New Zealand

Marlborough and West Coast Cycle

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7 Day/6 Night Cycling Tour Christchurch to Christchurch

Detailed Itinerary

Highlights: A 7 Day scenic New Zealand Cycling Tour through bush clad lakes and tracks, wild coastal rides and a small sampling of the best New Zealand Wines. Great wines, coastal roads, native forests and spectacular mountain lakes. From whale watching to hot pools, this is seven days not to be missed.

This trip travels from coast to coast via the beech forest slopes of Lewis Pass, before dropping down to Punakaiki and one of the best coastal rides in the world. This tour also includes night at St Arnaud in the Nelson Lakes National Park. 

"The trip was a great experience. Our Guides did a mighty job of looking after us, one of the many highlights was the picnic breakfast which they arranged - magic! The country we passed through was magnificent and we had perfect weather throughout" - Jack Shaw, Heideberg, Australia.

Note - this tour follows our "cycle the best & drive the rest policy" - it is not possible to cycle the whole route. Distances as mentioned below are guidelines, these tours have an element of flexibility and actual distances on the day will depend on the weather, other activities and group/individual fitness. On all our tours strong riders will get as much cycling as they want and slower riders always have the option of a ride in the support vehicle.

Itinerary

Day 1  Christchurch to Hanmer Springs                             

45-99km riding distance

After a pick-up from your Christchurch accommodation we start with our first cycle on the volcanic Port Hills above Christchurch. From a set up on the summit road, we cycle towards Sumner nestled on the coast. This ride provides spectacular views north to the Kaikoura ranges, and South to the Southern Alps.

After a picnic lunch we drive and cycle the plains of Canterbury into the foothills. Edging onto the bushclad Lewis Pass and its mountain ranges is the thermal resort of Hanmer springs. At the end of this first day the hot pools are a welcome interlude. (L)

Day 2  Hanmer Springs to Moana                             

54-91km Riding distance

This morning the beautiful beech forests of the Lewis Pass beckon. By cycle and coach we gradually climb over the picturesque Lewis and Rahu Saddles, after each climb is a downhill rush with long sweeping corners. On beautifully sealed roads with lush temperate rainforest lining the roadside we ride until we reach the rugged beauty of the West Coast. We then head north for a breathtaking flat ride through the stunning scenery of Lake Poerua, Rotomanu and Moana, which are nestled between the spectacular Southern Alps and tranquil Lake Brunner. (B, L, D) 

Day 3   Moana to Punakaiki                    59-102km Riding distance

Heading out of Moana, we follow an undulating and winding course through the picturesque Arnold Valley to Stillwater. A flat ride beside the banks of the Grey River takes us out to coastal township of Greymouth. One of the trips many highlights is the coastal riding as we head along the coast to the famous Pancake Rocks at Punakaiki, the riding is pure quality - with enough hills to keep you honest. (B, L) 

Day 4         Punakaiki to St Arnaud                 46-72km Riding distance

We cycle the sealed roads through the impressive Buller Gorge where the upper gorge landscape provides us with snapshot vistas of the Buller River whose white water attracts many a rafting and kayak enthusiast. There are plenty of photo opportunities on this scenic and gently undulating ride, before we board our coach for a final ride into St Arnaud, nestled in the heartland of the Nelson Lakes National Park.

We recommend that you take one of the many short walks around nearby Lake Rotoiti, this area is known as a "mainland island" and the results of the pest eradication program means that the native birdlife is flourishing.(B, L, D) 

Day 5         St Arnaud to Nelson                 44-97km Riding distance

Early risers are encouraged to take a walk into the nearby native forest at sunrise to hear the native birds & their "dawn chorus". From behind St Arnaud we cycle the sealed forestry roads on a long mainly downhill ride towards the coast. The cycle then travels along a quiet road beside the beautiful Motueka river and through an area known for growing hops.

We enter the township of Motueka and transfer by coach to nearby Nelson where we have time to explore the arts and craft capital of New Zealand. (B,L) 

Day 6         Nelson to Kaikoura                   30-68km Riding distance

By coach we motor over the steep outlying hills to arrive at the start of the beautiful Queen Charlotte Drive, which skirts the Marlborough Sounds into Picton. From here it is a short hop over the hill to Blenheim, NZ's premier wine producing region.

After a great lunch at one of the countries leading wineries, we head south down the dramatic East Coast to reach Kaikoura, home of NZ 's Whale Watch icon. (B, L, D) 

Day 7         Kaikoura to Christchurch           49-109km Riding distance

For the early risers, an optional chance to view one of the great natural sights as whales surface against the spectacular mountain backdrop of the seaward Kaikoura Mountains. Following a late breakfast we head further south cycling some of the great back roads and enjoying the scenery as we eventually return to Christchurch and deliver you to your Christchurch accommodation for the night. (B, L) 

(B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)

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