For travel planning, Kurow is best thought of as a stopover on a longer cycling route or as a starting point for a return ride through a valley. There is also a hilltop track with views of the town and river landscape, a short walk along the Waitaki River, and a heritage trail leading to historic places. This gives you a choice of cycling routes, scenery and history as different highlights for your stay.
Cycle through Kurow and the Hakataramea Valley
The Alps2Ocean Cycle Trail is 301 kilometres long, runs from Mount Cook to Oamaru, and passes through Kurow. The town is a stopover on this route and also a starting point for cycling in the surrounding area. The 301 kilometres refers to the entire trail, not just the section near Kurow. The Hakataramea Cycle Route serves a different purpose: it starts in Kurow, runs through the Hakataramea Valley, and then returns to town. For travel planning, this means Kurow can be part of a continuous cycling trip or the starting and return point for a ride through the valley.
Hilltop track and riverside walk
The Kurow Hill Walkway takes about 30 minutes to reach the summit and has a few places to rest along the way. Access is from 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 a different experience: just a few minutes from the town centre, they provide a short, easy and flat walk along the Waitaki River. Local volunteers created and maintain the wetlands to preserve and protect the natural environment and wildlife in this braided-river landscape. This gives you two distinct options: a route to a hilltop viewpoint and a short, flat riverside walk.
Discover local history on foot
The Kurow Museum is on Main Street, behind the Information Centre. If you plan to visit the museum, check visitor information before your trip. The “Birthplace of New Zealand’s Social Security” Heritage Trail uses a map to guide you to historic buildings and places in Kurow and explains the beginnings of New Zealand’s social security system. While the museum is in one location, the trail connects several historic sites and makes the system’s history the focus of a walk around town.
Wine tastings and choosing where to stay
In the centre of Kurow, Valli Wine Bar takes bookings for wine tastings or group visits. As booking information may change, check in advance whether your preferred option is available for your visit. When looking for hotels in Kurow, consider whether you are planning to use the town mainly as a cycling stopover, a starting point for the valley route, or a base for walks and local history.
Discover more destinations: Duntroon, Black Point, Waianakarua, Otematata, Kakanui, Hampden, Moeraki, Oamaru.
For the broader travel overview: Waitaki District.
