Cheap Seats Marathon

The Cheap Seats marathon loops Albert Town, Hāwea, and Luggate in just over a marathon distance. A classic tour of the Upper Clutha/Hāwea area.

Start at the Albert Town campsite and Hāwea swing bridge, this 45km loop links up the following segments:

• Hāwea river track: ~14 km: A lovely track along the river from Albert Town campsite to Lake Hāwea, this section is easy with only small undulations. Just after crossing Camp Hill road, you can see people surfing “The Wave,” a human-made surfing wave in the Hāwea river. Once you get to Lake Hāwea, turn right to get on the Gladstone Track.   
• Gladstone track: ~7 km: This track follows the Lake Hāwea foreshore from the dam across to Johns Creek beach. Undulating with some steep but short hills, and also passing some lovely beaches! From John’s Creek beach, head briefly up Timaru Creek Road before veering left onto the Hāwea back road. There’s a tiny Liliput library at this intersection.
• Hāwea back road: ~8 km: A lovely dirt/gravel back road taking the scenic route from Lake Hāwea to Hāwea Flat. Usually not too much traffic on this road besides locals/farmers. A few fords can form on this road in the winter or after significant precipitation. This stretch can also be quite exposed to sun in summertime! At the end of Hāwea back road you will intersect with Kane road – veer left onto Kane Road.
• Kane road: ~8 km: Linking Hāwea Flat to Luggate, take caution as this is a section where you’re on the side of a 100 km/h highway. Towards the end there’s a crossing of the red bridge which unfortunately doesn’t have a footpath, so you must get on this one-lane bridge and cross like a car! Just after the bridge, look after the Newcastle trailhead on the right.
• Newcastle track: ~12 km: Following the true left of the Upper Clutha river, this track links Luggate back to Albert Town. A lovely undulating single track, parts can get a bit frosty/muddy in winter, and can be very sun exposed in summer.
  Finally, run back over the Hāwea swing bridge to the Albert Town campsite to finish your run.

This route is also possible by mountain bike! Be aware of bikes on all DOC tracks described here, as they are all mixed-use. The route should be suitable to do all year except for after extreme weather.