Itinerary

Tuesday - Arrive, Biking to Hanmer Springs
Most people leave the Northern Hemisphere on a Sunday, arriving in New Zealand early Tuesday morning. You’ll lose a day to the dateline – but you'll get it back on the way home! You’ll need to arrive in Christchurch by around 10am, where we'll adjust your bike to your liking. You’ll then have a chance to stretch your legs and cycle the Waiau Valley near Hanmer Springs. This evening you can soak, relax and mingle in Hanmer’s fresh water mineral spas.
Notes: Cycling distance 20 miles (30km) of road riding – predominantly flat.

ACCOMMODATION: Hanmer Springs lodgings, Hanmer Springs (L,D)

 

Wednesday - Biking Lewis Pass and Matakitaki River Valley
This morning we head into the mountains, starting the day with a downhill ride through native beech forest in the Lewis Pass, one of the three main passes that straddle the Southern Alps. We'll turn onto a remote backcountry road and follow the Matakitaki River Valley towards Maruia Saddle and down into Murchison. The Matakitaki is an upper tributary of the mighty Buller River and includes several sections of white water, which are popular with local kayakers.
Notes: Cycling distance 30 miles (50km) downhill sealed road. Then 30 miles (50 km) of unsealed road with a gradual 1000 foot ascent.

ACCOMMODATION: Murchison lodgings, Murchison (B,L,D)

 

Thursday - Biking along the Buller Gorge and Punakaiki Coast
From Murchison we head through the Buller River past the Inangahua Slip, a huge landslide that dammed the river after a massive earthquake in the 1960’s. As you pedal along, you have time to enjoy the thick temperate rainforest and historic gold mining sites of the area before arriving on the West Coast. The last leg of today’s biking is a stunning coastal ride to Punakaiki, where you can walk on the beach and enjoy the sun setting over the Tasman Sea after dinner.
Notes: Cycling distance 70 miles (110km) road riding – slightly downhill, descending 400 feet.

ACCOMMODATION: West Coast lodgings, Punakaiki (B,L,D)


Friday - Coastal Biking from Punakaiki to Kakapotahi Ecological Area
Today we'll ride south along the isolated West Coast. This area is full of dense native rainforest, huge fast-flowing rivers and spectacular views of the snow-capped Southern Alps. We'll follow the main inland road, turning after the Mikonui River onto a smaller coastal road to the village of Kakapotahi. We'll enjoy sweeping views of deserted West Coast beaches before heading into the Westland Tai Poutini National Park and glacier country!
Notes: Cycling distance 70 miles (110km) flat road riding.
ACCOMMODATION: The Westhaven, Fox Glacier (B,L,D)

 

Saturday - Biking from Fox Glacier to the Tasman Sea
The scenery today is off the charts! From our lodgings, we'll cycle a winding road through an ancient podocarp forest to Fox Glacier. This glacier drops 7000 feet in about seven miles, from its névé in the Southern Alps almost to the sea. After visiting the glacier, we'll cycle south past farmland, ending at the deserted mineral beaches of Bruce Bay. Tonight we stay in the West Coast village of Haast.
Notes: Cycling distance 60 miles (100km) undulating road riding from the base of Fox Glacier to the beach of Bruce Bay – optional one hour return hike to Fox Glacier.

ACCOMMODATION: World Heritage Heartland Hotel, Haast (B,L,D)

Andrew: “On one of my cycling expeditions, I traversed the length of New Zealand in 30 days. It was a hard ride, but well worth it. Riding on the West Coast was a particular favourite – with only 40,000 people on a 400 mile stretch of coast, it's off-the-beaten-track, but really amazing to see from handlebar level!”

 

Sunday - Biking Haast Pass, and Lake Wanaka Track
We'll travel inland today, cycling from Pleasant Flat to the “Gates of Haast” and over Haast Pass. This memorable ride takes us into the Makarora Valley bordering Mt. Aspiring National Park. After we're through the Pass, we'll take a short drive to Hawea, where we'll ride along a smooth trail with spectacular views of the Clutha River, the South Island’s longest river, as it flows into Lake Wanaka. If you prefer, you can explore Wanaka township or relax by the lake.
Notes: Cycling distance 50 miles (80km) road riding –uphill 1,400 feet to Haast Pass. Then a smooth, gently undulating trail to Lake Wanaka
ACCOMMODATION: Lake Wanaka Lodge, Wanaka (B,L,D)

 

Monday - Biking the Cardrona Valley over the Crown Range to Queenstown
This morning we'll cycle from our lodgings through the historic gold mining area of Cardrona, stopping for a cold drink at an old miners’ tavern. Then we'll bike through tussock-clad hills, before crossing the Cardrona Saddle on the Crown Range. It’s a steep climb to the saddle, but the views from the top are worth it. Then we wind our way down towards Queenstown, where we'll be staying for the next two nights. As with all cycling on the Weka cycling tour, you can skip the steepest part of today’s ride if you like.
Notes: Cycling distance 60 miles (100km) road riding – gentle valley cycle that steepens towards the saddle gaining 2000 feet.
ACCOMMODATION: Queenstown apartments, Queenstown (B,L)

 

Tuesday - Free day in Queenstown
Queenstown is the adventure capital of New Zealand where you'll find all the comforts of civilization: massage therapists, restaurants, sidewalk cafés, window shopping, as well as incredible hikes, bike rides, and adrenaline pumping activities such as hang gliding, bungy jumping, jet boating and skydiving. Ask your guides for more information on organizing local activities, while we take the opportunity to give your bike a mid-trip tune up. There are some great mountain and road cycling options around Queenstown too if you're keen to fit in some extra bike time!
ACCOMMODATION: Queenstown apartments, Queenstown

 

Wednesday - Biking Mt Nicholas Road from Walter Peak to Mavora Lakes
A refreshingly early start sees us cruising across Lake Wakatipu on the steamship TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak Station. Here you'll get on your freshly tuned bike and follow Mt. Nicholas farm road to the isolated Mavora Lakes. You'll bike up through the head waters of the Von River surrounded by the Livingston Mountains. This is a true wilderness cycling experience on a deserted back road and after your time in Queenstown, you'll appreciate the peaceful surroundings!
Notes: Cycling distance 60 miles (100km) deserted farm road. Then winding, undulating road with a total elevation gain of 1,000 feet - remote high-country lakes.
ACCOMMODATION: Lake Te Anau lodgings, Te Anau (B,L,D)

 

Andrew: “While the Weka is predominantly a road biking trip, having more than one type of bike on hand means that we can occasionally go off road into true New Zealand wilderness. Mt. Nicholas is one of my favourite areas for biking and the gravel road that we ride is well maintained, which gives it the perfect balance of amazing remote scenery and comfortable riding.”

 

Thursday - Cruise Milford Sound, Biking Hollyford Valley
Today starts with a spectacular cruise on Milford Sound, rated the 8th Natural Wonder of the World by Rudyard Kipling. We'll glide past sheer rock walls, huge waterfalls and the famous Mitre Peak, and hopefully be visited by the fur seals, penguins and dolphins that frequent the area. After lunch, we have a spectacular ride through the Hollyford Valley, a remote backcountry road lined with unspoilt beech forest and towering peaks. This is one of our favourite rides and definitely one of the most memorable rides on the trip!
Notes: Cycling distance 40 miles (65km) mostly downhill road and gravel road riding descending 1,000 feet – undulating terrain.
ACCOMMODATION: Lake Te Anau lodgings, Te Anau (B,L,D)

 

Friday - Central Otago Rail Trail – Lauder to Ranfurly
The Central Otago Rail Trail follows an old train line built in the early 1900’s. The line was retired in 1990 and is now one of the best multi-day bike rides in New Zealand. We'll cross 60 bridges and viaducts, winding our way along the smooth track past Raggedy Range and Rough Ridge. We have a gradual climb through the Ida Valley, then after Wedderburn it’s all downhill to our lodgings at Ranfurly tonight, a classic Kiwi provincial town with some unique art deco architechture, right on the rail trail.
Notes: Cycling distance 70 miles (110km) - gravel trails, bridges, viaducts and road riding - slight uphill gradient all day with a 500 foot elevation gain.

ACCOMMODATION: Hawkdun Lodge, Ranfurly (B,L,D)

 

Saturday - Biking over Danseys Pass into Limestone Country
This morning we'll take a backroad to nearby Naseby, and from here head up and over the Dansey’s Pass and from there we'll ride into the limestone country of North Otago. We'll head over the Pass, with stunning views of the Pacific Ocean from the top. Then we'll descend from remote high-country into green valleys, lined with impressive limestone cliffs and crags. We'll have lunch in the village of Duntroon, where you can see fossils dug up from the local limestone, before continuing on through the peaceful farmland with a backdrop of mountains. It’s then a short drive to the historic Millhouse, where we'll celebrate our two unforgettable weeks of cycling together.
Notes: Cycling distance 60 miles (100km) - gravel and road riding with a steep uphill section gaining 1,000 feet. Then a long downhill ride descending 2,500 feet.

ACCOMMODATION: The Millhouse, Oamaru (B,L,D)

 

Sunday - Depart for home
This is the last day of your 13-day South Island biking trip. See our Thermal Cycle itinerary if you want to take a few more days to see the North Island. After breakfast, we'll set out for Christchurch, arriving by mid afternoon. Any international flight after 4pm is ideal, and we can make domestic flights as early as 2.30pm with advance notice. International flights from Auckland usually leave early evening, so if you're heading to North America you'll get home some time on Sunday, even though you left on Sunday evening. Flights back to Europe, of course, take a little longer. You'll be refreshed and invigorated from the good rides and great times you'll have had with us in New Zealand!
(B,L)

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