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19 Day Cycle Tour Christchurch to Auckland

Mon 9 - 27 January 2012

The best of New Zealand cycling from the South to the North and all the bits in between.

Highlights

Ride and visit both the North and South Islands, the Coromandel Peninsula, Hot Water Beach, Tongariro National Park, Cook Straight Ferry Crossing, Marlborough Sounds, Pancake Rocks, Ride the beautiful West Coast, Glaciers and the Southern Lakes.

Tour Route Map

Tour Detail

If you want to see New Zealand and love to cycle this is the tour for you. A mixture of cycling most days and a short sit in the bus and you will see New Zealand in no time at all. We visit the top locations in the North and South Islands such as Christchurch, the Southern Lakes, Queenstown, the West Coast, Punakaiki, the Queen Charlotte Sound, Wellington, National Park, Rotorua, the Coromandel and Auckland. From the boiling mud of Rotorua to the adrenalin activities of Queenstown you will not be too bored and you can nap on the bus if you stayed up late the night before. This tour can be done in reverse as well!

Inclusions

Airport Transfers, guides and support vehicle, accommodation and ferry between Wellington and Picton.

Regions

Auckland, Coromandel, Bay of Plenty, Central Plateau, Hawkes Bay, Wanganui, Wellington, Marlborough, Nelson. West Coast, Otago and Canterbury

Day 1 Christchurch

All tour members meet at the hotel early afternoon. Participants

arriving on the same day between 7am and 2pm will be picked up

from the airport and transferred to the accommodation. Later in

the afternoon we will be doing a short sightseeing tour of the

city, including the Port Hills and the Sign of the Takahe with its

magnificent views over the South Pacific and across the

Canterbury Plains to the Southern Alps.

Cycl ing: No cycling today

Day 2 Christchurch to Twizel

After driving in our escort van across the flat, alluvial Canterbury

plains through Ashburton, Geraldine and Fairlie the road climbs

the 671m Burke Pass, which serves as the northern entrance to

the area known as the MacKenzie Basin. The area is now famous

for its Merino sheep and Hydro-Electric Power System which

consists of 6 lakes joined by large canals. After a short lunch

break we start cycling along the canal to Lake Pukaki and then

further to Twizel. On a clear day you will be treated to

magnificent views of New Zealands highest mountain, Mt Cook,

or Aoraki, the cloud piercer at the head of Lake Pukaki.

Cycl ing: 33km Lake Tekapo to Canal Road

Day 3 Twizel to Queenstown

Todays ride is predominantly flat, however if the norwest wind is

blowing watch out for strong gusts! Once over Lindis Pass you

have left the province of Canterbury and entered Central Otago.

Further on you will come to New Zealands newest hydro lake,

Lake Dunstan, on the Clutha River. Cromwell is at the heart of a

large pip fruit growing area, with many of the growers selling

their wares at roadside stalls, which you will pass on the way to

Queenstown. The route into Queenstown follows the Kawarau

River through its gorge, past the world famous A.J Hacket bungy

bridge and several wineries and vineyards.

Cycl ing: 61km Lindis Pass to Lake Dunstan

Day 4 Queenstown - Rest Day/Other Activities Day

Queenstown is an outdoor adventurers playground. Options include: A day trip to Fiordlands,

Milford or Doubtful Sound. Local activities: shopping, gondola ride to the Skyline restaurant and

viewpoint, lake ride aboard the historic steamship Earnslaw, jet boating on the Shotover River,

bungy jumping, white water rafting, tandem paragliding, or a visit to the Kiwi house to see New

Zealands national icon in the flesh.

Cycl ing: No cycling today

Day 5 Queenstown to Wanaka

An early morning visit to Arrowtown, an idyllic gold town with its lovely tree lined streets and

fascinating shops, is followed by a challenging ride over the Crown Range. From the saddle

there is a great downhill into the Cardrona Valley. On your left you will pass the historic

Cardrona Hotel, a relic from the gold prospecting days. From there we cycle to the beautiful

lake town of Wanaka.

Cycl ing: 51km Arrowtown to Wanaka

Day 6 Wanaka to Fox Glacier

Travelling west toward the main divide of the Southern Alps the road initially follows Lake

Hawea, then rejoins Lake Wanaka over a low pass. We witness a gradual change in New

Zealands ever changing landscape. The dry, arid pasturelands of central Otago slowly give way

to the dense native bush of the Mount Aspiring National Park. As we start cycling, the road

slowly climbs out of the Makarora Valley and heads towards the newest alpine road to transect

the Southern Alps, the 563m Haast Pass. Further on a short walk leads to the 30m Thunder

Creek Falls, a good place to stretch the legs and enjoy the rainforest. From here the road

follows the Haast River plains into Haast Village, situated in Fiordland National Park, New

Zealands largest World Heritage Park. There may be time to stop at the local Visitors Centre,

which has excellent displays showing how the land has evolved.

The northward journey is spectacular. The road snakes its way through dense rainforest, over

fast running rivers and past lovely lakes, such as Lakes Paringa, Ianthe and Moeraki. To the left

the rugged, ever changing coastline and to the right the massive, snow covered peaks of the

Southern Alps towering above all.

Todays destination is the Fox Glacier township, which lies a short distance from its glacier. A

short walk to the Glacier face - just above sea level will be the perfect ending to the day.

Cycl ing: 81km Makarora/Blue Pools to Haast

Day 7 Fox Glacier to Hokitika

This morning you may choose to take an optional helicopter flight to the Glaciers (including

landing) with spectacular views to Mt.Cook on a clear day.

Or maybe take a walk to the picturesque Lake Matheson. which is also known as mirror lake.

Leaving Fox the road twists and turns as it seeks passage through the almost impenetrable

rainforest and unforgiving, rugged countryside passing Franz Josef Glacier and heading towards

Ross - a rural service town and centre for a small open caste gold mine which is situated beside

the town.

From here we continue our trip by bus to Hokitika, As a fitting finale to the day, take a walk

along the nearby beach and watch the setting sun disappear into the sea.

Cycl ing: 62km Franz Josef to Hari

Day 8 Hokitika to Westport

We drive the 40km north to Greymouth where we visit a greenstone factory with the

opportunity to buy jade carvings and jewellery at reasonable prices. From here we bike along

the spectacular coastline to Punakaiki, where you can take a walk around the famed blowholes

and pancake rocks, so named because the limestone formations look like, well pancakes of

course! A visit to a small fur seal colony at Cape Foulwind, near Westport will be the last

highlight of the day.

Cycl ing: 45km Greymouth to Punakaiki

Day 9 Westport to Nelson

Starting on the Coast you will travel northeastwards along the gorgeous Buller gorge, with its

deep, slow flowing waters contrasting against the lush vegetation of the native forest. The ride

finishes at Lyell, now an empty paddock surrounded by bush. Into the van for a drive through

the upper gorge to Murchison and further to New Zealands newest National Park, the

Kahurangi. The day finishes in Nelson - the sunniest town of the South Island, situated not far

from the beautiful Abel Tasman National Park.

Cycl ing: 65km Westport to Lyell

Day 10 Nelson - Rest Day/Other Activities Day

The township of Nelson is very beautiful, colourful and offers a great opportunity to stroll

around. Todays program could be hiking, kayaking or just relaxing with a good book. The

famous Abel Tasman Coastal walk offers an easy graded track on which to explore some of the

lovely native forest and sandy beaches.

Cycl ing: No cycling today

Day 11 Nelson to Wel l ington

The days ride is a short one, although equipped with enough climbs to keep you honest. It

starts in Havelock and traverses the lovely Queen Charlotte Drive, finishing in Picton in time to

catch the afternoon ferry, which takes about 3 hours and travels along Queen Charlotte Sound,

leaving the South Island via Tory Channel bound for New Zealands capital, Wellington,

euphemistically known as the "Windy City", if you are unlucky, you may learn why!

Cycl ing: 34km Havelock to Picton

Day 12 Wel l ington to Wanganui

Today is a cycle free day. After a short sightseeing tour of Wellington you still have got time to

visit the famous National Museum Te Papa or the option for a cable car ride to the botanic

garden. Around lunch time the van heads north along state highway 1 towards Wanganui,

nestled on the plains near the mouth of the river that gave it its name. It is one of New

Zealands oldest towns and, due to its many mature gardens, is known as the "Garden City".

Cycl ing: No cycling today

Day 13 Wanganui to National Park

The three volcanic peaks of Tongariro National Park, New Zealands oldest, Mts Ruapehu,

Ngauruhoe and Tongariro beckon as you ride along the Mangawhero river toward your nights

destination in National Park.

Cycl ing: 57km Wanganui to KakatahiNaturalHigh

Day 14 National Park to Rotorua

This morning you cycle along Lake Rotoaira and further on to Turangi, which lies on the shores

of Lake Taupo, the largest lake of New Zealand. Consider for a moment that this lake was

formed by a huge volcanic eruption around 135 AD. From there we continue our journey

aboard the van for a ride on state highway 1 to Rotorua, famous for its active wonderland of

geysers, hot springs and boiling mud pools. Optional afternoon visit to the Whakarewarewa

thermal park as well as the possibility for a dinner feast at a Maori Hangi.

Cycl ing: 53km National Park to Turangi

Day 15 Rotorua – Rest/ Other Activities Day

Today there is a morning city tour along the lake to the famous church of St Faiths. After lunch

we recommend a tour (optional) through the Whakarewarewa Thermal Park, famous for its

active wonderland of geysers, hot springs and boiling mud pools. This evening, why not enjoy a

traditional Maori concert & Hangi dinner (also optional).

Cycl ing: No cycling today

Day 16 Rotorua to Whitianga

From Lake Rotorua we take the Kaimai - Mamaku forest road toward temperate Tauranga,

which lies on the edge of the Bay of Plenty. Its warm climate and rich soil enables it to grow

much of the countries citrus fruits including kiwi fruit, tamarillos and feijoas. The cycle leg

today starts in Whiritoa and takes you north east along the Coromandel Peninsula where the

coastal road threads its way between the rugged Coromandel range on the left and the coast,

littered with beautiful white sandy beaches to our right.

Cycl ing: 49km Whiritoa to Tairua

Day 17 Whitianga

Whitianga has much to offer, from kayaking, riding and hiking some of the local bush walks, to

an excursion to Hot Water Beach, so named because a hot spring bubbles up through the sand,

making it a lovely warm place to relax at low tide and watch swimmers enjoying the sea and

surf.

Cycl ing: no cycling today

Day 18 Whitianga to Auckland

The day starts with a drive over the forest covered Coromandel range, where remnants of the

beautiful Kauri trees that once covered the peninsula can be found. We travel through

Coromandels main town, Thames, which lies at the northern foot of the Peninsula, en route to

Miranda and the start of the days ride. What follows is a beautiful way to finish your tour on an

easy coastal section to Clevedon. After arriving in Auckland, "The city of Sails", we head off to

a sightseeing tour in the largest population centre of New Zealand.

Cycl ing: 52km Miranda to Clevedon

Day 19 Auckland - Departure

All participants will be transported to the airport between 7am and 3.30p

Comments

Nearby Accommodation

Click property for more dates	Distance From Start	Full Rate (NZD)
Rendezvous Hotel Christchurch	335m	680
The West Fitzroy Apartments	486m	275
Classic Villa	614m	489
YMCA Christchurch	663m	110
City Central Motel Apartments	790m	260
Focus Motel And Executive Suites	822m	240
The George Hotel	922m	1093
CentrePoint on Colombo	928m	360
Colombo in the City Motel	946m	240
City Centre Motel	1.1km	199
Admiral Motel	1.2km	180
Avenue Motor Lodge	1.2km	220
Salerno Motel Apartments	1.2km	400
Belmont Motor Inn	1.2km	230
Pomeroy's on Kilmore	1.2km	245