Overview
Pedal through the West Coast Wilderness Trail’s weather-worn landscapes from Hokitika over a period of 4 days on our West Coast Coast Wildness Gold Independent Cycle Trail tour in New Zealand, taking advantage of the region’s long summer days and enjoying its warm nights. This trip will let you stay longer in Hokitika to give you more time enjoy the beach, visit local attractions, and explore the community.
Learn more about the rich history of gold-mining towns, explore untamed coastlines, experience wild native bush, and soak up stunning views afforded by the Southern Alps along the way. On this smooth-running itinerary, set off from Ross to Greymouth and expect to encounter the fascinating native birdlife of New Zealand from a treetop walkway or enhance your journey with a Scenic Waterways experience after an upgrade.
We will make sure all the hard bits are taken care of, transporting your luggage and pairing you with the kind of accommodation best suited to your needs. See what we have in store for you with the itinerary below and embark on a summer cycling adventure that will be your most memorable.
Trips run from October to April.
E-bike Upgrade
Explore the West Coast Wilderness Trail on our E-bikes equipped with the most advanced technology allowing smooth electric motor operation so you’ll have power boost when needed. Enjoy the ride from a comfortable upright riding position.
Scenic Waterways Experience
Discover Lake Mahinapua’s remote wilderness location on a West Coast Scenic Waterways tour, a family-run operation that takes you on a boat cruise on the lake for a wonderful stay in a self-contained cottage where you take in grand views of the Southern Alps and enjoy on-site dining. On our West Coast Premium Package, experience the Scenic Waterways on the first night. You can also enjoy the same on any of our Standard or Superior trip package after an upgrade.
TranzAlpine Scenic Train Ride
Witness awe-inspiring scenery unfold in your journey between Christchurch and Greymouth as you traverse the mountainous backbone of New Zealand’s South Island. Sit back, relax and soak up the breathtaking and ever shifting landscapes along the way.
From Christchurch, the train leaves at 8.15AM and arrives at Greymouth at 1.05PM.
From Greymouth, the train leaves at 2.05PM and arrives at Christchurch at 6.31PM.
Details
Difficulty: 2
Daily departures October to May only.
Winter departures available for groups of 6 or more.
Start: Hokitika
Finish: Greymouth
Includes:
Standard Package:
- Standard bike hire for 4 days – including helmet and rear rack bag. Upgrades are available. (Own bike and gear is also an option)
- 3 nights accommodation at standard level
- Luggage transfers each day (Max 15KG per bag)
- 1 breakfast
- Entry to Treetop Walk
- Shuttle from Hokitika to Treetop Walk on Day 1
- Guided tour to Hokitika Gorge and loop walk by local tour guide expert
- Shuttle to Dorothy Falls on Day 2 and to Canoe Cove (Lake Kaniere) on Day 3
- Trip itinerary, directions and trail map info
Deluxe Package:
- Standard bike hire for 4 days – including helmet and rear rack bag. Upgrades are available. (Own bike and gear is also an option)
- 3 nights accommodation at superior level
- Luggage transfers each day (Max 15KG per bag)
- 3 breakfasts, 2 packed lunches and 1 dinner
- Entry to Treetop Walk
- Lake Mahinapua boat cruise
- Shuttle from Hokitika to Treetop Walk on Day 1
- Guided tour to Hokitika Gorge and loop walk by local tour guide expert
- Shuttle to Dorothy Falls on Day 2 and to Canoe Cove (Lake Kaniere) on Day 3
- Trip itinerary, directions and trail map info
Pricing:
COST PER PERSON (Twin Share)
October 2024 - May 2025
- Standard: from NZ$995
- Superior: from NZ$1,395
*Nov 2024, Feb-March 2025 (High season)
- Standard: from NZ$1995
- Superior: from NZ$1,495
Extras
- E-bike upgrade: NZ$224
Overview
Pedal through the West Coast Wilderness Trail’s weather-worn landscapes from Hokitika over a period of 4 days on our West Coast Coast Wildness Gold Independent Cycle Trail tour in New Zealand, taking advantage of the region’s long summer days and enjoying its warm nights. This trip will let you stay longer in Hokitika to give you more time enjoy the beach, visit local attractions, and explore the community.
Learn more about the rich history of gold-mining towns, explore untamed coastlines, experience wild native bush, and soak up stunning views afforded by the Southern Alps along the way. On this smooth-running itinerary, set off from Ross to Greymouth and expect to encounter the fascinating native birdlife of New Zealand from a treetop walkway or enhance your journey with a Scenic Waterways experience after an upgrade.
We will make sure all the hard bits are taken care of, transporting your luggage and pairing you with the kind of accommodation best suited to your needs. See what we have in store for you with the itinerary below and embark on a summer cycling adventure that will be your most memorable.
Trips run from October to April.
E-bike Upgrade
Explore the West Coast Wilderness Trail on our E-bikes equipped with the most advanced technology allowing smooth electric motor operation so you’ll have power boost when needed. Enjoy the ride from a comfortable upright riding position.
Scenic Waterways Experience
Discover Lake Mahinapua’s remote wilderness location on a West Coast Scenic Waterways tour, a family-run operation that takes you on a boat cruise on the lake for a wonderful stay in a self-contained cottage where you take in grand views of the Southern Alps and enjoy on-site dining. On our West Coast Premium Package, experience the Scenic Waterways on the first night. You can also enjoy the same on any of our Standard or Superior trip package after an upgrade.
TranzAlpine Scenic Train Ride
Witness awe-inspiring scenery unfold in your journey between Christchurch and Greymouth as you traverse the mountainous backbone of New Zealand’s South Island. Sit back, relax and soak up the breathtaking and ever shifting landscapes along the way.
From Christchurch, the train leaves at 8.15AM and arrives at Greymouth at 1.05PM.
From Greymouth, the train leaves at 2.05PM and arrives at Christchurch at 6.31PM.
Pohutakawa blooms
Pohutakawa in bloom, Hokitika
Scenic waterways cruise
TranzAlpine scenic train
Itinerary
Open AllYour trip starts from the town of Hokitika, considered the hub of the Wilderness Trail, and easy to fly to from Christchurch. From Hokitika we will drop your luggage off to your accommodation, and continue on to the historic gold mining village of Ross to start your first ride on the trail. If you have time, you may want to try your hand at some gold panning before you set off on your bike.
From Ross, you will cycle over the Totara River, and along the Ross Ruatapu Railway line, taking in incredible views of the mighty Mt Cook and Mt Tasman.
You will then cycle through wetlands and native bush before giving the bikes a rest at the Treetop Walkway. Here, you can experience the native forest, birdsong and views of Lake Mahinapua by foot from the heights of a tree canopy.
Accommodation tonight is at Scenic Waterways, which is approx. 3km before Hokitika. From your boutique accommodation you will have views of the Southern Alps and the native fauna of the Mahinapua waterway that meanders through the property.
After breakfast, our shuttle driver will pick you up and take you out to see the magnificent Hokitika Gorge, one of the West Coast's top scenic attractions, with it's stunning turquoise water. A bush walk over the swing bridges through the beautiful Podocarp forest, is a must. Afterwards you take the shuttle out to the beautiful rainforest around the glistening shoreline of the 195m deep Lake Kaniere, before unloading your bikes at Dorothy Falls.
From Dorothy Falls you will cycle back through Hans Bay, to the outlet at Lake Kaniere for the start of the single track Kaniere Waterways cycle trail.
Heading towards Hokitika, you will follow the Kaniere water race, which was built in 1875 to supply water for sluicing the Kaniere goldfields.
From here you will cycle through lush native forest and along the historic Kaniere Tram Road, taking in some breathtaking views of the Hokitika River before making your way into Hokitika.
Make sure you head down to Sunset Point to catch the last rays of light for the evening!
This morning our shuttle driver will take you on the short drive to Canoe Cove, on the edge of Lake Kaniere. From here you will continue on the cycle trail and gently ride the zigzags up through Milltown.
Today you will continue through pristine bushland and take in the stunning views of the creek below as you cycle across the Macpherson Swing Bridge.
The Southern Alps make a welcome appearance today so take the time to snap some photos. Enjoy a cup of billy tea and a chat with friendly West Coasters at Trappers Rest, a wilderness camp situated at the old Kawhaka Settlement, before cycling alongside the Kawhaka Canal.
Smooth sweeping boardwalk and bush trail take you along important historic links to the goldfields of Stafford and Goldsborough, and finally into Kumara.
Stay the night in accommodation that pays homage to the era of the height of the Kumara gold mining boom of the 1870’s, New Zealand’s last big gold rush of the 19th century.
Breakfast is provided this morning. The last ride of the trip rewards you with flawless views of the Taramakau River before making the journey to the Tasman Sea alongside coastal sand dunes and lagoons.
One last ride along the Grey River will take you into Greymouth, just in time for a celebratory lunch at Monteith’s Brewery in Greymouth (optional liquid Gold).
Finish in Greymouth.
The TranzAlpine Train is a great way to end your holiday on the West Coast. The train journey traverses the Southern Alps on the way from Greymouth to Christchurch. Contact the Cycle Journeys reservations team if you would like to include the train tickets in your booking.
COST PER PERSON (Twin Share)
October 2024 - May 2025
- Standard: from NZ$995
- Superior: from NZ$1,395
*Nov 2024, Feb-March 2025 (High season)
- Standard: from NZ$1995
- Superior: from NZ$1,495
Extras
- E-bike upgrade: NZ$224
Itinerary
Open AllYour trip starts from the town of Hokitika, considered the hub of the Wilderness Trail, and easy to fly to from Christchurch. From Hokitika we will drop your luggage off to your accommodation, and continue on to the historic gold mining village of Ross to start your first ride on the trail. If you have time, you may want to try your hand at some gold panning before you set off on your bike.
From Ross, you will cycle over the Totara River, and along the Ross Ruatapu Railway line, taking in incredible views of the mighty Mt Cook and Mt Tasman.
You will then cycle through wetlands and native bush before giving the bikes a rest at the Treetop Walkway. Here, you can experience the native forest, birdsong and views of Lake Mahinapua by foot from the heights of a tree canopy.
Accommodation tonight is at Scenic Waterways, which is approx. 3km before Hokitika. From your boutique accommodation you will have views of the Southern Alps and the native fauna of the Mahinapua waterway that meanders through the property.
After breakfast, our shuttle driver will pick you up and take you out to see the magnificent Hokitika Gorge, one of the West Coast's top scenic attractions, with it's stunning turquoise water. A bush walk over the swing bridges through the beautiful Podocarp forest, is a must. Afterwards you take the shuttle out to the beautiful rainforest around the glistening shoreline of the 195m deep Lake Kaniere, before unloading your bikes at Dorothy Falls.
From Dorothy Falls you will cycle back through Hans Bay, to the outlet at Lake Kaniere for the start of the single track Kaniere Waterways cycle trail.
Heading towards Hokitika, you will follow the Kaniere water race, which was built in 1875 to supply water for sluicing the Kaniere goldfields.
From here you will cycle through lush native forest and along the historic Kaniere Tram Road, taking in some breathtaking views of the Hokitika River before making your way into Hokitika.
Make sure you head down to Sunset Point to catch the last rays of light for the evening!
This morning our shuttle driver will take you on the short drive to Canoe Cove, on the edge of Lake Kaniere. From here you will continue on the cycle trail and gently ride the zigzags up through Milltown.
Today you will continue through pristine bushland and take in the stunning views of the creek below as you cycle across the Macpherson Swing Bridge.
The Southern Alps make a welcome appearance today so take the time to snap some photos. Enjoy a cup of billy tea and a chat with friendly West Coasters at Trappers Rest, a wilderness camp situated at the old Kawhaka Settlement, before cycling alongside the Kawhaka Canal.
Smooth sweeping boardwalk and bush trail take you along important historic links to the goldfields of Stafford and Goldsborough, and finally into Kumara.
Stay the night in accommodation that pays homage to the era of the height of the Kumara gold mining boom of the 1870’s, New Zealand’s last big gold rush of the 19th century.
Breakfast is provided this morning. The last ride of the trip rewards you with flawless views of the Taramakau River before making the journey to the Tasman Sea alongside coastal sand dunes and lagoons.
One last ride along the Grey River will take you into Greymouth, just in time for a celebratory lunch at Monteith’s Brewery in Greymouth (optional liquid Gold).
Finish in Greymouth.
The TranzAlpine Train is a great way to end your holiday on the West Coast. The train journey traverses the Southern Alps on the way from Greymouth to Christchurch. Contact the Cycle Journeys reservations team if you would like to include the train tickets in your booking.
