5.1 Greymouth to Cromwell

5.1A Option flood bypass
Use this only if it has been raining heavily for the last day or more, i.e., if the Wainihinihi Creek is likely to be in flood.

5.1B Option to Queenstown via Crown Range 2026-01-25
Since the Crown Range Road was sealed a few years ago, traffic on it has increased steadily - to the poiint that now it is busier than Highway 6 (between Wanaka and Cromwell). Also - there are several good cycle trails over to Cromwell now. And the Kawerau Gorge Trail is due to be completed mid-2026. So there are a lot of benefits to shifting away from the Crown Range. But if you reach this point in early 2026 (before the Kawerau Gorge trail is open) then the Cromwell route will force you to also ride the Nevis Valley - which is a bit intimidating (big climb and isolated)... so you might prefer to brave the trffic on Crown Range Road. We recommend you start at dawn to hopefully avoid the worst of the morning rush hour. Update 25 Jan 2026: road works between Frankton and Queenstown have forced us to further change this bypass from Arrowtown to now go via Arhturs Point.

5.2 Nevis Valley (Cromwell to near Lumsden)
Before the Kawerau Gorge Trail is completed (mid-2026) the best way south from Cromwell is over the Nevis Valley. It's a big climb and you'll miss out on Queenstown - but it's way better than Highway 6 between Cromwell and Queenstown (which is narrow, with zero shoulder and very high traffic including lots of heavy trucks - don't do it!).