Explore the area by bike and visit all the best places
Meet the locals and experience their hospitality
Explore the glorious national park on the final day

Hop Harvest E-Bike Tour

Duration
4 days
Site savings
$20
From
$975 USD

Jump on board for NZ’s first hop harvest tour by ebike. This escorted tour is the perfect combo of fabulous cycling on the Great Taste Trail, with visits to all the iconic Nelson Tasman craft brewing highlights along the way. The trip includes a private visit to a beautiful hop garden during the harvest.

  • Category
    Easy-going & Leisurely
  • Type
    Fully Guided
  • Duration
    4 days
  • Culture Level
    Familiar
  • Skill Level
    1 - Beginner
  • Activity Level
    2 - Moderate
  • Elevation
    1 - Easy
  • Terrain
    Coastal
  • Distance
    54.1 miles
  • Avg. Daily Distance
    13.5 miles
Notify me when available
Loading tour details...

Quick Stats

  • Duration
    4 days
  • Main Destination
    South Island
  • Distance
    54.1 miles
  • Avg. Daily Distance
    13.5 miles
  • Elevation
    1 - Easy
  • Terrain
    Coastal

Route Map (click to view larger image)

Itinerary Details

  1. Day 1Stoke to Mapua to Ruby Bay

    This morning your guide will pick you up from your location in Nelson to arrive at the tour operator's base in Stoke, 8 km from Nelson city, for a 10am briefing. After being introduced to your e-bikes, the riding begins.

    The first hop, skip & wheel spin is to McCashins Brewery & Tap Room for a tour & tasting. The brewery here is full of history & atmosphere.  Next stop is Eddyline Brewery & Pizzaria where the beers are bountiful & the pizzas are perfect. You will pass by Pics Peanut Butter World on the way so you may want to stop here & see where all the peanut stuff happens. (Tours only available if pre-booked.) After lunch, you will jump back on the bikes and pop over to the Sprig & Fern Brewery.

    Next on the agenda is a scenic 22 km cycle on the Great Taste Trail from Richmond to Rabbit Island beach (yes, swimming optional) and the Mapua Ferry, which jumps you over the channel to the wharf at Mapua. Your guide will transfer your luggage through to your accommodation.

    After arriving in Mapua you have the rest of the evening to linger & enjoy a meal at one of the venues on the wharf.  Golden Bear Brewing Company is a great place to chill here, with food inspired by the flavours of California & Mexico. The Sprig & Fern Mapua is in the village. Your last cycling today will be making your own way to your comfortable en suite room at the lodge for the night.



    • 13.7 miles
    • Korepo Lodge
  2. Day 2Ruby Bay to Upper Moutere return

    Today starts with breakfast at the lodge, before a briefing explaining the route for the day.  The riding today is on quiet country roads in the glorious Moutere, known locally as the “Tuscany of NZ” (but with hop gardens as well as vineyards). Hops have been grown here for over 100 years & the historic kilns, with their distinctive conical roofs, are still visible in the landscape. The hop garden you will visit is located right on the edge of the village in a particularly scenic location. Harvest will be in full swing & the farmer will be present to explain the process of growing, harvesting & drying. Smelling the flavours in the hop kiln is sure to be a highlight! The itinerary today also includes visiting a historic display in a privately-owned historic hop kiln & visiting the famous Moutere Inn, a craft beer freehouse with 13 rotating taps (nicely located for lunch).

    If you wish to explore more of the glorious Moutere area on your e-bikes before returning to Korepo Lodge, there will be some free time this afternoon. The tour operator recommends the beautiful Neudorf Vineyards (a little winery visit never went astray) & for art/craft lovers, why not visit Michael MacMillan’s glorious brick barn gallery & Barlett & Gold ceramics gallery too. 

    Dinner tonight is a BBQ meal at Korepo Lodge, where you can relax together in the garden.

    • 18.6 miles
    • Korepo Lodge
    • Breakfast and Dinner
  3. Day 3Ruby Bay to Kaiteriteri

    After breakfast this morning it’s back on the e-bikes & the riding today is all on the Great Taste Trail. The first leg is a scenic 30 minute ride through to Tasman village, where there is a usefully-located coffee shop. Back on the bikes, it’s around 50 minutes through to Motueka where lunch is at Toad Hall Cafe with a visit to Townshend Brewery. Next stop today is Hop Federation Brewery in Riwaka. The Great Taste Trail route from Toad Hall to Hop Federation (30 minutes) takes the scenic route along the edge of the estuary at Motueka.

    The final leg of riding today is 7.5 km on the trail from Riwaka to Kaiteriteri. The last 3.5 km takes the Easy Rider trail through the Kaiteriteri Mountain Bike Park. This is not a technical trail. A celebration swim at the fabulous golden beach will be an option here. The cycling finishes, here, so your guide will load the bikes for the return trip to Nelson.


    • 21.7 miles
    • Kimi Ora Eco Resort
    • Breakfast
  4. Day 4Abel Tasman & back to Nelson

    Today is your Abel Tasman Day, with time to walk, swim, or just lie on that golden sand & listen to the sea. The Open Day Pass, which is included in the package, is a flexible full day walking trip. A picnic lunch is also included. Boats depart from the beachfront, 15 minutes walk from the resort. Cruise into the Abel Tasman, then disembark for a walk of between 2 and 4 hours before the return boat trip to Kaiteriteri beach. Here, the shuttle will meet you for the transfer back to Nelson, arriving 5.30pm.

    • Breakfast and Picnic Lunch