Easy Cycling, Incomparable Scenery
Distances average around 30km a day, and the cycling is suitable for beginners and families.
Follow the West Coast Wilderness Cycle Trail and enjoy gentle cycling in a landscape rich in beauty and history.
Four days of diverse riding and spectacular scenery await: from commercial centres to tiny mining towns, alpine peaks to dramatic seacoast, native bush to farmland, wetlands, lakes, rivers, historic monuments and bridges.
Some sections follow pioneer tracks laid by gold miners, and by Maori seeking greenstone (pounamu).
A
Have you seen our Ladies Only West Coast Wilderness Cycle Trail E Bike Tour
Cycling Tour
4 days / 3 nights
An average level of fitness. Bike 25kms. Well formed tracks and roads with average incline.
NZ$1895
Don't miss out, tours filling fast!
Do you have another date in mind?We can build a tour especially for your group, please enquire for a private tour for 10 or more friends
Price: NZ$1895
Greymouth to Kumara
31km
Historic Hotel
Welcome along! We leave Christchurch between 8:30am and 9am when your tour begins with a scenic coach journey from Christchurch across the Canterbury Plains and over Arthurs Pass to Greymouth.
Originally established as home for hundreds of gold and coal miners following the 1860’s gold rush , Greymouth today enjoys popularity as a base for fishing, hiking and other recreational activities with its wild river, rugged native bush-covered hills and pounding surf.
Today from Greymouth you’ll start your ride cycling 12km down a coastal path on a raised dune system. Along the way enjoy views over several small settlements and the surrounding countryside as you follow the spectacular coastline of the Tasman Sea.
The trail then continues on the scenic route south to Taramakau, between Greymouth and Hokitika. Turning inland from here, you’ll head to Kumara along a historic tramway. Kumara is a former gold mining town and home of one of New Zealand’s greatest early politicians, Richard Seddon. Tonight your overnight stay is in a charming historic hotel in Kumara
Kumara to Milltown
37km
Hotel/Motel
The West Coast Wilderness Cycle Trail continues this morning with a ride through rainforest as you head towards Milltown.
This section of the route (and indeed the trail itself) is certain to become 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).
Tonight your stay is in Hokitika, a pretty seaside town known for its greenstone carving industry and home to many artisans and craftspeople.
Milltown to Hokitika
33km
Your ride today starts at the head of the Arahura River, which rises from the Southern Alps and meets the Tasman Sea just north of Hokitika.
You’ll 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.
You will arrive in Hokitika early afternoon and weather permitting, there is an optional excursion by vehicle to the famous Hokitika Gorge.
Tonight, you’ll spend a second night in Hokitika.
Hokitika to Ross
Your day starts with an easy coastal ride, then follows the bush tramway past Lake Mahinapua. It is a great ride through typical West Coast bush and wetlands.
We call into the West Coast Treetops walkway and cafe where you can walk amongst the treetops and get a birds eye view of the forest.
The final leg of the cycle ride follows a disused railway line with a number of distinctive wooden bridges and wild west coast coastal scenery to your next and final stop the gold mining, farming and forestry town of Ross.
From Ross we return you to Christchurch arriving between 5 and 6pm approximately.
Each night you will stay in comfortable hotel, motel or bed and breakfast accommodation.
Rooms are double (one queen or king bed) or twin (2 separate beds). If you have a preference for a twin room, please let us know when you make your booking. All rooms have their own ensuite bathroom.
If you are a single traveller, you can nominate to share a room with another single of the same gender or pay an additional single supplement to secure a private room for the duration of the tour.
The single room supplement for this tour is $545
We have bikes for hire and recommend you use them as they are tried and true in the areas we operate.
All of our bikes are fully maintained and serviced before they leave. Included in the cost of your cycle hire is a cycle helmet and safety vest.
You may use your own bike, but please ensure it is well maintained and fully serviced before your tour starts.
For The West Coast Wilderness Cycle Trail, bike hire is $225 for a mountain bike and $475 for an E Bike.
You will enjoy great local cuisine; continental breakfasts and hearty packed lunches during the day, and either restaurant meals or wholesome home-cooked fare prepared by your host/hostess in the evenings. If you have any dietary issues or food allergies, we are happy to cater for these, please advise the office of details when you make your booking. Alcohol is not included in the tour cost, but is available for purchase most nights.
Tuatara Tours transports all your luggage for the duration of the tour.
To ensure you get the very best out of your journey with the least of fuss, we provide you with a bag of useful goodies.
This will be given to you at the start of your tour.
Our guides are very experienced, friendly walkers and bikers who love to share their knowledge of New Zealand’s flora and fauna and local history. They all hold current first aid certificates, passenger driving licences and are the very best people to ensure your experience will be one to remember.
To ensure maximum safety for all, our guides are certified first aiders and fully qualified drivers. Tuatara Tours operate under a Safety and Risk Management Plan which is regularly audited and approved by a qualified and independent auditor.
