Departure Dates

Photo gallery

Crown Range descent

Enjoy a farm stay

New Zealand South Island Cycle Tours

Grand Tour 16 Day Inn Trip

This is the grand South Island experience. Wonderful biking with a superb range of magnificent scenery that includes four National Parks.

The Grand Tour is comprised of two short tours:

• Nelson Lakes 7 days and
• West Coast 10 days

and can be combined with

• Southern Scenic 8 days

to make a magnificent 23 day tip to tip South Island tour. Contact us for prices and dates. 

We start with a magical ride around the Marlborough Sounds coastline, to Nelson Lakes National Park, and then down spectacular Buller Gorge to the wild West Coast. See Pancake Rocks and Blowholes at Paparoa National Park.

Pedal past picture perfect West Coast Glaciers and lakes, over Haast Pass and down to Wanaka and Queenstown, the bungy jumping capital of New Zealand.

Lower Buller Gorge

Crown Range summit

Accommodation includes award-winning eco-tourism hotel, alpine lodge and friendly luxury lodge.  More>

Itinerary

 DAY 1 PICTON.
Take a short ride around the bays.

DAY 2 NELSON.
Along Queen Charlotte Drive with its beautiful views of the Marlborough Sounds to New Zealand's sunniest city of Nelson.

DAY 3 ST ARNAUD.
We cycle through orchards and farmland on our way to Nelson Lakes National Park.

DAY 4 MURCHISON.
Time for a forest walk before following the Buller River down to Murchison.

DAY 5 WESTPORT.
Ride down impressive Buller Gorge to the sea and the start of the West Coast.

DAY 6+7 PUNAKAIKI.
Visit a seal colony and the famous Pancake Rocks and blow holes. A rest day gives time to explore the area, go kayaking or walk in Paparoa National Park.

DAY 8 HOKITIKA.
 We head south along the rainforest clad coast to Greymouth and then to Hokitika, an old gold rush town.

DAY 9 HARIHARI.
Ride through native bush, past lovely Lake Ianthe, renowned for trout fishing, and visit a wonderful craft shop at Harihari on the way to a deer park.

DAY 10+11 FOX GLACIER.
Cycle over Mt Hercules into Westland National Park, with superb views of Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers. A rest day gives time for a walk to the glacier, a day on the beach, a visit to the white heron colony, or a scenic flight.

DAY 12 LAKE MOERAKI.
Time for an early morning walk around Lake Matheson, famous for its reflections of Mts Cook and Tasman. Ride through tall stands of ancient rainforest to stay at a beautiful lodge overlooking the Moeraki River. Canoe on the lake or take a bush walk.

DAY 13 MAKARORA.
Knights Point affords excellent views of the rugged coastline where seals can often be seen basking in the sun.

DAY 14 WANAKA.
Spectacular mountain and lake views as we pass Lakes Hawea and Wanaka.

DAY 15 + 16 QUEENSTOWN.
Over the Crown Range to the quaint old gold mining town of Arrowtown. Queenstown lies ahead with a chance for exciting activities: rafting, jet-boating, a scenic flight or a lake cruise on the historic SS Earnslaw.

The Grand Tour can be extended to a 23-day tour by adding the Southern Scenic tour.