Queenstown unsealed roads/tracks

[jonbuoy]

Can anyone recommend some good unsealed roads/tracks in the Queenstown area for an offroad novice? I'm heading that way next week and hiring a DR for a day or two so some places close-ish' to the town centre would be good.

Cheers.

[Yanosh]

Unsealed road? I guess you could just head up the remarks...

There's loads of unsealed roads out past Glenorchy too, so I'd probably head that way for a full day's riding

Off road - speak to the guys at off road adventures... I'm sure they'll point you in the right direction

[Mad Max]

Skippers canyon road and the road to Macetown are both worth a look

[TimeOut]

Skippers or Macetown (if the rivers not up) are good rides.

[TimeOut]

Skippers canyon road and the road to Macetown are both worth a look

Slow typer.

[jim.cox]

The road to Moke Lake is <B>LOTS</B> of fun

[bvaut]

You could do the round trip over the Nevis from Sth- north then turn off at the top at Duffer saddle down into Carricktown then from Bannickburn to Clyde over the hill This will give you some pretty nice views and a good range of roads to ride.
Trouble is you don't want to do more that 300 km other wise they will sting you for the extra Km. Which ever way you go enjoy it.

[cooneyr]

Check out my website www.advroutes.org.nz for a map showing some of the routes mentioned above. The road up to Paradise/Glenorchy is suppose to be nice an scenic as well (should put it on one day).

Macetown is probably a bit wet and challenging (lots of ford crossings) if you are new to gravel. Start with the Paradise ride and then do Carricktown and Nevis.

Cheers R

[jonbuoy]

Cheers guys.:niceone:

[merv]

Its two years ago since we rode our bikes to Routeburn and Kinloch beyond Glenorchy and the road was already sealed to the Routeburn/Kinloch T junction so I wouldn't be surprised if its sealed all the way to Routeburn now, but on a DR the ride around the Lake to Glenorchy and beyond is fantastic even though it is sealed these days.

Agree with the others do Skippers, also make sure you go back up the road a bit before the bridge and go up the Branches Road - this is where you end up high above the swing bridge for one of the best views in NZ.

Macetown and Nevis Road (if its still open - closes for the winter) and Carricktown track are all worth doing.

Crikey look at the views on the way.....

[jonbuoy]

Cheers Merv, It doesn't look like there has been any snow yet so shouldn't have any dramas getting up. Good climbs and views is what I'm after.

[merv]

You'll see I added some pics for you.

You should be right on Nevis too now I look at my pics.

Again look at the view - that's from the Nevis Road around the top of the Carrick Range in the second pic. Nice ride down 3rd pic. Others in Nevis valley.

[jonbuoy]

Yeah thats what I'm talking about :cool:

[merv]

Make sure you ride up the Remarkables ski field road too - gorgeous views - where else can you look so closely down on 737 jets.

Then Skippers - check the sign and look at the view down from The Branches road - that is about a 300 metre drop.

[clint640]

Yep, all good stuff. If you can get on the Earnslaw a boat ride over to Walter Peak then a look at Mavora lakes, then loop back via the Nevis would be a good day.

Last time I was down there we went up & over the Thompson Gorge Rd, St Bathans for a bite at the Vulcan Hotel, then on to Dunstan & through to the Nevis, dinner @ Garston Pub then back to QN on the main rd, that made for an awesome days ride.

Cheers
Clint

[jonbuoy]

Make sure you ride up the Remarkables ski field road too - gorgeous views - where else can you look so closely down on 737 jets.

Then Skippers - check the sign and look at the view down from The Branches road - that is about a 300 metre drop.

Brilliant pics. I just heard they are expecting some snow in Queesntown soon hopefully just a dusting.

[jonbuoy]

Thanks for the tips, one of the most memorable and scenic bike rides I've ever had. Well worth the money :niceone:

[merv]

So are you going to tell us exactly where you went all up?

[jonbuoy]

Hi Merv,

Nearly all around Skippers and the Branches, went for a quick run over to arrowtown then towards Gibston as they guys at the hire shop pointed out a few roads over that way Gibston was a bit further than I thought I ran out of K's - I only did one day rental (max 200k's) they let me off with being a few over at the end of it.