Trans_NZ_South Island....5. Cromwell to Manapouri

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Touring The Trans-NZ ADV Route _ North Island

Segment 1. CAPE REINGA / AHIPARA *** SPECIAL ***
Segment 2. AHIPARA TO WAIPU (3 options)
Segment 3. WAIPU TO CLEVEDON
Segment 4A-WESTERN Routes_Clevedon to Woodville (2 options + Extras)
Segment 4B-EASTERN Routes_Clevedon to Woodville (2 options + Extras)
Segment 5. WOODVILLE TO WELLINGTON (3 options plus south-eastern gems!)



Touring The Trans-NZ ADV Route _ South Island...5334km

Segment 1. PICTON-TO-HANMER/CULVERDEN
Segment 2. HANMER/ CULVERDEN TO FAIRLIE
Segment 3. FAIRLIE TO NASEBY
Segment 4. NASEBY TO CROMWELL
Segment 5. CROMWELL TO MANAPOURI
Segment 6. MANAPOURI TO THE CATLINS (SOUTH COAST)

The Trans New Zealand ADV Touring Route...WHAT/WHY/HOW/WHERE?



General NZ info and links

PART 1: CROMWELL to QUEENSTOWN


Edit 19.Feb.2025

NOTE: There are 2 boats that take a small number of bikes across from Queenstown to either Walter Peak Station or Mt. Nicholas Station.

The Spirit of Queenstown Catamaran which can accomodate 2-3 motorcycles depending on size + luggage.

The Bike-Barge https://www.aroundthemountains.co.nz/services/barge-services/
runs from Queenstown to Walter Peak Station call: 03 4411 079 / 0220 954 880 Email : bargeservicesnz@gmail.com

The 2 stations are connected by the Von Road and about 6km apart

The old Lady Earnslow steamer does NOT TAKE ANY FREIGHT ANYMORE!!



Cromwell -> Nevis Pass -> The Remarkables -> Skippers Canyon -> Coronet Peak -> Queenstown

MAP: https://goo.gl/pXgNnV



[please note that the Nevis Rd. is a SEASONAL road (closed early June to late Sept]


Cromwell

-> Nevis Pass/ Nevis Road/ Nevis Station (you better like your water-crossings, there are LOTS of them!!)

-> The Remarkables

-> Skippers Canyon

-> Coronet Peak

-> Queenstown

 

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************ QUEENSTOWN SHORTS *************


Just a few quick "extras" around Queenstown (apart from the usual tourist stuff).



A) Ride along Lake Wakatipu to Glenorchy/ Kinloch/ Greenstone Station ~240km return

MAP: https://goo.gl/6z1Jtk

B) Frankton Arm Tavern ~ 15km return opposite Frankton Motor Camp / Caravan Park/ Cabins etc.

MAP: https://goo.gl/BrVqJA

EXXXELLENT!! The place where the locals go....enuff said!!

C) Moke Lake/ Moke Creek/ Ben Lomond ~70km return (good campsite at top-end of lake)

MAP: https://goo.gl/vns4uf

photo courtesy of Joshua Cripps Photography

D) Wanaka/ Treble Cone Ski Station ~ 210km return

MAP: https://goo.gl/zxG6XW


The Crown Range Twisties, Cardrona Pub, Wanaka and the incredible views from the Treble Cone Carpark......awesome day-trip with ~ 40km gravel

Crown Range

Some cracker pics from Nev here -> click me



Treble Cone

 

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PART 2: Walter Peak Station/ Mount Nicholas Station to Manapouri


Walter Peak Station/ Mount Nicholas Station -> Von Road -> Mavora Lakes -> Manapouri


Red = Lady Earnslow Steamer
Purple = Spirit of Queenstown Catamaran

MAP: https://goo.gl/TjjhjD



Walter Peak Station to Mount Nicholas Station

-> Von Road

-> Mavora Lakes


[keep going past the Camp area at North Mavora Lake for some usually good gravel along the shores to Careys Hut, NO further access from there!)

-> Manapouri

 

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IT SHOULDN'T BE MISSED!!

MILFORD SOUND RIDE

MAP: https://goo.gl/55v4vT


Manapouri/ Te Anau -> Mirror Lake -> Hollyford Valley Lookout -> Milford -> Gunns Camp -> Te Anau

CRUCIAL:
A) GOOD WEATHER
B) INSECT REPELLENT (THE MORE DEET, THE BETTER)
C) LEAVE TE ANAU 6AM LATEST TO PREVENT A SLOW DEATH IN THE STINK OF THE TOURIST BUSES/4WD'S/KAYAKERS ETC.
D) BE PREPARED FOR A VERY FROSTY START TO THE DAY
E) FUEL AVAILABLE IN MILFORD!!
F) ABOUT ~260-300KM RETURN FROM/ TO TE ANAU/ MANAPOURI



Manapouri/ Te Anau ....EARLY START!

-> Mirror Lake

-> Hollyford Valley Lookout

-> Milford

-> Gunns Camp

-> Te Anau

 

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Update re:
Ferry services across Lake Wakatipu



Edit 19.Feb.2025

NOTE: There are 2 boats that take a small number of bikes across from Queenstown to either Walter Peak Station or Mt. Nicholas Station.

The Spirit of Queenstown Catamaran which can accomodate 2-3 motorcycles depending on size + luggage.

The Bike-Barge https://www.aroundthemountains.co.nz/services/barge-services/
runs from Queenstown to Walter Peak Station call: 03 4411 079 / 0220 954 880 Email : bargeservicesnz@gmail.com

The 2 stations are connected by the Von Road and about 6km apart

The old Lady Earnslow steamer does NOT TAKE ANY FREIGHT ANYMORE!!



Edit#2: Cost for the bike-barge is currently $360 per one-way trip (regardless of numbers ), it pays to call ahead and check for already existing bookings to hook into to split cost.
The barge takes up to 10 fully loaded motorcycles or up to 20 pushbikes and all their riders.