Guided Cycle Tours New Zealand

Bike New Zealand with breath-taking tours developed by experienced local cyclists

19 day North and South Island Guided Bicycle Tour

Best of both worlds!

Our combined bus and cycle tour ensures that you can cycle the highlights of both Islands in a relatively short time. You will cycle approximately 700 km, however you are always welcome to ride in the support vehicle whenever you feel the need.

How else can you cycle the best bits and still see all this beautiful country has to offer in just 19 days?

New Zealand offers a diversity of landscape from volcanoes, hot springs, fast flowing rivers, alluvial plains, native forests alive with the sound of native bird song, to impossibly rugged, snow covered Alps and deep, sheer sided fjords.

Where else can you find such variety in a country roughly the size of Great Britain?

This tour offers something for everyone. It covers the thermal area of Rotorua, beautiful beaches, stunning rain forests and the majesty of the Southern Alps.

While this tour is classified as a moderately hard tour, you are always welcome to take advantage of the support vehicle to 'take a load off'.

Brief Itinerary

Day 1	Arrive in Auckland and spend day sightseeing
Day 2	Drive to Cleveland and then cycle along the amazing coastal road to Miranda. From there we drive over the forest covered Coromandel range to Whitianga. - [52km cycling, total distance 251km]
Day 3	Whitianga (Rest Day)
Day 4	We cycle from Tairua to Whiritoa through the Tairua Forest. From here its on to Rotorua by bus Tairua to Whiritoa – [49km cycling, total distance 245km]
Day 5	Rest Day. After lunch we recommend a tour (optional) through the Whakarewarewa Thermal Park, famous for its active wonderland of geysers, hot springs and boiling mud pools.
Day 6	From Rotorua, we drive South to New Zealand's largest lake, Lake Taupo. We then cycle from Turangi to Tongariro National Park – [53km cycling, total distance 200km]
Day 7	From the Tongariro National Park we follow the Mangawhero River cycling from Kakatahi to Wanganui [57km cycling, total distance 125km]
Day 8	We drive through lush, rolling pastoral land from Wanganui to Wellington . In the afternoon there is a short sightseeing tour around New Zealand’s capital. [no cycling, total distance 195km]
Day 9	In the morning we take a 3 hour ferry journey across Cook Strait through Queen Charlotte Sound to Picton. From Picton we cycle along the beautiful Queen Charlotte Drive to Havelock. From here we drive to Nelson – [34km cycling, total distance 105km]
Day 10	Rest Day. The famous Abel Tasman Coastal walk is just an hours drive away and has beautiful walks. Or just take in the sights of Nelson.
Day 11	We drive to Lyal and then cycle along the gorgeous Buller gorge to Westport - [65km cycling, total distance 230km]
Day 12	In the morning we drive to Punakaiki where we stop to visit the Pancake Rocks and Blowholes. From here we cycle along the spectacular coastal road to Greymouth and on by bus to Hokitika Punakaiki to Greymouth – [45km cycling, total distance 145km]
Day 13	From Hokitika we drive to Hari Hari to start cycling through the rugged countryside taking us to the township of Franz Josef. Continuing in the vehicle for the last 25km to Fox Glacier, we visit the Glacier Face before checking into our accommodation. - [Hari Hari to Franz Josef – 62km cycling, total distance 160km]
Day 14	Fox Glacier - Wanaka. We drive past dense rainforest, the Pakihi swamp and along the coast to Haast. We cycle along the Haast River to the 563m Haast Pass. Once there your reward is an exhilarating downhill to the Blue Pools, past Lakes Wanaka and Hawea. Then on to Wanaka. [Pleasant Flat to Hawea – 81km cycling, total distance 264km]
Day 15	Wanaka - Queenstown. In the morning we ride over the Crown Range. From the saddle there is a great downhill ride to Arrowtown. From here we drive to Queenstown. [Wanaka to Arrowtown – 51km cycling, total distance 81km]
Day 16	Queenstown – Rest Day! Options include a lake ride aboard the historic steamship Earnslaw, jet boating on the Shotover River, bungy jumping, white water rafting, or tandem paragliding.
Day 17	Queenstown - Twizel. We drive to the top of Lindis Pass then cycle to Twizel. -[61km, total distance 220km]
Day 18	We cycle along the Pukaki canal until reaching the turquoise glacier lake in Tekapo. From here we drive to Christchurchfor a tour. [Canal Rd Turnoff to Tekapo – 33km cycle, total distance 281km]
Day 19	Christchurch is the end of this tour. Transfers are provided to the airport.

cycle touring on West Coast

deserved rest at top of Lindis Pass

group pose after a hard ride

This tour is also available traveling from Christchurch up to Auckland. The tour is reversed as above.

Please note that your trip may differ from the above itinerary either to better suit the needs of the group, or due to circumstances beyond our control such as the weather.

Difficulty

Moderate route, averaging 30 to 62kms per cycling day

Cost

Tour Price 19 days: NZD$5195.00
Single Room surcharge NZD$1400.00

Tour Price North Island only NZD$2925
Single Room surcharge NZD$775

Tour Price South Island only NZD$3410
Single Room surcharge NZD$950

Included:

Airport transfers
Day 1 only: Auckland (between 7am & 2pm from the Airport)
Day 19 only: Christchurch (between 7am & 3.30pm from the Hotel)

Transfers outside these days/times are your own arrangements
Tourguide (who is also the driver)
Support vehicle (Coaster Bus) with bike trailer (& luggage space). Luggage limited to 1 suitcase per person + 1 daypack
18 nights in 3–4 star (NZ standard) hotels & motels
Ferry from Wellington to Picton (normally mid morning crossing)
Sightseeing tour Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland

Not Included:

International flights & airport taxes
Airport transfers outside the days/times specified above
Travel Insurance
Lunch and evening meals, though we are happy to offer our suggestion of local favorites each night and can assist with booking as required
Drinks (apart from water)
Bicycle hire - [see www.cyclehire.co.nz/cycle_hire.htm for options]
Note: 10% discount on bike hire with tour booking
Accommodation prior to tour commencement or after tour completion
Snacks
Personal expenses (including any specific medical related requirements)

Dates

2010
South-North: Monday Feb 15 - Friday March 5; Monday March 29 - Friday April 16
North-South: Monday March 8 - Friday March 26

To ensure availability, we recommend that you book early to avoid disappointment.

Home l Guided tours l Self-guided tours l Terms and conditions l General information l NZ weather l Links l Contact