New Zealand Cycle Touring Route - Westport to Picton

The cycle ride from Westport to Picton alongside the mighty Buller river goes uphill but is not too demanding. It is 97.7 kilometers to Murchison. In Murchison there is a reasonable selection of places to stay. On the road from Westport a lookout needs to be kept for logging trucks although there is not a lot of other traffic and it is a great ride alongside the river.

From Murchison you then go to St Arnaud which is 63.5 kilometres away. Again it is a good ride with little traffic.
At St Arnaud there is accommodation and Lake Rotoiti and the area is a popular tramping and skiing centre. About 7 ks north of St Arnaud on the right is the road to the Rainbow ski field and Rainbow station which then leads onto the Molesworth Station.
The Rainbow and Molesworth Station Ride


The ride from St Arnaud to the Picton ferry is 129 kilometers but the good news is that the road goes downhill for most of the way and includes the Marlborough vineyards where 77% of New Zealand's wine is produced.

Mightly Buller River

Lake Rotoiti

Downhill to Picton

Picton