Why I'd travel with Adventure South again

Jodie travelling with Adventure South in 2020 | Jodie M

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What it's like travelling with Adventure South again, again.. and again!

We hear first hand from Jodie as she shares her experience travelling with Adventure South NZ not once but twice, and coming back for her third cycling holiday through the South Island of New Zealand this year.

Next month (April 2024), my son and I will be heading to New Zealand for my third trip with Adventure South. Living in Australia, New Zealand is far enough away to feel like a holiday and the scenery of the South Island keeps us coming back. I decided to travel with Adventure South again for many reasons.

My first trip with this New Zealand cycling company was only a few years ago back in 2020, when my sons and I completed the Alps to Ocean cycle trail with a great bunch of people. Since then, my husband and I rode the Great Taste Trail & Beyond in Nelson and now we are coming back to bike the Lake Dunstan and Otago Central Rail Trail this year.

I wouldn't say I have a favourite trip out of the two I've been on because they were both so different but I'll tell you what you can expect on both rides.

Alps to Ocean

This was my first cycling tour with Adventure South and luckily I had prepared for it, fitness-wise. The Alps 2 Ocean was not an easy ride, especially through the canals which were very windy and hard work. That day was by far the hardest day I have ever had on a bike - headwinds! We still finished the 300+ kms with a smile on our faces, it was such a great sense of achievement.

But other than the winds on that day, the ride was great. The scenery at Lake Tekapo was amazing. Accommodation, food, etc were all great. Adventure South staff were fabulous, helpful, informative and fun. The bikes were well-serviced and hardy.

Great Taste Trail & Beyond in Nelson

I wanted to come back so I decided to do this trip with my husband. It was a very different type of ride, easier and not so many long hours on the bike, giving us time to relax and enjoy the towns we passed along the way. I would have to say the highlight of the Great Taste Trail & Beyond was Picton, Nelson and the wineries.

Nelson and Picton in the South Island both have such lovely scenery to ride through and my favourite night stay would probably be Picton, so pretty and the nicest people.

Once again, the food was fabulous at all the places we stayed. Accommodation was terrific and the morning teas supplied on the roadside with the bus were plentiful and yummy.

Once again, the Adventure South team was fabulous. Each trip has run smoothly and like clockwork. The staff are very accommodating and always helpful. I honestly can't fault them.

I have chosen to travel again this year with Adventure South because it is so easy. Booking their cycling holiday is so easy, great value for money and I know I'm guaranteed to have a great time.

Otago Central Rail Trail & Lake Dunstan

It's mid-April, 2024 and I have just returned from my trip with Adventure South. We cycled from Lake Dunstan to the end of the Otago Central Rail Trail over 5 days. Although we were a small group we were well looked after by Jude, our trusty guide and driver. The bikes were well-maintained and easy to ride. The accommodation and food options were excellent.

My son is a good rider and the girls on the trip liked to challenge him every day. He rode his eBike on eco and the girls rode on boost. He managed to keep up with them every day - this was fun.