The Great Southern Circuit

Included:

• 11 days riding on 3 of the best cycle trails in the country.
• 12 nights at charming bed and breakfast, country lodge or hotel accommodation.
• Meals included:
  1. Day 1: Lunch & Dinner
  2. Day 2-6: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
  3. Day 7: no meals included
  4. Day 8-12: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
  5. Day 13: Breakfast and lunch
• Your choice of an advanced ebike or mountain bike. All our bikes are perfect for the trails and serviced after every tour.
• TranzAlpine train, Punakaiki Pancake Rocks tour, ShantyTown, Hokitika Gorge, West Coast Treetops Walkway, Haast River Jet Boat Safari.
• A2O helicopter transfer across the Tasman River, Omarama hot tubs, wine tasting with an award winning local producer.
• Top local restaurants and cafes catering to all dietary requirements. Vegetarians and vegans welcome!
• Picnics made with high quality ingredients and fresh local produce. 
• Drinks breaks along the trail – with a selection of hot teas, plunger coffee, juice, soft drinks and water.
• Unlimited snacks – fresh fruit, mixed nuts, muesli bars, and a selection of classic NZ sweets and lollies!
• Experienced, professional tour guides providing background and commentary to enhance your experience.
• Full vehicle and rider support throughout the tour so you can take a break or skip a section, if the weather turns bad.
• “Tail-end Charlie” support rider at the back of the group on more challenging and remote sections.
• We demonstrate how to use our ebikes and equipment, ensure you are comfortable and fix any problems.
• We carry spare tubes, tools, extra ebike batteries and spare bikes on the trailer.
• We have emergency equipment, first aid and have contingency plans in case of bad weather.

Excluded:

• Drinks at restaurants or cafés are not included.
• No meals or activities are included on Day 7.

Great Southern Circuit Cycle Tour Itinerary

• Day 1 – Your journey begins by taking the TranzAlpine train from Christchurch across the Southern Alps to the West Coast – one of the great train rides of the world! You will be met on the train platform in Greymouth and taken for a tour of the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks in Paparoa National Park. We will meet you for dinner at a fabulous restaurant in Greymouth. 
• Day 2 – After an introduction to the bikes, ride the first leg of the West Coast Wilderness cycle trail from Greymouth to Kumara, stopping for lunch at the amazing ShantyTown where you can experience early pioneering life during the Gold Rush.  The trail follows the coast then follows the Taramakau river to a lovely restored hotel in Kumara.
• Day 3 – Follow the cycle trail past historic reservoirs and water races as you ascend into the foothills of the Southern Alps. After a fun downhill section you’ll cross a suspension bridge and then descend lots of switchbacks to the Arahura river for a picnic lunch. Continue up and over another hill to experience the epic water race trail near Lake Kaniere.
• Day 4 – Visit the magnificent Hokitika Gorge and take a stroll over it’s 3 huge suspension bridges. Then return to the trail stopping for lunch in Hokitika. Cross the huge river bridge and follow the Mahinapua Tramline to enjoy a walk through the forest canopy at the West Coast Treetops Walkway. Then return to your accommodation in Hokitika for a 2nd night.
• Day 5 – Take a beautiful drive down the West Coast stopping for a break in glacier country. After a look at Fox Glacier, enjoy a ride through native bush to reach a remote and beautiful West Coast beach. Then continue the journey down the coast to stay in the remote outpost of Haast. 
• Day 6 – Start the day with a spectacular jet boat up the Haast River before driving up and over the Southern Alps via the Haast Pass. Get back on your bike for a fabulous ride from Lake Hawea to Wanaka. We then drop you off at your Queenstown accommodation in time for dinner. 
• Day 7 – Today you have a break from the tour – no meals or activities are included. You are free to relax and enjoy the hotel pool and sauna or head out and explore Queenstown.  
• Day 8 – Back to business for the 2nd half of your adventure! We pick you up bright and early for the drive to Mt Cook/Aoraki National Park – with some of the most dramatic scenery in New Zealand. After a ride to the airfield you will take a short helicopter flight across the Tasman River. Another couple of hours cycling brings you to your accommodation set in a stunning location.
• Day 9 – The cycle trail follows the lake edge to have a picnic beside Lake Pukaki with stunning views of Aoraki/Mt Cook. Then cross the Pukaki flats to reach Twizel and follow the canals to finish beside Lake Ohau. 
• Day 10 – Continue the ride around Lake Ohau to morning tea, then head up and over the infamous Tarnbrae hill to reach the Quailburn woolshed for a picnic lunch. Enjoy a soak in Omarama hot tubs before a fun and fabulous dinner. 
• Day 11 – We leave the alpine high country today and head down into the Waitaki valley. Enjoy some spectacular riding past 3 huge hydro lakes as you make your way down to the braided river flats. Enjoy a wine tasting and stay at a fabulous lodge in Kurow. 
• Day 12 – The trail follows the river crossing 3 creeks (you may get wet feet!). After morning tea, we visit the Elephant Rocks and some amazing limestone outcrops before you get your first glimpse of the Pacific Ocean. Through Raki’s railway tunnel you’ll cross a patchwork quilt of farmland to reach your luxury accommodation.
• Day 13 – Enjoy the last few kilometres of pasture and ride through the Oamaru botanic gardens to finally reach the Pacific Ocean. Celebrate with some wood-fired pizzas at a local brewery. Then you can choose to take a bus back to Christchurch (included) or ride in the tour van back to Queenstown. 

• Day 7 in Queenstown is the midpoint of the tour. There are no activities or meals planned that day, but your accommodation in Queenstown is included in the price of the tour.
• On the final day you can choose to be dropped off in Queenstown or take a bus to finish your tour in Christchurch.

Looking for something even longer? It is possible to combine our cycle tours into 2, 3 or even 4 week adventures. Please enquire for possibilities to create your perfect cycling holiday around the South Island.