Doubtful Sound & Around the Mountains Cycle

Itinerary Details

1. Day 1Queenstown to Five Rivers

   You'll meet your guides in central Queenstown at 8:00 am for a tour briefing and a bike fitting. Your warm-up ride takes you along the shores of Lake Wakatipu, following the Queenstown Trail to the historic Kawarau Falls Bridge, where Lake Wakatipu flows into the Kawarau River. You continue past impressive lakeside mansions, numerous jetties, and beaches until reaching the Sculpture Trail at Kelvin Heights. Be sure to watch out for the Wakatipu Kuikui, a figure with wild hair blowing in the wind, offering magnificent views over the lake. You then transfer a short distance to the historic railway town of Kingston, where you start the Around The Mountains Cycle Trail.

   Weaving your way through the pretty rural Mataura valley, surrounded by the Hector and Eyre mountains, you head towards Garston and Athol, crossing several suspension bridges called the Golden Gate bridges. Your ride ends at Five Rivers, where there is a cafe and gallery for you to visit before driving to Mossburn, known as the deer capital of New Zealand. You'll stay at your accommodation here for the next two nights. In the evening, you'll meet again for your first group dinner.
   
   Cycling Distance:
   - Queenstown Trail to Kelvin Heights: 16km
   - Kingston to Five Rivers: 48km

   • 39.8 miles
   • Accommodation in Mossburn
   • Lunch and Dinner

   • 

     Royal Mail Hotel

     Dating back to 1875, this historic hotel in Lumsden has been renovated with stylish rooms. Admire the views over town and beyond to the Oreti River.

   • 

     Royal Mail Hotel

     Dating back to 1875, this historic hotel in Lumsden has been renovated with stylish rooms. Admire the views over town and beyond to the Oreti River.

2. Day 2Five Rivers to Mossburn

   After breakfast, you return to Five Rivers to continue riding the trail to Lumsden. You pass through rich farmlands by the banks of the Oreti River and carry on along a mix of old railway line and well-graded track, threaded between the highway and farmland, back to Mossburn.

   A lunch stop at Bracken-Hall allows you to sample the region's famous venison pies and 'Southland sushi'. In the afternoon, you continue to follow the Oreti River on a purpose-built trail, with views towards the imposing Fiordland mountains. At Centre Hill, the trail meets a busy gravel road. Here, you have the option to load up the bikes and return to Mossburn, or for those wanting a longer ride, you can return the same way back along the trail. You meet again in the early evening for a well-earned dinner.
   
   Cycling Distance:
   - Five Rivers to Mossburn: 35km
   - Mossburn to Centre Hill: 23km

   • 36 miles
   • Accommodation in Mossburn
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
3. Day 3Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise

   This morning you will drive to Te Anau and have time to enjoy the township, where the Te Anau Bird Sanctuary is a 'must visit'. Here are some of Fiordland’s special birds that are difficult to see in the wild, including the Takahe, Kaka, blue duck, Parakeets and many more. Then it's another short drive to Manapouri, where you are dwarfed by the mountains looming all around and there is no question that you are on the edge of the wonderfully remote Fiordland National Park.

   At midday, you'll join a spectacular Doubtful Sound experience beginning with a short ride across Lake Manapouri, a drive over Wilmot Pass to Deep Cove to meet the boat. You'll cruise out into the Doubtful Sound, formed by glaciers, with huge cascading waterfalls and vertical cliff faces. As you sail out you'll be surrounded by magnificent views with a nature guide sharing their knowledge of the region, and wildlife which might include dolphins, fur seals, and the rare Fiordland crested penguin. There also might be the chance to kayak from the boat. At the end of the day, you'll relax into an evening of entertainment, fine food and comfortable sleep in your private cabin. In the heart of the wilderness of the Fiordland National Park, you are constantly surrounded by magnificent views of the mountains, the sunset is superb and you'll feel quite insignificant amongst this grandeur.
   

   • Cabin on cruise ship
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

   • 

     Stay and cruise Doubtful Sound on a Luxury Yacht

     The Fiordland Navigator has spacious viewing decks, a dining saloon with bar, observation lounge and comfortable private cabins with ensuite bathrooms.

   • 

     Sunset over Doubtful Sound

     Witness the majestic beauty of one of the sounds on New Zealand's South Island

4. Day 4Lake to Lake Trail

   After a delicious on-board breakfast you'll have more time cruising through the fiord. You will then return to Deep Cove and travel back to Manapouri over Wilmot Pass and Lake Manapouri, arriving at midday. This afternoon, you'll enjoy a delightful ride on the new Lake to Lake trail connecting Lake Te Anau to Lake Manapouri, following the glistening Waiau River in the heart of Fiordland with lake, mountain and riverside views as well as native bush, wetlands and farmland scenery.

   On arriving into Te Anau in the late afternoon there will be time to relax or wander along the shores of Lake Te Anau. There is an option to join an excursion to see the glowworm caves by boat. Your guides can help with suggestions and make any bookings. In the early evening, you'll head to Fiordland Cinema to see "Ata Whenua" (Shadowland) a beautiful short movie showcasing Fiordland landscapes from the air before the final evening meal together. 
   

   • 17.4 miles
   • Accommodation in Te Anau
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

   • 

     Stay and cruise Doubtful Sound on a Luxury Yacht

     The Fiordland Navigator has spacious viewing decks, a dining saloon with bar, observation lounge and comfortable private cabins with ensuite bathrooms.

   • 

     Sunset over Doubtful Sound

     Witness the majestic beauty of one of the sounds on New Zealand's South Island

5. Day 5Te Anau to Queenstown via the Von Valley

   This morning you'll leave Te Anau and after a short drive, you will cycle from the hidden Mavora Lakes, a site of scenes from Lord of the Rings. You will ride by the lakes and through the beech forest before continuing on to the colourful Von Valley. There is a real sense of isolation and the huge mountain and tussock landscape is vast. You'll farewell the supporting coach as you cycle downhill to the shores of Lake Wakatipu and Mount Nicholas station. Here you are greeted with stunning views of alpine peaks and snow-covered Mount Earnslaw at the head of the lake. You will follow the lakeside trail to Walter Peak Station, where you will board the historic TSS Earnslaw Steamer and cross Lake Wakatipu to Queenstown.
   

   Cycling Distance: Mavora Valley to Walter Peak Station - 55km
   

   • 34.2 miles
   • Breakfast and Lunch

   • 

     Mount Nicholas station views

     Head through this verdant location towards the end of the tour

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     TSS Earnslaw boat ride back to Queenstown

     Enjoy a fantastic boat journey at the end of the trip