South Island 9 day Mountain Bike Tour

Christchurch

You will be met and greeted on arrival at the airport and transferred to your accommodation. Join us with the scenic afternoon tour of this picturesque city, including a highlight stop at the "Sign of the Takahe", where you will be treated to a bird’s eye view of the city, the Canterbury plains, Southern Alps and the South Pacific Ocean. We will fit your bikes, before enjoying an evening at one of the many excellent local restaurants. No cycling.

Day 2

Christchurch - Lake Coleridge

The nearby Port Hills provide us with magnificent views and we will begin with a great warm-up ride around the summit track. After lunch in Sumner we board our bus and will be driven to Lake Lyndon, a ninety minute drive across the Canterbury Plains, before we reach the lower peaks of the impressive Southern Alps. We cycle on a gravel road to Ryton Station, where we will be based for the next two days. [45km single trail & gravel road biking, 3.5hr riding time]

Lake Coleridge

After a hearty country breakfast we get on our bikes and make our way through the high country. The Pinnacle Track guides us over meadows and rivers, up and down with fantastic views of the mountains and valleys. We have got all day to experience the peaceful natural surroundings on private farmland.
[41km biking, 3.5hrs riding time]

Day 4

Lake Coleridge - Omarama

The day starts with a jetboat ride on the Rakaia River. Then we bike along the expansive riverbed of the Rakaia River and around the Mount Hutt Range with a spectacular view overlooking the Plains. At Lake Heron we load our bikes onto the trailer. During the 3 hour bus ride to Omarama we will pass through the MacKenzie Basin, and Lakes Tekapo and Pukaki. On a clear day, we can view the snowcapped peak of Aoraki/Mount Cook - New Zealand's highest mountain.
We then continue to Omarama or "Place of light" which is famed as a gliding centre.
[45km biking]

Omarama – Shortlands Station

For the next few days we will be accompanied by a local guide. We follow the Omarama stream with many river crossings before we climb to St Bathans pass - an old goldmining track and leads us to the little settlement of the same name. Today the former digging hole is a fantastic lake that varies in colour daily. A refreshing dip in the lake or a cold beer at the historic pub could finish this beautiful ride, before our bus takes us back to the farm.
[45km biking]

Day 6

Shortlands Station/Danseys Pass

The Station owned by our hosts David & Glenys, is huge and a mountain biker’s heaven. Today’s track provides us with breathtaking views and a fantastic downhill ride. At the end of the day a scrumptious meal in Glenys’ kitchen awaits us.
[34km biking]

Shortlands Station – Clyde

Phil our local guide will show us some great tracks around Naseby Forest, the highest exotic forest in the South Island. We will then ride along the famous Otago Rail Trail. It is a disused railway line, which has been converted into a cycling and hiking track. After lunch at Chatto Creek we stay on the Rail Trail for the 25km to Alexandra followed by another 10km alongside the mighty Clutha River to Clyde.
[95km biking]

Clyde - Queenstown

This morning we start with a steep ascent to the Bannockburn Range, but should be rewarded at the top with magnificent views. The last stretch for the day is a downhill ride to the well known wine-growing area of Bannockburn, where our bus is waiting for us.
[35km biking]

Day 9

Queenstown – Departure

You are free to leave the Tour at any time today.