Jean Rannie & Friends - Marlborough & West Coast Cycle

On arrival into Picton, please make your own way to the group accommodation. It is only a short walk or taxi ride from the ferry terminal to High Street. You can check in after 2pm and are then free to explore Picton for the rest of the day. Accommodation: Broadway Motel - Picton - 113 High Street, Picton

Meals:  Nil

We meet our guide early for breakfast and a briefing and bike fit. We then set away from Picton by bike and follow the scenic Queen Charlotte Drive which winds along the edge of the Queen Charlotte Sound and offers scenic views over the shimmering ocean. We pass through the small settlement of Havelock, known for its mussels, with a few cafes and gallery and then continue to Pelorous Bridge. Here we finish our riding for the day and can enjoy a short walk through the ancient forest or a quick dip in the river, as the Pelorous River is a popular swimming hole in the summer. We then drive to Nelson an hour away and have some free time to explore the town, the Suter Art Gallery or walk to the Centre of NZ monument. Our final destination tonight is Kaiteriteri, which is a further hour away in the bus and takes us to the gateway of the Abel Tasman National Park. We settle into our eco lodge, nestled amongst the bush with panoramic views of Kaiteriteri beach and estuary and have our first evening meal together. Cycling Distance: 56km/35 miles (450m elevation) Accommodation: Kimi Ora Eco Lodge - www.kimiora.com

Meals:  B,L,D

Today we rest our cycle legs and are free to explore the Abel Tasman National Park by foot, kayak or sailing boat. There are options to take a water taxi into one of the many bays and then either walk all or part way back, join a sea kayaking excursion or take a half day hike into Anchorage and in the afternoon board a catamaran for an exciting sail around the heads and back to Kaiteriteri. The Abel Tasman track is well formed and drops into several beautiful sheltered bays and golden sand beaches, make sure to have a picnic lunch and your swimming gear with you as there are plenty of places to enjoy a swim and to sit and take in the views. Please let us know if you would like us to book any activities for you in advance. Your guide will have their rest day and will meet you the following morning.

Meals:  B

After breakfast we drive to Riwaka and leave the Abel Tasman behind. We cycle the quiet river road alongside the beautiful Motueka River and then through forestry roads towards St Arnaud, nestled in the heartland of the mountainous Nelson Lake District. Situated right on the shores of Lake Rotoiti, we recommend doing one of the many short walks through the native bush. This area is known as a “mainland island” and the results of the pest eradication programme means that the native birdlife is flourishing. Cycling Distance: up to 103km /64 miles (385m elevation) Accommodation: Nelson Lakes Motels - www.nelsonlakes.co.nz/our-accommodation

Meals:  B,L,D

Early risers are encouraged to take a walk into the nearby native forest at sunrise to hear the native birds & their “dawn chorus”. Leaving the Nelson Lakes we travel towards the Buller Gorge and cycle through the Upper Gorge with views over the Buller River whose white water attracts rafting and kayaking enthusiasts. We then drive southwards along the scenic and wild west coast coastline to reach Punakaiki. Here there is the chance to do a number of short walks, plus visit the famous Pancake Rocks. These rocks started forming 30 million years ago, the formation of the layers of limestone look like a pancake stack and at high tide water surges up through the blow holes! A short walk gives us panoramic views across the rocks, and the beautiful coastline. Cycling Distance 75km/ 47 miles (360m elevation) Accommodation: Punakaiki Beachfront Motel - www.punakaikibeachfrontmotels.co.nz

Meals:  B,L,D

We'll enjoy early morning views of the crashing sea at Punakaiki and then set away on our bikes following the coast road south. It is an undulating ride but we are rewarded with incredible views as we ride under forested rocky bluffs following the wild coast. On reaching the Grey River we head inland through the picturesque Arnold Valley towards the mountains and tranquil water of Lake Brunner. We overnight at the small settlement of Moana on the lake shore. Cycling Distance: 79km/49 miles (380m elevation) Accommodation: Hotel Lake Brunner - www.hotellakebrunner.co.nz

Meals:  B,L

This morning we begin with a visit to the old coal mining town of Blackball, famous for its salami and then set off riding up the quiet Grey River valley to Ikamatua. We then drive to Reefton, another interesting wild west gold mining town which boasts that in 1888 it was the first place in the Southern Hemisphere to have electric street lighting. We then get back on our bikes and cycle through a corridor of beautiful lush rain forest, crossing the Rahu Saddle from Reefton to Springs Junction. From here the beautiful beech forests of the Lewis Pass beckon and we travel the pictureque mountainous road to the thermal resort of Hanmer Springs. We will then visit the hot pools and soak our weary legs in the therapeutic waters before dinner. Cycling Distance: First ride – Blackball to Ikamatua 30km/19 miles (200m elevation), Second ride – Reefton to Springs Junction 44km/27 miles (510m elevation) Accommodation: The St James - www.thestjames.co.nz

Meals:  B,L

Hanmer Springs is a hub for mountain biking and hiking, and a great place to rest, relax and enjoy the mountain air. This morning we have a choice to do an easy forest ride or walk and to revisit the hot pools depending on our energy levels. In the afternoon our ride towards Kaikoura follows quiet undulating rural roads alongside the Amuri and Seawards Kaikoura Mountains. From Mt Lyford Lodge we set away with a short climb over Whale Back Saddle where we are surrounded by tussock covered hills. The Inland road climbs several inclines and passes the historic Doone Station and gravesite before crossing over the Conway River. The landforms around here still show the effects of the massive November 2016 earthquake, with its faultlines and scars. We gradually ride downhill towards the coast, it is 60km to Kaikoura, but we can ride as much as we like and then drive the rest of the way there. On arriving in Kaikoura we settle into our accommodation and are free to relax before we meet for our final group dinner. Cycling Distance: My Lyford to Kaikoura - up to 60km (500m elevation) Accommodation: The White Morph Hotel - www.whitemorph.co.nz

Meals:  B,L,D

We have an early start to join a 7:15am whale watch tour offering a up-close encounter with the world's largest toothed predator the Giant Sperm Whale. We might get to spot any number of Blue, Fin, Sei, Humpback, Minke, Pilot, Orca and Southern Right Whales, Common Dolphins, Bottlenose Dolphins, as well as Elephant Seals and Leopard Seals. After a snack we set off on the final journey to Christchurch there is an option to do a walk along the beautiful Kaikoura Peninsula coastal track towards South Bay for impressive views of rugged cliff formations, tidal platforms and the Seaward Kaikoura Range. Alternatively if there is time we can ride from Cheviot to Domett passing Gore Bay and the Cathedral Rocks. We then head towards a boutique Waipara vineyard, for a wine tasting and platter lunch, a fitting way to celebrate all we've experienced and achieved. We arrive into Christchurch in the late afternoon and you will be delivered to your central city accommodation.

Meals:  B,L