Canterbury - 9 Days

Mountain Biking Getaway from $3,595 NZD

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9 Days
  • 2012
  • 2013
  • Best time to travel: November - March
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Get off-road and onto your mountain bike for biking thrills in Christchurch, Canterbury and sunny Marlborough.

We start in New Zealand's second largest city, Christchurch, and explore Port Hills and forest trails. We then head inland to the magnificent Southern Alps. We move on to spectacular native bush tracks in the scenic Marlborough Sounds.

You'll ride a mix of single trail, gravel road and 4WD tracks, sometimes on private farmland, in alpine areas, lowland hills, river valleys and pastoral plains.

Christchurch to Picton

Christchurch
  • Mountain biking
  • Grade
  • NZD690 single room surcharge
  • NZD540 bike hire
  • This tour is invoiced in NZD
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Canterbury - 9 Days Fitness and Preparation

It's an active to challenging tour, but there are opt-outs available and rides in the support vehicle, if you'd like to take it easy.

You'll stay in comfortable motels and lodges, with breakfasts and lunches provided. Don't miss out on Marlborough's world-famous Sauvignon Blancs.

Hard Tours

Hard tours are designed for the more experienced participant wishing to push themselves and experience new highs of achievement. Routes will include longer climbs and more technical skills.

Fitness required

A good level of fitness is required, you will need to be exercising three-four times a week prior to the tour.

Full Itinerary

DAY 1

Arrival Day: Christchurch

No cycling

We will pick you up from the airport or another Christchurch location. Otherwise, please make your own way to our hotel by 3.30 pm. Allow time to assemble your bike or a fitting for your hired bike. In the early evening we'll gather for a pre-tour briefing. For the next 2 nights we'll stay just outside the central city close to Hagley Park (the city's largest park)and the Botanic Gardens. You're also close to the upmarket suburbs of Merivale and Fendalton and their many great restaurants.

Meals: None

DAY 2

Christchurch

5 km ST loops G3+(4), 4-10km ST G3+(4)

Today we explore a mountain biking jewel at Living Springs, Governor's Bay. Enjoy a purpose-built cross-country loop on steepish farmland with a mix of pine and native bush. You'll need moderately good technical skills. After some laps, drop down to the shore for lunch. Then, a short drive to the Sign of the Kiwi, a historic stone cottage atop the Port Hills with views across the Canterbury Plains. We ride a great single trail called 'Flying Nun’ into Victoria Park, a tree plantation criss-crossed with trails – most of them downhill. Your guide will select the track(s) for some fun riding.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 3

Christchurch to Flock Hill Station (Craigieburn Range)

An easier day's biking today after yesterday's exertions. Christchurch is fortunate to have 2 purpose-built single trail loops in 2 forests. Bottle Lake Forest, a 1000 ha pine plantation, has undulating trails and many bermed corners, good for any level rider. The loop takes about 1.5 hours. Next, McLeans Island, where the surface is more hard packed — ideal for learning and practicing cornering techniques. After lunch we'll drive 90 km to Flock Hill Station. If time permits we’ll stop at beautiful Kura Tawhiti (Castle Hill) Reserve. Its limestone outcrops are popular for rock climbing.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 4

Flock Hill Station and Craigieburn tracks

Total riding:

This ride is for fans of twisted single trails. We drive to the foot of the Craigieburn mountains, then hop on our bikes and climb through beech forest on a gravel road. Then take a technical single trail down, crossing scree slopes where we need to push/carry our bikes. This is a highlight for lovers of alpine terrain, as long as you don't fear heights (there's an alternative route if you do!). After lunch, 2 more single trails, one with a flowing descent into rugged bush, and the second through tussock grassland. Later, descend to Castle Hill for a snack or hard-earned beer.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 5

Flock Hill Station to Wharfdale Track to Hanmer Springs

Today, a 'Classic Canterbury MTB Adventure'. We drive to Mt Oxford to bike the Wharfdale Track, once a stock route. We climb the saddle, then wind through beech forest on gnarly trails. Next, a 4WD track down tussock flats to the Lees Valley. A 17 km winding shingle road leads to the end of our ride at Ashley Gorge. For a less challenging option, ride the scenic road into the Lees Valley (the van will also take this road). Then its a 140 km drive to the thermal resort town of Hanmer Springs. Your body may already be looking forward to a soak in the hot pools.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 6

Hanmer Springs (St. James Conservation Area)

Total riding: 47 km XC G2-4, 4-5 hrs

Today we explore the recently created St. James Conservation Area — 78,000 ha of diverse native landscape on 3 mountain slopes. After a 45 minute drive into the mountains, we bike down a gravel road to Lake Tennyson. We follow a pass down a valley and along the Waiau River on smooth trails, lunching at Lake Guyon. A gentle 12 km climb precedes a steep climb up to Fowlers Pass (1296m ascent) before a single track leads us back to the bus. If the weather prevents us entering the hills, there are fun loops in the forest tracks around Hanmer Springs to test all abilities.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 7

Hanmer Springs to The Portage (Marlborough Sounds)

Total riding: various single trails in Hanmer Forest (G2-4)

This morning we head out to play in the local forest for a couple of hours to get the blood flowing before our big drive north. Next up is a 290 km trip to the port town of Picton, then a short water taxi ride across the Queen Charlotte Sound to Torea Bay. The Portage Resort Hotel is at Portage Bay, on a narrow peninsula between Queen Charlotte Sound and Kenepuru Sound. We will use the hotel as a base to explore this beautiful area over the next 2 days.

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 8

Portage (Queen Charlotte Track)

A long and exciting day awaits us riding the Queen Charlotte Track, which runs almost the entire length of Queen Charlotte Sound. After breakfast we ride over a hill to the jetty. Then a 1 hour water taxi ride takes us through the picturesque Sound to Ship Cove, which can only be reached by boat. We follow a single trail along amazing coastline through dense forest, birdsong echoing around us. After lunch there's a challenging ride, rewarded with breathtaking views of the Marlborough Sounds as we bike the single trail back to Portage.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 9

Departure Day: The Portage to Picton

No cycling

The second section of the Queen Charlotte Track from Portage to Anakiwa is as beautiful as the first. You bike from lush green coastal forest over mountain ridges, again with magnificent views. If you are tired from yesterdays ride, skip the Te Mahia Saddle section and ride on the sealed road. However, Te Mahia Saddle is a pleasure to ride for mountain bikers of all skills. From Anakiwa, we either continue riding along the winding sealed coastal road to Picton, or be driven there in our support van. We finish the tour and say our farewells over lunch on the waterfront.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Hi, I'm Grace - talk to you about your New Zealand Mountain Biking adventure.

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+64 3 982 9933

Email: reservations@globaladventureguide.com

Tour Inclusions and Exclusions:

Tour Includes:

  • Airport/Ferry transfers as per the itinerary
  • 8 nights accommodation in hotels/farm lodge
  • Meals: 8 breakfasts, 7 lunches, no dinners (or drinks)
  • Support vehicle (Bus and/or 4WD) with a bike trailer (& luggage space)
  • Tour guide/driver support crew numbers subject to group size
  • Boat transfer to Portage Resort and start of Queen Charlotte Track
  • Local fees for use of private land and conservation land

Tour Excludes:

  • International flights & airport taxes
  • Travel Insurance
  • Meals where not specified on the itinerary
  • Drinks (except water while riding), phone calls & Minibar expenses
  • Personal expenses (including any specific medical related requirements)
  • Bike repairs and maintenance (except if hiring a bike)

Tour Video

Mountain biking off the beaten track in New Zealand, Tanzania, Tibet and Italy. This movie gives an overview of what you can expect on a Global Adventure Guide mountain biking tour.