New Zealand: Top of the South Island - Itinerary & What to Expect
This is a fully supported road cycling tour of the northern part of New Zealand’s South Island. Guests will have the full attention of two highly experienced guides with first aid training, local knowledge, and bike maintenance skills. The distances listed for each day are not requirements to ride. You’ll always have the option to hop in the van and keep your guide company whenever you’d like.
Included in the trip are twelve nights of lodging at unique, independently owned accommodations, where you will have your own room and bathroom; ten dinners; twelve lunches; and twelve breakfasts. Plus, all the ride snacks you could ever want—familiar favorites like peanut butter and jelly, along with New Zealand delicacies like chocolate-covered licorice.
Fresh Legs will take care of the logistics, you just show up and ride.
February 9
This first morning, meet in Christchurch at the Commodore Hotel, conveniently located near the airport with a free shuttle. Guests will join a guide on the scenic TranzAlpine train from Christchurch to Greymouth. Once we’ve arrived, we’ll hop on our bikes and ride north along the Great Coast Road to Paparoa National Park
Lodging - Punakaiki E’Scapes - Punakaiki
Distance - 45 miles
February 10
Continue up the coast to Cape Foulwind, home to coastal cliffs, a historic lighthouse and a fur seal breeding colony. Then ride out-and-back to Lower Buller Gorge before calling it a day in Westport. This region is also famous for Kororā, the worlds smallest penguins.
Lodging - Westport Spa Motel or Buller Bridge Motel - Westport
Distance - 60 miles
February 11
It’s time to leave the tourists behind as we head further up the rugged West Coast to the little hamlet of Karamea. Famous for it’s Nikau Palms and for being the southern terminus of the Heaphy Track, this is an off the beaten path destination often missed by other travelers.
Lodging - Last Resort or Karamea Hotel - Karamea
Distance - 60 miles
February 12
Today we’ll take a break from the bike to hike the Heaphy Track, one of New Zealand’s famous Great Walks. Afterwards, we’ll shuttle to the golden shores of the Tasman Coast for a three-night stay in Kaiteriteri.
Lodging - Three nights in Kaiteriteri with beachside private vacation home rentals. - Kaiteriteri
2-3 hour hike in the morning, shuttle in the afternoon.
February 13
The first of two layover days in Kaiteriteri. We’ll ride inland on a countryside loop through Motueka, Riwaka, and Nelson. This is New Zealand’s hop-farming capital, providing the world with some of its most sought-after hops. You’ll also have the option to skip the ride and relax at the beach or enjoy the luxe beach homes where we’ll be staying.
Lodging - Three nights in Kaiteriteri with beachside private vacation home rentals. - Kaiteriteri
Distance - 0, 30 or 60 miles
February 14
Choose between biking or shuttling to a hike on the Abel Tasman Track, another of New Zealand’s Great Walks. It will take you through dense palm forests and out on to golden sand beaches. Or, again, you can choose to rest and relax back in Kaiteriteri.
Lodging - Three nights in Kaiteriteri with beachside private vacation home rentals. - Kaiteriteri
Distance - 0, 30 or 60 miles
February 15
We’ll begin the day with a shuttle to Havelock where the ride will begin East along the Queen Charlotte Sound. Riders will pass through Picton on to an out-and-back to Oyster Bay.
Lodging - The Edit - Picton
Distance - 45 miles
February 16
Following a morning water taxi through Marlborough Sound, we’ll have a ride through Marlborough wine country. Famous for it’s Sauvignon Blanc, we’ll have lunch at a winery before shuttling to Kaikōura for a two night stay.
Lodging - The Pier Hotel - Kaikōura
Distance - 45 miles
February 17
In Kaikōura, the mountains slide into the sea. It’s one of your guides’ collective favorite places in New Zealand. Famous for many things—including seal colonies, crayfish, whale watching, surfing, and fabulous hikes—this layover day offers a chance to rest off the bike before some big days ahead.
Lodging - The Pier Hotel - Kaikoura
Enjoy a day whale watching, walking to seal colonies or renting surf or stand up paddle boards.
February 18
With fresh legs after a day off the bike, we’ll head inland to the mountain town of Hanmer Springs. Along the way, we’ll have lunch at a working sheep farm in Waiau, owned by the family of one of your guides. Once in Hanmer Springs, soak your tired legs in the natural hot springs and get ready for the next day’s ride.
Lodging - The St. James - Hanmer Springs
Distance - 81 miles
February 19
Today is another big day in the saddle. We’ll head south to Rangiora before shuttling to Lyttelton, a historic port town nestled on the cratered slopes of an extinct volcano. Here, Lyttelton’s charm is rivaled only by its beauty.
Lodging - Private residences in town - Lyttleton
Distance - 71 miles
February 20
For our final ride, we have an absolute banger. We’ll follow the route of Le Race, a single-day race that takes place each year for amateurs and professionals alike. It will take us to the French settlement of Akaroa.
Lodging - Private residences in town - Akaroa
Distance - 46 miles
February 21
Time to say farewell. We’ll have one final breakfast together before shuttling everyone back to Christchurch, about a 90 minute trip.
Lodging - On your own
You’ll arrive back in Christchurch by 12. Ask us for pre or post trip itineraries. Or fly home anytime after 3pm.
***Some details are subject to change as we finalize and optimize routes and lodging
Bike Rental Information
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Bike Rental Information -
Bike Rentals
If you’re interested in our bike rental make your bike size selection below. If you are unsure contact us for assistance. We are happy to help.
We are still finalizing details on our rental bike fleet. You can expect high end, carbon frame, drop bar, road dedicated bikes.
