Nelson Great Taste Cycle Trail Tour

Package Overview

Explore the Tasman Great Taste Trail's stunning coastline and inland rides
Experience the beautiful Queen Charlotte Sounds with a scenic bush walk
Take a bicycle ferry from the beautiful town of Mapua to the Ruby Coast
Test your tastebuds at local wineries, breweries and orchards
Discover the city of Nelson - known for its sunshine, arts, wine and great food
Sail through the Abel Tasman National Park on a Catamaran
Enjoy a half day walk on the famous Abel Tasman track
Make pancakes and billy tea on a perpetually burning fire hidden in native bush

Trip Summary
Discover breathtaking landscapes that incorporate both coastal and mountainous vistas while exploring the Great Taste Cycle Trail in the renowned Nelson / Tasman region. This itinerary has all the trademarks of a great introductory cycling journey - inspiring scenery, quiet back country roads, flat cycle trails and long easy downhill runs. The region is well known for its crafts, wine and great food. This tour allows exploration of the coast and hinterland alike, by both bike and foot, as well as time to visit craft galleries, breweries, cottage industries, wineries and a very unusual themed museum. There are also options for short, early morning hikes in the Nelson Lakes National Park to listen to the local birds perform their 'dawn chorus' in a protected forest sanctuary.

Trip Grading
To determine the grade of a particular adventure we consider a number of factors. These include the condition of the terrain, the altitude, the number of pass crossings and the length of the trip. The Nelson Great Taste Trail is graded introductory, you will mainly be cycling on quiet rural roads & easy dedicated cycle paths. You will need a reasonable level of fitness and we suggest 30 minutes of aerobic type exercise, (either cycling or jogging) three times a week for the three months leading up to your trip. Some of the trail is on hard packed gravel - if you can get in some cycling on gravel before your tour it will make the experience a lot more fun.International or domestic flights and taxes
Arrival and departure transfers
Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
All beverages, other than breakfast
Bike hire (including helmet)
Water bottle (help us save the environment and bring your own bike drink bottle)
Optional activities
Personal expenses (eg. phone calls, internet, laundry, shopping etc)
Travel insurance
Visa (if required)
Tips

Contact Agent Plan A Trip Text Me

Day wise Itinerary

• Day 1 : Christchurch to Picton

  We will collect you early this morning from a central Christchurch location around 7:30am and you will be driven to our depot for a bike fitting and briefing. Following our briefing we drive north to Kaikoura (2.5 - 3 hours). The drive is scenic and we time our arrival for lunch and a walk along the Kaikoura peninsula, spotting a few seals along the way with a bit of luck. This provides a good opportunity to stretch our legs before a further scenic drive (around 1.5 hours) to Blenheim. Here we will unload the bikes and enjoy our first cycle ride amongst the Marlborough vineyards, an area known for its world renowned Sauvignon Blanc wine, and take the time for some wine tasting at a few of the local vineyards along the way. Then a final van transfer takes us to Picton, a peaceful little port town, and our stop for the night. Picton is nestled in the beautiful Queen Charlotte Sound surrounded by hills, in the evening there will be time to wander along the waterfront to watch the ferries come and go. Cycle Distance: Blenheim to Renwick - approx 27km

• Day 2 : Picton to Nelson

  This morning we take a water taxi to the nearby Queen Charlotte track, a spectacular ridge top walk above the Sound. We get dropped off at Te Mahia Saddle and spend the morning weaving through native bush with glimpses into the many bays and coves below. Arriving at the little village of Anakiwa at the end of the track, we enjoy a picnic lunch on the beach. After lunch we continue to Nelson - the “sunshine capital” of the South Island of New Zealand, where we visit the renowned World of Wearable Arts & Classic Car Museum enroute. Arriving to Nelson and our central city accommodation you have some time to explore the town before regrouping for dinner. Hiking Distance: 12km, approx 3-4 hours walking

• Day 3 : Nelson to Motueka

  After breakfast we drive to Richmond to rejoin the Great Taste Trail. Before starting on your bike there is the option to take a tour of the Pic's Peanut butter factory, a local Nelson institution! Today's coastal ride takes us to Rabbit Island with options to stop at vineyards & galleries on the way. We take a short Ferry journey to Mapua where we have lunch at one of the excellent waterfront cafes, before continuing our cycle along the Ruby Coast and into Motueka. From here you have the option to cycle another 8km to Riwaka River Estate Winery for a late afternoon tasting. We then load up the bikes and return to Motueka for overnight. For those who still have some energy, you can cycle from the winery back to our accommodation at Motueka. Cycle Distance: Richmond to Mapua - 18km Mapua to Motueka - 22km Motueka to Riwaka Winery - Optional 8km each way

• Day 4 : Abel Tasman Hike, Return to Motueka

  This morning we drive to Marahau and the start of the Abel Tasman track. We will rest our cycle legs for a short while on a half day hike into Anchorage on the famous Abel Tasman walkway. The track is well formed and drops into several sheltered bays and beaches. At midday we have lunch overlooking Torrent Bay and then board a catamaran for an exciting sail around the heads and back to our vehicle. To round out a wonderful day, we take some time to enjoy Kaiteriteri beach, with the chance for a late afternoon swim or a relaxing stroll along the golden sands. From here it is only a short drive back to Motueka. Walking Distance: 12.5km Sailing: 3 hours

• Day 5 : Motueka to St Arnaud

  Our ride today is on a very quiet and pretty road along the west bank of the Moutere River, starting from Riwaka and passing through vineyards, kiwifruit orchards and hop farms along the way. This is an on road section of the Great Taste Trail which takes us through to Woodstock. After loading the bikes to drive a busy section of road to Kohatu for lunch, we continue on the Great Taste Trail through the Norris Gully, to the historic Spooners Tunnel. At 1.4km, it is New Zealand's longest decommissioned rail tunnel. A lovely downhill gradient takes us down to the Wai-iti Domain where we once again meet the bus and load up the bikes. We transfer by van through to St Arnaud and our hotel for the night, which is located on the edge of the Nelson Lakes National Park, set amidst stunning wilderness scenery. In the afternoon there are plenty of options for some lovely walks along the lakeside or take a swim in Lake Rotoiti. Cycle Distances: Moutere Valley Ride - 38km Norris Gully to Wai-iti Domain - 13km

• Day 6 : St Arnaud to Christchurch

  This morning we drive alongside the Buller River on the way to Murchison, a small town at the confluence of four rivers and servicing the surrounding farming region. Here we witness a truly unique phenomenon as part of "the Natural Flames Experience". We will 4WD through a deer farm and enjoy a hike through native bush to discover "The Flames", the world's only fire perpetually burning in a forest. Enjoy ‘billy tea’ and pancakes cooked on the flames. Returning to Murchison to our own vehicle we drive over Lewis Pass and back to Christchurch, reminiscing about the variety of experiences we have encountered over the last few days. Arrival time in Christchurch is between 6-7:00pm.

Contact Agent Plan A Trip Text Me

Inclusions

• Hotel
• Sightseeing
• 5 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners
• 5 nights hotel/motel ensuite accommodation on twin share basis
• Professional qualified driver/guide
• 2 professional guides/drivers on trips with 8 or more people
• Private vehicle transport
• Crossing on public ferry from Rabbit Island to Mapua
• Transfer by catamaran in the Abel Tasman NP
• Wine tasting at two wineries
• Entry to World of Wearable Arts & Classic Car Museum
• The Natural Flames Experience
• Water and snacks while cycling
• Access and concession fees paid to the Department of Conservation
• New Zealand Goods and Services Tax (GST)

Contact Agent Plan A Trip Text Me

Exclusions

• International or domestic flights and taxes
• Arrival and departure transfers
• Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
• All beverages, other than breakfast
• Bike hire (including helmet)
• Water bottle (help us save the environment and bring your own bike drink bottle)
• Optional activities
• Personal expenses (eg. phone calls, internet, laundry, shopping etc)
• Travel insurance
• Visa (if required)
• Tips

Contact Agent Plan A Trip Text Me

Terms & Conditions

Payment Terms & Methods :
* Some Advance Percentage of total booking amount
* Airfare/Transport fare to be paid full at one time in advance.

Cancellation & Refund Policy :
* Upon cancellation, refund will be made after deducting the Retention Amount.
* Retention Amount varies as per the number of days left before your package start date.

Contact Agent Plan A Trip Text Me

This Tour is Offered by

Adventure South Ltd View Profile

0 / 5

• Phillipstown, Christchurch, New Zealand - 8145
• XXXXXX1222 View Contact
• XXXXXXXXXX@adventuresouth.co.nz View Mail ID

About Adventure South Ltd

Contact Agent Plan A Trip Text Me

Interested in This Tour?

• Requests are send directly to the tour operator
• We recommend to request quotes from 3 operators