Overview
Explore the wild heart of the West Coast on a fully guided cycling tour along the 140km West Coast Wilderness Trail. Ride at a relaxed pace through ancient rainforest, along lake shores, and beside glacier-fed rivers, all while learning the rich stories of the coast’s gold mining past. With expert guides and vehicle support, it’s a perfect way to experience the region in comfort.
From soaking in the views at Hokitika Gorge to dining on regional cuisine and staying in character-filled lodges, this tour blends nature, history, and local hospitality. With a ride on the iconic TranzAlpine train included, it’s an unforgettable West Coast experience for adventurous souls who appreciate a little luxury.
Trip Highlights
- Enjoy the spectacular TranzAlpine train journey across the Southern Alps from Christchurch to Greymouth - now included in your trip cost
- Ride the full West Coast Wilderness Trail
- Explore wild coast, lakes and rainforest –backed by the mighty Southern Alps
- Savour a unique dining experience with a West Coast flavour
- Encounter unique, beautiful birdlife
- See Punakaiki’s incredible pancake rocks
- Stay at Kumara’s historic Theatre Royal Hotel
- Explore the Hokitika Gorge, Pororari River & Truman Tracks – three West Coast must-do’s
Details
Difficulty: 2
Departure Dates
| Month | Year | Day |
| October | 2025 | 19 |
| November | 2025 | 9 (H) |
| December | 2025 | 1, 8, 27 |
| January | 2026 | 4 |
| February | 2026 | 1(H), 15(H) |
| March | 2026 | 1(H), 15(H), 29(H) |
| April | 2026 | 12, 28 |
| May | 2026 | 11 |
| June (Winter) | 2026 | 1 (W) |
(H): NZ$200 High Season Surcharge Applies
(W) Winter departures include e-bike hire and Treetop Walk experience.
(L) Limited availability; (C) Tour closed/cancelled; (G) Guaranteed departure; (E) E-Bike Tour
Start: Christchurch (early morning)
Finish: Christchurch (late afternoon/early evening)
Includes:
- TranzAlpine train travel from Christchurch to Greymouth (only for bookings made 27 May 2025 onwards)
- Tasty cafe breakfasts (x4), gourmet picnic or cafe lunches (x4), two course restaurant dinners (x3) catered to all dietary requirements
- 4 nights comfortable motel/lodge ensuite accommodation on twin share basis
- Experienced guides who handle all the hard bits and share epic stories (2 guides on groups of 8 or more)
- Tasty nutritious snacks, drinks and treats plus our famous morning and afternoon teas
- Full vehicle support along the trail including trailer for luggage
- Transport from Christchurch (return)
- Pre departure information kit to help you plan and prepare
- Rider fees paid to West Coast Wilderness Trust and concession fees paid to the Department of Conservation
Not Included
- Bike hire (including helmet)
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
- All beverages, other than breakfast
- Optional activities (eg.Tree Top Walkway $39, Monteith's Brewery tour in Greymouth, TranzAlpine Scenic Plus Upgrade $249)
- International or domestic flights and taxes
- Water bottle (help us save the environment and bring your own bike drink bottle)
- Personal expenses (eg. phone calls, internet, laundry, shopping etc)
- Travel insurance
- Visa (if required)
Pricing:
Cost per person
Oct 2025 - Jun 2026
- Trip Price: from NZ$2,995
- High Season: from NZ$3,195
Extras
- Single Supplement: NZ$595 (2 per departure only)
- Bike Hire: NZ$150
- E-Bike Hire: NZ$500-$750
- TranzAlpine ScenicPlus Upgrade: NZ$499
Rates are correct at the time of publishing but are subject to change without prior notice.
Currency ConverterOverview
Explore the wild heart of the West Coast on a fully guided cycling tour along the 140km West Coast Wilderness Trail. Ride at a relaxed pace through ancient rainforest, along lake shores, and beside glacier-fed rivers, all while learning the rich stories of the coast’s gold mining past. With expert guides and vehicle support, it’s a perfect way to experience the region in comfort.
From soaking in the views at Hokitika Gorge to dining on regional cuisine and staying in character-filled lodges, this tour blends nature, history, and local hospitality. With a ride on the iconic TranzAlpine train included, it’s an unforgettable West Coast experience for adventurous souls who appreciate a little luxury.
Trip Highlights
- Enjoy the spectacular TranzAlpine train journey across the Southern Alps from Christchurch to Greymouth - now included in your trip cost
- Ride the full West Coast Wilderness Trail
- Explore wild coast, lakes and rainforest –backed by the mighty Southern Alps
- Savour a unique dining experience with a West Coast flavour
- Encounter unique, beautiful birdlife
- See Punakaiki’s incredible pancake rocks
- Stay at Kumara’s historic Theatre Royal Hotel
- Explore the Hokitika Gorge, Pororari River & Truman Tracks – three West Coast must-do’s
Itinerary
Open AllWe will meet in central Christchurch at Cathedral Junction at 7:15am. Your guide will drive to the Christchurch train station in time for the TranzAlpine Train (included for bookings from 27 May 2025, with an optional upgrade available to first-class level comforts of "ScenicPlus"). Rated as one of the top train rides in the world, this is an unforgettable journey across the Southern Alps arriving at Greymouth around 1pm. Lunch is own care today which can be taken at the scenic cafe on the train. On the west side of the Southern Alps, we regroup at Greymouth and drive 1 hour to the Tree Tops Cafe, backed by ranges cloaked in native bush. After a bike set up and starting photo, we’ll saddle up for our first ride along the trail. We cruise through to Hokitika, a loveable little town fronted by a dramatic beach and famous for pounamu (greenstone) and other arts & crafts - and sunsets. Two nights here won’t feel like enough. In the evening, we are hosted by local couple, Rob and Col for a paddock to plate home cooked dining experience in their architecturally designed eco home.
Cycling distance: 18.4km
Accommodation: Beachfront Hotel, Hokitika
Our ride today takes us inland through rural country to reach the bush-lined Kaniere water race – always a favourite for its flowing riding and babbling waters. Nestled in the forested foothills, Lake Kaniere is a grand sight indeed. We’ll follow it shores to reach the small township of Kokatahi where we’ll stop for a picnic lunch. Hokitika Gorge is up next. A short walkway offers a chance to see its granite boulders and swirling, surreal turquoise waters from many angles. From there, we’ll drive back to Hokitika where there’ll be time to explore the town some more and hopefully enjoy another West Coast sunset. Enjoy dinner of your choice in one of the town’s many restaurants and pubs.
Cycling distance: 47km
Accommodation: Beachfront Hotel, Hokitika
Today we drive to the Treetop Walkway where you have the option to see Lake Mahinapua’s rainforest and wetlands from on high. Next up, we return to Lake Kaniere where we get back on our bikes and continue our ride through the amazing bush trails of this cycleway. Our first section on a rural road takes us to Milltown, home of saw-milling in earlier times. From there, the trail crosses a swing bridge and then a kilometre of switchback climbing takes us to the highpoint and more superb riding. From here it's mainly downhill, as we follow water races, bush tracks and reservoir roads taking in the spectacular views as we gradually descend to our overnight at Kumara and the beautiful historic hotel that is our accommodation.
Cycle Distance: Lake Kaniere to Kumara - 49kms
Accommodation: Theatre Royal Hotel, Kumara
Our final day on the Wilderness Trail see us riding north to Greymouth on a combination of riverside and coastal pathways. The old road and rail bridge is just one highlight as we head towards the town centre. After a café lunch, there’s time for a stroll around the town or an optional visit to the historic Monteith's Brewery. In the afternoon we drive the stunning coastal highway to explore Paparoa National Park. First, we’ll explore the Pororari River with its dramatic limestone gorge, then take the Truman Track through striking sub-tropical forest to reach a rugged beach. Our final walk is the leisurely stroll around Punakaiki’s Dolomite Point, famous for its Pancake Rocks and thundering blow holes. We’ll stay overnight in Punakaiki, a fitting finale for our final group dinner and reflection on our West Coast adventure.
Cycling distance: 28km
Accommodation: Scenic Punakaiki Hotel
Leaving the West Coast behind us, we’ll begin our journey back towards Christchurch. Before we cross the alps, we’ll get dropped off for one last ride along quiet roads to reach Moana on the shores of Lake Brunner. With luck there’ll be time for a refreshing dip before lunch! After Lunch we'll drive back via Arthur's Pass to arrive in Christchurch in the early evening.
Cycling distance: 25km
Cost per person
Oct 2025 - Jun 2026
- Trip Price: from NZ$2,995
- High Season: from NZ$3,195
Extras
- Single Supplement: NZ$595 (2 per departure only)
- Bike Hire: NZ$150
- E-Bike Hire: NZ$500-$750
- TranzAlpine ScenicPlus Upgrade: NZ$499
Rates are correct at the time of publishing but are subject to change without prior notice.
Itinerary
Open AllWe will meet in central Christchurch at Cathedral Junction at 7:15am. Your guide will drive to the Christchurch train station in time for the TranzAlpine Train (included for bookings from 27 May 2025, with an optional upgrade available to first-class level comforts of "ScenicPlus"). Rated as one of the top train rides in the world, this is an unforgettable journey across the Southern Alps arriving at Greymouth around 1pm. Lunch is own care today which can be taken at the scenic cafe on the train. On the west side of the Southern Alps, we regroup at Greymouth and drive 1 hour to the Tree Tops Cafe, backed by ranges cloaked in native bush. After a bike set up and starting photo, we’ll saddle up for our first ride along the trail. We cruise through to Hokitika, a loveable little town fronted by a dramatic beach and famous for pounamu (greenstone) and other arts & crafts - and sunsets. Two nights here won’t feel like enough. In the evening, we are hosted by local couple, Rob and Col for a paddock to plate home cooked dining experience in their architecturally designed eco home.
Cycling distance: 18.4km
Accommodation: Beachfront Hotel, Hokitika
Our ride today takes us inland through rural country to reach the bush-lined Kaniere water race – always a favourite for its flowing riding and babbling waters. Nestled in the forested foothills, Lake Kaniere is a grand sight indeed. We’ll follow it shores to reach the small township of Kokatahi where we’ll stop for a picnic lunch. Hokitika Gorge is up next. A short walkway offers a chance to see its granite boulders and swirling, surreal turquoise waters from many angles. From there, we’ll drive back to Hokitika where there’ll be time to explore the town some more and hopefully enjoy another West Coast sunset. Enjoy dinner of your choice in one of the town’s many restaurants and pubs.
Cycling distance: 47km
Accommodation: Beachfront Hotel, Hokitika
Today we drive to the Treetop Walkway where you have the option to see Lake Mahinapua’s rainforest and wetlands from on high. Next up, we return to Lake Kaniere where we get back on our bikes and continue our ride through the amazing bush trails of this cycleway. Our first section on a rural road takes us to Milltown, home of saw-milling in earlier times. From there, the trail crosses a swing bridge and then a kilometre of switchback climbing takes us to the highpoint and more superb riding. From here it's mainly downhill, as we follow water races, bush tracks and reservoir roads taking in the spectacular views as we gradually descend to our overnight at Kumara and the beautiful historic hotel that is our accommodation.
Cycle Distance: Lake Kaniere to Kumara - 49kms
Accommodation: Theatre Royal Hotel, Kumara
Our final day on the Wilderness Trail see us riding north to Greymouth on a combination of riverside and coastal pathways. The old road and rail bridge is just one highlight as we head towards the town centre. After a café lunch, there’s time for a stroll around the town or an optional visit to the historic Monteith's Brewery. In the afternoon we drive the stunning coastal highway to explore Paparoa National Park. First, we’ll explore the Pororari River with its dramatic limestone gorge, then take the Truman Track through striking sub-tropical forest to reach a rugged beach. Our final walk is the leisurely stroll around Punakaiki’s Dolomite Point, famous for its Pancake Rocks and thundering blow holes. We’ll stay overnight in Punakaiki, a fitting finale for our final group dinner and reflection on our West Coast adventure.
Cycling distance: 28km
Accommodation: Scenic Punakaiki Hotel
Leaving the West Coast behind us, we’ll begin our journey back towards Christchurch. Before we cross the alps, we’ll get dropped off for one last ride along quiet roads to reach Moana on the shores of Lake Brunner. With luck there’ll be time for a refreshing dip before lunch! After Lunch we'll drive back via Arthur's Pass to arrive in Christchurch in the early evening.
Cycling distance: 25km
