Nelson Great Taste Cycle Trail - (6 days) Guided
Prices From: NZD$2395
Bike Rental: NZD$180
E-Bike Rental: NZD$480
Single Supplement: NZD$635
2019 : Sept 22nd / Nov 17th / Dec 15th / Dec 29th
2020 : Jan 19th / Feb 16th / Mar 15th / Apr 19th
Discover breathtaking landscapes that incorporate both coastal and mountainous vistas while exploring the Great Taste Cycle Trail in the renowned Nelson / Tasman region. This itinerary has all the trademarks of a great introductory cycling journey - inspiring scenery, quiet back country roads, flat cycle trails and long easy downhill runs.
The region is well known for its crafts, wine and great food. The best time to visit is autumn, when the weather is settled and the local harvest is in full swing.
This tour allows exploration of the coast and hinterland alike, by both bike and foot, as well as time to visit craft galleries, breweries, cottage industries, wineries and a very unusual themed museum. There are also options for short, early morning hikes in the Nelson Lakes National Park to listen to the local birds perform their 'dawn chorus' in a protected forest sanctuary.
Bike Rental: NZD$180
E-Bike Rental: NZD$480
Single Supplement: NZD$635
2019 : Sept 22nd / Nov 17th / Dec 15th / Dec 29th
2020 : Jan 19th / Feb 16th / Mar 15th / Apr 19th
Discover breathtaking landscapes that incorporate both coastal and mountainous vistas while exploring the Great Taste Cycle Trail in the renowned Nelson / Tasman region. This itinerary has all the trademarks of a great introductory cycling journey - inspiring scenery, quiet back country roads, flat cycle trails and long easy downhill runs.
The region is well known for its crafts, wine and great food. The best time to visit is autumn, when the weather is settled and the local harvest is in full swing.
This tour allows exploration of the coast and hinterland alike, by both bike and foot, as well as time to visit craft galleries, breweries, cottage industries, wineries and a very unusual themed museum. There are also options for short, early morning hikes in the Nelson Lakes National Park to listen to the local birds perform their 'dawn chorus' in a protected forest sanctuary.
Day 1: Christchurch to Blenheim :
We will collect you early this morning from your central Christchurch accommodation for a bike fitting and briefing at our depot. Following our briefing we drive north to the township of Waikari, where we enjoy a short warm up ride on peaceful back roads in the Canterbury plains, before continuing to Kaikoura (approx. 2.5 - 3hrs).
The drive is scenic and we time our arrival for lunch and a walk along the Kaikoura peninsula, spotting a few seals along the way with a bit of luck. This provides a good opportunity to stretch our legs before a further scenic drive (approx. 1.5 hrs) to Blenheim where we overnight. Blenheim is the service centre for the surrounding vineyards, orchards and agricultural region, with a beautiful mountain backdrop.
Cycle Distance: Waikari to Greta Valley - approx. 24km
Meals D
We will collect you early this morning from your central Christchurch accommodation for a bike fitting and briefing at our depot. Following our briefing we drive north to the township of Waikari, where we enjoy a short warm up ride on peaceful back roads in the Canterbury plains, before continuing to Kaikoura (approx. 2.5 - 3hrs).
The drive is scenic and we time our arrival for lunch and a walk along the Kaikoura peninsula, spotting a few seals along the way with a bit of luck. This provides a good opportunity to stretch our legs before a further scenic drive (approx. 1.5 hrs) to Blenheim where we overnight. Blenheim is the service centre for the surrounding vineyards, orchards and agricultural region, with a beautiful mountain backdrop.
Cycle Distance: Waikari to Greta Valley - approx. 24km
Meals D
Day 2: Blenheim to Nelson:
This morning we cycle amongst the Marlborough vineyards, an area known for its world renowned Sauvignon Blanc wine, and take the time for some wine tasting at a few of the local vineyards, before driving to Havelock, famous for its green lipped mussels, for lunch.
After lunch we continue to Nelson - the “sunshine capital” of the South Island of New Zealand, where we will get back on our bikes and start our cycle from Wakefield along the Great Taste Trail, followed by a visit to the renowned World of Wearable Arts & Classic Car Museum and an optional visit to a brewery en route if time permits.
We load up the bikes and drive to Nelson to our central city accommodation.
Cycle Distance: Blenheim to Renwick - approx. 27km
Wakefield to World of Wearable Arts Museum - 23 km
Meals: B,L,D
This morning we cycle amongst the Marlborough vineyards, an area known for its world renowned Sauvignon Blanc wine, and take the time for some wine tasting at a few of the local vineyards, before driving to Havelock, famous for its green lipped mussels, for lunch.
After lunch we continue to Nelson - the “sunshine capital” of the South Island of New Zealand, where we will get back on our bikes and start our cycle from Wakefield along the Great Taste Trail, followed by a visit to the renowned World of Wearable Arts & Classic Car Museum and an optional visit to a brewery en route if time permits.
We load up the bikes and drive to Nelson to our central city accommodation.
Cycle Distance: Blenheim to Renwick - approx. 27km
Wakefield to World of Wearable Arts Museum - 23 km
Meals: B,L,D
Day 3: Nelson to Motueka:
This morning we drive to Richmond and rejoin the Great Taste Trail. Today's coastal ride takes us to Rabbit Island with options to stop at vineyards & galleries on the way. We take the Flat Bottomed Ferry (a specialized bike transport ferry) to Mapua where we have lunch at one of the excellent waterfront cafes, before continuing our cycle along the Ruby Coast and into Motueka. From here you have the option to cycle another 8km to Riwaka River Estate Winery for a late afternoon tasting. We then load up the bikes and return to Motueka for overnight.
For those who still have some energy, you can cycle from the winery back to our accommodation at Motueka.
Cycle Distance: Richmond to Mapua - 18 km
Mapua to Motueka - 22 km Motueka to Riwaka Winery - Optional 8 km each way
Meals: B,L
Day 4: Able Tasman Hike and return to Motueka:
This morning we drive to Marahau and the start of the Abel Tasman track. We will rest our cycle legs for a short while on a half day hike into Anchorage on the famous Abel Tasman walkway. The track is well formed and drops into several sheltered bays and beaches. At midday we have lunch overlooking Torrent Bay and then board a catamaran for an exciting sail around the heads and back to our vehicle.
To round out a wonderful day, we take some time to enjoy Kaiteriteri beach, with the chance for a late afternoon swim or a relaxing stroll along the golden sands. From here it is only a short drive back to Motueka.
Walk - 12.5km Sail - 3 hrs
Meals: B,L,D
This morning we drive to Marahau and the start of the Abel Tasman track. We will rest our cycle legs for a short while on a half day hike into Anchorage on the famous Abel Tasman walkway. The track is well formed and drops into several sheltered bays and beaches. At midday we have lunch overlooking Torrent Bay and then board a catamaran for an exciting sail around the heads and back to our vehicle.
To round out a wonderful day, we take some time to enjoy Kaiteriteri beach, with the chance for a late afternoon swim or a relaxing stroll along the golden sands. From here it is only a short drive back to Motueka.
Walk - 12.5km Sail - 3 hrs
Meals: B,L,D
Day 5: Motueka to St Arnaud:
Our ride today is on a very quiet and pretty road along the west bank of the Moutere River, starting from Riwaka and passing through vineyards, kiwifruit orchards and hop farms along the way. This is an on road section of the Great Taste Trail which takes us through to Woodstock. After loading the bikes we drive a busy section of road to Kohatu for lunch, before continuing through to St Arnaud and our hotel for the night, which is located on the edge of the Nelson Lakes National Park, set amidst stunning wilderness scenery. In the late afternoon there are plenty of options for those with energy to burn to enjoy some lovely walks along the lakeside.
Cycle Distances: Moutere Valley ride - 38 km
Meals: B,L,D
Our ride today is on a very quiet and pretty road along the west bank of the Moutere River, starting from Riwaka and passing through vineyards, kiwifruit orchards and hop farms along the way. This is an on road section of the Great Taste Trail which takes us through to Woodstock. After loading the bikes we drive a busy section of road to Kohatu for lunch, before continuing through to St Arnaud and our hotel for the night, which is located on the edge of the Nelson Lakes National Park, set amidst stunning wilderness scenery. In the late afternoon there are plenty of options for those with energy to burn to enjoy some lovely walks along the lakeside.
Cycle Distances: Moutere Valley ride - 38 km
Meals: B,L,D
Day 6: St Arnaud to Christchurch:
This morning we drive alongside the Buller River on the way to Murchison, a small town at the confluence of four rivers and servicing the surrounding farming region. Here we witness a truly unique phenomenon as part of "the Natural Flames Experience". We will 4WD through a deer farm and enjoy a hike through native bush to discover "The Flames", the world's only fire perpetually burning in a forest. Enjoy ‘billy tea’ and pancakes cooked on the flames. Returning to Murchison to our own vehicle we drive over Lewis Pass and back to Christchurch, reminiscing about the variety of experiences we have encountered over the last few days.
Arrival time in Christchurch is between 6:00 - 7:00pm.
Meals: B
This morning we drive alongside the Buller River on the way to Murchison, a small town at the confluence of four rivers and servicing the surrounding farming region. Here we witness a truly unique phenomenon as part of "the Natural Flames Experience". We will 4WD through a deer farm and enjoy a hike through native bush to discover "The Flames", the world's only fire perpetually burning in a forest. Enjoy ‘billy tea’ and pancakes cooked on the flames. Returning to Murchison to our own vehicle we drive over Lewis Pass and back to Christchurch, reminiscing about the variety of experiences we have encountered over the last few days.
Arrival time in Christchurch is between 6:00 - 7:00pm.
Meals: B