Great West Coast Cycle

We will meet in central Christchurch at Cathedral Junction at 7:15am. Your guide will drive you to the Christchurch train station in time for the TranzAlpine Train departure at 8.15am. We enjoy a scenic train journey across the Southern Alps and arrive at Moana on Lake Brunner around Midday. We will eat our lunch on the train and then we can get on the bikes immediately to follow an undulating and winding course through the picturesque Arnold Valley to Stillwater. A flat ride beside the banks of the Grey River takes us out to the coastal township of Greymouth. One of the trip's many highlights is the coastal riding as we head north along the coast to the famous Pancake Rocks at Punakaiki. The coastline is wild, the rock formations are incredible and the rainforest is lush. The riding is pure quality, with enough hills to keep you honest. After visiting the Pancake Rocks we load up the bikes, hop on the bus and transfer to Hokitika and our accommodation for the night. Hokitika is a quiet coastal town known for the crafting of Pounamu (greenstone) from the West Coast and is a wonderful place to walk along the beach at sunset. Cycling Distance: 76km / 48miles

Meals:  D

Further south, the glacier country beckons and the road soon changes from rural countryside to one fringed with the mighty podocarp rainforests. Along the way we break for coffee at Ross, one of the early gold-mining townships and then onwards through Hari Hari and Whataroa until finally we reach Franz Josef Glacier township for the next two nights. Cycling Distance: 135km / 84miles Suggested Shorter Option: Ross to Whataroa – 81km / 50miles

Meals:  B,D

Time for a day off the saddle and Franz Josef Glacier is a great place to enjoy this. With hot pools, ice climbing and lots of short walks – there are plenty of options. You could also relax and catch up with your diary or read a book. Flight-seeing is very popular here either in fixed wing planes around the mountains (up to 40 mins) or a helicopter flight to land on the snowfields high above the village (1.5 – 2 hours). There is also an option to enjoy some sea-kayaking into the rainforest at the nearby Okarito Lagoon & bird sanctuary. Additional costs for optional activities apply.

Meals:  B

This morning's start is flexible depending on the weather and what people would like to do. There are a number of options – if the previous day's weather hasn't been friendly and you were wanting to take to the skies to see the glacier or enjoy some sea-kayaking you can do your activity this morning. In the afternoon we ride through to Fox Glacier (optional). The distance to Fox Glacier is only a matter of 25 kms but that ride crosses three strenuous passes, each followed by an exciting and exhilarating downhill. The ride is worth the effort with the last downhill into Fox leading straight into one of the village cafes or bars. In the evening we take a short walk around nearby Lake Matheson with its famous sunset reflections of New Zealand’s highest mountains. Cycling Distance: 25km / 16miles

Meals:  B,L

After a couple of ‘relaxing’ days we head off again on some lovely flat roads. We reach the coast at Bruce Bay before turning inland again, skirting the beautiful Lake Moeraki and then out to the Knights Point coastline. Eventually we roll into Haast township and a final night on the west coast. Cycling Distance: 120km / 75miles Shorter Option: Fox to Lake Moeraki – 89km / 55miles

Meals:  B,L,D

Haast Pass presents another cycling highlight. For some 50 kms the road slowly rises as the mighty Landsborough River joins the nearby Clark Valley. Countless waterfalls cascade from the mountains towering above the road and the lush rainforest changes to beechforest higher up the valley. A final serious climb takes us to the summit of the pass at 678m. From here there is a 20km ride down into the beautiful township of Makarora and a well-deserved conclusion to the day's ride. If the descent does not provide enough excitement there is a thrilling jet-boat ride nearby taking you deep into the Mount Aspiring National Park. Cycling Distance: 82 km / 51miles

Meals:  B,L,D

There are dramatic changes in the landscape today as we enter the dry arid country on the eastern side of the ranges. Today we cycle alongside spectacular lakes as the road rolls down into the headwaters of the Otago valleys and then climbs along the shore of Lake Wanaka before taking us into the bustling resort township of the same name. The afternoon is free to enjoy some shopping or just to relax alongside the lake. This evening we enjoy our final group dinner together to celebrate our week's cycling achievements. Cycling Distance: 68km / 42miles

Meals:  B,L,D

Our ride this morning is a classic ride that follows the lakefront from Wanaka, heading West past the idyllic Glendhu Bay and as far as the turn off to the Treble Cone ski-field. This is a favourite amongst Wanaka locals who never tire of the spectacular views of the lake and mountains that accompany the route. We'll return the same way and finish at the family-owned Maori Point Vineyard, named for the Maori prospectors who panned for gold here in the 1860s. After a platter lunch and tasting, it's a 90 minute transfer into Queenstown, along the lakeshore of Lake Dunstan and through the stunning Kawerau Gorge, with the opportunity to check out the original bungy jump site on the historic Kawerau Bridge. Known as the adventure capital of New Zealand, Queenstown is situated alongside beautiful Lake Whakitipu, surrounded by mountains. Relaxation and shopping here are fantastic. Cycling Distance: upto 78km / 49miles

Meals:  B,L