South Island by Bike

Your South Island adventure starts in central Christchurch at 8am. We start with a short drive to the top of the Port Hills where we will begin to cycle along the crater rim of an extinct volcano. From Dyers Pass we cycle the undulating and almost traffic-free Summit Road, which offers amazing vistas across Christchurch and the Canterbury Plains to the snowy peaks of the Southern Alps. We can also look into the bright blue water of Lyttelton Harbour on the inside of the crater. Riding out to Godley Head, home to a WWII coastal defence battery that sits atop sheer 120m cliffs, we stop and walk to see the views from the peninsula out to the Pacific Ocean. Back on the bikes, it's a short ride back to Evans Pass and then a sweeping downhill to the port town of Lyttelton. There are some cool cafes and colourful stores to explore, as well as quirky historic buildings along a heritage walk. We drive back to Christchurch in the afternoon and have free time to rest up before we meet for our first group dinner. Cycle Distance: Dyers Pass to Lyttelton - 30km Accommodation: Pavilions Hotel

Meals:  L,D

After breakfast at the hotel, your guides will be waiting in reception at 8am. We drive south crossing the Canterbury Plains towards Geraldine, then over the scenic Burke’s Pass to the famous Mackenzie Country, where Lake Tekapo soon appears as a bright blue jewel. We will visit the iconic Church of the Good Shepherd perched on the edge of the shimmering lake with a panoramic mountain backdrop. After lunch, we join the first of the trip's Great Ride Cycle Trails - the Alps to Ocean Cycle Trail. This is NZ's longest cycle path, travelling 300km from the highest mountain Aoraki/Mt Cook all the way to the ocean at Oamaru. We spend the next 3 days riding the best sections of this trail. Initially we follow quiet roads alongside the turquoise blue waters of a hydro canal system through to Lake Pukaki. With amazing mountain views, we ride around the lake shore before crossing the extensive tussock-lands of the Pukaki flats to the small town of Twizel. Twizel is in the heart of a dark sky reserve so be sure to take a walk outside after dark to see the incredible starry skies. Dinner by own care tonight. Cycle Distance: Tekapo to Twizel - 54km Accommodation: Distinction Mackenzie Country Hotel Twizel

Meals:  B,L

The stunning scenery keeps coming as we ride alongside the Pukaki and Ohau canals with a vast mountainous backdrop, through to Lake Ohau where we stop for lunch. Confident riders can continue on the trail to Tarnbrae Saddle (900m), the highpoint of the A2O. The vast Mackenzie Country views are just reward for the climb. Alternatively, riders can transfer to the historic woolshed at Quailburn for a much easier ride down to Omarama, our stop for the night. Translating from Maori as ‘place of light’, Omarama is known for its extraordinarily clear skies, offering incredible star gazing opportunities at night. This evening we enjoy a meal at a typical small town pub and experience real Kiwi hospitality. Cycle Distance: Twizel to Lake Ohau - 38km, Lake Ohau to Omarama via Tarnbrae Saddle - 44km Short Option: Quailburn to Omarama - 26km Accommodation: Distinction Heritage Country Hotel Omarama

Meals:  B,L,D

Today’s Alps to Ocean ride follows the Waitaki river down the picturesque Waitaki Valley, known for its hydro lakes and dams. First, we follow the narrow trail along the shores of Lake Benmore to Sailors Cutting where we join the lake shore to traverse around the shoreline of rocky outcrops, little beaches and even tree covered islands. There is an easier option for less confident riders who would prefer to avoid this more technical section. Regrouped, it’s a fun downhill cycle towards Aviemore Dam, where we’ll enjoy a picnic by the lake. We'll finish our Alps to Ocean experience at the dam, load up the bikes and then drive towards Central Otago over the Lindis Pass. We head to Cromwell where next up is the Lake Dunstan trail, which we will tackle tomorrow. There will be time to have a wander around Cromwell old town, a small historic precinct dating back to the gold rush days of the 1800s, with a number of galleries, cafes and boutique shops. Cycle distance: Omarama to Aviemore Dam - 51km Accommodation: Lake Resort Heritage

Meals:  B,L,D

Today we ride the full length of the newest Great Ride, the Lake Dunstan Trail, a spectacular ride through unique and fascinating landscapes so characteristic of Central Otago. Our journey starts at Smith's Way with an easy ride following the shores of Lake Dunstan. We pass back through Cromwell’s old town, and continue along the Kawarau arm of Lake Dunstan to the Bannockburn Bridge. We wind our way through old mine tailings, wineries and olive groves and from Cornish Point head into the dramatic Cromwell Gorge. The track winds around sheer rockfaces and over lake inlets on impressively engineered platforms and bridges rising above the lake to Clyde. For those riders who wish to avoid the more demanding section through the gorge, there will be an option to drive to Clyde and ride all or part of the easier river trail to Alexandra, or explore the small historic town. We stay in Clyde for the next 2 nights. Cycling Distances: Smith’s Way to Cornish Point – 30km Cornish Point to Clyde via Lake Dunstan (Moderate) – 25km Clyde to Alexandra River Trail (Introductory) – 12km each way Accommodation: Clyde Central Motel

Meals:  B,L,D

Great Ride number three is the famous Otago Central Rail Trail, NZ's original cycle trail. After breakfast, a short transfer takes us inland to Ida Valley. Here we join what we consider to be the best section of the rail trail passing through tunnels and over bridges that once were the secret preserve of railway workers. We witness the natural beauty and look in awe at some early feats of the first settlers of this region. The ever changing landscape includes rugged mountains, crystal clear rivers, and steep winding gorges. We cycle through the 229m Poolburn tunnel over the impressive Manuherikia Bridge and Poolburn viaduct. From Lauder we continue towards Chatto Creek taking in views of the Dunstan Mountains and Raggedy Range, making a short detour to see the Ophir township and its historic bridge. The ride back to Clyde is mostly downhill. In the evening we are free to sample one of the restaurants in town. Cycle Distance: Ida Valley to Clyde - 60km Accommodation: Clyde Central Motel

Meals:  B

Next up, Great Ride number four, is the striking Roxburgh Gorge Trail. Leaving from Clyde we pedal along the wooded River Trail linking Clyde to the Roxburgh Gorge Trail alongside the mighty Clutha Mata-Au river. The trail journeys through a remote barren, treeless landscape, flanked by bluffs up to 350 metres high, following stone walled water races and other remnants of gold mining activity. We arrive at Doctor's Point to meet a jet boat to take us on a scenic historical journey for the next 13km through the gorge to Shingle Creek. Back on our bikes, it's a gradual climb to Elbow Creek, then through a small, secluded valley with regenerating Kanuka (tea tree) scrubland and into sweeping hill country farmland. A series of switchbacks lead us to the impressive Roxburgh Hydro Dam lookout. It's then a further 9km along the river to reach Roxburgh, where we load up the bikes and drive to our accommodation in Alexandra. If there is time we can visit a local vineyard before our final dinner to celebrate new friendships and world class riding. Cycling distance: Clyde to Roxburgh - 40km Accommodation: Alexandra Heights Motel

Meals:  B,L,D

Today we cycle the Queenstown Trails, the fifth and final of the Great Rides of our South Island adventure. A short drive takes us from Alexandra into the Gibbston Valley renowned for its vineyards and Pinot Noir. We set off riding alongside the Kawarau River to the historic bridge and the origin of AJ Hackett’s bungy jump. Here we can witness bungy jumpers and zipliners getting their adrenaline fix! We join the the Arrow River Bridges trail, which crisscrosses the sparkling Arrow River over huge purpose-built suspension bridges to reach Arrowtown. Arrowtown is a charming, picturesque gold mining town and there is time to explore the old Chinese mining settlement or take a leisurely stroll through town. After refreshments, we pedal on past more colourful Central Otago vineyards to meet the Twin Rivers Trail linking the Kawarau and Shotover Rivers. On reaching the edge of Lake Wakatipu nestled amongst vast mountain ranges, our cycle trail weaves along the shore and takes us into central Queenstown through the botanical gardens. We finish up at the wharf side with a farewell drink to conclude our spectacular journey, before being delivered into the town centre in the late afternoon.

Meals:  B,L