Overview
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.
Trip Highlights
- Challenge yourself on this scenic 7 day road cycle adventure at the top of NZ's South Island
- Experience one of the best coastal rides in the world which takes us to the amazing geology of Punakaiki and its Pancake Rocks
- Relax tired muscles in the hot pools of Hanmer Springs
- Cycle over the Southern Alps via the picturesque Rahu Saddle
- Travel through beautiful rain forest clad mountains and along scenic river valleys
- Discover the beauty of Queen Charlotte Drive as we cycle alongside the Marlborough Sounds
- Swim with the dolphins or join a whale watch tour, if operating, in Kaikoura (optional)
Tour Grading: Intermediate
You need to be a competent road rider with stamina and a good level of fitness. You should be able to cycle comfortably for up to 6-8 hours or around 100km/60miles per day, day after day, with some extended uphill ascents. There are some long days and some steep sections. You should be confident riding on main roads alongside traffic which can be travelling at speed. This tour is not for beginners. The tour is fully supported and if at any stage you feel like having a rest from cycling you will be able to ride in the support vehicle.
"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.
Details
Difficulty: 4
Christchurch - Hanmer Springs - Lake Brunner - Punakaiki - St Arnaud - Nelson - Kaikoura - Christchurch
Departure Dates
| Month | Year | Day |
| December | 2024 | 14 |
| January | 2025 | 21 |
| February | 2025 | 25 |
(C) Tour closed
(L) Limited Availability
* NZ$50 Public Holiday Surcharge
Start: Christchurch (early morning)
Finish: Christchurch (approx 6pm)
Includes:
- Tasty cafe breakfasts (x6), gourmet picnic or cafe lunches (x7), two course restaurant dinners (x3) catered to all dietary requirements
- 6 nights comfortable hotel/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)
- Full vehicle support along the trail including trailer for luggage
- Tasty nutritious snacks, drinks and treats plus our famous morning and afternoon teas
- Transport from Christchurch (return)
- Pre departure information kit to help you plan and prepare
- Access and concession fees paid to the Department of Conservation
What's not included
- Bike hire (including helmet)
- International or domestic flights and taxes
- Arrival and departure transfers
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
- All beverages, other then breakfast
- Water bottle (help us save the environment and bring your own bike drink bottle)
- Optional activities (eg. Whale watching at Kaikoura, Hanmer Springs thermal pools)
- Personal expenses (eg. phone calls, internet, laundry, shopping etc)
- Travel insurance
- Visa (if required)
Pricing:
Cost per person
November 2024 - April 205
- Twin: NZ$3,395
Extra:
- Road Bike Rental: NZ$350
- e-Bike Rental: NZ$600
- Public Holiday Surcharge: NZ$50
- Single supplement: NZ$895
Rates are correct at the time of publishing but are subject to change without prior notice. Minimum of 4 guests to guarantee a departure.
Currency ConverterOverview
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.
Trip Highlights
- Challenge yourself on this scenic 7 day road cycle adventure at the top of NZ's South Island
- Experience one of the best coastal rides in the world which takes us to the amazing geology of Punakaiki and its Pancake Rocks
- Relax tired muscles in the hot pools of Hanmer Springs
- Cycle over the Southern Alps via the picturesque Rahu Saddle
- Travel through beautiful rain forest clad mountains and along scenic river valleys
- Discover the beauty of Queen Charlotte Drive as we cycle alongside the Marlborough Sounds
- Swim with the dolphins or join a whale watch tour, if operating, in Kaikoura (optional)
Tour Grading: Intermediate
You need to be a competent road rider with stamina and a good level of fitness. You should be able to cycle comfortably for up to 6-8 hours or around 100km/60miles per day, day after day, with some extended uphill ascents. There are some long days and some steep sections. You should be confident riding on main roads alongside traffic which can be travelling at speed. This tour is not for beginners. The tour is fully supported and if at any stage you feel like having a rest from cycling you will be able to ride in the support vehicle.
"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.
Cyclists ride through Lower Awatere Valley with the Kaikoura Seaward...
Hawks Crag, Lower Buller Gorge, New Zealand
Port Hills, Christchurch, New Zealand
Punakaiki Coast, West Coast, New Zealand
Lookout Point on the West Coast, New Zealand
Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools, New Zealand
The Old Post Office, Hanmer Springs, New Zealand
Punakaiki, Pancake Rocks, New Zealand
St Arnaud, Nelson Lakes National Park, New Zealand
Itinerary
Open AllAfter a pick up from a central city location and a bike fitting at our depot in Christchurch we drive out of the city and start to cycle. The Canterbury Plains are vast and with Hanmer Springs being our objective it's a matter of turning the pedals and watching the road slip by.
By late afternoon we arrive at the thermal resort with a chance to soak in the hot pools before dinner.
Meals: L
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 Region.
The afternoon sees us finish our ride at a country pub called "Formerly the Blackball Hilton." There is a story to be told over your drinks before we drive to Moana, nestled between the spectacular Southern Alps and tranquil Lake Brunner.
Meals: B,L,D
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 the 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.
Meals: B,L
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 doing 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 programme means that the native birdlife is flourishing.
Meals: B,L,D
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. We continue 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.
Meals: B,L
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 whale watching in New Zealand.
Meals: B,L,D
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 (www.whalewatch.co.nz). Swimming with or watching dolphins is also highly recommended (www.dolphinencounter.co.nz). Due to the popularity, however, it is essential to make a booking well in advance.
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 drop you in the downtown area around 6pm.
Meals: B,L
Cost per person
November 2024 - April 205
- Twin: NZ$3,395
Extra:
- Road Bike Rental: NZ$350
- e-Bike Rental: NZ$600
- Public Holiday Surcharge: NZ$50
- Single supplement: NZ$895
Rates are correct at the time of publishing but are subject to change without prior notice. Minimum of 4 guests to guarantee a departure.
Itinerary
Open AllAfter a pick up from a central city location and a bike fitting at our depot in Christchurch we drive out of the city and start to cycle. The Canterbury Plains are vast and with Hanmer Springs being our objective it's a matter of turning the pedals and watching the road slip by.
By late afternoon we arrive at the thermal resort with a chance to soak in the hot pools before dinner.
Meals: L
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 Region.
The afternoon sees us finish our ride at a country pub called "Formerly the Blackball Hilton." There is a story to be told over your drinks before we drive to Moana, nestled between the spectacular Southern Alps and tranquil Lake Brunner.
Meals: B,L,D
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 the 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.
Meals: B,L
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 doing 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 programme means that the native birdlife is flourishing.
Meals: B,L,D
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. We continue 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.
Meals: B,L
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 whale watching in New Zealand.
Meals: B,L,D
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 (www.whalewatch.co.nz). Swimming with or watching dolphins is also highly recommended (www.dolphinencounter.co.nz). Due to the popularity, however, it is essential to make a booking well in advance.
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 drop you in the downtown area around 6pm.
Meals: B,L
