NEW TOUR THIS SEASON

We leave from Christchurch and drive to Westport via the Lewis Pass stopping at Springs Junction and Reefton.

We will go for a ride of approximately 20km on the way to Westport – We will decide the best option for that day depending on the weather.

Tonight you stay and dine in Westport

The Kawatiri Coastal Trail so far is 28km one way. This may change by the time you go on the tour

• Westport – Carters Beach    5.5 km   
• Carters Beach – Cape Foulwind, 7 km
• Cape Foulwind – Tauranga Bay     3.5 km
• Tauranga Bay – Ōkari Lagoon  5 km    
• Ōkari Lagoon – Virgin Flat Road, 7 km

We drive  to Beach Road where you ride 5km to the end of the trail in Charleston

On finishing the Kawatiri Trail you drive to Hokitika stopping in Punakaiki and Greymouth before continuing on to Hokitika where you stay overnight.

Today you will ride a full day on the West Coast Wilderness Cycle Trail from Hokitika to Kumara.

This section of the route (and indeed the trail itself) is one of New Zealand’s most popular cycle rides, offering stunning scenery and fascinating local history. You will pass through some of the best stands of native forest left in New Zealand on your journey today.

Milltown overlooks the Arahura Valley, an area once rich in gold and still known as the source of the highly prized pounamu (greenstone).

You will pass water raceways, rich dairy farmland and the tranquil Lake Kaniere, described by some as” the most beautiful lake in New Zealand”. Formed by glacial erosion in the last ice age, Lake Kaniere itself is only 8 km long and 2 km wide but can be as deep as 195 metres in places and is surrounded by verdant native bush, making it a popular spot for campers and holiday makers in the summer. You bike through a section of towering ancient rimu forest and tree ferns.

Tonight your stay is in Kumara at the famous Theatre Royal Hotel.

We drive to Ross where we start our ride for the day.

From Ross, we ride for  about 23km on a well formed 4wd track. Plenty of small hills and not too demanding.

The bush scenery and wild nature is fantastic.  As you progress into the Mikonui Valley the mountains rise to greet you.  You really feel as though you’re going somewhere.

If you look carefully as you ride, you’ll also see glimpses of 120 years-old gold-workings. Then, if you love speed, you’ll crank up a few knots as you go down the hills. It’s great for electric bikes. You bike high above the pretty Totara Gorge.  We will stop at the “Black Hut for lunch  – even go for a swim in the adjacent Totara River.

We will allow at least 5 hours for a return journey – but time really depends on your fitness, speed and ability.

On completing the ride we  drive to Franz Josef where we overnight.

This morning we drive to Okarito the home of Kerri Hulme, author of the Bone People, and we enjoy the quiet tranquility of the area.

We then drive back to Franz Josef and ride the Te Ara a Waiau cycleway through the rainforest which provides off-road access to the Franz Josef glacier walk car park.  8.7km return via same track.    

From Franz Josef township we make a short drive south to Fox Glacier. Fox township is a similar size to Franz Josef. It also has a lovely rainforest cycleway, Te Weheka is 8.4km return, providing a link to its glacier walk car park.

Tonight we stay in  Fox Glacier.

This morning we ride to Lake Matheson and walk around the lake before continuing on the bikes for a 21 km ride to Gillespies Beach.

Gillespies Beach is a secluded, yet beautiful beach that offers a glimpse into its gold mining past (as well as the chance of the odd seal encounter). It’s a great way to spend half a day; you’re guaranteed to come back feeling rejuvenated.

When finished at Gillespies Beach we return you to  Christchurch via Arthurs Pass.