along the shores of Lake Whakatipu and back into central Queenstown where your Southern Way 1000 journey began some 1,000km ago.