--- type: "Article" title: "Explore New Zealand’s South Island Lake District by motorhome & e-bike" description: "Exploring the Lake’s District of the South Island in late summer/early autumn by motorhome and e-bikes is a dream come true! Check out what you're missing!" resource: "https://travelmemo.com/new-zealand/lake-district-south-island-motorhome-e-bike" author: "Justine Tyerman" publisher: "Travelmemo" photo_count: 31 tags: ["Landscape", "Lodge", "Nature", "Road Trip", "New Zealand"] entities: - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/places/new-zealand" - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/places/alps" - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/places/australia" - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/places/europe" - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/landscape" - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/lodge" - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/nature-tourism" - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/road-trip" - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/lake" - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/culinary-tourism" - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/winter-tourism" - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/itinerary" - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/restaurant" - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/air-travel" - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/design" - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/experience-travel" - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/hiking" - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/luxury-travel" - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/wellness-tourism" - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/organizations/booking-com" generated: { by: "human:https://travelmemo.com/author/tyermanj", at: 2026-07-04T14:11:33+00:00 } sources: - id: photos resource: lake-district-south-island-motorhome-e-bike.md#photos title: "Original photography by Justine Tyerman" author: "human:https://travelmemo.com/author/tyermanj" last_modified: 2017-04-01 timestamp: 2026-07-04T14:11:33+00:00 --- # Explore New Zealand’s South Island Lake District by motorhome & e-bike > New Zealand's South Island lake district — from Hanmer Springs to Glenorchy — explored over two weeks by JUCY motorhome and SmartMotion e-bikes, combining scenic cycling trails, alpine landscapes, and lakeside freedom camping. ## Destination South Island, New Zealand — Hanmer Springs south through MacKenzie Country, Wanaka, the Wakatipu Basin, Glenorchy and Lake Ohau ## Getting there Trip begins and ends in Christchurch; motorhome and e-bikes collected there at the start of the journey. ## When to go Late summer to early autumn (February–April) offers more settled weather and fewer crowds than the peak holiday period; the authors also completed a prior trip in late winter to early spring. ## Why visit The region offers an unmatched combination of immaculately maintained cycling and hiking trails, dramatic alpine scenery, turquoise glacial lakes, historic wine valleys, and the flexibility of self-contained motorhome travel — all accessible without being super-fit thanks to e-bike assist. ## What to see - **St James Conservation Area** — Vast open spaces with massive scree slopes and sparkling rivers north of Christchurch. - **MacKenzie Country canals** — Deep turquoise canals linking lakes Tekapo, Pukaki and Ohau as part of the Waitaki hydroelectric scheme. - **Lake Wanaka** — Iconic lakeside scenery including the famously photographed lone tree in the lake. - **Gibbston Valley wineries** — Famous wine region accessed via the Arrow and Kawarau river trails and historic suspension bridges. - **Lake Wakatipu — Kinloch to Greenstone Valley road** — Remote lakeside road that was glassy calm on the day visited; encountered almost no traffic. - **Paradise Trust Lodge** — Historic homestead near Glenorchy rebuilt after a 2013 fire; set in Lord of the Rings filming country; three stone chimneys kept as memorial. - **Dart River** — Braided glacial river where Ngai Tahu Tourism's Dart Jetboats perform 360-degree spins through spectacular gorge scenery. - **Arrowtown autumn colours** — Tall poplars along the Arrow River trail are dazzling in autumn gold. - **Bennett's Bluff lookout, Lake Wakatipu** — Elevated viewpoint overlooking the lake on the road to Glenorchy. ## What to do - **E-biking the Clutha River loop track** — Wanaka river outlet to Luggate and back; some sections narrow and rocky with sheer drops — e-bike push mode useful. - **Cycling the Wakatipu Basin trail network** — Immaculately maintained trails criss-cross Arrowtown, Lake Hayes, Gibbston Valley, Queenstown and Jack's Point. - **Cycling MacKenzie Country canals** — Smooth, flat, broad roads alongside the hydro canals at 30 km/h-plus between lakes Tekapo, Pukaki and Ohau. - **Horse riding with Dart Stables** — Peaceful amble along grassy country lanes and across the braided Dart River shingle flats near Glenorchy. - **Cycling Hanmer Springs forest pathways** — Forest trails in the Hurunui district at the northern end of the trip. - **Alps 2 Ocean Trail at Lake Ohau** — Trail accessible from Round Bush DOC campsite on Lake Ohau shores; weather-dependent. - **Dart Jetboat experience** — Ngai Tahu Tourism's jetboats thunder up the Dart Valley with 360-degree spins. - **Revolution Tours guided experience at Paradise** — Matt and Kate Belcher's tour operation in the Glenorchy/Dart Valley area used as Lord of the Rings Middle Earth locations. ## Good to know JUCY's top-range Casa motorhomes are Fiat Ducato-based Italian-made diesel automatics with full kitchen, fridge-freezer, gas oven, efficient heating, sealed toilet cassette and Scoot Wi-Fi. SmartMotion e-bikes offer five pedal-assist levels plus throttle and a push-assist mode for technical terrain; the authors covered 50–60 km daily with battery to spare. Mrs Woolly's campground in Glenorchy was the southern base. JUCY offers a Ski4Free winter deal with one free Treble Cone lift ticket per rental day. ## Photos ```yaml photos: - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Paradise-New-Zealand.jpg" caption: "Dirt road in Paradise" keywords: ["Justine Tyerman", "Lake District", "New Zealand", "South Island", "travelmemo.com"] captured: 2017-03-30 geo: {latitude: -44.2255, longitude: 170.2029} - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Jucy-motorhome-ebikes.jpg" caption: "Jucy motorhome and e-bikes" keywords: ["Justine Tyerman", "Lake District", "New Zealand", "South Island", "travelmemo.com"] captured: 2017-03-27 geo: {latitude: -44.2255, longitude: 170.2029} - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Justine-Tyerman-Dave-Libby-South-Island-New-Zealand.jpg" caption: "Kinloch to Greenstone Valley. Dave, Libby and Justine" keywords: ["Justine Tyerman", "Lake District", "New Zealand", "South Island", "travelmemo.com"] captured: 2017-03-30 geo: {latitude: -44.2255, longitude: 170.2029} - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Chris-Tyerman-Clutha-River-track-South-Island-New-Zealand.jpg" caption: "Chris biking the Clutha River track" keywords: ["Chris Tyerman", "Justine Tyerman", "Lake District", "New Zealand", "South Island", "travelmemo.com"] captured: 2017-03-28 geo: {latitude: -44.2255, longitude: 170.2029} - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Justine-Tyerman-forest-South-Island-New-Zealand.jpg" caption: "Justine on the Clutha River track" keywords: ["Justine Tyerman", "Lake District", "New Zealand", "South Island", "travelmemo.com"] captured: 2017-03-28 geo: {latitude: -44.2255, longitude: 170.2029} - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Justine-Tyerman-Hanmer-Forest-South-Island-New-Zealand.jpg" caption: "Justine biking in Hanmer forest" keywords: ["Justine Tyerman", "Lake District", "New Zealand", "South Island", "travelmemo.com"] captured: 2017-03-23 geo: {latitude: -44.2255, longitude: 170.2029} - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/St-James-Cycleway-New-Zealand.jpg" caption: "St James Cycleway. Dave in the distance" keywords: ["Justine Tyerman", "Lake District", "New Zealand", "South Island", "travelmemo.com"] captured: 2017-03-24 geo: {latitude: -44.2255, longitude: 170.2029} - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/MacKenzie-Country-New-Zealand.jpg" caption: "MacKenzie Country sunset" keywords: ["Justine Tyerman", "Lake District", "New Zealand", "South Island", "travelmemo.com"] captured: 2017-03-25 geo: {latitude: -44.2255, longitude: 170.2029} - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Lake-Tekapo-MacKenzie-Country-New-Zealand.jpg" caption: "Lake Tekapo" keywords: ["Justine Tyerman", "Lake District", "New Zealand", "South Island", "travelmemo.com"] captured: 2017-03-27 geo: {latitude: -44.2255, longitude: 170.2029} - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Arrowtown-Gibbston-Valley-bungy-bridge-New-Zealand.jpg" caption: "Arrowtown to Gibbston Valley bungy bridge" keywords: ["Justine Tyerman", "Lake District", "New Zealand", "South Island", "travelmemo.com"] captured: 2017-03-31 geo: {latitude: -44.2255, longitude: 170.2029} - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Edgar-Bridge-New-Zealand.jpg" caption: "Edgar Bridge in Arrowtown to Gibbston Valley" keywords: ["Justine Tyerman", "Lake District", "New Zealand", "South Island", "travelmemo.com"] captured: 2017-03-31 geo: {latitude: -44.2255, longitude: 170.2029} - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/suspension-bridge-Clutha-River-New-Zealand.jpg" caption: "Suspension bridge over the Clutha River" keywords: ["Justine Tyerman", "Lake District", "New Zealand", "South Island", "travelmemo.com"] captured: 2017-03-28 geo: {latitude: -44.2255, longitude: 170.2029} - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Lower-Shotover-Bridge-New-Zealand.jpg" caption: "Lower Shotover Bridge" keywords: ["Justine Tyerman", "Lake District", "New Zealand", "South Island", "travelmemo.com"] captured: 2017-04-01 geo: {latitude: -44.2255, longitude: 170.2029} - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Kawarau-New-Zealand.jpg" caption: "Kawarau River jet boat" keywords: ["Justine Tyerman", "Lake District", "New Zealand", "South Island", "travelmemo.com"] captured: 2017-04-01 geo: {latitude: -44.2255, longitude: 170.2029} - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Kawarau-river-New-Zealand.jpg" caption: "Kawarau River" keywords: ["Justine Tyerman", "Lake District", "New Zealand", "South Island", "travelmemo.com"] captured: 2017-04-01 geo: {latitude: -44.2255, longitude: 170.2029} ```