South Island Triple Trails

Itinerary Details

1. Day 1Christchurch to Tekapo - Alps to Ocean Trail

   Your adventure begins with a drive across the picturesque Canterbury Plains to Geraldine for a refreshment break before continuing to Lake Tekapo Village for lunch. Its picturesque lake is the first of the storage lakes that feed the hydro schemes in the basin and down the Waitaki Valley. This afternoon you'll set away on the first of the three famous cycle trails you are to conquer this tour - the Alps to Ocean Cycle Trail, following quiet roads that follow the turquoise blue waters of the canal system.

   On return to Tekapo, you'll have the option to visit the local hot pools to ease any first-day muscle aches (own expense). The famous Church of the Good Shepherd and nearby statue standing as a tribute to the sheepdogs that make farming the Mackenzie Basin possible are local icons. Meet up in the early evening to have your first group dinner together.
   

   • 18.6 miles
   • Accommodation in Tekapo
   • Dinner
2. Day 2Tekapo to Mount Cook

   After breakfast this morning you'll drive to the next cycling point on the Alps to Ocean Cycle Trail alongside the Tekapo hydro canal. Enjoy some flat easy riding past salmon farms to the edge of Lake Pukaki, joining the lakeside cycle trail and with spectacular mountain vistas. From the road end, Aoraki/Mt Cook beckons so you'll load up and drive to The Hermitage where you have the option to enjoy a visit to the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre (own expense) or the informative Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park visitor centre (free of charge).

   In the afternoon you’ll also have the chance to put your walking shoes on and take in the stunning glacier and mountain views from either the Sealey Tarns, the Hooker Valley Track or Tasman Glacier viewpoint. You'll stay in Aoraki/Mount Cook Village tonight, and enjoy an evening, dining and relaxing below the highest peaks in the Southern Alps.

   • 18.6 miles
   • Accommodation in Aoraki/Mount Cook Village
   • Breakfast and Lunch
3. Day 3Mount Cook to Omarama

   This morning, after a short transfer to the nearby village of Twizel, you'll cycle past Lake Ruataniwha and Lake Ohau, mostly on the cycle trail, to Lake Ohau Lodge for lunch. After you've refueled your body, those who would like a challenge can continue on the trail, which starts its steady climb up to the Tarnbrae Saddle. At 900m this is the high point of the whole Alps to Ocean Cycle Trail and your efforts are rewarded with stunning views across the Mackenzie Basin.

   Alternatively for those who want a relaxing afternoon there is the option to transfer by vehicle and enjoy a final, mostly downhill and flat ride on the trail into Omarama, your stop for the night. Omarama is called "Place of Light" in Maori terminology, a reference to its extraordinarily pure and clear sky. This region is also famous for gliding due to some unique air wave systems and feisty thermals. This evening enjoy an optional soak in a private hot tub of fresh mountain water (own expense).

   Cycle Distance: Twizel to Lake Ohau - 38 km Ohau to Omarama - 41 km Short option: Quailburn to Omarama - 23 km

   • 14.3 - 25.5 miles
   • Accommodation in Omarama
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
4. Day 4Omarama to Kurow

   Today’s ride takes you down the Waitaki Valley, known for its hydro lakes and dams. First, you'll follow the trail along the shores of Lake Benmore to Sailors Cutting. From there, join the lakeshore to traverse around the shoreline of rocky outcrops, little beaches and even tree covered islands. The trail then drops down from above the Benmore Dam to rejoin the quiet lakeside road. There is an easier option for less confident riders who would prefer to avoid this more technical section.

   Regrouped, it’s a fun downhill cycle towards Aviemore Dam, where the group will enjoy a picnic by the lake. After crossing the Aviemore Dam, the Grade 2 off-road section passes the ghost town of Wharekuri, before passing Lake Waitaki and the Waitaki Dam continuing off-road to the small settlement of Kurow.  You’ll arrive at Kurow with plenty of time to explore the town’s surrounds. Highlights include the beautifully restored St Albans Church and wine tasting at local vineyards. You’ll stay overnight in Kurow in an elegant lodge serving dinner showcasing local produce.

    
   

   • 41.6 miles
   • Waitaki Braids Lodge, Kurow
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
5. Day 5Kurow to Dunedin

   This morning the cycle trail takes you along the banks of the Waitaki River, past vineyards and a Maori rock art site to reach the small town of Duntroon. From there, you'll head inland into rolling country and wander around the unique Elephant Rocks, huge formations strewn across a field. Picking up the old railway line, you’ll ride through Raki's tunnel before rolling downhill amidst more spectacular limestone outcrops and landscapes as you gradually descend towards Oamaru where the Alps to Ocean trail ends on the Pacific Coast. The beautifully restored historic Oamaru Victorian quarter is home to Steampunk and in season features street actors providing entertainment, local crafts, cafes and bars. After a chance to enjoy the finish of the first trail you'll drive down the Pacific Ocean coastal road to Dunedin, your home for the next two nights.

   • 51 miles
   • Accommodation in Dunedin
   • Breakfast
6. Day 6Dunedin - Free Day

   Dunedin is the provincial capital of Otago, and blends rich history with a modern edge. You'll have your first free day here and you can spend the day exploring the city and its many cafes. Your bikes will be available for you to use. The Otago Peninsula and Port Chalmers are interesting locations and easily accessible by bike. By the time the Scottish settlers arrived in Dunedin around the mid-19th century, they found an area rich in Maori history. The rough, tough and enterprising whalers added another element of diversity to this burgeoning Otago harbor. The cultural mix of Maori, whaler and Scot gave early Dunedin a character all of its own, and here you will find some of the finest examples of Victorian and Edwardian architecture in the Southern Hemisphere. Dunedin’s railway station, known as one of the world’s most beautiful train stations, is said to be the most photographed building in New Zealand.
   

   • Accommodation in Dunedin
7. Day 7Dunedin to Waipiata - Otago Central Rail Trail

   Today you'll embark on the second cycle trail - the Otago Central Rail Trail, a beautiful 150-kilometre historic journey into the Central Otago heartland. You will drive inland to Middlemarch and set off on this historic trail, passing by tunnels and bridges that once were the secret preserve of railway workers. You'll witness the natural beauty and look in awe at some early feats of the first settlers of this region. The destination today is Waipiata, a sleepy town in the heart of the Maniototo Plain, where you can visit the tavern dating back to 1933 for some well-deserved refreshments.
   

   • 32.9 miles
   • Waipiata accommodation
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
8. Day 8Waipiata to Lauder

   Today's ever-changing landscape includes rugged mountains, crystal clear rivers, and steep winding gorges. After breakfast, you'll set off continuing along the rail trail towards Ranfurly and Wedderburn. Be sure to watch for the planets of the solar system along the way and take note of their proportional sizes and distances. You'll cycle over the impressive Poolburn viaduct and Manuherikia Bridge and through the 229m Poolburn tunnel to arrive in Lauder.

   Late afternoon you’ll drive to St Bathans for a walk around the surreal Blue Lake formed during the 1800s gold days. Enjoy a game of pool or banter at the Lauder pub before tucking into a well-earned dinner.
   

   • 35.4 miles
   • Lauder Accommodation
   • Breakfast and Dinner
9. Day 9Lauder to Queenstown - Lake Dunstan Trail

   Today you'll complete the the Otago Central Rail Trail and ride the gorge section of the newly completed Lake Dunstan trail. For views of the Dunstan Mountains and the Raggedy Range, you'll hop on the bus for the short detour to must-see Ophir township and the lookout for a bird’s eye view of region. You'll finish the rail trail in Clyde, a quaint historic town in this up-and-coming wine region. Clyde was once a wild and rollicking “canvas” town bustling with gold miners, shop keepers and ever-present dancing girls.

   After lunch, you'll cross the Clutha River and enter the stunning Cromwell Gorge where you’ll cycle around sheer rockfaces and over lake inlets on impressively engineered platforms and bridges rising above Lake Dunstan. You'll meet the van again at Cornish Point. Here you load up and travel through the beautiful Gibbston Valley, known for its world-renowned vineyards and continue out to the Kawarau Gorge and the iconic Bungy Bridge – home of Bungy. After watching and perhaps thinking about taking the leap of faith, you'll continue to Queenstown and your accommodation for the next two nights. Queenstown is the world’s adrenalin capital and makes a fitting point to take a rest day from the riding adventure. Surrounded by majestic mountains and hugging the shores of Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown is the perfect place to relax.

   Cycle Distance: Otago Central Rail Trail - Lauder to Clyde - 45 km Lake Dunstan Trail - Clyde to Cornish Point - 25 km
   

   • 15.5 - 28 miles
   • Queenstown Accommodation
   • Breakfast and Dinner
10. Day 10Queenstown, Free Day

    Today is a day at leisure in Queenstown. There are optional excursions to either Doubtful Sound or Milford Sound (own expense). These tours have an early start with a bus journey to either Manapouri (to visit Doubtful Sound) or Milford Sound to join an amazing cruise into Fiordland. There is also an option to bus one way to Milford Sound and fly back to Queenstown by helicopter or small plane. We are happy to assist with bookings. Others in the group might like to enjoy a relaxing day in Queenstown, taking in the scenery, visiting galleries, cafes and restaurants, if not partaking in a bungy jump, a skydive, jet boating or some other adrenalin activity!
    

    • Queenstown Accommodation
11. Day 11Queenstown to Wanaka

    Today, you make your way to Wanaka via the Crown Range Road, New Zealand’s highest road. Starting from your accommodation, you ride the Queenstown trails along the lake shore and Kawarau River, passing by the famous bungy bridge. After exploring the historic gold mining settlement of Arrowtown, you take a scenic drive down the Kawarau Gorge, enjoying views of the river and historic gold diggings and miners' huts. Following the Pisa Range, you arrive in the vibrant lakeside town of Wanaka.
    
    Your second ride starts at the shimmering alpine Lake Hawea, surrounded by mountains. You ride to Albert Town and continue along the banks of the Clutha River to picturesque Wanaka. In the late afternoon, you have the chance to enjoy some free time in the vibrant township before meeting again for an evening meal together.
    
    

    • 16.8 miles
    • Wanaka Accommodation
    • Breakfast and Dinner
12. Day 12Wanaka to Fox Glacier

    This morning you will start the drive skirting the edges of Lake Hawea and Wanaka with Mt Aspiring National Park as the backdrop, before climbing over the Haast Pass to the west coast of the South Island, renowned for its glaciers and wild coastlines. The road is bordered by rainforest and mountains on one side and the wild ocean on the other. This is mainly a driving day (journey time approx 6 hours), but you will enjoy stopping at a number of waterfalls and scenic points for short walks along the way. You'll end the day in the tiny township of Fox Glacier, home to one of only 3 temperate glaciers in the world. There will be time to enjoy a short walk before dinner.
    

    • Fox Glacier Accommodation
    • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
13. Day 13Fox Glacier to Hokitika - West Coast Wilderness

    This morning you'll have a dawn start to take a sunrise walk around the jewel-like Lake Matheson, a photographer’s paradise with the potential to capture brilliant mountainous reflections. Weather permitting and subject to availability, there is an option to join a scenic flight over Aoraki/Mt Cook and the glaciers instead (own expense). After breakfast, you'll continue north to the gold mining town of Ross, where you connect up with the last of the cycle trails - the West Coast Wilderness Trail. You'll follow the cycleway north to Hokitika, with a stop at the Treetop Walkway, to experience a unique adventure walking on custom-built platforms among temperate rainforest giants. The trail continues along historic logging tramways and through stunning west coast bush to Hokitika, a loveable little town fronted by a dramatic beach and famous for pounamu (greenstone) and other arts & crafts. And sunsets. Our one night here won’t feel like enough.
    

    • 20.5 miles
    • Hokitika Accommodation
    • Breakfast and Lunch
14. Day 14Hokitika to Kumara

    Today is a big day following the West Coast Wilderness to Kumara. You'll set off from Hokitika and soon join the old Kaniere water race, before leading you to the shores of the beautiful Lake Kaniere, nestled against the Southern Alps. After a short climb along rural roads, the trail takes you to a coffee stop at Milltown, home of saw-milling in earlier times. You'll cross a swing bridge and then a kilometre of switchback climbing takes you to the highpoint and more superb riding. From here it's mainly downhill, as you follow water races, bush tracks and reservoir roads taking in the spectacular views as you gradually descend to the interesting settlement of Kumara. You'll have time to relax in the beautiful historic hotel that is your accommodation. Tonight you'll enjoy your last evening meal together, celebrating new friendships and your cycling achievements of the past 2 weeks.
    

    • 43.5 miles
    • Kumara Accommodation
    • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
15. Day 15Kumara to Christchurch

    The final day of the tour sees you completing the Wilderness Trail as you ride from Kumara to Greymouth on a combination of riverside and coastal pathways. The old road and rail bridge is just one highlight as you head towards the town center and finish your riding at the official end point. After a café lunch, there’s time for a stroll around the town or an optional visit to the historic Monteith's Brewery for a celebratory drink before a spectacular drive across the Southern Alps via Arthur's Pass. On arrival into Christchurch in the early evening, you will be dropped off in the central city, where trip arrangements conclude.
    

    • 18.6 miles
    • Breakfast and Lunch