The Grand Tour is comprised of two short tours:
the Nelson Lakes 7 days and the West Coast 9 days. The Grand tour can be combined with the Southern Scenic 7 days to make a magnificent 22-day tip-to-tip South Island tour.
A cycling tour from Picton to Queenstown offers breathtaking scenery and a chance to explore New Zealand’s South Island at a leisurely pace. Cyclists will ride through some of the most stunning landscapes in the country, including the Marlborough Sounds, the West Coast, and the Southern Alps. You would also have the opportunity to explore some of the country’s historic gold mining towns, such as Ross and Arrowtown.
As you approach Queenstown, you would cycle through some of the most breathtaking mountain scenery in the world, with snow-capped peaks towering above you and crystal-clear lakes stretching out before you.
DAY 1 PICTON.
We can drive you from Christchurch to Picton if required. Take a short cycle around the bays.
DAY 2 NELSON.
Ride along Queen Charlotte Drive with its beautiful bush-framed views of the Marlborough Sounds to New Zealand’s sunniest city of Nelson.
DAY 3 ST ARNAUD.
We cycle through orchards, farmland and pine plantations on our way to Nelson Lakes National Park.
DAY 4 MURCHISON.
Time for a forest walk near the lake edge before following the Buller River down to Murchison.
DAY 5 WESTPORT.
Take a bike ride down the impressive Buller Gorge to the sea and the start of the West Coast. A tremendous downhill day on the bike!
DAY 6 + 7 PUNAKAIKI.
Visit the local seal colony and the famous Pancake Rocks and blow holes. A rest day gives time to explore the area, kayak, or walk in Paparoa National Park.
DAY 8 HOKITIKA.
We head south along the rainforest-clad coast to Greymouth and then to Hokitika, a former gold rush town.
DAY 9 FRANZ JOSEF
A shorter ride Cycle over Mt Hercules with a flat run into Westland National Park and Franz Josef Glacier where you will have superb views of snow-capped peaks. A rest day gives time for a walk to the glacier, a day on the beach, a visit to the white heron colony, or a scenic flight.
DAY 10 HAAST
Ride from Franz Josef and Fox Glacier through beautiful native forests. After three severe climbs, the remaining terrain is gently undulating. From Fox to Lake Paringa the road passes through the lush rainforest of rimu, rata and flax-filled swamps.
DAY 11 MAKARORA.
Knights Point affords excellent views of the rugged coastline where seals can often be seen basking in the sun.
DAY 12 + 13 WANAKA.
Spectacular mountain and lake views as we pass Lakes Hawea and Wanaka. Cycle the scenic Loop road bike ride around Lake Dustan. Visit a vineyard or take a hike up Mt Iron.
DAY 14 – 15 QUEENSTOWN.
Over the Crown Range to the quaint old gold mining town of Arrowtown. Exciting activities waiting for you in Queenstown: rafting, jet-boating, a scenic flight or a lake cruise on the historic SS Earnslaw.
DAY 16 CHRISTCHURCH.
This morning our tour ended and we say goodbye after breakfast. You are welcome to join us on our way to Christchurch or stay and spend more time in Queenstown.
