| Cycling
the Best of the South Island
This cycling trip will ensure you'll do the best
biking the South Island of New Zealand has to offer
and visit some amazing locations too! The Weka is
primarily a cycling trip but we have some amazing
hikes to take you on as well. You'll cycle through
unforgettable scenery, stay in lovely places, and
see both the big names and the most off-the-beaten-track
places in New Zealand.
You'll be fully vehicle-supported so you won't
need to worry about mechanical problems or flat
tires! We generally cycle between 35 and 70 miles
a day, although you can ride less or more than that
- whatever you prefer. We'll be taking in remote
high country station roads, the legendary Eglinton
Valley Road to Milford Sound, the Buller River Gorge
and New Zealand's magnificent West Coast, including
Arthur's Pass and the Fox Glacier. We'll also spend
two unforgettable days on the Central Otago Rail
Trail.
Your
Tour Itinerary
Day 1 (Tuesday) - Arrive & Cycling on East
Coast near Kaikoura
Most people leave the Northern hemisphere on a
Sunday, and arrive in New Zealand early on Tuesday
morning. You'll lose a day to the dateline - but
you'll get it back on the way home! If you haven't
flown direct to Christchurch, you'll immediately
take a short flight from Auckland to the South Island,
where we'll meet you. You'll need to arrive in Christchurch
by 10am or so, and we'll head straight for the Christchurch
city gardens where we'll have some time to get acquainted
with our cross-terrain touring bikes. After lunch,
we'll head up the coast and into the Southern Alps
to the resort town of Hanmer Springs. You'll get
a chance to stretch your legs along the way with
a short cycle into Hanmer Springs via the Waiau
Valley. In the evening you can soak, relax and get
to know your co-travellers in the fresh water mineral
spa at Hanmer Springs.
 15
to 20 miles of road riding – predominantly
flat to get accustomed to your bike
ACCOMMODATION:Hanmer Springs Lodgings, Hanmer Springs
(L,D)
Day 2 (Wednesday) - High country cycle traverse
of the Rainbow Station Road
We'll begin today with a short drive up Jacks Pass
to New Zealand's largest backcountry sheep farm,
Molesworth Station. Here we'll ride on a spectacular
high country farm road from Hanmer Springs to St
Arnaud via the Rainbow Station. During the winter
this area is home to the Rainbow and Hanmer Springs
Ski Fields, and in summer it provides cycling access
to some remote and spectacular mountain areas. You'll
appreciate the vehicle support in this remote part
of the South Island! From Jacks Pass Saddle, we
follow the Clarence River up to Lake Tennyson and
over the Island Saddle, before following the Waiau
and Rainbow Rivers down to the small village of
St Arnaud, nestled on the edge of the Nelson Lakes
National Park. Tonight you'll enjoy a typical Kiwi
style BBQ at our lodgings.
40
to 50 miles of gravel road – undulating –
one long uphill stretch gaining over 2,400 feet
to Island Saddle before a gradual 1,800 foot descent
into St Arnaud – a stunning remote alpine
valley
ACCOMMODATION:St Arnaud Bed and Breakfast (B,L,D)
Day 3 (Thursday) - Cycling in the Buller Gorge
and Punakaiki Coast
From St Arnaud we head through Murchison to the
West Coast, cycling alongside the Buller River from
the massive Inangahua Slip, the site of a huge earthquake-triggered
landslide that dammed the river in the 1960's. This
ride allows you plenty of time to check out the
awesome scenery, thick sub-tropical rainforest and
historical gold mining sites on the way to the coast
at Punakaiki. After lunch we'll do a short cycle
along the coast road. This is one of our favorite
parts of New Zealand and after a short hike along
the beach, you'll see why we love it so much! Tonight
we'll stay on the West Coast.
40
– 80 miles of road riding – slightly
downhill, descending 400 feet to the coast alongside
a river gorge – short coastal walk at Punakaiki
ACCOMMODATION: West Coast Lodgings - comfortable
and quiet (B, L, D)
Day 4 (Friday) - Cycling from top of Arthur’s
Pass to the coast
This morning we'll drive up to the top of Arthur's
Pass where you'll encounter the Kea - New Zealand's
famously cheeky, green alpine parrot. Although we
don't feed them, you'll find they come really close
to us in the forlorn hope that we'll throw some
chocolate their way! From the top of Arthur's Pass
you'll cycle down towards the coast, and along the
Otira Viaduct, before taking a back road beside
the twisting Arahura River to the coast. It's then
a short distance to Hokitika where you can do some
shopping for local arts and crafts, if you like.
The area's specialty is traditional pounamu carving
(“ pounamu” is Maori for jade) and there
are a number of fantastic galleries in this small
town.
40
- 80 miles - a long downhill section descending
2,400 feet from Arthur's Pass to the coast, with
a short uphill section along the way – awesome!
ACCOMMODATION: Shining Star Chalets, Hokitika (B,L,D)
Day 5 (Saturday) - Coastal Cycle from Lake Kaniere
to Kakapotahi Ecological Area
Today we'll head down the West Coast, cycle a stunning
remote loop road around Lake Kaniere and then continue
south past Lake Mahinapua, and onwards towards the
coast. This area is full of dense native rainforest,
huge fast-flowing rivers and spectacular views of
the snow-capped Southern Alps. We'll follow the
main inland road, turning after the Mikonui River
onto a smaller coastal road to the village of Kakapotahi,
enjoying sweeping views of deserted West Coast beaches.
40
– 70 miles of flat road riding – coastal
vistas – deserted beaches – views of
the Southern Alps
ACCOMMODATION: Mt. Cook View Motel, Fox Glacier
(B,L,D)
Day 6 (Sunday) - Cycling through glacier country
Today's ride is off the scenery scale! From our
lodgings, we'll cycle a winding road through an
ancient podocarp forest to the amazing Fox Glacier.
This is one of the most accessible glaciers in the
world, dropping 7000 feet in about 7 miles, from
its névé in the Southern Alps almost
to the sea. After checking out the glacier, we'll
cycle south from Fox Glacier past West Coast farmland,
ending at the deserted mineral beaches of Bruce
Bay. Tonight we stay in the remote West Coast village
of Haast. During the evening, if you like, you can
stretch your legs during a quiet and remote beach
walk.
30
– 60 miles of undulating road riding –
1 hour return hike to a giant wet glacier –
dense native rainforest
ACCOMMODATION: Heritage Park Motel, Haast (B,L,D)
Day 7 (Monday) - Cycling the Haast Pass and Cardrona
Valley
Today is a day of contrasting scenery. This morning
we'll leave the West Coast and cycle up from Pleasant
Flat to the “Gates of Haast” and over
Haast Pass. This is a memorable day of cycling one
of only three mountain passes through the majestic
Southern Alps. We'll then follow the road down through
the Makarora Valley on the edge of the Mt Aspiring
National Park. After a short drive through to Wanaka,
we'll take to the bikes again for a ride through
the historic gold mining area of Cardrona Valley,
ending with a well-deserved drink at the old miners'
tavern. From here we continue down to Queenstown,
where we'll be staying for the next two nights.
50
- 70 miles of road riding – an uphill stretch
gaining 1,400 feet to the Haast Pass – the
“Gates of Haast” ; and cycling along
the Cardrona Valley – slight uphill incline.
ACCOMMODATION: Queenstown apartments, Queenstown
(B,L)
Day 8 (Tuesday) - Free Day in Queenstown
Queenstown is the adventure capital of New Zealand
- you'll find all the comforts of civilization:
massage therapists, restaurants, sidewalk cafés,
window shopping, as well as incredible hikes, bike
rides, and adrenaline pumping activities such as
hang gliding, bungy jumping, jet boating and skydiving
– it's all here! Ask your guides for more
information on organizing local tours, while we
take the opportunity to give your bike a mid-trip
tune up. Queenstown is not a big place – the
population is about 8000 – but there's plenty
to do! Or, you can relax and take it easy if you
prefer to just soak up the atmosphere. It's all
up to you today - enjoy!
There are a number of fantastic mountain biking
and road cycling options around the Queenstown area.
Check out the Moonlight and Skippers tracks for
some awesome downhill mountain biking and the Glenorchy
Road is a fun scenic road trip to do in the area.
Ask your guides for more information on organizing
local tours or hiring bikes for your free day in
Queenstown.
ACCOMMODATION: Queenstown apartments (B)
Day 9 (Wednesday) - Cycling the Mararoa road from
Cecil Peak to the Mavora Lakes
Today we'll catch an early morning ferry ride on
the steamship TSS Earnslaw across Lake Wakatipu
to the base of the imposing Cecil Peak. Here we'll
jump back on our bikes and follow the Mt Nicholas
farm road to the isolated Mavora Lakes. We'll bike
up through the head waters of the Von River surrounded
by the towering Livingston Mountains. This is a
true wilderness cycling experience on a deserted
back road and after the intensity of Queenstown
you'll appreciate the peaceful surroundings!
40
– 50 miles of deserted gravel road –
steamship shuttle to road head - winding, undulating
roads with a total elevation gain of 1,000 feet
– remote high country lakes
ACCOMMODATION: Lake Manapouri Inn, Lake Manapouri
(B,L,D)
Day 10 (Thursday) - Cycling Eglinton Valley, cruise
Milford Sound
This morning we'll start the day by cycling into
Fordland National Park, up the stunning Eglinton
Valley towards The Divide. The Eglinton Valley was
carved out by enormous glaciers long ago, leaving
behind towering mountains grassy meadows. After
lunch, we'll enjoy a spectacular cruise on Milford
Sound, rated the 8th Natural Wonder of the World
by Rudyard Kipling, taking in its sheer rock walls,
huge waterfalls and the famous Mitre Peak. On the
cruise we'll see all sorts of marine wildlife, from
fur seals to penguins and dolphins, and even the
occasional orca! In the evening, we'll return to
Lake Manapouri Inn for a well earned BBQ dinner
and a cold beer!
40
– 50 miles of road riding – undulating
terrain with breathtaking alpine scenery, ascending
over 600 feet to The Divide
ACCOMMODATION: Lake Manapouri Inn (B,L,D)
Day 11 (Friday) - Central Otago Rail Trail - Lauder
to Danseys Pass
This is the beginning of two days on the Central
Otago Rail Trail, following the route of the old
Cromwell to Dunedin train line that was retired
in 1990. Over the past decade the trail has been
upgraded and rebuilt to become the best multi-day
bike ride in New Zealand. We'll cross over 60 bridges
and viaducts as we wind our way through the Raggedy
Range, Rough Ridge and the Rock and Pillar Range.
We start the trail near the small historic gold
mining settlement of Lauder and have a gradual climb
through the Ida Valley, before taking a back road
through Naseby to our lodgings at Danseys Pass.
This area was heavily worked for gold in the 19th
century and you'll see some of the old land scarring
left by the use of large hydraulic sluicing guns.
40
– 50 miles - gravel tracks, bridges, viaducts
and road riding - slight uphill gradient all day
with a 500 foot elevation gain
ACCOMMODATION: Danseys Pass Coach Inn, Danseys Pass
(B,L,D)
Day 12 (Saturday) - Central Otago Rail Trail -
Danseys Pass to Middlemarch, and coastal ride
Today we'll have a long gradual downhill ride to
the end of the trail at Middlemarch. We'll travel
down the rugged Taieri River Gorge where huge schist
outcrops dominate the landscape, passing through
a number of small, and often deserted, rail settlements
along the way. From here, it's a short drive north
for our last ride together along cliff top back
roads overlooking the Pacific Ocean and right to
the front door of the historic Millhouse, where
we'll celebrate our two unforgettable weeks of cycling.
40
- 50 miles - gravel tracks, bridges, viaducts and
road riding – descending 700 feet over the
day. Road ride from coastal Kakanui to the Millhouse
along rolling coastal farmland.
ACCOMMODATION: The Millhouse (B,L,D)
Day 13 (Sunday) - Depart for home
This is the last day of your 13-day cycling trip
around the South Island. See the itinerary for the
Kauri trip if you want to take a few more days to
see the North Island as well. We'll leave after
breakfast for the drive to Christchurch and arrive
mid afternoon in time for the flights back to Auckland.
Any international flight after 4pm is ideal, and
we can make domestic flights as early as 2.30pm
with a little notice. International flights from
Auckland usually leave early evening, so if you're
heading to North America you'll get home some time
on Sunday, even though you left on Sunday evening.
Flights back to Europe, of course, take a little
longer. You'll be refreshed and invigorated from
the good rides and great times you'll have had with
us in New Zealand!
(B, L)
IMPORTANT DETAILS
ACCOMMODATIONS: The Weka is a fully supported
cycling trip around the South Island. We've chosen
interesting and comfortable accommodation throughout.
In some places it's quite luxurious. Other places
we stay are off-the-beaten-track, and don't have
many accommodation options, but are really, really
spectacular. You'll love the places we stay!
If you are staying a few extra days in Christchurch
before or after your trip, click here to take a
look at our Christchurch information page which
has a list of a few selected hotels and B&B's
in and around Christchurch.
RECOMMENDED FLIGHTS: If you're flying in on the
first day of the trip, or out on the last day, we
recommend arriving in Christchurch by approximately
9 – 10.30am on Tuesday, and departing from
Christchurch after 2.30 – 4pm on Sunday. Other
flight times may also be possible – if you
are considering alternative flight times please
let us know.
PICK-UP INFORMATION: On the first day of the trip
we can either pick you up from the Holiday Inn City
Centre in Christchurch at 10.30am, or at the Christchurch
domestic airport in front of the information desk
at 11am.
DROP OFF INFORMATION: On the last day of the trip
we can drop you off at the Christchurch airport
in time for the flights above, or anywhere in central
Christchurch in mid-late afternoon.
FITNESS: You must have a reasonable level of cycling
fitness to enjoy yourself on the Weka . You don't
have to be young and extremely fit (although if
you are, you won't be bored) but you should be in
the habit of doing at least some riding. Age and
experience are not as important as attitude. If
you're concerned about your fitness level, have
a chat with us so we can help you choose between
the Weka and our other trips.
EXPERIENCE: You don't need any cycle touring experience
to enjoy the Weka . All we ask is that you be energetic
and in reasonable shape. The challenges are there
though, if you're looking for them. For instance,
on the second day of the trip you can set off a
little early and tackle the Jack's Pass Road up
to the Molesworth Station. The views are incredible
and they get better the higher you go, so the fitter
members of the party can push ahead, while others
can enjoy their day's cycle starting from the top
of the pass. We manage the level of commitment to
suit your experience and we have an impeccable safety
record. We hold all relevant government licenses
and our staff are highly trained and experienced.
FLEXIBILITY: Because of the off-the-beaten path
and non-commercial nature of some of our accommodation
on this trip, we sometimes need to change a night
stop. We try to make as few changes as possible
but retain the flexibility to make sure your trip
is as good as it can be.
BIKES: We have a dedicated fleet of quality cross-terrain
touring bikes for our Weka Cycling trip . Due to
the varied terrain and conditions we encounter on
the trip – tar-sealed and gravel roads, paved
tracks and bridges – we use cross-terrain
mountain bikes with semi-slick tires – safe
and comfortable on and off-road. We have a variety
of frame sizes available, and if you have specific
requirements let us know in advance. If you want
to bring your own bike or cycling gear such as cycling
shoes or pedals with you – that's fine. Please
be aware that although we don't do any mountain
biking on the trip, we do ride on gravel and roughly
paved sections of road, so road bikes with skinny
tires are not suitable for use on these days. We
also supply cycle helmets, safety vests, rear panier
racks and bike computers too, but feel free to bring
your own, if you'd prefer.
INCLUDED: The trip fare is US$2999 + 12.5% NZ government
taxes. We quote all prices in US dollars so our
guests from all over the world can more easily relate
prices to their own currencies. You can also join
for shorter periods of time, at a pro-rated fare.
The trip fare includes just about everything, specifically:
- Good quality bikes
for your entire trip. There is no extra charge
for bike rental.
- All guiding services. We
have two guides per trip, a lead guide/driver
and a co-guide who is responsible for meals and
accommodations. This means we can really make
sure you have a great time! We operate with small
groups and we don't hesitate to offer a second
departure when our trips start getting full.
- Comfortable accommodation
for the entire period you are with us. We can
also organize accommodation for you if you want
to arrive earlier or leave later.
- All your meals, except in
Queenstown where we've found people prefer to
check out the wide range of restaurants. Alcohol
is not generally included, although we do spring
for a few drinks here and there!
- All cycling described in
the itinerary, except optional extra activities.
We have estimated the rates for optional extra
activities operated by local activity operators
in US dollars, including all required equipment,
but these rates may vary according to the USD/NZD
exchange rate of the day. There are many optional
activities available at extra cost, particularly
in Queenstown. None of these activities are compulsory
and nor will your trip seem less awesome if you
do the cheap or free options. Although some people
enjoy sampling hang gliding, bungy jumping, jet
boating, skydiving, and so on, others prefer to
focus on more cycling, which is of course the
reason you're coming to New Zealand in the first
place!
NOT INCLUDED: This is your holiday, and we are
serious about not nickel-and-diming you! You'll
have a few meals and drinks to cover, extra activities
if you choose them, and you'll probably feel like
tipping your guides at the end of a fabulous time,
but you won't be pulling out your wallet every few
minutes!
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