Southern Lakes Cycle

Itinerary Details

1. Day 1Christchurch Port Hills & Banks Peninsula

   This morning you will be collected from a central Christchurch location around 8:00 am and taken to the depot for a bike fitting and tour briefing. Today you will have the opportunity to find your cycle legs with a warm-up ride along the stunning Port Hills overlooking the Banks Peninsula. You will follow the Summit Road, around the crater rim of an extinct volcano with panoramic views towards the city, the snowy Southern Alps and into the vivid blue Lyttelton harbor. You will ride out to Godley Head at the entrance of the harbor where there are relics of the WW2 defence battery and another scenic lookout before heading towards the port town of Lyttelton. The ride takes you around the seashore, with lots of short climbs between bays and some fast descents.

   Once you reach Governors Bay, those who would like a challenge can ride up to the top of Dyers Pass, climbing over 300m in 3km. Otherwise, you will load up the bikes and hop in the van to drive back to the city center and your hotel, arriving in the late afternoon. There will be time to explore the city center before meeting for your first group dinner in the evening.
   

   • 31.1 miles
   • Pavilions Hotel, Christchurch
   • Lunch and Dinner

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     Pavilions Hotel, Christchurch

     Spend the first night in comfortable, central accommodation in Christchurch

2. Day 2Christchurch to Lake Tekapo

   After breakfast, you will drive across the Canterbury Plains to Temuka. You will cycle along quiet rural roads past small farmlets and communities, to the quaint town of Geraldine, nestled amongst gently rolling hills. In the afternoon you will explore more quiet rural roads with a photo stop at the historic St Davids Church at Raincliff before arriving at the rural town of Fairlie, where the cycling ends for today. You will then transfer to your accommodation at Lake Tekapo, a beautiful destination amongst the snow-capped alps and turquoise coloured glacial lakes. There could be time to take a dip in the hot pools or visit the famous Church of the Good Shepherd before a group dinner together.
   

   • 47.8 miles
   • Accommodation at Lake Tekapo
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
3. Day 3Lake Tekapo to Aoraki/Mount Cook

   Today has a relaxed start and after a hearty breakfast, you can either walk or cycle to the Mt. John lookout with its spectacular views of the lake and surrounding mountains. The vast MacKenzie Basin with its views of Aoraki/Mount Cook and the Southern Alps provide an awesome backdrop as you ride. You'll continue onto Aoraki/Mount Cook and enjoy riding the quiet hydro canal roads, with the view getting more expansive as you get close to the mountains.

   Once you arrive in Mount Cook township there will be the opportunity to take a short walk to see panoramic views of the mountains, visit the Edmund Hilary Museum or interesting visitor information centre. You are then free to make your own dinner arrangements. Admire the setting sun on NZ's highest mountain peaks and take in the vast starry skies after dark.
   

   • 28 miles
   • Local Accommodation
   • Breakfast and Lunch
4. Day 4Aoraki/Mount Cook to Lake Ohau

   This morning you will have the option to take a break from the bike and do some hiking in the lee of Aoraki/Mount Cook. Options include a three-hour flat walk to the Hooker Glacier terminal lake or the shorter Tasman Glacier walk. New Zealand’s highest mountain dominates the region with its steep glacial slopes often providing a spectacular sideshow of avalanches. The prevailing wind should speed you along as the afternoon finds you cycling on the gradual downhill from Aoraki/Mount Cook towards beautiful Lake Ohau and your lodge accommodation for tonight.

   Note: Today’s ride may be reversed to take advantage of the tailwinds.
   

   • 34.2 - 62.8 miles
   • Lake Ohau Lodge
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

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     Lake Ohau Lodge

     Rest for the night at this epic location next to the lake

5. Day 5Lake Ohau to Oamaru

   An optional early morning lakeside cycle takes you away from the mountains into the tussock-covered hill country. Your ride for today starts with a sweeping downhill before detouring onto a quiet back road around picturesque Lake Aviemore. The lake is part of the impressive Waitaki Hydro Electric scheme and you'll ride across the two dams at either end of the lake.

   In the afternoon you will continue via the unusual formations of Elephant Rocks to the old Victorian town of Oamaru. Nestled on the Pacific Coast, Oamaru has some of New Zealand's oldest and most beautifully restored buildings as well as a thriving art culture. There are options to visit the creative Steam-punk Museum, the Penguin colony (best at dusk), and enjoy some fresh seafood for dinner.
   

   • 38.5 - 55.3 miles
   • Oamaru Accommodation
   • Breakfast and Lunch
6. Day 6Oamaru to Ranfurly

   Early this morning you will enjoy a beautiful coastal ride out of Oamaru before visiting the perfectly round Moeraki boulders which make spectacular photos if the tide is right. After some refreshments, your next ride takes you into the heart of Central Otago, with the optional challenge of a climb over MaCrae's pass before a spectacular descent to the Taieri Plains.

   Tonight there's the option to go curling (own expense) at an indoor ice rink, before enjoying a jacuzzi and traditional Kiwi BBQ at your lodge.
   

   • 50.3 miles
   • Local Accommodation
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
7. Day 7Ranfurly to Queenstown

   This morning you will cycle the scenic Ida Valley to the historic village of Ophir, via the challenging but optional climb over the Raggedy Range. From the top, there are panoramic 360-degree views. The ride continues to historic Clyde, your final cycling destination and another former gold-mining village with beautiful old stone buildings. 

   You will celebrate the end of the riding at the local pub before you drive to Queenstown where you will say farewell and get dropped off in the downtown area. With its spectacular scenery, great shopping and multitude of adventurous activities it is worth staying an extra day or two in this vibrant town.
   

   • 55.3 miles
   • Breakfast and Lunch

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     Queenstown

     Arrive in picturesque and exciting Queenstown at the end of the tour