Great West Coast Cycle

Itinerary Details

1. Day 1Christchurch to Hokitika

   You will meet in central Christchurch at Cathedral Junction at 7:15am. Your guide will drive you to the Christchurch train station in time for the TranzAlpine Express departure at 8.15am. You will enjoy a scenic train journey across the Southern Alps and arrive at Moana on Lake Brunner around Midday. You will eat lunch on the train and then you can get on the bikes immediately to follow an undulating and winding course through the picturesque Arnold Valley to Stillwater.

   A flat ride beside the banks of the Grey River takes you out to the coastal township of Greymouth. One of the trip's many highlights is the coastal riding as you head north along the coast to the famous Pancake Rocks at Punakaiki. The coastline is wild, the rock formations are incredible and the rainforest is lush. The riding is pure quality, with enough hills to keep you honest.

   After visiting the Pancake Rocks you will load up the bikes, hop on the bus and transfer to Hokitika and your accommodation for the night. Hokitika is a quiet coastal town known for the crafting of Pounamu (greenstone) from the West Coast and is a wonderful place to walk along the beach at sunset.
   

   • 47.2 miles
   • Accommodation in Hokitika
   • Dinner

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     Punakaiki's Pancake Rocks

     Visit Punakaiki on day 1 and see the spectacular Pancake Rocks

2. Day 2Hokitika to Franz Josef Glacier

   Further south, the glacier country beckons and the road soon changes from rural countryside to one fringed with the mighty podocarp rainforests. Along the way, you will break for coffee at Ross, one of the early gold-mining townships and then onwards through Hari Hari and Whataroa until finally, you reach Franz Josef Glacier township for the next two nights.
   

   • 50.3 - 83.9 miles
   • Accommodation in Franz Josef
   • Breakfast and Dinner

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     Cycle to Franz Josef and Fox Glacier

     Spend some time with the glaciers at Fox and Franz Josef

3. Day 3Franz Josef Glacier

   Time for a day off the saddle and Franz Josef Glacier is a great place to enjoy this. With hot pools, ice climbing and lots of short walks – there are plenty of options. You could also relax and catch up with your diary or read a book. Flight-seeing is very popular here either in fixed-wing planes around the mountains (up to 40 mins) or a helicopter flight to land on the snowfields high above the village (1.5 – 2 hours). There is also an option to enjoy some sea-kayaking into the rainforest at the nearby Okarito Lagoon & bird sanctuary. Additional costs for optional activities apply.
   

   • Accommodation in Franz Josef
   • Breakfast

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     Cycle to Franz Josef and Fox Glacier

     Spend some time with the glaciers at Fox and Franz Josef

4. Day 4Franz Josef Glacier to Fox Glacier

   This morning's start is flexible depending on the weather and what people would like to do. There are a number of options – if the previous day's weather hasn't been friendly and you were wanting to take to the skies to see the glacier or enjoy some sea-kayaking you can do your activity this morning.

   In the afternoon you will ride through to Fox Glacier (optional). The distance to Fox Glacier is only a matter of 25 kms but that ride crosses three strenuous passes, each followed by an exciting and exhilarating downhill. The ride is worth the effort with the last downhill into Fox leading straight into one of the village cafes or bars.

   In the evening you will take a short walk around nearby Lake Matheson with its famous sunset reflections of New Zealand’s highest mountains.
   

   • 15.5 miles
   • Accommodation at Fox Glacier
   • Breakfast and Lunch

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     Cycle to Franz Josef and Fox Glacier

     Spend some time with the glaciers at Fox and Franz Josef

5. Day 5Fox Glacier to Haast

   After a couple of ‘relaxing’ days, you will head off again on some lovely flat roads. You will reach the coast at Bruce Bay before turning inland again, skirting the beautiful Lake Moeraki and then out to the Knights Point coastline. Eventually, you will roll into Haast township and a final night on the west coast.
   

   • 55.3 - 74.6 miles
   • Accommodation in Haast
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
6. Day 6Haast to Makarora

   Haast Pass presents another cycling highlight. For some 50 kms (31mi) the road slowly rises as the mighty Landsborough River joins the nearby Clark Valley. Countless waterfalls cascade from the mountains towering above the road and the lush rainforest changes to beech forest higher up the valley.

   A final serious climb takes you to the summit of the pass at 678m (2224ft). From here there is a 20km (12.4mi) ride down into the beautiful township of Makarora and a well-deserved conclusion to the day's ride. If the descent does not provide enough excitement there is a thrilling jet-boat ride nearby taking you deep into the Mount Aspiring National Park.
   

   • 51 miles
   • Accommodation in Makarora
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
7. Day 7Makarora to Wanaka

   There are dramatic changes in the landscape today as you enter the dry arid country on the eastern side of the ranges. Today you will cycle alongside spectacular lakes as the road rolls down into the headwaters of the Otago valleys and then climbs along the shore of Lake Wanaka before taking you into the bustling resort township of the same name.

   The afternoon is free to enjoy some shopping or just to relax alongside the lake. This evening, enjoy your final group dinner to celebrate the week's cycling achievements.
   

   • 42.3 miles
   • Accommodation in Wanaka
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
8. Day 8Wanaka to Queenstown

   Your morning ride will depend on the weather and traffic conditions, offering two scenic and enjoyable options. If conditions are favourable, you'll cycle 25km out of town to the historic township of Cardrona, with a chance to stop for a coffee at the iconic pub and its beautiful gardens. From there, you'll tackle the final serious climb of your tour, reaching the highest point at 1070m atop the Crown Range, providing spectacular views. You'll then descend the Crown terraces, with views of the Remarkables mountains and the broad green Wakitipu basin, ending your morning ride in historic Arrowtown for lunch.
   
   If conditions don't allow riding over the Crown Range, the guides will decide on an alternate route. You'll cycle 21km out of town to the entrance of the Treble Cone skifield, returning the same way by bike or van. If traffic conditions are quiet, you'll ride 25km to the Cardrona township, where you'll load up and drive over the Crown Range to Arrowtown. You'll have time to enjoy this lovely old gold mining town before your final ride into Queenstown, known as the adventure capital of New Zealand. Queenstown, situated alongside beautiful Lake Wakatipu and surrounded by mountains, offers fantastic opportunities for relaxation and shopping.

   • 48.5 miles
   • Breakfast and Lunch