Southern Way 1000 Film Release

TERRA: Bound follows the first known ride of the Southern Way 1000 - a newly mapped long-distance bikepacking route linking Otago and Southland’s Great Rides, Heartland Rides and backcountry gravel roads into one extraordinary lower South Island journey. The journey of up to 1,000km encompasses some of the most dramatic and varied landscapes of Te Wai Pounamou, the South Island.

The film was produced in association with Believer Media – Paddy Gower and Jon Bridges – and features well known media personality Paddy Gower as one of the riders.

More than 600km of the route travels along Ngā Haerenga – Great Rides of New Zealand, meaning much of the journey utilises high-quality, purpose-built cycle trails that are already loved by riders from around the world. The route incorporates highlights of the Queenstown Trails, most of the Around the Mountains Cycle Trail, and the entire Otago Central Rail Trail, Lake Dunstan Trail, Roxburgh Gorge Trail and Clutha Gold Trail. The final missing link which enables completion of this route is the Kawarau Gorge Trail set to open in September 2026.

For some riders, the appeal will be the full challenge: up to 1,000km ridden over one to two weeks. For others, the real draw is something more achievable - the chance to experience sections of the route as a long weekend, a short cycling holiday, or a series of future rides.

Riders can choose a favourite section, combine two or three trails into a multi-day itinerary, or use local cycle operators to build a supported holiday with bike hire, accommodation, bag transfers and transport included.

 This flexibility is what makes the Southern Way 1000 so compelling.

Film producer, Geoff Marks, said that premise for the film was simple, “we just wanted to inspire people to get out and ride bikes. Whether for a few hours or for multiple days”. 

 Yet, the film does more than document an epic bike ride.

“Another of our goals was to establish the Southern Way 1000 as a globally recognised long‑distance gravel biking route, in the way that iconic routes like The Tour Divide in the USA or Munda Biddi in Australia have become world‑renowned multi-day bikepacking experiences”, said Marks. “We hope that TERRA: Bound reaches audiences around the world and inspires them to visit New Zealand to ride their bikes”, he said.

TERRA: Bound will premiere at the NZ Mountain Film & Book Festival in Wānaka on Saturday 20 June 2026, before joining the festival’s online programme from 24 June to 31 July 2026 for viewers in New Zealand and Australia.

The film will then screen across Australia as part of The Big Bike Film Night from July to October.

Whether you are looking for your next bikepacking mission, a supported multi-day trail holiday, or simply a fresh excuse to ride a new part of the South, the Southern Way 1000 showcases a new way to explore Otago and Southland by bike.

World Premiere
NZ Mountain Film & Book Festival, Wānaka
Saturday 20 June 2026, 3:00pm (Session 3)
Online Festival
24 June – 31 July 2026
Available in New Zealand and Australia

Australia Tour
The Big Bike Film Night
July – October 2026
50+ screenings nationwide

Additional screenings at international film festivals are to be announced soon.