Paradise Plus - South to North Island

Cycling Tour from $5,095 NZD

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17 Days
  • 2012
  • 2013
  • Best time to travel: November - March
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It's Paradise Plus fun, fitness and diversity as you travel New Zealand by bike from Christchurch to Auckland.

New Zealand offers unparelleled variety. In the south: rugged snowy alps, dense native bush and plains. After a ferry crossing through the beautiful Marlborough Sounds, explore the north, with its busy cities, green pastures, mud pools and volcanoes.

You'll need to be moderately fit, for distances up to 65 km daily. There's 740 km total biking, but you're welcome to ride in the support vehicle whenever you wish.

Christchurch to Auckland

Christchurch
  • Road cycling
  • Grade
  • NZ$1270 single room surcharge
  • NZ$370 bike hire
  • This tour is run in both directions
  • This tour is invoiced in NZD
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Paradise Plus - South to North Island Fitness and Preparation

You'll stay in good hotels and motels with all your luggage taken care of.

With its quiet roads and compact size, New Zealand is made to be cycled. Come and join us!

Mild Tours

Mild tours have an expectation that you have an interest and possibly some experience in the activities. Routes chosen will require a reasonable level of fitness and experience on different terrains mild tours are suitable for increasing your activities and pushing yourself to new limits.

Fitness required

An average level of fitness is required, you will need to be doing some form of exercise two-three times a week during the build up to this tour.

Full Itinerary

DAY 1

Arrival Day: Christchurch

No cycling

We meet at the hotel in the early afternoon. Tour members arriving today will be picked up from the airport and transferred to the accommodation (transfers are between 7 am and 2 pm only). Later this afternoon we'll go for a short drive up the Port Hills to the ‘Sign of the Kiwi’, a historic stone house with awesome views across the Canterbury Plains to the Southern Alps. The fittings for hired bikes will also be completed this afternoon. There are no meals provided on tour, but you may choose to contribute to a group kitty for the occasional breakfast and many picnic lunches.

Meals: None

DAY 2

Christchurch to Twizel

Cycling: up to 60 km

We leave Christchurch in good time and drive across the Canterbury plains through the inland rural towns of Ashburton, Geraldine and Fairlie. From here the road climbs 709 m to Burkes Pass, the northern entrance to the MacKenzie Country, an intermontane basin. The area is famous for its wild landscapes, merino sheep and hydro-electric lake system. After lunch and a short drive from scenic Tekapo, we cycle a quiet canal road to Lake Pūkakī and Twizel. On a clear day, enjoy glorious views of New Zealand's highest mountain, Aoraki Mt Cook (Aoraki means 'cloud piercer').

Meals: None

DAY 3

Twizel to Queenstown

Cycling: 61 km (Lindis Pass to Lake Dunstan)

After breakfast we leave the popular town of Twizel. Today’s ride is predominantly downhill, but watch out for gusty nor'westers! Once over tussocky Lindis Pass you have left the province of Canterbury and entered Central Otago. Further on is New Zealand's newest hydro lake, Lake Dunstan, on the Clutha River. Cromwell is the heart of a large pip fruit growing area, with many roadside fruit stalls. The route into Queenstown follows the Kawarau River through its gorge, past the world famous A.J Hackett bungy bridge, several wineries, and many vineyards.

Meals: None

DAY 4

Queenstown (Rest Day)

Cycling optional

Alpine paradise Queenstown is like a big adventure playground. Your options for the day include a day trip to Milford Sound or Doubtful Sound in Fiordland. Local activities include shopping, a gondola ride to the Skyline restaurant and viewpoint, a steam boat trip on TSS Earnslaw with majestic views from Lake Wakatipu, jet boating on the Shotover River, bungy jumping, white water rafting, tandem paragliding, or visit to the Kiwi Birdlife Park to see New Zealand's national icon for real. There's never a dull moment in vibrant Queenstown.

Meals: None

DAY 5

Queenstown to Wanaka

Cycling: Arrowtown to Wanaka 51 km, total distance 81 km

Today we'll go on an early morning visit to spectacularly beautiful Arrowtown, an old gold mining town with tree lined streets and fascinating shops. This 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, an iconic relic from gold prospecting days. From there we cycle to the beautiful lakeside town of Wanaka.

Meals: None

DAY 6

Wanaka to Fox Glacier

Cycling: 81 km.

Today we drive west past Lakes Hawea and Wanaka, watching arid pastures give way to dense bush in Mt Aspiring National Park. There, we bike from the Makarora Valley to Haast Pass (563 m). Then, a brief walk to the 30 m Thunder Creek Falls. We follow the Haast River to Haast village in Fiordland National Park, maybe stopping at the excellent visitor’s centre. A spectacular snaking road takes us north through dense rainforest, over swift rivers and past 3 beautiful lakes. To our left: rugged coastline; to our right: massive alps. We finish with a short walk to the Fox Glacier face.

Meals: None

DAY 7

Fox Glacier to Hokitika

Cycling: Option 1: 62 km, Option 2: 64 km.

This morning, perhaps take an optional helicopter flight to the glaciers (including landing). Or maybe walk around picturesque Lake Matheson, known as 'Mirror Lake'. Your guide will choose 1 of 2 cycling options, depending on weather. 1: Leaving Fox, ride through rainforest to Franz Josef Glacier and Ross township; then on to Hari Hari town. 2: From Lake Mahinapua ride to glacial Lake Kaniere, nestled in mountains and rainforest. Follow the shoreline on a gravel road and stop at a campsite for a picnic or swim. Then it's a pleasant 20 km ride to the town of Hokitika.

Meals: None

DAY 8

Hokitika to Westport

Cycling: 45 km

This morning we drive the 40 km north to Greymouth, to visit a pounamu (greenstone) factory with 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 layered limestone formations look like, well, pancakes! Later we visit a fur seal colony at rugged Cape Foulwind near Westport.

Meals: None

DAY 9

Westport to St Arnaud

Cycling: 65 km

Today we bike north-east along the Buller Gorge, with its deep, slow flow river a sparkling contrast with the lush native vegetation. The ride finishes at Lyell, once a thriving gold mining town, now a paddock and an old cemetery. Back on the bus, we traverse the upper gorge to the river town of Murchison, then to St Arnaud. This small alpine village in the Nelson Lakes National Park and is popular with hikers in the summer and skiers in the winter.

Meals: None

DAY 10

St Arnaud to Wellington

Cycling: 34 km

Today we drive down the Wairau valley to the famous wine growing region of Renwick to Havelock at the head of the Pelorus Sound. Our bike ride today is along beautiful coastal Queen Charlotte Drive to Picton. From here, we catch a mid-afternoon ferry for a 3 hour crossing through the Queen Charlotte Sound via the Tory Channel. We're bound for Wellington, New Zealand’s 'capital of cool', a.k.a 'Wellywood' or just 'Welly'. Its steep harbour-side streets are packed with cafes and culture. On arrival, we'll take a short sightseeing tour.

Meals: None

DAY 11

Wellington (Rest Day)

Cycling: optional, up to 52 km

A capital day to spend as you choose. We recommend the unique National Museum Te Papa Tongarewa. Explore quirky shops and cafes, or visit Parliament. We suggest 2 unguided cycle options, to ride as much or as little as you wish. The Rimutaka Rail Trail (up to 52 km return) and Hutt River Trail (up to 48 km return) are pleasant rides on the city's outskirts. Today we welcome those who have booked the North Island only, and farewell those who have booked the South Island only.

Meals: None

DAY 12

Wellington to Wanganui

No cycling

After a short sightseeing tour of vibrant 'Welly', you'll still have time to visit the famous National Museum ‘Te Papa’, or enjoy panoramic views with a steep cable car ride from bustling Lambton Quay to the Botanic Gardens. Around lunchtime, we head north along State Highway 1 to Wanganui (sometimes called Whanganui), set on plains at the Whangaui river mouth. One of New Zealand's oldest towns, it is known for its beautiful gardens.

Meals: None

DAY 13

Wanganui to Whakapapa (Tongariro National Park)

Cycling: 57 km

Three volcanic peaks greet you as you approach Tongariro National Park - Mt Ruapehu, Mt Ngauruhoe and Mt Tongariro. They seem to beckon you, as you bike along the Whanganui River to Kakatahi (57 km); or the Mangawhero river toward your nights destination in Whakapapa. Cycling from: Wanganui to Kakatahi – 57km, total distance 137km

       Or Wanganui to Raetihi (part of) – up to 65km, total distance 155km

Meals:

DAY 14

Whakapapa (Tongariro National Park) to Rotorua

Cycling: 53

This morning you cycle from Whakapapa along little Lake Rotoaira to Turangi on the shores of Lake Taupō. Lake Taupō was formed by a huge volcanic eruption around 135 AD. We continue driving down State Highway 1 to Rotorua, famous for its active wonderland of geysers, hot springs and boiling mud pools. This evening, why not enjoy a traditional Māori concert and hāngī dinner (optional). Hāngī are earth ovens where food is steamed over heated rocks, creating succulent, smoke-tinged flavours.

Meals: None

DAY 15

Rotorua to Te Aroha

Cycling: 63 km

Before leaving this famous geothermal area, we take you on a short city tour of Rotorua. The cycle leg today starts in Tapapa (or Te Poi for those wanting to cycle a few less kms) and takes you north alongside the Kaimai-Mamaku Forest Park to Te Aroha, nestled under Mt Te Aroha. The rest of the afternoon is free. Visit the natural hot pools, take a short walk to Mokena Geyser, or head to the visitor's centre to learn more about Te Aroha's gold mining history.

Meals: None

DAY 16

Te Aroha to Auckland

Cycling: 56 km

The day starts with a drive to peaceful Miranda, named for a British ship that arrived in the area in 1863. From there, we finish the cycling for this tour with a beautiful ride on an easy coastal road to the rural town of Clevedon, east of Auckland. After arriving in Auckland, we'll go on a sightseeing tour of New Zealand’s largest city.

Meals: None

DAY 17

Departure Day: Auckland

Today it's time to bid farewell after an amazing tour. If you're flying out of Auckland, we'll transport you to the airport any time between 7 am and 3.30 pm.

Meals: None

Hi, I'm Grace - talk to me about your New Zealand Cycling Tour!

Grace_236x184

+64 3 982 9933

Email: reservations@globaladventureguide.com

Inclusions and Exclusions:

Tour Includes:

  • 16 overnight stays in excellent accommodation (3-4* NZ Standard)
  • Department of Conservation fees
  • Airport Transfers
  • Tour guide (who is also the driver)
  • Support vehicle (coaster bus) with bike trailer (and luggage space)
  • Ferry crossing Picton to Wellington
  • Sightseeing tour of Christchurch
  • Sightseeing tour of Wellington and Auckland

Tour Excludes:

  • International flights and airport taxes
  • Airport transfers outside the days/times specified above
  • Travel insurance
  • Meals
  • Drinks (except daily drinking water), phone calls and minibar expenses
  • Personal expenses (including any specific medical-related requirements)