Great Taste Trail Explorer Self-Guided Cycle Tour

Your journey begins mid-morning at our new depot right on the trail, where you'll meet our team for a briefing covering the itinerary, your bike, and local trail highlights. After gearing up, cycle through Nelson's scenic trails to Pic’s Peanut Butter World — a tasty first stop for lunch. Continue south through the Waimea estuary, past vineyards, and finish your ride in Brightwater with a café stop before completing the final 8 km to Wakefield, where you’ll stay the first night.

After a leisurely breakfast in Wakefield, cycle along the historic early rail corridor, winding through farmland up to Belgrove. Your route includes the 1.35 km Spooners Tunnel—Southern Hemisphere's longest decommissioned tunnel, so bring a headlamp! Emerging on the other side, descend through native forest to Kohatu Café. The trail continues past hop farms and the Sculptured Gardens before a final ride into Tapawera for your overnight stay

Your longest day takes you across the Motueka River, then along quiet rural roads through the Wangapeka Valley and toward Kahurangi National Park. After gentle climbs and hop farms, you'll ride over a scenic 50 m suspension bridge into Woodstock. From there, cycle along West Bank Road and detour to lunch at River Haven. The route follows the Motueka River with its swimming spots, then leads through orchards and hop gardens before arriving at the charming Riwaka Hotel and nearby chalets

Begin with an 11 km coastal stretch into Motueka for breakfast, then loop around the port. The trail continues through the Lower Moutere Valley, lined with roadside orchards, with a café stop at Riverside Café & Gardens. After the valley climb with views over Tasman Bay, follow the coast into Māpua, where you’ll enjoy an afternoon exploring shops and eateries along the jetty

A short ride today includes the ferry crossing to Rabbit Island. Cycle through exotic forest before returning via a scenic bridge back to the mainland. Along the coast, you'll find options to visit wineries or glass-blowing studios. The final leg traverses Richmond, rejoins the cycle network through Monaco, and passes the Classic Car Museum before ending back at our Nelson depot