People Cycling Best of South Island Great Rides NZ 2025

Welcome to Aotearoa New Zealand. Meeting at a central hotel in Christchurch in early afternoon our trip starts with a short introduction and an overview of the trip itinerary and protocol. We'll then head up into the local Port Hills to get set up on our bikes and enjoy an introductory ride to test the bikes and spin the legs. Tonight, we enjoy our first People Cycling ‘Happy Hour’ and dinner to celebrate coming together and the fantastic riding ahead. Overnight in Christchurch Accommodation: Pavilion Hotel

Meals:  D

You'll be picked up from your hotel at 8am before heading south crossing the Canterbury Plains towards Geraldine for a refreshment break, then continuing to Lake Tekapo Village for lunch. Its picturesque lake is the first of the storage lakes which feed the hydro schemes in the basin and down the Waitaki Valley. The famous Church of the Good Shepherd and nearby statue stand as a tribute to the sheepdogs that make farming the Mackenzie Basin possible and are local icons. This afternoon we set away on the first of our Great Ride Cycle Trails for this tour - the Alps to Ocean Cycle Trail, which we will be riding over the next 5 days. This is the longest Great Ride at 300km and is a mixture of Grades 1,2 and 3 sections. Today, we start following quiet roads alongside the turquoise blue waters of the canal system before dropping down from the canals to Lake Pukaki, with stunning views across to the Southern Alps and Aoraki/Mt Cook. Easy single track trail then winds around the edge of Lake Pukaki to foot of the Lake, where the trail then crosses, on slightly rougher terrain, the extensive tussock-lands of the Pukaki flats to the small town of Twizel, our accommodation for the night. Ride : 57 km or 36 mi, +305m or +1000 ft Accommodation : The Alps, Twizel

Meals:  B,L,D

Riding from our accommodation, we head back onto the easy riding Pukaki and Ohau canal roads before enjoying another easy section of single track trail around the foreshore of Lake Ohau. The last section of the morning is on sealed road along the lakeshore to Lake Ohau Lodge, where we’ll enjoy lunch overlooking the Lake. For those who would like a challenge, the next section of trail is more technical, starting with a steady 11km climb on slightly rougher single track to the Tarnbrae saddle. At 900m this is the highpoint of the whole Alps to Ocean Cycle Trail and your efforts are rewarded with stunning views across the Mackenzie Basin. The descent is also on single track, which is steep, narrow and rough in places. Overall this section is suited to more confident and fitter riders. Alternatively, for those who want a more relaxing afternoon there is the option to transfer by the support vehicle and join the rest of the group on the remaining section of the day, a mostly downhill and flat ride on a gravel road from the historic wool shed at Quailburn into Omarama, our stop for the night. Omarama is called "Place of Light" in Maori terminology, a reference to its extraordinarily pure and clear sky. This region is also famous for gliding due to some unique air wave systems and feisty thermals. Time permitting, this afternoon there is an optional visit to the unique geological formations called the Clay Cliffs. This evening, enjoy a meal at a typical small town Kiwi pub. Ride: Upto 80km or 50 mi, +751m or +2463 ft Accommodation : Sierra Motel, Omarama

Meals:  B,L,D

Today’s ride follows the Waitaki river down the picturesque Waitaki Valley, known for its hydro lakes, dams, geological formations and growing reputation for cool climate wines. First, we follow the trail along the shores of Lake Benmore to Sailors’ Cutting, where we join the lakeshore to traverse around the shoreline of rocky outcrops, little beaches and even tree covered islands. This section is a Grade 3 and therefore more technical, with single track riding on a mostly good surface but, at times, with some exposure on one side and tight corners. There is an easier option for less confident riders who would prefer to avoid this more technical section. After refreshments on top of the Dam, follow the trail on a quiet back country sealed road alongside Lake Aviemore, watching out for wild wallabies as you ride. Crossing back over Aviemore Dam we ride on easy, hard-packed single track to the small town of Kurow, where our accommodation for the night is in a boutique, converted, historic building. Ride: 69km or 43 mi, +563m or +1846 ft Accommodation : Waitaki Braids, Kurow

Meals:  B,L,D

From Kurow the Grade 2 section takes us along the banks of the Waitaki River, past vineyards and wetlands to reach the neighbouring town of Duntroon. From here, we ride south-east along the footpath and over the Maerewhenua bridge, following the trail through several farms to the unique rock formations known as Elephant Rocks, part of the Waitaki UNESCO Geopark. A slightly more technical section follows, with some tight switchbacks and slightly rougher terrain but very rideable in most conditions. This section climbs up to a ridge with fantastic views across a patchwork of farmland. Picking up the old railway line, we’ll ride through the old Raki's railway tunnel before rolling downhill amidst more spectacular limestone outcrops and pastoral landscapes. We stay in a very unique accommodation tonight, the historic home of one of the earliest settlers in the region, and dine at a very typical rural Kiwi pub! Ride: 65km or 41 mi, +527m or +1728 ft Accommodation : Burnside Homestead

Meals:  B,L,D

After a delightful breakfast in the historic dining room at Burnside, we ride the last, easy section of the Alps to Ocean finishing in the Victorian town of Oamaru, where the trail ends on the Pacific Coast. There will be time for a wander around the Victorian precinct or visit the Steampunk Museum before a 2 hour drive South to the city of Dunedin via a walk up Baldwin Street, officially the steepest street in the world! Ride: 22km or 14 mi, 114m or +374 ft Accommmodation: Dunedin Palms Motel

Meals:  B,D

Today you're free to explore, starting with breakfast when and where you please! By the time the Scottish settlers arrived in Dunedin around the mid-19th century, they found an area rich in Maori history. The rough, tough and enterprising whalers added another element of diversity to this burgeoning Otago harbour. The cultural mix of Maori, whaler and Scot gave early Dunedin a character all its own, and here you will find some of the finest examples of Victorian and Edwardian architecture in the Southern Hemisphere. Dunedin’s railway station, known as one of the world’s most beautiful train stations, is said to be the most photographed building in New Zealand. Optional activities include a self-guided cycle on the Otago Peninsula, a wildlife boat cruise on the Harbour, a visit to the only mainland breeding colony of Northern Royal Albatross in the world and a visit to a craft brewery, so take your pick! No guided riding. Accommodation: Dunedin Palms Motel

Meals:  Nil

Today we embark on the best section of the second of our Great Rides – the Otago Rail Trail, a beautiful journey into the heartland of the Central Otago region and rated a Grade 1 trail, so easy and absolutely stunning. After breakfast, we have a 2 hr transfer to the start of the ride. As one of the historic gold mining locations of New Zealand, the region is full of Kiwi colonial history. We commence riding from the old railway settlement of Wedderburn. Passing by tunnels and 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 and steep winding gorges and along the way we cycle through the 229m Poolburn tunnel and over the impressive Manuherikia Bridge and Poolburn viaduct. Be sure to also watch for the planets of the solar system along the route and take note of their proportional sizes and distances. The landscape changes from rocky outcrops to farmland as we near our destination, Alexandra, which owes its existence to the 1860’s Central Otago gold rush. Dinner is your own arrangement. Ride: 71km or 44mi; +342m or +1122ft Accommodation: Dunstan House, Clyde

Meals:  B,L

We commence the morning's ride along the Millennium River Trail linking Clyde with nearby Alexandra, offering impressive views of the mighty Clutha river. Next we join Great Ride number three, the striking Roxburgh Gorge Trail. A trail in an otherworldly landscape of steep hillsides strewn with giant boulders leading down to a willow-lined river and lake. This trail is predominantly Grade 2, but there are some short Grade 3 sections of tight corners and drop offs, which can easily be walked. We ride the trail to Doctors' Point before loading our bikes onboard a jet boat for a scenic journey along an unrideable section of the gorge to Shingle Creek. We get back on the bikes to continue following the gorge to finally emerge at Lake Roxburgh village where the support vehicle will return us to Alexandra. We finish the day with a late afternoon visit to a boutique vineyard in Clyde, followed by dinner in the historic Post Office. Ride: 44km or 27mi, +465m or 1526ft Accommodation: Dunstan House, Clyde

Meals:  B,L,D

Today we ride the newest Great Ride, the Lake Dunstan Trail, a spectacular ride through unique and fascinating landscapes so characteristic of Central Otago. The trail journeys through the Cromwell Gorge along the Clutha and the Kawarau Rivers and then follows the shores of Lake Dunstan. The region’s rich modern, pioneering and Maori historical stories are integrated along the way, some of which are brought to life in Clyde and Cromwell’s Historical Precinct. Starting in Clyde you pass the Clyde Dam and enter the stunning Cromwell Gorge where you cycle around sheer rock faces rising above the Clutha and eventually meet the Kawarau River at Cornish Point. Passing vineyards and olive groves, the trail crosses the Bannockburn Bridge and ducks into the Cromwell Heritage Precinct where we’ll stop to explore and have lunch. Heading along the shores of Lake Dunstan the trail finishes part way up the lake. This trail is a combination of Grade 2 and 3 sections. Whilst the surface is purpose-built hard, packed single track, there are tight corners and drop offs which may be uncomfortable for some so there is an alternative ride available which would avoid the more technical section. After loading up we drive through the Kawerau Gorge and Gibbston Valley to Queenstown, the Adventure Capital of New Zealand (some say the World!) Ride: 44km or 27mi, +518m or 1699ft Accommodation: Blue Peaks Motel, Queenstown

Meals:  B,D

Today is a day at leisure in Queenstown. No meals have been included so you can do as you please. There are optional excursions to either Doubtful Sound or Milford Sound (own expense). These tours have an early start with a bus journey to either Manapouri (to visit Doubtful Sound) or Milford Sound to join an amazing cruise into Fiordland. There is also an option to bus one way to Milford Sound and fly back to Queenstown by helicopter or small plane. We are happy to assist with bookings. Others in the group might like to enjoy a relaxing day in Queenstown, taking in the scenery, visiting galleries, cafes and restaurants, if not partaking in a bungy jump, a sky dive, jet boating or some other adrenalin activity! Accommodation: Blue Peaks Hotel

Meals:  Nil

This morning we ride from our motel onto the first of the Grade 2 Queenstown Trails, the Frankton Trail which runs alongside Lake Whakatipu before joining up with the Twin Rivers and Countryside Trails which take us through to Arrowtown in time for lunch. We then continue onto the Arrow River Bridges Trail which includes 2 spectacular suspension bridges and is a delightful ride through to the historic Kawerau Bridge where we can witness bungy jumpers and zipliners getting their adrenaline fix! A final short ride on the Gibbston Valley trail takes us to one of the local wineries where we’ll load up before a 90 minute drive through the Kawerau Gorge to the lakefront town of Wanaka. Dinner at your leisure tonight. Ride: 44km or 28 mi; 478m or 1568ft Accommodation : Golf Course Chalets & Lodge, Wanaka

Meals:  B

This morning a short drive takes us to a viewpoint overlooking another glacial lake, Hawea, where we start a stunning ride on a sealed road following the shores of Lake Hawea and then Lake Wanaka with Mt Aspiring National Park as the backdrop. We finish riding at the small settlement of Makarora and then drive over the Haast Pass to the West Coast of the South Island, renowned for its glaciers and wild coastlines. It’s a further 3-4 hour drive up the coast, bordered by rainforest and mountains on one side and the wild ocean on the other. We will break the journey with short stops along the way to view waterfalls and enjoy the wild coastline. We end our day in the tiny township of Franz Josef, home to one of only 3 temperate glaciers in the world. There will be time to enjoy a short walk and relax before meeting for dinner. Ride: 32km or 20mi; 309m or 1014ft Accommodation : Scenic Hotel, Franz Josef

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning, we drive further north to the town of Ross, where we connect with the last of our cycle trails - the West Coast Wilderness Trail, a Grade 2 trail with short Grade 3 sections. Back on our bikes, we follow the easy cycleway north. with a stop at the Treetop Walkway to experience a unique adventure walk on custom built platforms among temperate rainforest giants. The cycle trail then continues through small townships and farms before reaching the old gold rush coastal town of Hokitika, known for the crafting of Pounamu (greenstone), a stone only found in the rivers from the West Coast and prized by the Maori for its hardness and beauty. You have the late afternoon free to explore the town and later for a walk on the beach to admire a stunning West Coast sunset (if conditions are right). Ride: 34kms or 21mi; 199m or 653ft Accommodation : Beachfront Motel, Hokitika

Meals:  B,L,D

Our ride today takes us inland through rural country riding on old logging tramways, miners tracks and alongside bush-lined old water races still in use today. Passing by Lake Kaniere, a beautiful lake nestled in the forested foothills, we continue our ride on a gravel road through the Arahura valley, riding alongside the river of the same name. After a coffee stop at Milltown, home of saw-milling in earlier times, the trail crosses a swing bridge and then a short section of switchbacks takes us to the highpoint and more superb riding. From here it's mainly downhill, as we follow water races, bush tracks and reservoir roads taking in the spectacular views as we gradually descend to the town of Kumara. The beautiful historic hotel that is our accommodation is also where we’ll enjoy our final meal together celebrating new friendships, adventures and riding bikes in stunning locations. Ride: 69kms or 43mi; 779m or 2555ft Accommodation : Theatre Royal Hotel, Kumara

Meals:  B,L,D

Our final day on the Wilderness Trail see us riding north to Greymouth on a combination of riverside and coastal pathways. The old road and rail bridge is just one highlight as we head towards the town centre. There will be time to change into more comfortable clothes and have a brief wander, including own lunch, before the 3-4hr journey over the Southern Alps to Christchurch. This can either be on the Tranz Alpine train, reputed to be one of the top scenic rail journeys in the world, (own cost, approx NZ$230) or in the van with the guides, also a spectacular drive. On arrival in the early evening, we will drop you off at your chosen central Christchurch accommodation, where trip arrangements conclude. It is advised to not book any domestic or international flights that evening, allowing for possible delays in our journey. Ride: 32kms or 20mi; 79m or 259ft Accommodation : Own arrangements - not included in the trip

Meals:  B