Tastes of the Alps to Ocean

Your food lovers adventure begins at 8am in Central Christchurch. We start with a drive across the picturesque Canterbury Plains and along the Inland Scenic Route to the foot of the Southern Alps. We take a short walk to the Shaplin Falls before coffee at The Staveley Cafe and Store. Established in 1876, tasty gourmet treats sit alongside beautiful homewares inspired by near by Mount Somers Station. We then get on our bikes for a warm up ride following quiet country roads to reach a high country sheep station, nestled in the foot hills of Mount Somers. Rangiatea Farm is NZ's premier breeder of the curious Beltex Sheep, our hosts will tell us about their sheep farming experiences and serve a tasty BBQ lunch using produce from the farm. We continue on our travels south to the country town of Geraldine where we enjoy a pit stop at the famous Barkers Foodstore & Eatery, and the Humdinger Gin Distillery. The scenic journey over Burke’s Pass is a fitting introduction to the famous Mackenzie Country, where Lake Tekapo soon appears as a bright blue jewel. We visit the iconic Church of the Good Shepherd and head to our remote farm stay at Braemar Station. This is a trip highlight for many as we are rewarded with panoramic views of Aoraki/Mt Cook and Lake Pukaki made all the better with a celebratory glass of wine and a cheese platter before being treated to a delicious home cooked dinner. Be sure to take a walk outside after dark to see the incredible starry skies. Please Note: accommodation tonight is split across 2 separate lodges - only some rooms have ensuites, yet the incredible location and views make it worthwhile. Cycling Distance: Staveley to Surrey Hills - 20km Accommodation: Braemar Station

Meals:  B,L,D

Our second day starts with some easy riding from the Lake Pukaki viewpoint around the base of the lake to the Pukaki Flats and onto High Country Salmon. Here we meet the team who have won awards filleting salmon and the farm manager will host a tour and tasting of the Chinook (King) salmon farm. We learn how New Zealand came to inheriting one of the most beautiful and spectacular fish in the world from the McLeod River, California. Lunch is at the farm's floating cafe. After lunch we commence the fabulous drive to Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park surrounded by glaciated alpine valleys and NZ's highest peaks. We embark on a short but memorable walk to view the Tasman Glacier, and if there is time we can visit one of the visitor centres, the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre (entrance fee payable) or the excellent National Park Visitor Centre, or enjoy a drink in the bar of the Hermitage Hotel overlooking Aoraki/Mt Cook. We then drive to Twizel where we will overnight, and have dinner in a local restaurant known for its craft beers. Cycling Distance: 25km (Pukaki Viewpoint to High Country Salmon) Accommodation: Mountain Chalet Motels

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning the stunning scenery keeps on coming as we ride alongside the Twizel Canals, then around the shore of Lake Ohau, taking a break at the alpine ski lodge for a tasty lunch on the deck overlooking the lake and alpine peaks. We will visit a prestigious merino farm on the way, supplying wool to make fabric for a top Italian tailor. 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. We then load up and drive to the Clay Cliffs a unique geological wonder; ‘bad land’ sharp pinnacles and ridges separated by steep and narrow ravines which look dramatic and 'otherworldly'. By mid afternoon we drive onto Omarama – our stop for the night. Translating as ‘place of light’, Omarama is known for its extraordinarily clear skies. Dinner will be served in the newly refurbished Boots & Jandals pub where you will experience true kiwi hospitality. Cycling Distance: 38km (Twizel–Lake Ohau); 41km Lake Ohau–Omarama via Tarnbrae Saddle or 23km (Quailburn–Omarama (short option) Accommodation: Sierra Motels

Meals:  B,L,D

Today’s ride takes us down the Waitaki Valley, known for its hydro lakes and dams. First, we follow the trail along the shores of Lake Benmore to Sailors Cutting where we join a new section of trail which follows Benmore Dam and offers super views, swimming opportunities and arguably some of the best riding of the entire trail. Leaving our bikes at Benmore Dam we transit by vehicle the short distance to Otematata to visit Otematata High Country Station and Philippa Cameron who will host us for morning tea. Phillipa is the inspiration behind the blog and Instagram account What's For Smoko. We will hear how she feeds hoards of hungry workers and enjoy a tasty morning tea whilst learning about her most recent project, publishing her second cookbook, 'Winter Warmers: Recipes and stories from a New Zealand high country station'. Returning to our bikes we then ride across the Benmore Dam wall and follow the trail along Lake Aviemore where at a scenic picnic spot we will enjoy our tasty picnic lunch supplied by Philippa. We arrive in Kurow with plenty of time to explore the town’s surrounds, or a wine tasting at the award winning Ostler Vineyards tasting rooms. We’ll stay overnight at Waitaki Braids Lodge, an elegant lodge serving dinner showcasing local produce by one of the regions most esteemed chefs. Cycling Distance: Omarama to Kurow - up to 67km Accommodation: Waitaki Braids Lodge

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning the cycle trail takes us along the banks of the Waitaki River to a hazelnut farm then we ride past vineyards and a Maori rock art site to reach the small town of Duntroon. From there, we head inland into rolling country and wander around the unique Elephant Rocks, huge formations strewn across a field. Picking up the old railway line, we’ll ride through Raki's tunnel before rolling downhill to the settlement of Windsor where we will receive a warm welcome at our final accommodation at Burnside Homestead. After being greeted by afternoon tea, there will be time to look around the gardens and grounds of this historic Victorian house. Tonight we will enjoy dinner served by our hosts and celebrate our week's cycling achievements. Cycling Distance: 28km (Kurow–Duntroon) & 35km (Duntroon–Burnside Homestead) Accommodation: Burnside Homestead

Meals:  B,L,D

After breakfast we jump on the bikes for the last ride and cycle through picturesque rolling rural countryside, past the Oamaru stone quarry to Friendly Bay and the end of the Alps to Ocean Cycle Trail. We celebrate our cycling achievements with a group photo at the famous picture frame. We have time to explore Oamaru's Victorian Precinct and harbourside park with its arty shops and galleries, before we visit Whitestone Cheese for a factory tour. After an informative guided tour and delicious cheese tasting, we set away on our drive north. Our final foodie experience is a celebratory late lunch at the award winning Riverstone Kitchen, the perfect way to wrap up the Tastes of the Alps to Ocean cycle adventure! We head across the Canterbury Plains, and arrive in central Christchurch around 6-7pm. Cycling distance: 19km (Windsor–Oamaru)

Meals:  B,L