The Great Southern Cycle Route

Christchurch to Dunedin via quiet country roads, inspired and created by Peter and Linda Seed from the USA

Peter and Linda came to New Zealand a number of years ago to settle in Dunedin for a couple of months each year. They sought out opportunities for a cycling holiday and were told to take the "tourist route" from Christchurch to Queenstown. They checked it out and hated it: some mountainous climbs, vicious winds and, most important of all, having to fight for their space on the road with camper vans, tour buses, logging trucks and other crazy drivers. Used to riding on quiet country roads in the US and Europe they thought that sort of riding had to be available in New Zealand they just had to find it.

After spending a number of summers in New Zealand driving and cycling the back roads of Canterbury and Coastal Otago "The Great Southern Cycle Route" was born. The result is a series of 11 booklets each with a days ride averaging approx 50km, detailed map, written directions, points of interest along the way, accommodation options etc, absolutely everything that you would need.

We were fortunate to have Peter and Linda as guests at Sefton Homestay Bed and Breakfast during this time and as fellow cyclists Trish and I took an interest in their project and are pleased to be able to help Peter and Linda make their dream a reality.

Peter and Linda were ahead of their time. They have already created a stage of the proposed National Cycleway. All that needs to be done is some good signage and publicity and John Key can stamp this section "done".

Be our guest and download the below pdf's, each one being a day in the Great Southern Cycle Route. If you require a better quality we have the sets of booklets for sale at a modest price.

Most of all we would like hear your comments about Peter and Linda's Great Southern Cycle Route so drop me an email at john@seftonhomestay.co.nz