Upper Buller Gorge Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

This photo is taken on The Old Ghost Road, an 85km single track mountain bike trail and walking path in the upper South Island of New Zealand.

more info here: tinyurl.com/y9m3nkmw
Video I made about riding the trail here: tinyurl.com/y7jnk9wl

The Old Ghost Road begins at Lyell - near the town of Murchison - and it ends on the West Coast at the small settlement of Seddonville. The Old Ghost Road traverses mountains, deep river gorges, dense forest and rough backcountry. It is remote, exposed, with alpine sections above the treeline. On a clear day, there are incredible views in every direction. The steep, jagged rocks and golden tussocky peaks are spectacular. #southisland #newzealand #oldghostroad #mountainbike #bikepacking #biketrail #forest #bush
This photo is taken on The Old Ghost Road, an 85km single track mountain bike trail and walking path in the upper South Island of New Zealand.

more info here: tinyurl.com/y9m3nkmw
Video I made about riding the trail here: tinyurl.com/y7jnk9wl

The Old Ghost Road begins at Lyell - near the town of Murchison - and it ends on the West Coast at the small settlement of Seddonville. The Old Ghost Road traverses mountains, deep river gorges, dense forest and rough backcountry. It is remote, exposed, with alpine sections above the treeline. On a clear day, there are incredible views in every direction. The steep, jagged rocks and golden tussocky peaks are spectacular. #southisland #newzealand #oldghostroad #mountainbike #bikepacking #biketrail #forest #bush
I rode a solo four-day (most do in three) 87km remote mountain bike off-road trail in the South Island called The Old Ghost Road (one of the The New Zealand Cycle Trail great rides). 

More info here:  https://tinyurl.com/y9m3nkmw
Video I made here: https://tinyurl.com/y7jnk9wl

My mountain biking skills are at best average and parts of this trail are ‘grade 5’ which is the hardest and supposed to be for experts only, something which I am definitely not. One mistake and you can end up at the bottom of a cliff, or alternately collapsed after the exertion of grinding up a long and steep mountain. I did meet a few other bikers up there who had had gnarly crashes, including one guy with a badly broken nose. But I survived unscathed and had an incredible trip, beautiful wild mountain and rugged remote countryside.

The Old Ghost Road begins at Lyell - near the town of Murchison - and it ends on the West Coast at the small settlement of Seddonville. The Old Ghost Road traverses mountains, deep river gorges, dense forest and rough backcountry. It is remote, exposed, with alpine sections above the treeline. On a clear day, there are incredible views in every direction. The steep, jagged rocks and golden tussocky peaks are spectacular. 

#southisland #newzealand #oldghostroad #mountainbike #bikepacking #biketrail #mountains #adventure
Off The Beaten Trail Accommodation & Bike Tours

Off The Beaten Trail Accommodation & Bike Tours

3 out of 5
30 Fairfax Street Murchison
The price is ฿2,933 per night from 24 Jan to 25 Jan
฿2,933
฿3,373 total
24 Jan - 25 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this lodge in Murchison. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and an airport shuttle (surcharge). Popular attractions Murchison Museum and Boer War Memorial ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (184 reviews)
Lovely garden setting, clean and comfortable room, convenient to the cafes and pub in Murchison. Perfect stopover for the trip from Nelson to Greymouth.

Reviewed on 4 Jan 2026

Off The Beaten Trail Accommodation & Bike Tours
Grand Suites Murchison

Grand Suites Murchison

5 out of 5
99 Waller St Murchison Tasman
The price is ฿3,294 per night from 22 Jan to 23 Jan
฿3,294
฿3,788 total
22 Jan - 23 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this motel in Murchison. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Boer War Memorial and Murchison Museum are located ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (97 reviews)
Fantastic staff, great room, comfortable beds!

Reviewed on 4 Jan 2026

Grand Suites Murchison
Westport Holiday Park And Motels

Westport Holiday Park And Motels

3 out of 5
31-37 Domett St Westport
The price is ฿1,851 per night from 26 Jan to 27 Jan
฿1,851
฿2,128 total
26 Jan - 27 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this family-friendly holiday park in Westport. Enjoy free parking, a garden and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Solid Energy Centre and Miner's ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (187 reviews)
Great stay

Reviewed on 7 Jan 2026

Westport Holiday Park And Motels
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Lantern Court Motel

Lantern Court Motel

3 out of 5
63 Broadway Street Reefton West Coast
Stay at this aparthotel in Reefton. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Reefton Racecourse and Blacks Point Museum ...
9/10 Wonderful! (89 reviews)
Amazingly delightful place resurrected with the gold price. Terrific little spot. Go there!

Reviewed on 10 Apr 2025

Lantern Court Motel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.