Cycle New Zealand

Day 1
Depart London.

Day 2
Travel to New Zealand.

Day 3
Arrive Auckland. Transfer and check in to your hotel.

Day 4
Our morning begins with a 2hr drive to Hauraki Plains, located 75km south-east of Auckland at the foot of the Coromandel Peninsula, they occupy the southern portion of a rift valley. From here we enjoy a half day of cycling via the Karangahake gorge on a new cycleway. Steeped in a rich mining history the gorge is riddled with tracks, walkways and cycle paths. In the evening we make our way to Rotorua and attend a Maori Marae for a concert and hangi (an earth oven - a traditional way of cooking).

Day 5
We spend the morning in Rotorua, a city made famous for its geothermal activity, with it's naturally occurring bubbling pools dotted around the centre. We will visit some of the thermal sites and the local museum to get a flavour of the history of the area. In the afternoon we drive across to Taupo and then cycle to Napier, one of New Zealand's famous wine regions located on the east coast.
Cycling Distance 30km (Cycling Time 2hrs)
Driving Distance 220km (Driving Time 3hrs)

Day 6
Today we enjoy a full day in Hawkes Bay. Famous for its wineries it is also scattered with quiet trails, perfect for a relaxed day of cycling.
Cycling Distance up to 50km (Cycle Time 5-6hrs)

Day 7
Today we continue to explore the wineries with a half day cycle before driving south down the east coast via Martinborough (another popular wine region) and then over the hills to descend into Wellington for the night. With the national museum nearby as well as a vibrant café scene, the inner Wellington harbour zone has a great atmosphere and the buzz that can only be found in a capital city.
Cycling Distance 20-30km (Cycling Time 3hrs)
Driving Distance 315km (Driving Time 4.5hrs)

Day 8
Made up of two islands, New Zealand is separated by the Cook Strait. In the early morning we have a 3.5hr sailing across Cook Strait and into the beautiful Marlborough Sounds eventually arriving at Picton. From here we have a 2hr drive across to Nelson, the Arts & Craft centre of NZ.
Cycling Distance 20km (Cycling Time 2hrs)
Driving Distance 134km (Driving Time 2hrs)

Day 9
Our third ride is on the new Great Taste Trail, and we start the new cycleway across the waterfront of the huge Nelson Bay. The riding is flat and involves crossing onto rabbit Island and then back by short ferry to the mainland at Marpua before continuing to Motueka where we stay the two nights.
Cycling Distance 40-50 km (Cycling Time 5hrs)
Driving Distance 20km (Drive Time 1hrs)

Day 10
We have a free day off the bike today with the option to take a hike or a kayak on the famous Abel Tasman walkway. This involves catching a water taxi into the park and hiking back, or hiking into Torrent Bay and catching a midday catamaran to sail down the coast. There are cycle options for today or the chance to relax and enjoy the local galleries.

Day 11
After a short drive out of town, the quiet west bank of the beautiful Motueka River provides us with a stunning cycle, before we drive over into the neighbouring Buller river. We follow this river out to the Punakaiki coastline with the chance for a spectacular ride, complete with hills, onto our accommodation.
Cycling Distance 40-50km (Cycling Time 4hrs)
Driving Distance 240km (Driving Time 3.5hrs)

Day 12
With various cycle options from here we have a stunning half day coastal ride before we finally arrive into Greymouth in time for lunch. We join the famous Trans Alpine Express to cross the Southern Alps with tunnels, farmland and lakes to enjoy. At a small rural township, we rejoin our vehicle and drive across the Canterbury Plains on the eastern side and finally arrive at our farmstay in Fairlie.
Cycling Distance 45km (Cycling Time 3-4hrs)
Driving Distance 180km (Drive Time 2.75hrs)

Day 13
From Fairlie we drive to the start of the canal road that forms part of the Alps to Ocean Cycleway. The ride provides amazing backdrops against the Southern Alps as we follow the lake edge. In the afternoon we drive up to Aoraki Mount Cook Alpine village nestled at the foot of Mt Cook where we stay the night.
Cycling Distance 40-50km (Cycling Time 4hrs)
Driving Distance 80km (Driving Time 1.5hrs)

Day 14
Often we experience a tail wind from here as we take the downhill road ride alongside lake Pukaiki where we rejoin the Alps to Ocean cycleway and follow it through to Lake Ohau Lodge and our accommodation with great views overlooking the lake.
Cycling Distance 50-60km (Cycling Time 5-6hrs)
Driving Distance 40km (Driving Time .45hrs)

Day 15
The Alps to Ocean cycleway ride now heads east following the mighty Waitaki River via its hydro dams heading to the sea. The riding is on smooth lake side trails once more as we track across the vast valley cycling the best sections. Accommodation today is in Kurow, a pioneer township situated in North Otago.
Cycling Distance approx 100km (Cycling Time 6-8hrs)
Driving Distance 40km (Driving Time 1hr)

Day 16
Continuing the trail via the beautiful limestone boulders at Elephant Rocks, we cycle the rural roads out to the coast and then into Oamaru, with its famous historic quarter to explore. The nearby Blue Penguin colony provides an optional evening activity.
Cycling Distance approx 65km (cycling Time 4-5hrs)
Driving Distance 0-30km (Driving Time 0-1hr)

Day 17
Further coastal cycling follows today before we wind our way through narrow gorges and then inland and onto the famous Otago Central Rail Trail as we ride on to Ranfurly. In the early evening we divert to nearby Naseby to experience curling - similar to bowls on ice. Home of the Southern Hemisphere's largest indoor arena, our time here is a complete contrast to the heat of summer outside!
Cycling Distance 50km (Cycling Time 3-4hrs)
Driving Distance 80km (Driving Time 1.5hrs)

Day 18
The Rail Trail continues and from the Wedderburn highpoint its down hill mostly to Clyde. En route we have time to explore the viaducts and tunnels that mark this section before we arrive into Lauder. The region is famous for its stone fruit and road side stalls which in season provide a delicious snack.
Cycling Distance approx 80km (Cycling Time 6-8hrs)
Driving Distance 50km (Driving Time 1hr)

Day 19
From Clyde it's a short 1.25hr drive into Queenstown and the chance to enjoy this bustling centre for the rest of the day. Home of great Pinot Noirs and adrenalin sports there are plenty of adventurous options that await.
Cycling Distance 0km (Cycling Time 0hr)
Driving Distance 90km (Driving Time 1.5hr)

Day 20
Further free time in Queenstown before afternoon homeward flight.

Day 21
Arrive London