How to get in and out of Dunedin
The directions below will take you out of the city and get you on the road to exploring other parts of Greater Dunedin and Otago. When you want to come back to town, just reverse the directions.
Northern Cycle Route
The 38km Northern Cycle Route begins at the Dunedin Botanic Garden, where Great King Street meets North Road.
North Road takes you through North East Valley, before winding up through farmland to a 300m summit providing breathtaking views of Otago Harbour and the peninsula, setting the scene for the rest of the journey.
The route continues along the quiet Mount Cargill Road (continuation of North Road) following the ridge top through farmland and then winding down to Blueskin Bay and the settlement of Waitati.
Following Waitati, the route joins State Highway 1 for 3.5km before turning into Coast Road. 1km along Coast Road you can take a rewarding short detour to Warrington Beach, which is popular for swimming in summer. The Coast Road is a quiet rural ride with wild coastal views. The small seaside town of Karitane marks the end of the route, which then rejoins State Highway 1. Cycling on the State Highway is permitted north of Waitati.
Southern Cycle Route
This 18km route begins at South Road, adjacent to The Oval sports ground at the southern end of Princes Street. It winds up past the picturesque Southern Cemetery, with views of southern suburbs and the sea. A descent into the historic area of Caversham is followed by a steep ascent to the top of South Road, and the beginning of the separated cycle path alongside the motorway. The cycle path ends along Stevenson Road where the route follows the roadway, before recommencing along Main South Road where the footpath becomes a combined two-way cycle path finishing where Main South Road becomes two-directional.
Next, the route goes under the motorway into the semi-rural areas of Sunnyvale and Fairfield, where it begins to climb again. A turnoff into Morris Road takes you through countryside between Chain Hills and Saddle Hill, looking towards the Taieri plains. Morris Road ends at its intersection with Braeside and Quarry Road (which takes you to Mosgiel and State Highway 87). Braeside is the final stretch of the route, which finishes where it meets State Highway 1. At this point the motorway ends and cyclists can continue south along the State Highway
An alternative southern route
If you don't like hills, continue heading south along Princes Street around the bend past the oval, turning right on Wilkie Road (the first right after South Road). Follow Wilkie Road under the railway bridge and onto Neville Street, which runs around the famous Carisbrook Rugby Stadium. The first intersection is Burns Street. Turn right here to ride along the front of Carisbrook Stadium, turning left onto the South Road route at the end of Burns Street.
Another alternative
Another alternative route back into Dunedin is to continue along Stevenson Road (rather than turning onto the cycle path that runs alongside the motorway exit up to South Road / Lookout Point), with a slightly lower gradient taking you up to Corstorphine Road, before you wind down through Playfair Street to join up with the South Road route at the Caversham shops.
Last reviewed: 25 Jul 2008 12:08pm
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