Daily Tour Notes
With the South Island offering some of the best cycling in NZ, this 22 day itinerary provides a double crossing of the Southern Alps, some superb west coast cycling with a chance to explore Queenstown midway. From here the itinerary visits Milford sound and then loops southwards around the coast and finally ends in Dunedin and the spectacular Otago Peninsula.
Day 1 - Christchurch - Christchurch Port Hills Loop
At lunchtime we meet at our depot for a ‘working lunch’. Our Guides will facilitate the trip briefing and introductions. They will give you a full understanding of the itinerary, terrain and any operational issues we need to deal with. This is the time to fit your bikes before we turn some pedals on a warm-up ride in the spectacular Port Hills above the city, providing wonderful views of Lyttleton Harbour, the Pacific Ocean & Southern Alps.
(L, D)
Cycling distance - 42km/27 miles, Altitude gain 610m/2001ft
Day 2 - Christchurch to Hanmer
From our morning meeting Christchurch we drive out of town and set up the bikes. The Canterbury Plains are vast and with Hanmer 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 of Hanmer and a chance to soak in the
hot pools before dinner.
(B, L)
Cycling distance - 103kms/64 miles, Altitude gain 542m/177ft
Day 3 - Hanmer to Reefton
The road over Lewis Pass takes us up through the beech forests of the Southern Alps steadily gaining height in the Maruia valley. From the head there is a short grind to the summit of the Pass and the chance to look into Cannibal Gorge before a freewheel down to the second thermal resort of the tour at Maruia Springs with its Japanese bathhouse and outdoor pools. Continuing onwards we climb over Rahu Saddle for a final descent into the west coast mining town of Reefton.
(B, L, D)
Cycling distance - 141kms/87 miles, Altitude gain 1414m/4639ft
Suggested Shorter Option – Boyle River to Reefton – 86kms/54 miles
Day 4 - Reefton to Punakaiki
The ride from Reefton takes us out to the mighty Buller River and down to the junction with the State Highway 6 where we turn south to Punakaiki and the start of one of the best coastal rides in the world. The road hugs the eroded limestone cliffs which drop into the wild Tasman ocean. Our accommodation has the added delight of exploring the famous Pancake Rocks and the limestone wonderland of the area.
(B, L)
Cycling distance - 125kms/78 miles, Altitude gain 884m/2900ft
Suggested Shorter Option – Inangahua to Punakaiki – 90 kms/56 miles
Day 5 - Punakaiki to Hokitika
Southwards again the coastal ride today is again spectacular as the road hugs the coast with its many river mouths and bush slopes. Gradually the land opens up and the rural scenery intensifies as we reach Greymouth and the Grey River. From here the road continues southwards through the rural countryside before it finally reaches the craft center of Hokitika, home of the local jade known as Pounamu, or Greenstone.
(B, L, D)
Cycling distance - 84kms/52 miles, Altitude gain 333m/1092ft
Day 6 - Hokitika to Franz Josef Glacier
Further south, the glacier country beckons and the road soon changes from rural countryside to one fringed with the mighty podocarp rainforests. Along the way we break for coffee at Ross, one of the early gold-mining townships and then onwards through Hari Hari and Whataroa until finally we reach Franz Josef Glacier township for the night.
(B)
Cycling distance - 135kms/84 miles, Altitude gain 799m/26ft
Suggested Shorter Option – Ross to Whataroa – 81kms/50 miles
Day 7 - Franz Josef Glacier to Fox Glacier
This morning is a chance to relax but for those who feel the need for some upper body exercise there is an option to do some sea-kayaking into the rainforest at the nearby Okarito Lagoon & bird sanctuary. The distance to Fox Glacier is only a matter of 25 kms but that ride crosses three strenuous passes, each followed by an exciting and exhilarating downhill. The ride is worth the effort with the last downhill into Fox leading straight into one the village cafes or bars. In the evening we take a short tour to walk around nearby Lake Matheson with its famous sunset reflections of New Zealand’s highest mountains.
(B, L)
Cycling distance - 25kms/16 miles, Altitude gain 580m/190ft
Day 8 - Fox Glacier – Rest day
Time for a day off the saddle and Fox Glacier is a great place to enjoy this. Relax and catch up with your diary or postcards. Your guide will take you for a walk to the base of the Glacier, but you also have the option of going with the local Alpine Guiding company for a half or full day hike onto the glacier itself. Flight-seeing is very popular here either in fixed wing planes around the mountains or a helicopter flight to land on the snowfields high above the village. For those with extra energy we offer a late afternoon drive & then walk along the isolated Gillespies beach.
(B)
Day 9 - Fox Glacier to Haast
After the free day we head off again on the beautiful highways and flat roads. The road reaches the coast at Bruce Bay before turning inland again and skirting the beautiful Lake Moeraki and then the Knights Point coastline. Eventually we roll into Haast township and a final night on the west coast.
(B, L, D)
Cycling distance - 120kms/75 miles, Altitude gain 646m/2736ft
Shorter Option – Fox to Lake Moeraki – 89 kms/55 miles
Day 10 - Haast to Makarora
Haast Pass presents another of the riding highlights. For some 50 kms the road slowly rises as the mighty Landsborough river joins the nearby Clark Valley. Countless waterfalls cascade from the mountains towering above the road & the lush rainforest changes to beechforest as you get higher up the valley. A final serious climb takes us to the summit of the pass at 678m. From here there is a 20km ride down into the beautiful township of Makaroa and a deserved end to the days ride. If the descent does not provide enough excitement there is a thrilling jet-boat ride nearby taking you deep into the Mount Aspiring National Park.
(B, L, D)
Cycling distance - 82 kms/51 miles, Altitude gain 834m
Day 11 - Makarora to Wanaka
Dramatic changes in the landscape today as we enter the dry arid country on the eastern side of the ranges. Today we cycle alongside spectacular lakes as the road rolls down into the headwaters of the Otago valleys and then climbs along the lake shore before taking us into the bustling resort township of Lake Wanaka. The afternoon is free to enjoy the shopping & relax alongside the lake.
(B)
Cycling distance - 68kms/42 miles, Altitude gain 605m/1985ft
Day 12 - Wanaka to Queenstown
This morning we head out of town on a 25km cycle to the historic township of Cardrona, passing on our way the famous “Bra Fence” – ladies you are welcome to leave your mark? From here the last serious climb of your tour takes us to our highest point, 1070m at the top of the Crown Range with its spectacular views, before a wicked drop down into Arrowtown for lunch. We have time to enjoy this historic Gold Mining town before our final ride into Queenstown.
(B, L, D)
Cycling distance - 78kms / 48 miles, Altitude gain 1132m/3714ft
Day 13 & 14 - Queenstown – Rest Days
Two days off the bike and the chance to catch up on the ‘adventure capital’ offerings. Winery tours, bungy jumping, jetboating or rafting, - the list is endless! Queenstown is situated alongside a beautiful lake surrounded by mountains so relaxing is also very easy to do & the shopping is fantastic. Mind you, there are all those postcards and the washing…but maybe you can do them tomorrow!
Day 15 - Queenstown to Te Anau
An early morning start gets us on the road down the side of Lake Wakatipu and the rolling rural roads of upper Southland. The native red tussock covered hills lead us into the township of Te Anau, perched on the edge of the Fiordland National Park.
Stronger riders can be challenged by the possibility of a century ride today, for the rest the sag wagon is always available, or for the train enthusiast there is an opportunity to travel on the Kingston Flyer steam train alongside part of our route.
(B)
Cycling distance – 176 kms/109 miles
Shorter Option – Queenstown to Five Rivers – 99kms/60 miles
Day 16 - Te Anau to Otautau
The morning’s ride takes us alongside Lakes Te Anau & Manapouri before we head south through an ever-changing landscape. The stark arid mountains give way to more gentle pastures as we enter the productive Southland farm country. At Otautau we are met by our “Kiwi” farmer hosts who will take you back to their homes to enjoy some farm hospitality. A farm tour is included as part of your experience.
(B, L, D)
Cycling distance – 106 kms/ 72 miles
The route today skirts the beautiful and undiscovered Catlins Forest Park and coastline. The roads are quiet and the scenery diverse as the coastline increasingly becomes spectacular. The ride ends at beautiful Curio Bay where we enjoy a leisurely picnic by the sea, walks along the beach, a swim for the brave & a visit to a petrified forest on the sea-shore. This is a renowned wildlife area & you are likely to see the rare Hectors Dolphins, Fur Seals & Yellow Eyed Penguins. (B, L, D)
