"Great Cycle Tours since 1992"

Daily Tour Notes

Note - This tour is mostly on sealed roads, but does include some unsealed surfaces. The roads we encounter are in good condition and our bikes are perfectly suited for both paved and unpaved roads.

Day 1
The Port Hills overlooking Christchurch provide us with our first great ride with spectacular views over the city, the Pacific ocean and into Lyttleton Harbour. Our first cycle takes us along the summit ridge before dropping down to a small boutique winery for lunch. After this early familiarisation and exercise we drive onto the vast Canterbury plains and cycle on a very quiet road into the foothills before meeting with our farmstay hosts for the night. (L, D)

Cycling distance: 50kms/30miles

Day 2
Early morning you are shown around the farm and after a hearty breakfast we drive via a beautiful wild flower fringed highway to nearby Lake Tekapo, known for its turquoise blue waters. Today’s ride is on a quiet road alongside the hydro-canal system, the vast MacKenzie Basin with its views of Mt Cook and the Southern Alps, provide an awesome backdrop. In the afternoon we go for an optional walk to the Mt. John lookout with its spectacular views of the lake & surrounding mountains or take a relaxing soak in the local hot springs (B, L)

Cycling distance:41- 66kms/25-41 miles
Note – today’s ride may be reversed to take advantage of the tail winds.

Day 3
This morning we drive to the alpine village of Mt Cook before hiking into the Hooker Valley. At the Hooker Glacier terminal lake, New Zealand’s highest mountain dominates with its steep glacial slopes regularly providing a spectacular sideshow. The prevailing wind should speed us along as the afternoon sees us cycling on the gradual downhill run from Mt Cook towards beautiful Lake Ohau and our lodge accommodation. (B, L, D)

 

 

Day 4
An optional early morning lakeside cycle takes us away from the mountains into the tussock-covered hill country. Our main ride for today starts with a sweeping downhill before detouring onto a quiet back road circuit around picturesque Lake Aviemore. The lake is part of the impressive Waitaki Hydro Electric scheme & we ride across the two dams at either end of the lake. The afternoon sees us driving via Lindis Pass, past high country sheep stations into the historic gold mining areas of New Zealand's past, with our journey ending in the bustling alpine village of Wanaka. (B, L)

 

Day 5
Our day starts with a 25km cycle on a smooth sealed road, towards the historic Cardrona Hotel for a relaxing coffee or tea. Strong riders can cycle to the summit of the Crown Range, at 1076 metres its is New Zealand’s highest alpine highway, while those who want an easier option can drive to the top, before enjoying the magnificent downhill into the Queenstown basin. Via the scenic trails we cycle and explore Arrowtown, an old gold-mining centre before continuing on to Queenstown. (B, L, D) 

Cycling distance: 45-78kms/28-49miles

Day 6
Today is a rest day from the bikes and a chance to explore Queenstown. Known as an adventure capital there are many options available for clients on this day, including bungy-jumping, jet-boating, rafting, flying and many more. There are also some nice hikes in the surrounding area, some great shopping or perhaps just a day to relax and enjoy the scenery (B)

 

From Queenstown we cycle to Kingston at the end of Lake Wakatipu, the road is surrounded by spectacular mountains as it hugs the shoreline. After lunch we drive to Lake Manapouri and for the rest of the day we walk through native beech forests alongside the Waiau River section of the Keppler Track. There is an option for a gentle late afternoon ride of 20kms into Te Anau and our lakeside accommodation

(B, L) 

Day 8
This morning we drive into the Fiordland National Park amid the beech forests and mountains, that the region is famous for. The beautiful Milford road tracks through the wilderness and we stop to enjoy some of the short walks on the way, before a wonderful cycle down to the Humboldt Falls at the end of the very quiet & scenic Hollyford road. We coach through the Milford Tunnel and then enjoy the sheer delight of a 16km cycle descent down into Milford Sound and our accommodation for the night on the SS Milford Mariner. This boat takes us out of the Sound to the open seas beyond before returning to a sheltered spot for the night. By 9am the next morning we have enjoyed optional kayaking or swimming before returning to shore and the start of another day. (B, L, D)

 

Day 9
By bus we travel back to the Divide, stopping en route to explore the famous Chasm walkway. From the Divide we walk to Key Summit with its spectacular views of the Hollyford Valley and Humboldt & Earl mountain ranges. The late afternoon sees us cycling down the majestic Eglington Valley as we slowly return to our overnight in Te Anau. (B, L, D)

 

Cycling distance: 24-89Kms/15-55miles

  
Day 10
Out of Te Anau we journey into the hidden Mavora Lakes site of the closing scenes from Lord of the Rings. We cycle on gravel roads by the lakeside and through the beech forest before continuing on to the isolated Von Valley for lunch. We farewell our supporting coach as we cycle on to the shores of Lake Wakatipu and down to Walter Peak station. Here we enjoy the hospitality of a farm show and farm-style afternoon tea before boarding the steam ship TSS Earnslaw to cruise across the waters to Queenstown. Its time to say a sad goodbye as we pick you up from the wharf and deliver you to your Queenstown accommodation. (B, L)

Cycling distance: 36-58kms/22-36miles

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