Discover Kurow

The Alps2Ocean Cycle Trail passes through Kurow and connects Mount Cook with Oamaru over its full length: the route is 301 km long. Kurow is a stop along the way and also a starting point for cycling trips in the surrounding area. There are also walking tracks and historical sites to explore. The Kurow Museum, the Heritage Trail, the Kurow Hill Walkway and the Kurow Wetlands offer different ways to experience the area—from local history and scenery to a riverside walk.

Local history in Kurow

The Kurow Museum is on Main Street in Kurow, behind the Information Centre. Check visitor information before your trip if you plan to visit the museum. Another way to explore the town’s history is the Heritage Trail, “Birthplace of New Zealand’s Social Security”. Using a map, it takes you to historic buildings and sites in Kurow and explains the beginnings of New Zealand’s social security system.

On foot: hilltop or riverbank

The Kurow Hill Walkway leads to the summit in about 30 minutes, with a few places to rest along the way. The access point is on Grey Street near the Kurow Motels. From Kurow Hill, you can enjoy views of the Hakataramea Valley, the town of Kurow and the braided course of the Waitaki River.

The Kurow Wetlands offer an easy, short, flat walk beside the Waitaki River, just a few minutes from the town centre. Local volunteers created and maintain the wetlands to preserve and protect the natural environment and wildlife in a braided-river setting. The two walking options therefore offer different experiences: a hilltop walk with views, or a short, flat riverside stroll.

Cycling routes with different connections to Kurow

The Alps2Ocean Cycle Trail passes through Kurow, making the town both a stop along the route and a starting point for cycling trips in the surrounding area. The Hakataramea Cycle Route, by contrast, starts in Kurow, passes through the Hakataramea Valley and then returns to town. For trip planning, the difference is clear: Kurow lies on the route from Mount Cook to Oamaru, while it is both the starting and return point for the Hakataramea route.

Wine tastings and the Canterbury region

In the centre of Kurow, Valli Wine Bar accepts bookings for wine tastings or group visits. If you’re planning a tasting or group visit, check the booking information in advance; visitor details may change.

Canterbury, as a wider travel destination, offers a distinctive landscape: the region stretches from the Pacific coast in the east to the Southern Alps in the west. Its scenic highlights include the Southern Alps, the Canterbury Plains and the Pacific coast. Kura Tāwhiti/Castle Hill is a distinctive regional landmark. The Kura Tāwhiti Access Track starts at the Castle Hill/Kura Tāwhiti car park in the Waimakariri Basin and passes through a landscape of cultural and ecological significance, known for its towering limestone formations. Kura Tāwhiti is of particular importance to Ngāi Tahu and Ngāi Tūāhuriri; no booking is required for the Access Track.

Discover more destinations: Deborah, Tokarahi, Otematata, Kakanui, Omarama, Moeraki, Windsor, Duntroon

For the wider travel overview: Waitaki District.