The Central South Trail is a community lead initiative motivated to give members of the public and tourists greater access to the iconic southern countryside.
Our trails
The Central South Trail has been constructed to showcases rural New Zealand countryside at its best – from stunning lakes and rivers, the majestic countryside of Mackenzie and eventually down to one of New Zealand’s most beautiful Bays, Caroline Bay of Timaru.
The development of the trail will be undertaken over several years with different sections coming on stream.
Strong beginnings with local sponsorship
The trail is the achievement of the vision of passionate locals representing a cross-section of the community business owners, commercial enterprises, individuals, non-for-profit organisations, and government funding bodies.
The first section of the Central South Trail from Washdyke to Pleasant Point (16km), opened in November 2021.
Principle sponsors were the New Zealand Transport Agency contributing $500,000 and the Timaru District Council chipped in $226,358 from its Covid-19 stimulus fund.
Trails now open
Washdyke
to Pleasant Point
Pleasant Point
to Cave
Fairlie
to Kimbell
Dog Kennel Corner
to Tekapo
Trails coming soon
Cave to
Albury
Albury
to Fairlie
In Development
Kimbell to
Burkes Pass