We leave from Queenstown and drive 40 km to the quaint little lakeside township of Kingston on the southern tip of Lake Wakatipu.

From Kingston you’ll cycle through gently rolling land past Fairlight Station – The Kingston Flier Steam Train destination( the train is not currently operating ).

From here it is on to Garston and Athol, through the farming communities in this lush rural  region before finishing your days riding at Five Rivers.

Your accommodation tonight will be in Lumsden in a delightfully restored historic country hotel.

Nestled in a picturesque and tranquil basin this small town revels in its role as the crossroads for travellers who choose to venture to this peaceful and restful part of Northern Southland.

Roads journey to Lumsden from all directions of the compass – Queenstown to the north, Gore to the east, Te Anau and Milford Sound to the west and Invercargill to the south.

This morning you commence your riding for the day at Five Rivers .You ride downhill gently for 15 km  to Lumsden.

From Lumsden you ride west gradually up the valley alongside the Oreti river to New Zealand’s Deer Capital – Mossburn.

You continue on your ride for another 24km to the finish of Day 2 on the banks of the Oreti River.

From here we drive to Te Anau where we will spend the next 2 nights and relish the warm Southern Hospitality.

Sit back, relax and watch the sunset with Fiordland’s mountains creating the most beautiful backdrop.

Te Anau township sits on the edge of Lake Te Anau, lying on the border of Fiordland National Park and Te Wahipounamu World Heritage Area.

Te Anau is the town that connects Queenstown to Milford Sound by road.

The famously scenic Milford Road begins in the centre of Te Anau.

Lake Te Anau is the largest lake in the South Island and largest in the country by water volume getting to depths of over 400m.

The lake sprawls at the feet of high rugged mountains.

Today’s itinerary includes the option of a bike ride from Te Anau to Manapouri and we also have time to visit Te Anau’s Wildlife Park where you can view the rediscovered Takahe a flightless alpine bird, along with other unique native birds such as the Kaka, Tui, Kea and the Parakeet.

Instead of the bike ride to Manapouri you may choose to journey to the Te Anau Glowworm Caves a rare example of a living cave that is still under formation. (optional, at your own cost). A beautiful cruise across the lake drops you off at The Grotto where a short walk and boat ride along water from a fresh water spring takes you deep into the (young) 15,000 year old cave, lit by thousands of tiny bioluminescent insects.

Tonight you stay again in Te Anau.

Today we travel by vehicle through to the Mavora Lakes Park.

The North and South Mavora Lakes are located in an impressive landscape of mountains, forest and tussock grassland and recognised as part of the Te Wāhipounamu/ South-West New Zealand World Heritage Area. The area is also home to multiple Lord of the Rings film locations.

Along today’s ride Red Deer, Fallow Deer, Chamois and Himalayan Tahr can be spotted on the slopes of Mt Nicholas, providing an extraordinary environment to cycle through.

The picturesque Von River also runs across the station providing some stunning photographic opportunities.

Mt Nicholas Station is a New Zealand family owned, fully operational High Country Sheep Station. At over 100,000 acres, Mt. Nicholas is the largest station on the lake. The 27,000 merino sheep produce some of the world’s finest quality wool fibre, the majority of which is used in the production of the iconic “Icebreaker” range of high quality, natural fibre garments.

The Station lies at the foot of the Southern Alps, with Fiordland National Park to the west and the spectacular, clear waters of Lake Wakatipu immediately to the east.

For the final afternoon of your Around The Mountains cycle experience you ride along the shores of Lake Wakatipu to the end of the trail at Walter Peak Station.

On conclusion of the cycling there is time for a wine (or beer) to celebrate a successful ride before boarding the TSS Earnslaw Steamship from Walter Peak to your final destination in downtown Queenstown.

• Transport is available to take your to your local accommodation if required, please discuss with our office.