NZ Bicycle Tours

It is with good reason that cycling the iconic Otago Rail Trail in Central Otago has renewed many New Zealanders love of cycling.  We have added cycle trails around the lakes of  Central Otago and the MacKenzie country to make a really memorable week of cycling.  Begin your cycling adventure following cycle trails across the McKenzie basin on the Alps2Ocean trail, along canal roads and cycle trails. 

We then travel to the Lake District and cycle the Lake Hawea trail to Lake Wanaka, before moving on to Clyde to cycle the Upper Clutha trail and begin the Otago Rail Trail.  NZBT helpful and friendly guides and support vehicles are always ready and available.

The lower North Island is relatively unknown as a cycling destination in New Zealand and yet has some of the best cycling routes in the country, with quintessential backcountry farming scenery, gently undulating hills, native forest, and interesting country settlements.  We have picked a selection of cycling highlights from this part of New Zealand, on mainly sealed quiet country roads. Short van transfers on most days allow us to keep to more scenic areas, gentle hills and quiet roads.

It does mean that on some days on the road, using this kind of bike, the distances shown may be too much for everyone, but don’t worry as the minibus will be there for you if you need it.

New Zealand’s South Island and its West Coast have been popular with overseas and local cyclists for over 40 years. The range of natural scenery from the Canterbury Plains to the West Coast, down to Jacksons Bay and back over the Southern Alps to the dry inland area of the Southern Lakes, plus wonderful accommodation, makes for a memorable tour.

We have chosen April as this is generally a drier time of the year on the West Coast, and there is less traffic on the road at the end of summer.

Our Christchurch to Nelson Off Toad Tour showcases two of the best off-road cycle trails in the South Island, the Westland Wilderness Trail on the West Coast and the Great Taste Trail at the top of the South Island.  NZBT have put together an itinerary that links these two visually and geographically diverse trail experiences with cycling on rarely used bush roads through stunning beach forests, 270 km in total.

February  and March are great months for cycling in this area, and while the chance of rain is ever-present, it is more likely to be a passing shower, than an all day event at this time of year.