Southern Way 1000
Aotearoa New Zealand’s latest fully mapped and published bikepacking route
From the Southern Alps to the Catlins coast and back again.
Long-distance bikepacking · Otago & Southland
1,000 Km
TOTAL DISTANCE
1,000 m
ASCENT
1–2 weeks
FULL CIRCUIT
80% gravel
SURFACE
ABOUT THE ROUTE
Mountains to sea and back again
The Southern Way 1000 is a 1,000km bikepacking loop across the lower South Island, connecting the Great Rides and Heartland Rides of Otago and Southland into one continuous circuit. The route links Queenstown, Dunedin, and Invercargill through purpose-built cycle trails and quiet backcountry gravel roads.
Most riders complete the full circuit in 1-2 weeks, though the route divides naturally into shorter sections, each of which stands well on its own. The Southern Way 1000 can be started from anywhere on the loop, with Queenstown and Dunedin the most practical entry points given their airport connections.
HOW WE CAN HELP
Riding through Central Otago?
We cover the Central Otago section of the circuit. If your route takes you along the Otago Central Rail Trail, Lake Dunstan Trail, Roxburgh Gorge Trail, or Clutha Gold Trail, we can take the logistics off your hands.
Passenger transport
Shuttles to and from Queenstown, Dunedin, Middlemarch, Waihola, and stops in between. Useful for one-way rides, airport transfers, or skipping a section.
Luggage transport
Your bags are collected from your accommodation each morning and waiting at your next stop when you arrive. Up to 15kg per bag, handled personally by our drivers.
OUR TRANSPORT NETWORK
Where we run
Our network is hub-and-spoke from Clyde, covering the main entry and exit points for the Central Otago section of the Southern Way 1000.
We don’t cover the full Southern Way 1000 circuit. For sections through Southland and the Around the Mountains Trail, you’ll need to look at other operators. The Southern Way 1000 website lists regional services for the full loop.
REACH OUT
Ready to sort your Central Otago logistics?
Get in touch to see if we can help with some of the Central Otago pieces of the Southern way 1000 puzzle