Southern Cross
South Island 8 Day Mountain Bike Tour
Try
this new itinerary covering some of the new routes on the southern
coast discovered in recent years, combined with the spectacular
journey into Milford Sound. A degree of coach travel is probably
required to cover the distances involved.
Day 1
At lunch time we meet at our hotel for a working lunch. The guides
will provide an overview of the trip and the operational issues
that may arise before offering clients an optional short local
ride.
Day 2
An early morning start gets us on the road down the side of Lake
Wakatipu and the rolling rural roads of upper Southland. The tussocks
lead us into the township of Te Anau, perched on the edge of the
Fiordland National Park.
Day 3
The mountains surrounding Milford Sound are awesome and the road
winds into the beech forests and crawls along the valley floor.
Through the Milford Tunnel comes a dramatic 17 km descent into
the base of the Sound where we join our cruise boat for a 2.5
hour nature cruise. Later that day we retrace our steps back to
Te Anau for the evening.
Day 4
The road heads further south through rural farmland and beechforests.
Small communities dot the landscape and the coastal riding becomes
spectacular. This coast is exposed to southerly blasts creating
some surreal scenery. Gradually we quit the farmlands and approach
Invercargill, NZ’s southern most city.
Day 5
The route today skirts the beautiful and undiscovered Catlins
Forest park and coastline. The roads are quiet and the scenery
diverse as the coastline increasingly becomes spectacular. From
our accommodation we take the time to visit the petrified forest
on the seashore with some optional walks available for those seeking
more exercise.
Day 6
Our travel towards Dunedin takes us out to the main highway and
a short drive to Lake Waihola before we again rejoin the coastal
road. The rides continue with superb riding until we approach
the suburbs of Dunedin where we re join out vehicle and take a
final drive onto the spectacular Otago Peninsula and our accommodation
at Larnachs Castle, a unique site perched on the heights of the
peninsula.
Day 7
From the castle we have a short ride out to the head of the Peninsula
where we have the chance to visit the only mainland breeding site
for the mighty albatross. Later in the day we also watch up close
the return of the small yellow eyed penguin from their days food
gathering as they return to their nests. This is a special day
with short rides to and from our accommodation.
Day 8
After breakfast we have a final pack up before ending the trip
with a chance to explore the nearby city. For those seeking an
optional ride back to Christchurch a 5-6 hour trip finishes the
itinerary.
Departure Dates 2006 : January
27th , February 17th , March 31th
Prices 2006 : NZ$2,925 . Single Supplement (extra) NZ$724
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 2006 : January 14th , February
4th , March 18th
Prices 2006 : NZ$7,440 . Single Supplement (extra) NZ$1,935
