Kurow

The Alps2Ocean Cycle Trail passes through Kurow, making it a stop on a long cycling route and a starting point for rides in the surrounding area. The trail is 301 km long in total and runs from Mount Cook to Oamaru. If you are considering Kurow as a destination, alongside the long-distance cycle trail you will find a route that starts and finishes in town, short walks along the Waitaki River, and paths exploring local history.

Cycling through and from Kurow

On the Alps2Ocean Cycle Trail, Kurow is part of a route connecting two far-apart endpoints. The town is both a stop along the route and a starting point for rides in the surrounding area. For planning a day out, the Hakataramea Cycle Route is another option: it starts in Kurow, goes through the Hakataramea Valley, and then returns to Kurow. So, alongside the longer crossing, you can choose a ride that starts and finishes in the same town. No route distance or riding time is specified, but its described direction and return give you a clear guide for planning.

Walks on the hill and by the river

The Kurow Hill Walkway takes about 30 minutes to reach the summit, with a few places to stop and rest along the way. Access is from Grey Street, near the Kurow Motels. From Kurow Hill, you can see the Hakataramea Valley, the town of Kurow, and the braided course of the Waitaki River. The walk combines the climb with views of these three landscape and town features.

The Kurow Wetlands offer a different experience: just a few minutes from the town centre, there is an easy, flat, short walk along the Waitaki River. Local volunteers created and maintain the wetlands to preserve and protect the natural environment and wildlife in a braided river setting. If you are choosing between a walk to the summit and a short riverside stroll, the main differences are the destination and the character of the walk: views of the valley, town and river course from above, or a short, flat route through the wetlands.

Discover Kurow’s history

The “Birthplace of New Zealand’s Social Security” Heritage Trail uses a map to guide you to historic buildings and places in Kurow. Along the way, it explains the beginnings of New Zealand’s social security system. This makes the trail a distinct way to get to know the town through its history, rather than focusing your stay entirely on cycling or walking routes.

The Kurow Museum is on Main Street, behind the Information Centre. Its location can serve as a landmark when visiting the town; for the Heritage Trail, the map guides you to the historic buildings and places. Both stops give your travel plans a cultural focus without requiring you to make a bike ride the centrepiece of your stay.

Wine tastings and choosing where to stay

Valli Wine Bar in the centre of Kurow accepts bookings for wine tastings or group visits. If you would like to include this in your plans, you can book directly for a wine tasting or group visit.

When choosing a holiday apartment or holiday home in Kurow, you could first consider which of these experiences you would like to shape your stay: cycling one of the two routes, climbing Kurow Hill, taking a flat walk through the wetlands, or visiting historic sites and enjoying a wine tasting. This choice can help you decide what kind of days you want, without trying to fit the cycling route, walk and local history into a single itinerary.

More destinations

More destinations: Tokarahi, Windsor, Duntroon, Moeraki, Deborah, Omarama, Waianakarua and Oamaru.

To the overarching travel guide: Waitaki District.