New Zealand is a land of contrasts compressed into a pacific island paradise. The South Island especially so with dramatic Alps, pristine rivers and lakes, golden beaches and wild rocky coastlines.
Our South Island “Road Bike Spectacular” is a challenging journey and a scenic overload for your senses. We cross over New Zealand’s highest main road pass and dividing range, challenge ourselves with a few long distance riding days, and enjoy cruising along remote mountain valleys.
Your journey begins in the capital city - Wellington “The Windy City” – where we board the Inter-island ferry for the cruise across to the South Island, passing through the beautiful Marlborough Sounds to Picton. We have chosen quiet country and scenic roads, where-ever possible avoiding busy main roads as we pass through stunning mountain valleys and follow meandering rivers, swim on the un-spoilt beaches in Golden Bay and the beautiful Abel Tasman National Park and experience genuine Kiwi hospitality and lifestyle.
Choose the 8 day option finishing in Christchurch or continue on with us for the full 14 days as we ride on down into the wide open spaces and mountains of Otago to the winter resort town of Wanaka and on to Queenstown – New Zealand’s adventure capital. With full vehicle support, this trip can be enjoyed by anyone with a good fitness level.
At the end of each day we stay in a variety of guesthouses, hostels, lodges with the ever-present hot showers, cold beers and opportunities to experience some of New Zealand’s finest hospitality and local cuisine.
Trip Profile:
- 14 days Wellington to Queenstown or 8 days from Wellington to Christchurch.
- 13 days riding, 1190kms, (8 days on the short option) on good paved roads, keeping away from main roads as much as possible.
- Inter-island ferry crossing.
- Abel Tasman scenic water taxi trip.
- Vehicle support to carry all your luggage, to help you up those hills if needed and so that lunch, snacks and water are always at hand.
- Accommodation: 13 nights (7 on short option) hotel, guesthouses, motels, hostels and lodges.
- Food: 2 meals a day included from breakfast on day 2 to lunch on day 14, except when stated on the detailed itinerary. (Evening meals are not included to give you a chance to experience some of New Zealand's local cuisine of your own choosing).
- Group size: minimum 4, maximum 10; plus Escape leaders.
- Bike hire is available, contact us for more information.
Evening before departure – Meet for a pre-trip chat.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Morning - inter-island ferry to the South Island. Afternoon: ride the Queen Charlotte Drive. Approx 40kms.
Day 2: Ride to Nelson. Approx 75kms.
Day 3: Ride to the Abel Tasman National Park, Water taxi to Golden Bay. Approx 70kms.
Day 4: Ride over Takaka Hill to St Arnaud and Nelson Lakes National Park. Approx 140kms.
Day 5: Morning walk in Nelson Lakes National Park. Ride to Murchison. Approx 60kms.
Day 6: Ride through the Buller Gorge to the West Coast. Approx 100kms.
Day 7: Ride along the wild West Coast to Greymouth. Approx 95kms.
Day 8: Ride over Arthurs Pass (920m) to Christchurch. Approx 130kms. (8 day option finishes here).
Day 9: Christchurch free day.
Day 10: Ride through Canterbury farmland to Fairlie. Approx 100kms.
Day 11: Ride through wide open tussock country to Mt Cook Village. Approx 92kms riding plus 1hr transfer.
Day 12: Ride beside Lake Pukaki and into Merino sheep country to Omarama. Approx 95kms.
Day 13: Cross the Lindis Pass at 971m and into Otago to Wanaka. Approx 113kms.
Day 14: Tackle the Crown Range - the highest main road in New Zealand at 1119m to Queenstown. Approx 80kms.
Please remember that this is a guide only and due to unforeseen circumstances it may be necessary to make changes to the itinerary.
Trip dates for summer 2007-08: Sunday March 2nd to Saturday March 15th 2008
Trip dates for summer 2008-09: Sunday March 29th to Saturday April 11th 2009
About our road riding:
- All our biking is vehicle supported which means all your gear is carried for you. Snacks, lunch and water are always at hand.
- If you need a break from the saddle you can ride in the vehicle at any time.
- This is a challenging road tour, with daily distances from 60 to 140 kms. Although you don’t need to be a fitness fanatic to come with us, a reasonable standard of fitness is required and makes your trip more enjoyable.
- Not only is this trip about getting some good distance rolling under your wheels, it is also about experiencing your surroundings from a different perspective, meeting people and experiencing the sights sounds and smells. You will become part of the landscape and environment we are passing through, merging with the people and communities that we encounter along the way.
- People who travel with us enjoy the active outdoors and want something different in a holiday. By doing one of our trips you’re not just a spectator, but part of the scene getting to touch, smell and see what’s going on from close-up rather than as a passer-by.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Prices for 2008 & 2009
- 8 days Christchurch to Christchurch: NZD$2800, Single supplement NZ$480.
- 14 days Christchurch to Queenstown: NZ$4900, Single supplement NZ$840.
- Bike hire: Hybrid - NZ$300, Road bike - NZ$400.
- Approximate Option Costs:
- Evening Meals: NZ$7 for a simple takeaway to around NZ$30 upwards for restaurant meals
Price includes:
- 13 nights accommodation on a share twin basis
- escape bike guides/drivers
- support vehicle and trailer to carry all luggage
- meals
- land and boat transfers for the duration of the tour as per detailed itinerary
Prices do not include:
- airfares
- visas
- airport taxes
- optional activities
- evening meals and some lunches as per detailed itinerary and personal equipment (bikes etc)
Also see tour packages in:
Australia and Oceania
New Zealand
Bicycle Touring
National Parks
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