New Zealand By Bike

Discover the South Island

Discover the scenic jewels of New Zealand's South Island. You can start your cycle tour in either Christchurch (for the first seven days or the full tour) or join on in at Queenstown for the second half of the tour.

Commencing in Christchurch, the track leads gently through the Canterbury Plains. Continue past sparkling lakes, breathtaking views of snowcapped mountains and the Lindis mountain pass. Cycle through historic goldmining towns until you reach Queenstown, the outdoor adventure capital of New Zealand. After a short rest there, cycle on through the hill country with its beautiful lakes. Experience the West Coast with its contrast of dense rain forest, national heritage parks, and the dramatic Fox and Franz Josef glaciers. Explore the West Coast gold rush towns, visit a greenstone factory, and walk along the beach at sunset. Your tour concludes with a romantic train journey aboard the TranzAlpine Express, traversing the scenic splendour of the Southern Alps to Christchurch.

ITINERARY:

(subject to change without prior notice)

A smooth start

Day 1: Christchurch

Upon arrival at the airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Whatever the time of year, Christchurch is the perfect choice for a well-deserved short break, longer stay or even for just a few hours. Christchurch's unique combination of fascinating heritage, beautiful coastline, peaceful rivers and spectacular natural harbour appeals to all ages. We will take you on a scenic afternoon city tour which includes a stop at the "Sign of the Takahe" with a bird's eye view of the city, the Canterbury plains, the Southern Alps and the South Pacific Ocean. Get to know the rest of the group over the evening meal in the pleasant surroundings of a local restaurant. D

Day 2: Christchurch - Geraldine

Enjoy the beauty of the Canterbury Plains. View the Rakaia Gorge flowing deep and swiftly. Ride through the Mt. Hutt Region with its rolling countryside to Geraldine. Its atmosphere is reminiscent of an English country village with its abundance of attractive parks, reserves and walkways. An ideal place to relax. The town's vicinity surprises with some of New Zealand?s best picnic spots and swimming holes. Rising above the town, "The Downs" gives a magnificent panoramic view of the surrounding countryside. B/L

Cycling from Mt. Hutt to Geraldine - 80 km

Day 3: Geraldine - Lake Tekapo

After riding through the Kakahu Forest, steadily climb to " The Farm Barn", where you can take in the great view of Fairlie and the surroundings. Cross a small pass in the Mackenzie Highland. The turquoise-coloured Lake Tekapo, a glacier lake, will be reached after a 42 km ride. Optionally, do a 1.5 hour walking tour up to Mount John, if you are in the mood for it. Lake Tekapo offers a wide range of outdoor activities throughout the year: hiking, mountain biking, climbing, fishing, hunting, kayaking, skiing. B/L

Cycling from Geraldine to Lake Tekapo - 91 km

Day 4: Lake Tekapo - Omarama

After breakfast, we ride along one of the canals by which six lakes are joined to Lake Pukaki. On a clear day, you can view the snow-capped peaks of "Aoraki", or Mount Cook, New Zealand's highest mountain. Continue to Omarama. The Mackenzie Highland is famous for its Merino Sheep, which have very fine wool. Omarama's gliding is renowned worldwide among glider pilots. A steady northwestern wind runs through the Alps to form the famous Northwest Arch, a thermal that can take you up 10,000 metres. World records have been set from here. B/L

Cycling from Lake Tekapo to Omarama - 87 km

Fiords: blue water in green forests

Day 5: Omarama - Cromwell

A gentle ascent from Omarama up the Lindis Pass, a photographic highlight with its unique scenery. Follow the Lindis River. After riding along Lake Dunstan, you overnight in the centre of this fruit growing region. An historic place, where the Clutha and Kawarau Rivers join, the area attracted many of the early goldminers. The remains of stone cottages, mining equipment, mineshafts and old sluicings can be seen not far from the town. In the Museum, "Old Cromwell Town" and the Gold Mining Centre you can see how the history has been preserved. B/L

Cycling from Omarama to Cromwell - 112 km

Day 6: Cromwell - Queenstown

Follow the rugged Kawarau Gorge and River. After 15 km you reach Roaring Meg, a small power station and an attractive picnic spot. Make a short stop at the original A.J. Hackett bungee suspension bridge (43 m), then ride past Lake Hayes and Lake Wakatipu into Queenstown. B/L

Cycling from Cromwell to Queenstown - 60 km

Day 7: Queenstown

Rest day. Take the gondola ride to the Skyline Restaurant with its viewpoint and the luge ride, or make a cruise aboard the historic steamship "Earnslaw". You can go jet-boating on the Shotover River, do some bungee jumping, white water rafting, paragliding, or a make a visit to the Kiwi House. Or take a day trip to Fiordland, Milford or Doubtful Sound. B

No Cycling

Day 8: Queenstown - Wanaka

Arrival day for participants doing the second 7 days only, in which case you need to arrive by 8:00 a.m., as we leave for Arrowtown this morning, an idyllic gold town with its lovely tree lined streets and fascinating shops. This is followed by a challenging ride over the Crown Range. Enjoy the fabulous views over the Arrow Basin toward Queenstown and Lake Hayes. The final ride from the Cardrona Saddle leads along a gentle downward sloping road  into the Cardrona Valley to Wanaka. You have now reached the heart of the Southern Lakes, ringed by golden hills, snow-clad peaks, ancient forests, crystal-clear lakes and rivers. The town acts as a magnet for New Zealanders and international visitors alike who enjoy a range of activities, cafes, shops and restaurants. B/L

Cycling from Queenstown to Wanaka - 81 km

Matukituki Valley

Day 9: Wanaka - Makarora

Today's trip will guide you through the hill country along Lake Hawea and Lake Wanaka. As you travel the vegetation becomes denser until shortly before Makarora you become submerged in the dense rain forest on the boundary of the Mount Aspiring National Park. Here, you overnight in simple A-frame motel structures in a picturesque setting. The 20 minutes nature walk behind the tourist park will enthrall you. B/L

Cycling from Wanaka to Makaroa - 65 km

Day 10: Makarora - Haast

The track today leads through dense rain forest, past 100 small rivers and impressive waterfalls. Reach the summit of Haast Pass (563 m; 1,700 ft), and from there begin the pleasurable ride for 60 km along the Haast river to the sea. You are now entering one of the youngest and also biggest National Parks in the world, which the United Nations has acclaimed "World Heritage Park". This jewel of nature is virtually undisturbed. Learn more about the park at the Visitors Centre of Haast, which was opened in 1991. B/L

Cycling from Makaroa to Haast - 82 km

On the road again

Day 11: Haast - Fox Glacier

Discover the Pakihi Swamps, ride through rainforest and along the coast. Stop occasionally for some short walks or just focus on the beauty of nature. Our destination is the small village of Fox Glacier, at the foot of the glacier of the same name. Do take a walk to the glacier face which is almost at sea level. B/L

Cycling from Haast to Fox Glacier - 119 km

Day 12: Fox Glacier - Punakaiki

After breakfast, go on a beautiful walk to Lake Matheson. On a clear day, the peaks of Mount Cook and Mount Tasman are mirrored beautifully in the lake. Drive to Greymouth, an important gold and greenstone town on the West Coast. Afterwards, cycle on to Punakaiki. Famed for its blowholes and pancake rocks, so named because the sand and limestone formations look like... - well, stacked pancakes. Watch the sun set into the sea as you have an evening beach walk. B/L

Cycling - 45 km

Day 13: Punakaiki - Greymouth - Christchurch

Return to the beautiful beach once more in the morning. Drive back to Greymouth. Visit a greenstone factory where you have the opportunity to buy jade at a reasonable price. At 1:00 p.m., board the TranzAlpine Express. The train ride to Christchurch certainly is one of the nicest train journeys in the world. In little more than 4 hours, you travel through lush beech forests and past serene lakes, pass over massive viaducts, cross New Zealand?s greatest mountain range, the Southern Alps, through the fertile farmlands of the Canterbury  Plains before arriving in Christchurch. B/L

Cycling optional

Day 14: Departure

You will be transferred to the airport between 7:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., depending on the departure time of your return flight. B