Travel programme to showcase Alps 2 Ocean trail to Australian audience – صحيفة الصوت

If the promotional trailer for an Australian travel show on Kiwi cycle trails is anything to go by, we could soon see an influx Aussie of cyclists taking on the South Island’s Alps 2 Ocean trail.

Described as “life-changingly beautiful” and “majestic” by Trail Towns hosts Paul van de Ploeg and Dieter Kahsnitz, the 300km Alps 2 Ocean cycle trail features in the second season of the travel series which goes to air in Australia on Saturday.

Trail Towns follows its hosts as they experience various cycleways, taking in attractions and towns along the way. The second series was filmed in New Zealand and aims to take viewers on an adventure to discover the country’s best trail towns.

This week’s episode, which will screen at 4pm on Saturday on SBS One in Australia, focusses on the Alps 2 Ocean trail as the hosts encounter glaciers, cycle through valleys, past lakes and through tunnels as they take in the Timaru, Mackenzie and Waitaki districts.

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Venture Timaru operations manager Di Hay said the show provided a great opportunity to showcase the district to an Australian audience.

“It was a great opportunity for Timaru to be involved with this episode, joining with our neighbours, as we’re the central point in the South Island, so an ideal base to kick off the Alps 2 Ocean ride,” Hay said.

The episode sees hosts visit a number of spots around Timaru, speaking to residents and trying out cycleways before heading off to start the Alps 2 Ocean ride, and visiting spots in the Mackenzie and Waitaki districts as they make their way to Ōamaru.

“The episode will help give potential visitors an idea of what they can do in Timaru, and hopefully why it’s a great place to visit,” she said.

Hay said the hosts also trialled trails around Timaru include the Jacks Point track, mountain bike tracks in Centennial Park and the newly developed Central South Trial.

“On the new Central South Trail, from Washdyke Timaru to Pleasant Point, they loved chatting to people along the way, and [said] that it was such a well-used and accessible ride for all ages and levels of fitness,” Hay said.

Hay said the hosts had a real tiki tour sampling eateries and attractions in the town including visiting the York St Gallery and Te Ana Māori Rock Art.

“They loved it and loved their visit. They were incredibly positive and raved about so much we have on offer.”

While recent winter conditions have left the popular Alps 2 Ocean trail in need of repairs, trail manager Robyn Hyde shared her top tips ahead of the episode screening.

“There’s a real opportunity to go early in the season, in September, October, November and then again in April and May.

“Going in those shoulder seasons are my real recommendation.”

Hyde also advised riders to allow enough time at the other end, something she had picked up on as being a regret of previous visitors.

“Don’t rush the finish and spend time in Ōamaru at the end.

“A lot of people get to Ōamaru and then wished they’d given themselves a day to spend there.”

Hyde said “a large section of the trail washed away” in the severe weather events of past fortnight, with the section of track from Sailors Cutting to Benmore Dam not reopening until September.

Hyde said the rest of the trail will definitely be closed this week and next, with the section between Aoraki/Mount Cook and Tekapo covered “knee-deep in snow” and other areas with minor damage.

“We don’t want people to do more damage,” she said.

However, there was little concern as Hyde said very few people used the trail during the winter.

“The peak season is through summer.”

There isn’t a way to watch the episode in New Zealand, but Hay said there were aspirations to sell the series to a TV channel.