Surat Bay - Pounawea Loop (Catlins Cycle Route)

The trip to Pounawea and Surat Bay is a very popular destination for visitors to the Catlins. The ride is not too far and well worth the effort once you get there.

Distance - 16km Surat Bay loop / 9km Pounawea loop via Duttons Road

Surface Conditions – The road to Pounawea is sealed. The road New Haven and Duttons Road is loose gravel.

Gradient – There is a decline heading down to Pounawea however the rest of the trip, including along Duttons Road is flat. Elevation gain: 136m. 

Directions - From the Ōwaka public carpark travel along Main Road, towards Balclutha, and turn right on to Pounawea Road at the edge of town. Follow the sealed road for 4.5km down the hill and along the Ōwaka River to Pounawea.

Once you’ve had a look around you can head back up the Ōwaka River for 1.2km and turn right over the bridge down the no exit gravel road to New Haven / Surat Bay. Take a walk along the beach to Surat Bay or call into Manuka Reserve while you are there.

Retrace your steps back to the bridge but this time keep heading up the river, along Duttons Road, for 5.6km until you merge onto the main road for a further 1.2km back to Ōwaka.