8 days tour

Great West Coast Cycle

Great West Coast Cycle

This tour includes:

Accommodation

7 nights hotel/motel/lodge accommodation

Meals

Tasty cafe breakfasts (x7), gourmet picnic or cafe lunches (x5), two course restaurant dinners (x5) catered to all dietary requirements Tasty nutritious snacks, drinks and treats plus our famous morning and afternoon teas

Guide

Experienced guides who handle all the hard bits and share epic stories (2 guides on groups of 8 or more)

Transport

Full vehicle support along the trail including trailer for luggage TranzAlpine train journey from Christchurch to Greymouth Transport from Christchurch to Queenstown

Others

8 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 4 dinners 8 nights accommodation hotel/motel on twin share basis with private bathroom facilities TranzAlpine train to Greymouth from Christchurch Professional driver-guide Private support vehicle NZ Goods and Service Tax (GST)

Not included:

Optional

Other activities and services are not included

Others

A gear list will be provided on confirmation of your trip. Public Holiday Supplement Bike Rental Single Supplement

Flights

Flights are not included

Insurance

Insurance is not included

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Great West Coast Cycle

  • Day 1 Day 1: Christchurch To Hokitika
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 1: Christchurch To Hokitika

      We will meet in central Christchurch at Cathedral Junction at 7:15am. Your guide will drive you to the Christchurch train station in time for the TranzAlpine Train departure at 8.15am. We enjoy a scenic train journey across the Southern Alps and arrive at Moana on Lake Brunner around Midday. We will eat our lunch on the train and then we can get on the bikes immediately to follow an undulating and winding course through the picturesque Arnold Valley to Stillwater. A flat ride beside the banks of the Grey River takes us out to the coastal township of Greymouth. One of the tripโ€™s many highlights is the coastal riding as we head north along the coast to the famous Pancake Rocks at Punakaiki. The coastline is wild, the rock formations are incredible and the rainforest is lush. The riding is pure quality, with enough hills to keep you honest. After visiting the Pancake Rocks we load up the bikes, hop on the bus and transfer to Hokitika and our accommodation for the night. Hokitika is a quiet coastal town known for the crafting of Pounamu (greenstone) from the West Coast and is a wonderful place to walk along the beach at sunset. Cycling Distance: 76km / 48miles

  • Day 2 Day 2: Hokitika To Franz Josef Glacier
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 2: Hokitika To Franz Josef Glacier

      Further south, the glacier country beckons and the road soon changes from rural countryside to one fringed with the mighty podocarp rainforests. Along the way we break for coffee at Ross, one of the early gold-mining townships and then onwards through Hari Hari and Whataroa until finally we reach Franz Josef Glacier township for the next two nights. Cycling Distance: 135km / 84miles Suggested Shorter Option: Ross to Whataroa โ€“ 81km / 50miles

  • Day 3 Day 3: Franz Josef Glacier
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 3: Franz Josef Glacier

      Time for a day off the saddle and Franz Josef Glacier is a great place to enjoy this. With hot pools, ice climbing and lots of short walks โ€“ there are plenty of options. You could also relax and catch up with your diary or read a book. Flight-seeing is very popular here either in fixed wing planes around the mountains (up to 40 mins) or a helicopter flight to land on the snowfields high above the village (1.5 โ€“ 2 hours). There is also an option to enjoy some sea-kayaking into the rainforest at the nearby Okarito Lagoon & bird sanctuary. Additional costs for optional activities apply.

  • Day 4 Day 4: Franz Josef Glacier To Fox Glacier
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 4: Franz Josef Glacier To Fox Glacier

      This morningโ€™s start is flexible depending on the weather and what people would like to do. There are a number of options โ€“ if the previous dayโ€™s weather hasnโ€™t been friendly and you were wanting to take to the skies to see the glacier or enjoy some sea-kayaking you can do your activity this morning. In the afternoon we ride through to Fox Glacier (optional). The distance to Fox Glacier is only a matter of 25 kms but that ride crosses three strenuous passes, each followed by an exciting and exhilarating downhill. The ride is worth the effort with the last downhill into Fox leading straight into one of the village cafes or bars. In the evening we take a short walk around nearby Lake Matheson with its famous sunset reflections of New Zealandโ€™s highest mountains. Cycling Distance: 25km / 16miles

  • Day 5 Day 5: Fox Glacier To Haast
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 5: Fox Glacier To Haast

      After a couple of โ€˜relaxingโ€™ days we head off again on some lovely flat roads. We reach the coast at Bruce Bay before turning inland again, skirting the beautiful Lake Moeraki and then out to the Knights Point coastline. Eventually we roll into Haast township and a final night on the west coast. Cycling Distance: 120km / 75miles Shorter Option: Fox to Lake Moeraki โ€“ 89km / 55miles

  • Day 6 Day 6: Haast To Makarora
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 6: Haast To Makarora

      Haast Pass presents another cycling highlight. For some 50 kms the road slowly rises as the mighty Landsborough River joins the nearby Clark Valley. Countless waterfalls cascade from the mountains towering above the road and the lush rainforest changes to beechforest higher up the valley. A final serious climb takes us to the summit of the pass at 678m. From here there is a 20km ride down into the beautiful township of Makarora and a well-deserved conclusion to the dayโ€™s ride. If the descent does not provide enough excitement there is a thrilling jet-boat ride nearby taking you deep into the Mount Aspiring National Park. Cycling Distance: 82 km / 51miles

  • Day 7 Day 7: Makarora To Wanaka
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 7: Makarora To Wanaka

      There are dramatic changes in the landscape today as we enter the dry arid country on the eastern side of the ranges. Today we cycle alongside spectacular lakes as the road rolls down into the headwaters of the Otago valleys and then climbs along the shore of Lake Wanaka before taking us into the bustling resort township of the same name. The afternoon is free to enjoy some shopping or just to relax alongside the lake. This evening we enjoy our final group dinner together to celebrate our weekโ€™s cycling achievements. Cycling Distance: 68km / 42miles

  • Day 8 Day 8: Wanaka To Queenstown
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 8: Wanaka To Queenstown

      Our ride this morning will depend on the weather and traffic conditions with 2 scenic and enjoyable options. If conditions permit, we cycle out of town for 25km to the historic township of Cardrona, with a chance to stop for a coffee in the old iconic pub with its beautiful gardens. From here the last serious climb of our tour takes us to our highest point, 1070m, at the top of the Crown Range for some spectacular views. We then descend the Crown terraces, looking out to the Remarkables mountains and the broad green Wakitipu basin, finishing our morning ride in historic Arrowtown where we break for lunch. If conditions donโ€™t permit riding over the Crown Range, and this will be at the guidesโ€™ discretion, we cycle 21km out of town upto the entrance to the Treble Cone skifield, return the same way either by bike or van, and then, if traffic conditions are quiet, ride 25km to the Cardrona township where weโ€™ll load up and drive over the Crown Range to Arrowtown. We have time to enjoy this lovely old gold mining town before our final ride into Queenstown, known as the adventure capital of New Zealand. Queenstown is situated alongside beautiful lake Wakitipu and surrounded by mountains. Relaxation and shopping here are fantastic. Cycling Distance: upto 78km / 48miles

  • Day 9 Day 9: Queenstown
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 9: Queenstown

      Our tour ends today after breakfast. We are happy to help with extra accommodation bookings (additional cost applies) if you would like to spend more time in Queenstown after your tour.

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Experience Style

Experience Style

Mixed

There will be challenging activities such as hiking, biking, canyoning and trekking, but youโ€™re also going to have other means of transportation and relaxed moments to just chill.

Accomodation level

Accomodation level

Medium

This accommodation includes essential services like a hot shower, electricity, and a nice and comfy bed.

Experience Type

Experience Type

Small Group

Youโ€™ll be accompanied by a small group of travelers just like you.

Physical Rating

Physical Rating

Challenging

Long and challenging experience. Youโ€™ll be required to have good physical fitness to go on it. In some of these activities you'll need previous experience on similar activities.

Age range

Age range

Min: 16 / Max: 99

Age range allowed for this experience.

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