Farm & Leisure Tours: West Coast Wilderness

Your adventure begins with the drive inland across the picturesque Canterbury Plains, and across Arthur’s Pass with its towering, snow-capped peaks. On the west side of the Southern Alps, we reach the old gold town of Ross, backed by ranges cloaked in native bush. After a late lunch, we’ll saddle up for our first ride on the West Coast Wilderness Trail. A stretch of rail trail leads to Treetop Walkway (optional) where you can see Lake Mahinapua’s rainforest and wetlands from on high. We’ll then continue cruising through to Hokitika, a loveable little town fronted by a dramatic beach and famous for pounamu (greenstone) and other arts & crafts. And sunsets. Two nights here won’t feel like enough. Cycling distance: 33km

Meals:  D

Our ride today takes us inland through rural country to reach the bush-lined Kaniere water race – always a favourite for its flowing riding and babbling waters. Nestled in the forested foothills, Lake Kaniere is a grand sight indeed. We’ll follow it shores to reach the small township of Kokatahi where we’ll stop for a picnic lunch. Hokitika Gorge is up next. A short walkway offers a chance to see its granite boulders and swirling, surreal turquoise waters from many angles. From there, we’ll drive back to Hokitika where there’ll be time to explore the town some more and hopefully enjoy another West Coast sunset. Cycling distance: 40km

Meals:  B,L,D

Today we drive back to Lake Kaniere and continue our ride through the amazing bush trails of this cycleway. Firstly on rural roads and then the dedicated trail that takes us to the coffee stop at Milltown, home of saw-milling in earlier times. The trail crosses a swing bridge and then a kilometre of switchback climbing 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 our overnight at Kumara and the beautiful historic hotel that is our accommodation. Cycle distance: 55km

Meals:  B,L,D

Our final day on the Wilderness Trail sees 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. After a café lunch, there’s time for a stroll around the town or an optional visit to the historic Monteith's Brewery. In the afternoon we drive the stunning coastal highway to explore Paparoa National Park. First, we’ll explore the Pororari River with its dramatic limestone gorge, with a 3.5km walk up to a suspension bridge, returning the same way. Then we take a leisurely stroll around Punakaiki’s Dolomite Point, famous for its Pancake Rocks and thundering blow holes. We spend the night in Punakaiki and enjoy a hearty meal at the local tavern. Cycling distance: 30km

Meals:  B,L,D

After breakfast we set off north out of town following the cycle trail to the Truman Track, where a short walk takes us through striking sub-tropical forest to reach a rugged beach. Back on our bikes we continue along the quiet coastal road with vantage points high above the sandy beaches and wild sea and we wind our way inland to Charleston for lunch. In the afternoon we have the chance to experience spectacular formations, water-sculpted canyons and one of the World's best gloworm displays on a cave rafting excursion (optional). If rafting isn't for you, we can visit the gloworm caves or ride on the rainforest train through the Nile River Canyon or walk along the start of the new Kawatiri Trail to the Nile River Suspension Bridge. We then drive to the famous surfing beach at Tauranga Bay for our last walk of the day along the panoramic Cape Foulwind walkway. The easy track takes us high above rocky coastal bluffs to a fur seal breeding colony and along to the Cape Foulwind lighthouse. Our final night is spent out on the Cape, with wonderful ocean views and dramatic sunsets, a fitting finale with our final group dinner and reflection on our West Coast adventure. Cycling distance: 30km

Meals:  B,L,D

After breakfast we will set away to test drive the new Kawatiri Cycle Trail from Tauranga Bay to Westport. Some sections are yet to be completed, but follow quiet roads and we get to sample the breathtaking route meandering alongside the crashing sea, through native forest and wetland, over suspension bridges and boardwalks. From Tauranga Bay the trail climbs gently for 3km to the lighthouse and then meets the road to continue downhill to Carters Beach, the final 5.5km section takes us off-road again to the Buller River and onto the centre of Westport. Here we grab a coffee before we leave the West Coast behind and begin our journey back to Christchurch. Firstly we follow the mighty Buller (Kawatiri) River twisting inland through the bush clad Buller Gorge to Reefton. We have time for lunch and to explore this small gold mining town, famous for having the first electrical lighting in the Southern Hemisphere. Onwards we cross over the Southern Alps via the Lewis Pass and enjoy the scenic mountainous drive back to arrive in Christchurch in the early evening. Cycling distance: 20km

Meals:  B