Head to the South Island and enjoy a tour off the beaten track
Spend some time exploring this wildlife-rich spot
Take a refreshing stroll to Kaikoura peninsula
Get stuck in to some nutritious and tasty food on tour
Bike tour NZ and adventure through the Molesworth high country
Experience the serene beauty of New Zealand
Cycle tour NZ's historic and natural landscapes
Enjoy the scenic vineyard views as you ride
Excellent cycling, company and surroundings

Kaikoura & Molesworth High Country Cycle

Duration
7 days
Site savings
$27
From
$2,596 USD

Explore the scenic Kaikoura Peninsula and hinterland by bike and foot over 7 memorable days. Starting and ending in Christchurch, this guided bike tour explores a somewhat unexplored part of the South Island. You'll experience lunch and wine tasting at an award winning vineyard in the Waipara Valley, cycle the length of the remote Molesworth Road and visit the historic Molesworth Cob Cottage and Acheron Accommodation House. Soak in the thermal hot pools surrounded by mountains at Hanmer Springs and view the incredible Giant Sperm Whales on a whale watch cruise from Kaikoura (optional).

  • Category
    Trail Riding
  • Type
    Fully Guided
  • Duration
    7 days
  • Culture Level
    Familiar
  • Skill Level
    3 - Intermediate
  • Activity Level
    3 - Active
  • Elevation
    3 - Intermediate
  • Terrain
    Rugged
  • Distance
    248.5 miles
  • Avg. Daily Distance
    35.4 miles
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From scenic wine regions to surreal mountain landscapes this trip in the Northern Canterbury and Marlborough districts is a delight. Ride a new cycle trail in the emerging wine growing district of the Waipara Valley, learn regional history and explore the stunning Kaikoura coastline, dotted with fur seals; there is the option to take an early morning whale watching cruise.

You'll journey through the vast Molesworth Station along isolated roads flanked by rugged mountains and overnight on a remote back country merino sheep farm nestled under Mt. Tapuae-o-Uenuku, the highest mountain outside of the Southern Alps. Before heading back to Christchurch, explore the forest trails and a soak in the therapeutic thermal pools at Hanmer Springs, which provides a fitting finale to this memorable cycling adventure.

This cycle tour is graded moderate. You will need a reasonable level of fitness and the tour operator suggests 90 minutes of cycling three to five times a week for the three months leading up to your trip. Much of the riding is on hard packed gravel, some is loose gravel which can be rough and uneven in places and there are plenty of hills. You will need to be able to cycle an average of 60km day after day, however the support vehicle is always available if you have tired legs. It is recommended to practice cycling up hills and on gravel before your tour – it will make the experience more enjoyable.

Tour inclusions and exclusions at a glance:

What's included?
Items included in the cost of the tour

  • Accommodation
  • Professional qualified driver/guide
  • 2 professional guides/drivers on trips with 8 or more people
  • Pre departure information kit to help you plan and prepare
  • 4WD tour on Middlehurst Station exploring the remote high country farm
  • Hot tubs at Middlehurst Station
  • Entry to Iron Ridge Quarry Sculpture Park
  • Wine tasting at a boutique Waipara vineyard
  • Full vehicle support along the trail including trailer for luggage
  • Meals (as indicated in itinerary)
  • Meals (as indicated in itinerary)
What's not included?
Items not included in the cost of the tour

  • International / Domestic flights
  • Arrival and departure transfers
  • All beverages, other than breakfast
  • Water bottle (help save the environment and bring your own bike drink bottle)
  • Personal expenses (eg. phone calls, internet, laundry, shopping etc)
  • Travel Insurance
  • Visas
  • Optional activities
  • Free bike rental is not included. Please see the available rental options below.

Tour options and upgrades:

2 equipment options available
2 tour add-ons available