Doubtful Sound & Around the Mountains Cycle

Itinerary Details

1. Day 1Queenstown to Mossburn

   Here's a rewrite in the second-person perspective:
   
   Meet your guides in central Queenstown at 8:00am for a tour briefing before transferring along the shores of Lake Whakatipu to the historic railway town of Kingston, where your ride on the Around The Mountains Cycle Trail begins.
   
   Following a bike fitting and safety briefing, you'll pedal through the picturesque Mataura Valley, surrounded by the Hector and Eyre Mountains, as you make your way toward Garston and Athol. Crossing several suspension bridges known as the "Golden Gate Bridges," you'll finish your morning ride at Five Rivers, where you can relax at the café or browse the local gallery.
   
   After lunch, continue riding towards the outskirts of Lumsden, following the trail through fertile farmland along the banks of the Oreti River. The route then follows a combination of former railway line and well-graded trail, winding between farmland and highway before reaching Mossburn, known as the deer capital of New Zealand.
   
   After checking into your accommodation, regroup in the evening for your first group dinner and a chance to share stories from the day's ride.

   ATM Trail: Kingston to Five Rivers - 48km
   ATM Trail: Five Rivers to Mossburn - 29km

   • 47.8 miles
   • Accommodation in Mossburn
   • Lunch and Dinner

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     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 2Mossburn to Te Anau

   This morning, you'll continue following the Oreti River along purpose-built trails, with ever-changing views of the dramatic Fiordland mountains on the horizon. At Centre Hill, the trail gives way to a quiet gravel road as you leave the cycle trail and make your way back toward the highway.
   
   A brief 2km section on the highway brings you to today's lunch stop at the delightful Sprig & Thistle Caravan Café, nestled beneath the Takitimu Mountain Range. Set on Davaar Station, a family farm established in 1915, the café is run by Anna, whose creative menu is inspired by the rugged landscapes and rich pastoral lands that surround her.
   
   After lunch, enjoy a short stretch along the highway before turning onto a scenic gravel road that winds through the countryside and leads you to the outskirts of Te Anau, your home for the night.

   ATM Trail: Mossburn to Centre Hill Shelter - 24km
   Gravel section: Centre Hill Shelter to Sprig & Thistle - 26km
   Gravel section: Sprig & Thistle to Lake Luxmore - 19km

   
   

   • 43.5 miles
   • Accommodation in Te Anau
   • 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 breakfast on board, you'll awaken to the serenity of a secluded bay deep within Doubtful Sound. At one of the most breathtaking points of the journey, the captain and crew invite you to experience the renowned "Sounds of Silence" — a memorable period when the ship's engines are turned off, allowing you to fully absorb the vastness of the fiord and the gentle chorus of native birdsong.
   
   Enjoy more time cruising through the spectacular waterways before returning to Deep Cove. From here, you'll travel back across Wilmot Pass and Lake Manapouri, arriving around midday.
   
   This afternoon, set out on the scenic Lake to Lake Trail, a beautifully designed cycle route linking Lake Manapouri with Lake Te Anau. Following the sparkling Waiau River through the heart of Fiordland, you'll ride among a stunning tapestry of lakes, mountains, native forest, wetlands, and pastoral farmland.
   
   Arriving in Te Anau in the late afternoon, you'll have time to unwind or take a leisurely stroll along the shores of Lake Te Anau. For those interested, there's also the option to join a boat excursion to the famous glowworm caves. Your guides will be happy to assist with recommendations and bookings.
   
   In the early evening, you'll visit the Fiordland Cinema to watch the acclaimed short film *Ata Whenua (Shadowland)*, an inspiring aerial journey over Fiordland's remote and dramatic landscapes. Afterwards, gather with your fellow travellers for a memorable final dinner together.
   

   Lake to Lake Trail Cycling Distance: 28km

   • 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 a unique, family owned barge to transport us across Lake Wakatipu to Queenstown, which brings the journey to an end. (On occasion there may be need for an alternative transport option across the Lake) 

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

   • 34.2 miles
   • Breakfast and Lunch

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     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