Great West Coaster Mountain Bike Tour

With the South Island offering some of the best cycling in NZ, this 13 day itinerary provides a double crossing of the Southern Alps and the best of best in cycling!

Day 1
At lunchtime we meet at our hotel for a ‘working lunch’. The trip briefing and introduction will be facilitated by our guides giving you a full understanding of the itinerary, terrain and any operational issues we need to deal with. A short warm-up ride is available for those keen to turn some pedals.

Day 2
From our morning meeting Christchurch we drive out of town and set up the bikes. The Canterbury Plains are vast and with Hanmer being our objective it's a matter of turning the pedals and watching the road slip by. By late afternoon we arrive at the thermal resort of Hanmer and a chance to soak in the hot pools before dinner.

Day 3
The road over Lewis Pass takes us up through the beech forests of the Southern Alps steadily gaining height in the Maruia valley. From the head there is a short grind to the summit of the Pass and the chance to look into Cannibal Gorge before a freewheel down to the second thermal resort of the tour at Maruia Springs with its Japanese bathhouse and outdoor pools. Continuing onwards we climb over Rahu Saddle (optional vehicle transport) for a final descent into the west coast mining town of Reefton.

Day 4
The ride from Reefton takes us out to the mighty Buller River and down to the junction with the State Highway 6 where we turn south to Punakaiki and the start of some of the best coastal rides. Our accommodation has the added delight of exploring the famous Pancake Rocks and the limestone wonderland of the area.

Day 5
Southwards again the coastal ride today is again spectacular as the road hugs the coast with its mainly river mouths and bush slopes. Gradually the land opens up and the rural scenery intensifies as we reach Greymouth and the Grey River. From here the road continues southwards through the rural countryside before it finally reaches Hokitika, home of the famous Pounamu, or Greenstone.

Day 6
Further south, the glacier country beckons and the road soon changes from rural countryside to one fringed with the mighty podocarp forests. 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 Joseph Glacier township for the night.

Day 7
The distance to Fox Glacier is only a matter of 23 kms but that ride crosses three strenuous passes, each followed by exciting and exhilarating downhills. The ride is worth the effort with a last downhill into Fox and straight to the bar if you are lucky. In the evening we take a short tour to nearby lake Matheson with its famous sunset reflections.

Day 8
Time for a day off the saddle and Fox Glacier is a great place to enjoy this. Relax and catch up with your diary or postcards. Perhaps a walk on the nearby glacier or a helicopter flight to land on the snowfields high above the village.

Day 9
After the free day we head off again on the beautiful highways and flat roads. The road reaches the coast at Bruce Bay before turning inland again and skirting the beautiful Lake Moeraki and then the Knights Point coastline. Eventually we roll into Haast township and a final night on the coast.

Day 10
Haast Pass presents another of the riding highlights. For some 70 kms the road slowly rises as the mighty Landsborough river joins the nearby Clark Valley. The climb however comes quick and soon the series of climbs interspersed with the flats gradually takes us to the summit of the pass at 678km. From here there is a final 15km ride down into the beautiful township of Makaroa and a deserved end to the days ride.

Day 11
A shorter ride as we approach the township of Lake Wanaka and the two lakes which flank its entrance. The road rolls down into the headwaters of the Otago valleys and then climbs along the lake shore before taking us to the resort township of Lake Wanaka.

Day 12
The morning of our pentultimate day we head out of town on a flat(ish) 25km of riding to the historic township of Cardrona. From here the sealed road takes us over the Crown Range with its spectacular views before a wicked drop down into Arrowtown and a final ride into nearby Queenstown and the last night of the tour.

Day 13
After a relaxing breakfast the group bids a final farewell leaving you free to explore the delights of Queenstown for the rest of the day.

2007 Dates: February 4th , March 4th

Price: NZ $4,495. Single Supplement (extra) NZ $1,119

Included in trip cost
• All breakfasts and lunches
• 6 evening meals
• Guides and transportation
• Accommodation as detailed on a twin share basis including day 12 in Queenstown.
• Cycle and helmet
• All activities as shown
• Access and Concession fees to the Department of Conservation land
• New Zealand Goods and Service Tax (GST)

Not included
• 6 evening meals
• Personal expenses

Best of the South!

Combining the Great West Coaster with the Southern Cross provides a unique contrast between the beech clad Lewis pass and the spectacular Milford Sound and the fossilised remnants of the Catlins forest park and the albatross breeding grounds of the Otago peninsula.

The circuit starts in Christchurch and cycles over Lewis Pass and down the West Coast taking in a first hand experience on the Fox Glacier. Via the Haast pass it enters Otago province and then a two day rest in Queenstown, home of all that’s wild in New Zealand. Heading south we divert to Milford sound and then around the base of the south island and up to Dunedin, with its Scottish ancestry. Our final day is spent on the Otago Peninsula with some amazing bird life.

* Experience the beautiful outdoor hot pools of Hanmer Springs after your second days riding.
* Meander over Lewis Pass with its beautiful beech forest borders.
* Bicycle the stunning coastal road as we travel down the coast to the beautiful Pancake Rocks at Punakaiki.
* Watch the west coast sunset from your beach front accommodation.
* Explore the Fox Glacier on foot or by helicopter on your free day.
* Descend into the headwaters of the mighty Otago valleys from the summit of Haast Pass.
* Try your hand at bungy jumping, jet boating, rafting or perhaps hunt out your favourite Pinot Noir at Queenstown.
* Join the Milford Sound nature cruise as part of your day cycle into this amazing Fiord.
* Visit NZ’s southern most city before heading back up the eastern coastline via the spectacular Catlins and Nugget Point coastline.
* Watch first hand the antics of New Zealand’s only mainland based Albatross at the Otago Peninsula breeding colony.
* Celebrate a final night with your friends at our own Scottish castle.

Departure Dates 2007: February 4th , March 4th

Prices 2007 : NZ $7,645 . Single Supplement (extra) NZ $1,995