New Zealand

Southern Coasts Cycle

8 Day/7 Night Bicycle Touring Queenstown to Dunedin (or Christchurch)

Detailed Itinerary

Highlights: Starting out of Queenstown, and dipping southwards on the very quiet roads that edge onto Fiordland National Park, we stay on a local farm before looping along the windswept southern coast.  We leave the rolling plains of Southland to spend two nights on the remote and magical Stewart Island with its beautiful bays and rare birdlife. 

The 8 day itinerary on this New Zealand Cycle Tour covers new terrain as we tour the Catlins Coast, rich in its history and wildlife. We picnic on the beach at beautiful Curio Bay, home to an ancient petrified forest, fur seals, rare Hectors Dolphins & Yellow-Eyed Penguins before turning north towards our final night in Dunedin, with its rich Scottish history.

For those keen to explore this region more, we offer an optional extra one day cycling tour on the Otago Peninsula, including lunch at Larnach Castle and a visit to an Albatross & Penguin colony.

"The biking was fabulous as was the diversity of activities.  We felt very cared for and supported by our guides who provided many choices, lots of humour & knowledge.  A great trip!" - Douglas & Colleen Gant, USA, Southern Cross Customer Tour, Feb 2008. 
 
  

Note - apart from leaving & entering the main centers it is possible for strong riders to cycle the whole route on this tour. Less experienced riders can also be accommodated by using the support vehicle to leapfrog ahead or catch up with the group. On all our tours strong riders will get as much cycling as they want & slower riders always have the option of a ride in the support vehicle.
Pre Tour Night - Queenstown

Your guides will contact you at your local hotel late afternoon to arrange to visit you, for a fitting of your rental bike. They will also arrange pick-up times for the next morning.

Clients You Tube Clip of Southern Cross Trip

Itinerary

Day 1          Queenstown to Te Anau 

176km Riding distance

Shorter Option - Queenstown to Five Rivers - 99km

An early morning start gets us on the road down the side of Lake Wakatipu and the rolling rural roads of upper Southland. The native red tussock covered hills lead us into the township of Te Anau, perched on the edge of the Fiordland National Park.

Stronger riders can be challenged by the possibility of a century ride today, for the rest the sag wagon is always available, or for the train enthusiast there is an opportunity to travel on the Kingston Flyer steam train alongside part of our route. (B)

Day 2          Te Anau to Otautau 

106km Riding distance

The morning's ride takes us alongside Lakes Te Anau & Manapouri before we head south through an ever-changing landscape. The stark arid mountains give way to more gentle pastures as we enter the productive Southland farm country.

At Otautau we are met by our "Kiwi" farmer hosts who will take you back to their homes to enjoy some farm hospitality. A farm tour is included as part of your experience. (B, L, D)

Day 3          Otautau to Invercargill 

110km Riding distance

Shorter Option - Otautau to Riverton 65km
After saying goodbye to your new Kiwi friends the road heads further south through rural farmland and beech-forests. Small communities dot the landscape and the coastal riding becomes spectacular. This coast is exposed to southerly blasts creating some surreal windswept scenery.

Gradually we quit the farmlands and approach Invercargill, NZ's southern most city. At Bluff we board our ferry for the short voyage across Feauvoux Straight to Stewart island (B,L,D)

Day 4     Stewart Island - Rest Day
Known as a wildlife sanctuary, Stewart Island & the Rakiura National Park provide plenty of opportunities for exploration. Options include hiking on Ulva Island bird sanctuary or sea-kayaking in magical Patterson Inlet. There are some lovely beaches & local bus & boat tours provide information on the history of this special place.

Fishing charters can take you to the great local fishing grounds and if all this is too much your hotel is a great place to relax. We do recommend you take the night Kiwi Spotting tour, a unique experience. (B)

Day 5   Invercargill to Curio Bay  

92km riding distance

The route today skirts the beautiful and undiscovered Catlins Forest Park and coastline. The roads are quiet and the scenery diverse as the coastline increasingly becomes spectacular.

The ride ends at beautiful Curio Bay where we enjoy a leisurely picnic by the sea, walks along the beach, a swim for the brave & a visit to a petrified forest on the sea-shore. This is a renowned wildlife area & you are likely to see the rare Hectors Dolphins, Fur Seals & Yellow Eyed Penguins. (B, L, D)

Day 6     Curio Bay to Owaka 

58km Riding distance

More scenic cycling along quiet roads today as we continue along the Catlins coast. The cycling is tough with some serious climbs but the rewarding views of the coastline make the effort well worth it. Another picnic by the sea gives us the chance for a final beach walk before we contine cycling on to Owaka.

Late afternoon we drive out to Surat Bay for yet another walk on a remote and beautiful beach to visit the resident Sea Lions. (B, L)

Day 7    Owaka to Dunedin                                             

97km Riding distance

This morning we ride out to Nugget Point to a magnificent view point before continuing on to Balclutha for lunch. In the afternoon you have the option to drive over a busy highway section to Milton, from here a serious climb will challenge you before you drop down to the coast for the final gentle ride along the beach into Dunedin. (B, D)

Day 8          Dunedin

Unfortunately all good things come to an end and it is time to say farewell. Your Best of the South tour ends today after breakfast. (B)

Optional Extra One Day Otago Peninsula Tour
Our guides are always keen for a ride & can easily be dissuaded from driving straight back to Christchurch. There is some lovely riding on a 71km loop around the spectacular Otago Peninsula and we invite you to extend your tour by one more day.

The ride would include some wonderful coastal views, lunch at Larnach Castle and a visit to the Albatross & Yellow Eyed Penguin colonies at Tairoa Heads. This option is available for a minimum of two clients. Price to be advised.

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

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