New Zealand's Cycle Holiday Experts
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8 Day Self Guided Queenstown & Southern Lakes

Duration: 8 Days
Location: Central South Island
Price: From NZ$1700

This trip starts from Christchurch with a gradual warm-up with mainly flat riding on the first two days as you ride through to the quiet country towns of Methven and Geraldine.

From Geraldine you tackle some of the moderate hills that follow for the remainder of the trip as you cycle through breath-taking scenery to the spectacular lake-side town of Tekapo, where many of the scenes for the ‘Lord of the Rings” were filmed.

From Tekapo its along the canals and glacier-fed Southern Lakes and through the dramatic Mackenzie Basin to Queenstown, the Adventure Capital of New Zealand.

Here your adventure travel vacation can really start and we are able to help arrange a variety of activities from buggy jumping to jet boating.

  • We will meet you at your accommodation in Christchurch with bicycles and equipment and you then cycle to Methven. The cycling starts with riding across the Canterbury Plains to Methven at the base of the mountains.  Although the ride appears mainly flat you do gain some elevation as you head inland to the mountains.  Total distance for the day is 95km.
  • Methven to Geraldine. Today’s ride is a relaxed ride as you pass through the open farmland of Canterbury Plains.  There are no significant hills and a gradual loss in altitude as you head away from the hills towards the Pacific Coast.  Great views of the Southern Alps can been seen particularly early in the ride.  Total cycling today is 80km.
  • Geraldine to Lake Tekapo. From Geraldine you leave the Canterbury Plains and begin a series of moderately demanding climbs inland to Tekapo.  As you cycle into Tekapo, Mt Cook can often be seen in the distance.  Mt Cook, New Zealand’s tallest mountain offer some spectacular scenes across the lake.   Distance cycled 90km
  • Rest day/sightseeing in Tekapo. A chance to rest the legs if needed.  Public thermal hot pools are a great way to soak away any aches you may have.  If you want to stretch you legs there are a number of pleasant walks in the area.  There is also scenic flights to view Mt Cook and night star gazing is popular.  This is a great opportunity to see the Southern Hemisphere  sky with limited light pollution.
  • Lake Tekapo to Omarama.  A gentle days cycle with some spectacular scenery as you pass through the Mackenzie Basin.  Views of Mt Cook still feature for a big portion of the day.  The Mackenzie Basin is where one of New Zealand’s hydro electricity schemes was developed.  As you head to Omarama you criss-cross the hydro canals.  Total cycling distance 90km.
  • Omarama to Cromwell. The longest day on the bike starts with a barely noticeable climb as you leave Omarama but intensifies as you climb to the highest point of the trip at 970m.  This means a great downhill and undulating ride before the next climb.  From here it a flat ride along the shores of Lake Dunstan for a well earned rest at Cromwell.  Total distance today is 110km
  • Cromwell to Queenstown.  The last day on the bike is an undulating ride through the spectacular Kawarau Gorge, before the countryside opens out for views of the lake and mountains that surround Queenstown.  Distance cycled is 70km. 
  • Tour finishes in Queenstown, known for it’s adventure tourism activities.   There are many  activities to keep the heart pumping such as bungy jumping, jet boating, mountain biking or rafting.  But if you prefer something more relaxing try the historic T.S.S Earnslaw excursion around the lake

Tour Pricing

  • Low Season NZ$1700per person twin share (September, October, November, March & April)
  • High Season NZ$1800 per person twin share (December, January & February)
  • Single Supplement (on request basis only) NZ$650

    • Daily Luggage Cartage Your gear can be waiting for you at the end of each day. This service costs an additional NZ$950 per person (minimum of 2 people) although a discount is available for 3 or more people

  • EQUIPMENT INCLUDED

    Scott Scale 760 mountain bike configured for touring (with road tyres) or specialist touring bicycle [700c wheels and drop bars]brought to your accommodation and personally fitted.
    Ortlieb rear pannier bags, front handlebar bag and comprehensive repair kit.
    Detailed itinerary, maps and notes on points of interest that you will pass.
    You can upgrade to a road bike available in combination with daily luggage transportation, contact us for further details.

  • ACCOMMODATION

    7 nights accommodation in twin room accommodation with ensuite [where available], in carefully selected Bed and Breakfast’s, Homestays or small motels. Breakfast is included each day.

  • DIFFICULTY

    Moderate to demanding route with longer days averaging 60 to 100 kms per cycling day. 

  • SEASON

    September to May inclusive.
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   queenstown8

Hills50%
Flat Terrain50%
Fitness Level80%


We really had the most fabulous time and I want to thank you both - having such good quality bikes and panniers, plus lights, cycle computer, maps and detailed daily ride guides made the whole trip so really enjoyable and so smooth and easy. And the B&B choices were great - each so different but all a very good standard of accommodation and all very bike friendly!
Caroline
Your equipment was superb, directions spot on and we really appreciate you putting that all together for us. Accomodation great, well placed and we enjoyed meeting some interesting people who were very generous and kindly opened their homes to us. That blew me away almost as much as the scenery (!)
Jacqui and Sean
The bike and associated gear performed perfectly - the bike in particular was very well prepared. The nightly accommodation was excellent and the hosts more than friendly - such hospitality really reflect well on the character of all New Zealanders. Thanks again for organising a most enjoyable and memorable tour. Well done.
Alan
Please accept my thanks for an exceptionally well prepared tour. The quality of documentation was outstanding and it provided for every need both on the road and at each of the waypoints at day's end.
Alan
My time in New Zealand was fantastic, due in significant part to the extraordinary bicycling trip you designed. The itinerary was perfect...
William
I just got back to the States and I wanted to shoot you a quick email to say that I thoroughly enjoyed the cycling tour you planned for me, and wanted to thank you for the planning a preparation that went into making that trip so great.  It was truly one of the best cycling experiences of my life!
Gardner Burg
We really had the most fabulous time and I want to thank you both - having such good quality bikes and panniers, plus lights, cycle computer, maps and detailed daily ride guides made the whole trip so really enjoyable and so smooth and easy. And the B&B choices were great - each so different but all a very good standard of accommodation and all very bike friendly!
Caroline
Your equipment was superb, directions spot on and we really appreciate you putting that all together for us. Accomodation great, well placed and we enjoyed meeting some interesting people who were very generous and kindly opened their homes to us. That blew me away almost as much as the scenery (!)
Jacqui and Sean
The bike and associated gear performed perfectly - the bike in particular was very well prepared. The nightly accommodation was excellent and the hosts more than friendly - such hospitality really reflect well on the character of all New Zealanders. Thanks again for organising a most enjoyable and memorable tour. Well done.
Alan
Please accept my thanks for an exceptionally well prepared tour. The quality of documentation was outstanding and it provided for every need both on the road and at each of the waypoints at day's end.
Alan
My time in New Zealand was fantastic, due in significant part to the extraordinary bicycling trip you designed. The itinerary was perfect...
William
I just got back to the States and I wanted to shoot you a quick email to say that I thoroughly enjoyed the cycling tour you planned for me, and wanted to thank you for the planning a preparation that went into making that trip so great.  It was truly one of the best cycling experiences of my life!
Gardner Burg
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