The Great Southern Brevet 2017: 2017 Route

The Great Southern Brevet 2017 will see a return to it's roots.

The inaugural Great Southern Brevet route took in sections of spectacular private tracks as well as remote Department of Conservation Conservation Areas and even some of the New Zealand Cycle Trails. It is a great introduction to the Mackenzie High Country and beautiful Central Otago.

For 2017 we will use more of the growing kilometers of cycle trails which means less tarmac and more gravel :-)

The descriptions below give a brief overview of each leg and will be updated as course checking continues so do check back.

The GPX file of the 2017 route is available at this link:

GSB2017 GPX

And the cue sheet for the 2017 route is available at this link:

GSB2017 Cue Sheet

(Note: This may open a preview window but there is an download arrow in the top right corner!)

If you need a Topo Map of the South Island for your Garmin GPS then this link is for a free Topo Map. It covers the South Island from Christchurch down so does the full GSB2017 route and is ~340KB in size so should fit on most modern Garmins:

Garmin compatible Topo Map for GSB2017

(Note: copy the 'gmapsupp.img' file to the 'garmin' directory on your device, then boot up and 'enable' on your 'map' settings screen, it will appear as NZ Topo and may have two files to enable).

Leg 1 Tekapo to Otematata Description

Leg 1 is designed to ease you into the weeks adventure. It is relatively easy riding on 'mostly' good back country roads. The climbs are gentle and the views spectacular.

There will be a neutralised section on the road from the Church of the Good Shepherd (the official start/finish point) till hitting the trail proper just below Scotts Pond nd the Tekapo Power Station. This is to allow all riders to safely cross State Highway 8 in Tekapo township. The start could have been down an obscure track but the shores of Tekapo set the scene much better!

The track exits the streets of Tekapo and follows power project roads to the Tekapo river (riding alongside the Tekapo/Pukaki Canal).

Tekapo/Pukaki Canal

The next section is a more vague track alongside the Tekapo river as you head towards Lake Benmore. There will be a little navigating your way around the informal summer campground at Haldon Arm before heading towards Black Forest Station proper. When checking the course, this section was under water with water was being spilled from Tekapo for the first time in 12 years (fingers crossed 2017 won't see a repeat!)

Haldon Arm - Lake Benmore

Once approaching Black Forest Station you will hang a sharp left after crossing a small bridge to begin the climb into the hills. Some spectacular views over the heavily turquoise waters of the Lake await (and the odd hill). This is a remote section on private land so it is important to stick to the track and travel through as quickly as possible. Little drinking water available from Haldon Arm onwards until you pop out at Benmore Dam so prepare to carry what you need.

Benmore Dam

A quick cruise across the top of the dam and then onto the Alps to Ocean (A2O) cycle trail to Otematata (campground, small shop) and your first 100kms should be behind you. It will be a long first day but with extended daylight hours, and good roads, it will be achievable.

Leg 2 Otematata to Oturehua Description

Leaving Otematata is a gentle climb on Alps to Ocean (A2O) New Zealand Cycle Trail. The trail uses the tarmac until Sailors Cutting (camping area) when is moves off road and cycle trail proper the rest of the way to Omarama. Omarama is the place for a food top if Otematata was a bit scarce.

Omarama from the air

Once refreshed in Omarama, head out of town on Broken Hut Road. The road continues up into private land (DOC have negotiated right of access to the conservation area). With a small airstrip on your left and a gate on the right you will see the sign boards for the Oteake Conservation Area). Head left of the sign boards up a good grunt to Little Omarama Saddle, down into Camp Creek and the East Manuherikia River.

East Manuherikia

Continue down the East Manuherikia River to hitting Hawkdun Runs Road (DOC sign at intersection). Hang a left and cross the river and then right down Home Hills Run Road. Hang a right and and head to Falls Dam at Hut Creek.

Falls Dam Fishing Huts

The quintessential Kiwi fishing huts dot this remote spot making it picture perfect (ala Grahame Sydney). Follow the DOC track (unmarked) beyond the huts and around the edge of the water to the dam proper. After dropping over the dam carry on down Fiddlers Flat Road to Loop Road and State Highway 85. A short stretch on the highway and then onto Hills Creek Road to Oturehua. You are ready to join your first section of the the Central Otago Rail Trail here.

Leg 3 Oturehua to Wanaka Description

Leg 3 starts with hopping onto the Central Otago Rail Trail in Oturehua. Check out http://www.otagocentralrailtrail.co.nz/ for a few details. There are countless resources these days describing the trail and the facilities available. This section from Oturehua through the Ida Valley is perhaps the most interesting section of the trail with the viaducts and tunnels. And it is largely downhill!

Auripo Viaduct

You will hop off the Rail Trail at Omakau and head up Racecourse Road for Thomsons Gorge Road. The track takes you through what was once rich gold mining territory. Starting at Matakanui you head up the gorge ascending the Dunstan Mountains to Thomsons Saddle. You pass old gold mining sites like the Rise and Shine Reef and the Come-in-Time Reef. Descending the other side of the Dunstan Range drops you into Bendigo.

Gold Stamper Battery Bendigo Creek

Once you join State Highway 8, cross over and up Maori Point Road onto 8A and Luggate. From Luggate we will hop onto the Upper Clutha River Track (Cycle Trail) taking us to Albertown. A gentle singletrack with great views.

Upper Clutha River

In Albertown, ride under the bridge on State Highway 6 and enjoy the pleasant cruise along the Outlet Track into Wanaka!

Wanaka (will be a little less snow in January!)

Wanaka is one of the top holiday destinations in the South Island and most facilities are available (a wide range of accommodation, bike shops, supermarket, etc.).

Leg 4 Wanaka to Cromwell Description

Time to leave the summer playground of Wanaka and head into the hills (the Pisa Range to be precise). Head out of Wanaka on the Cardrona Valley Road. Up the Cardrona Valley turn off at the Snow Farm Road and follow Road up to the Snow Farm.

The Historic Cardrona Hotel - you've missed the turn off if you get here!

A bit tricky navigating the through the Snow Farm might be good to check the GPX or Cue Sheet hear but basically you are heading down into the head waters of Roaring Meg Stream.

Roaring Meg Track is famous for it's spear grass. These little (and sometimes large) plants are the antithesis of an inflated tyre. Very fine sharp tips seem to cause tyres to deflate at the mere sight. Tubeless is well worth the investment here. Your other option is to add some sealant to your tubes (a note on this later)

Spanish Spear Grass in the foreground

Once you reach Kirtle Burn hang a right up the Kirtle Burn Track. From beyond Kirtle Burn Hut you will join the Pisa Range Ridge Track and Sallys Pinch. The Pinch is the tricky bit if the wind is up but on a fine day it is great views from here.

Cromwell from atop the Pisa Range

From the high point on the ridge, just shy of 2000 metres!, begin your long descent. First dropping past Lake Mckay before popping out in the new Queensbury subdivision for a gentle ride along Lake Dunstan and into Cromwell. Time for some stocking up as the new leg is a remote one free of shops!

Leg 5 Cromwell to Garsten Description

After gorging on fresh cherries and stone fruit in Cromwell you get to do the infamous Pub to Pub Bannockburn Gutbuster, in reverse!

The fruit really is this big in Cromwell!

A brief ride alongside the Lake and then cruise past the Bannockburn Pub (nice pub lunches) and start your climb to Duffers Saddle on the Old Woman Range (1300m) for some spectacular views over Cromwell and Lake Dunstan. A screaming descent into the Nevis for a cruise along the remote Nevis Valley.

The Nevis

A few (24+) stream crossings later and an ascent of the Hector Mountains for another screaming descent out to State Highway 6 and Garsten (population 12 and a dog?).

Leg 6 Garsten to Waikaia Description

OK, so there had to be one leg which was less than inspiring and basically gets you from A to B, and this is it.

Fortunately the Around the Mountain Cycle Trail has done its bit too redeem this flat section. From Garsten to Lumsden you follow the Cycle Trail which is off-road.

Lumsden (pop 453) has some welcome shops and accommodation. Can't guarantee all food options will be available in the small Southland town but you should fair better than just the Garsten and Waikaia Pubs (although these are both worth a visit).

After leaving Lumsden it is a gentle stroll through rolling Southland countryside before heading up into Waikaia Valley.

Leg 7 Waikaia to Alexandra Description

A big leg this one, but also spectacular. It starts out easy enough as you meander up the Waikaia valley to Piano Flat (DOC campground) and through one of the best remaining examples of mixed beech forest featuring both the red beech and silver beech.

Piano Flat DOC Campground

The beech forest provides a welcome respite from the summer sun as you continue past Piano Flat to Christies Hut and Waikaia Bush Road. If you hit Canton Bridge (locked gate at opposite end of bridge), you have missed the turn off back up the hill! At the top of the rise Waikaia Bush Road continues across the paddock and through the gate (a bit tricky to spot).

Just down over the edge of the hill, in the grass, is Christies Hut. A somewhat un-maintained but still functional tin hut with a long drop loo tucked into the beech forest above the stream.

The climb up onto the Old Man Range starts here. The climb is good, if a little steep, but you will be rewarded with the views.

Waikaia Bush from Old Man Range

A popular 4WD and Trail Bike trip, the road across the top of the range is well formed and easy to navigate. Just remember to hang a left and continue along the main ridge at the start of Kopuwai Conservation Area. Another small tin hut (A Hut) marks the intersection of Waikaia Bush Road and the track along the range (you are heading to the left of the hut). For more comfortable accommodation Potters Hut sits off Waikaia Bush Road a km or two back.

Waikaia Bush Road

From here it a straight run across to the Obelisk (visible from Alexandra, a 26m high rock tor atop the Old Man Range).

Across the Old Man Range

Just after the Obelisk keep left along the Prospect Hill Track (not Omeo Gully which is to the right). You head along the Obelisk Range to Prospect Hill and a steep descent onto Frasers Dam Road. After the steepness of Prospect Hill, Frasers Dam Road eases you onto Earnscleugh flats and the banks of the Clutha River.

Hang a left into Marshall Road and pop onto the Alexandra-Clyde River Trail for some nice singletrack into Alexandra itself (pop up onto the road at the steel bridge to cross the Clutha to Alex).

Leg 8 Alexandra to Middlemarch Description

Another long leg but without the big push uphill, Leg 8 takes you deep into Middle Earth and the Land of Rohan (known as Poolburn to the locals).

Leaving Alexandra you hop onto the Central Otago Rail Trail for the second time (you will cover most of the rail trail by the time you finish your Brevet, but it will be in 3 sections).

Central Otago Rail Trail

This section of Rail Trail will be short and flat as you head to Galloway. The Galloway Road runs parallel to the Rail Trail and you need to hop off the Rail Trail at Crawford Hills Road. A gentle climb takes you up over Crawford Hills and into Moa Creek.

Looking back down Crawford Hills Road

Hop onto Aston Road and head towards Bonspiel Station and the start of the Old Dunstan Road.

The Old Dunstan Road is the original route miners of the 1862/1863 Dunstan gold rush took from Dunedin to Dunstan, (today Clyde). The road is broken into two sections, the first rises to Poolburn and crosses Rough Ridge into Styx (love it, cause that's what it feels like, the sticks). The second section takes you over the Rock and Pillar Range to Middlemarch.

The Land of Rohan

For filming the Lord of the Rings, Peter Jackson had the original fishing huts at Poolburn Reservoir covered to look like Middle Earth huts. Unfortunately you will find them back to their original tin hut condition for this visit.

Poolburn Dam

The road below the Poolburn Dam is a little tricky to navigate as it is less used and many 4WD tracks cross it. Best done in daylight and with a detail map.

The second section of the Old Dunstan Road takes you high up onto the Rock and Pillar Range and pass the grandiose named Great Moss Swamp. When dry the road is an easy ride but the area is prone to snow even in mid summer (my first ride through was in 6 inches of snow the day after New Years!).

You drop off the Rock and Pillar Range into Rocklands Station. Hang a left off the Old Dunstan Road here and onto Rocklands Road. Although it looks like you are entering Rocklands Station, the road is a public road that passes through the station yards.

Continue to State Highway 87 and head to Sutton. A short dog leg off the main road onto Garthmyl Road takes you away from traffic and straight to Middlemarch.

Leg 9 Middlemarch to Ranfurly

This is easy, just start the Central Otago Rail Trail at Middlemarch and head to Ranfurly!

The start of the Central Otago Rail Trail

Enjoy the viaducts and tunnels of the Upper Taieri Gorge before crossing the great Maniototo Plain to Ranfurly.

Viaduct Central Otago Rail Trail

Leg 10 Ranfurly to Kurow Description

Hopefully the wind on the Maniototo didn't blow you back to Middlemarch. Leg 10 takes you from Ranfurly towards the hills (again?). This time though you will ride the well graded Danseys Pass Road. But first a small side trip to "2000 feet above worry level". The tiny village of Naseby is as laid back NZ as you can get, and with some sweet singletrack as well.

Lazy singletrack in Naseby forest

After a short stint on the backroad from Ranfurly, you can go past Naseby without a ride through the forest. Head up Coalpit Dam Road and pop onto the water race. Enjoy the easy ride alongside the water race until you hit the aptly named Swimming Dam Road. If the temperature is a little on the high side then this is the place.

Cooling off in Naseby - 2000 ft above worry level!

With a campground across the road from the swimming dam and the Ancient Briton and Royal Hotels down the road plenty of options for a break here.

Once refreshed head out of town towards Kyeburn Diggings and Danseys Pass. Another popular watering hole (of the the drinking kind that is) awaits at Kyeburn Diggings.

Danseys Pass Hotel refreshment stop

It's a climb over the Pass and a drop into Danseys Stream and undulating as you head out and down Maerewhenua River and Duntroon. Danseys Pass Campground is part way down the river and Duntroon has a Domain Campground open in summer.

A flat ride awaits as you join the Alps to Ocean Cycle Trail (again) for the gentle climb into Kurow.

Leg 11 Kurow to Tekapo Description

You are on the home stretch now and to reward you it is easy riding with just spectacular scenery as a distraction.

The old rickety single lane Kurow Bridge over the Waitaki River (below), with it's regular road closures, has been replaced by a modern bridge to ensure your last day in the saddle has no delays.