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, Shanty Town, Hokitika Gorge, West Coast Treetops Walkway, Haast River Jet Boat Safari.
• A2O helicopter transfer across the Tasman River, Omarama hot pools, 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, soda/soft drinks , and water.
• Unlimited snacks – fresh fruit, mixed nuts, bars, and a selection of classic NZ sweets and lollies!
• An experienced, professional tour guide provides background and commentary to enhance your experience.
• Full vehicle 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! Your tour guide will greet you on the train platform in Greymouth. Enjoy a tour of the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and a short walk in Paparoa National Park. We have 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 Shanty Town where you can experience early pioneering life during the Gold Rush.  The trail follows the coast then heads up beside the Taramakau river to reach a lovely restored hotel in Kumara.
• Day 3 – Follow the cycle trail past a large reservoirs and gently ascend into the foothills of the Southern Alps. After a lovely downhill section through native podocarp forest, cross a suspension bridge and descend to the beautiful Arahura river for a picnic lunch. Continue over another hill and super fun water race trail to finish 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 and stop for lunch in Hokitika. Cross the river and follow the Mahinapua Tramline to enjoy a walk through the forest canopy at the West Coast Treetops Walkway. Then finish the bike trail into Ross and stay at unique beach-front accommodation.
• Day 5 – Take a beautiful drive down the West Coast stopping for a break in glacier country. After a quick look at the Franz Josef Glacier, enjoy a short ride beside the Waiho river before lunch. Then visit the Kiwi Wildlife Centre to learn about their efforts to save New Zealand’s iconic bird. Continuing our journey down the coast, we 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 take 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 – It’s back to business for the 2nd half of your adventure! We pick you up bright and early for the drive up to Mt Cook/Aoraki National Park – with some of the most dramatic scenery in New Zealand. After a ride to airfield you will take a short helicopter flight across the Tasman River. Another couple of hours cycling brings you to our accommodation, set in a stunning location.
• Day 9 – The cycle trail follows the lake edge to reach our picnic beside Lake Pukaki with stunning views of Aoraki/Mt Cook. Ride across tussock-covered plains to reach Twizel then continue beside canals to reach Lake Ohau. 
• Day 10 – Continue the ride around Lake Ohau before morning tea, then up and over Tarnbrae hill to reach the historic Quailburn woolshed for a picnic lunch. Enjoy a soak in Omarama hot tubs before a fun and fabulous dinner. 
• Day 11 – Today the landscape changes from alpine high country to a braided river valley. The fabulous section of riding takes you past 3 huge lakes  where you’ll learn about the hydro power stations. Enjoy a wine tasting in Kurow, followed by dinner at a fabulous lodge. 
• Day 12 – Follow the river as it crosses 3 small creeks. After morning tea, visit the Elephant Rocks and some amazing limestone outcrops before you get your first glimpse of the Pacific Ocean. Through Raki’s tunnel you’ll cross a patchwork quilt of farmland to reach your luxury accommodation.
• Day 13 – Enjoy the last few kilometres of pasture and botanic gardens to reach the Pacific Ocean in Oamaru. Celebrate with some wood-fired pizzas at a local brewery. Then you can choose to take a bus back to Christchurch (included) or return in tour van back to Queenstown. 

• Day 7 in Queenstown is the midpoint of the tour. You are welcome to relax at the hotel or explore Queenstown at your leisure. There are no activities or meals planned but your accommodation in Queenstown is included in the price of the tour.
• Alternative drop-off points at the end of the tour, can be arranged upon request – let us know your plans and we will see what we can do.

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.