Itinerary
- Day 1
Nelson
Start at 8:00am in Nelson where you'll get your bike fitted and hear the briefing at Monaco Point. Then it's a 62km cycle along the Great Taste Trail, taking you through vineyards and river valleys. The real highlight comes when you ride through Spooners Tunnel, a 1.4km passage that's the longest decommissioned tunnel in the Southern Hemisphere. After that, you'll pass through hop plantations and farmland with Mt Arthur visible in the distance before heading down to Tapawera. Once back in Nelson, there's time to wander around town before dinner.
- Meals
- Dinner
Included Activities
- Bike fit and briefing at Monaco Point
- Cycling Great Taste Trail from Monaco to Tapawera (62km)
- Ride through Spooners Tunnel (1.4km historic rail tunnel)
- View historic railway windmill at Belgrove
Landmarks/POIs Great Taste Trail Spooners Tunnel Mt Arthur Waimea River - Day 2
Tapawera to Motueka
You're transferred to Tapawera to start a new outback section of the Great Taste Trail. From there, gently climb over Baton Saddle toward Woodstock, then cross a purpose-built swing bridge and descend into Baton River Valley. The route continues along gravel roads and follows the west bank of Motueka River through vineyards, kiwifruit orchards, and hops farms until you reach Riwaka. Late in the afternoon, there's a wine tasting at Riwaka River Estate Winery. After that, you have the option to get a bike transport to Motueka for your 2-night stay, or cycle the remaining 8km from the winery if you've got energy left.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cycling Great Taste Trail from Tapawera to Riwaka (64km)
- Cross purpose-built cyclists swing bridge
- Wine tasting at Riwaka River Estate Winery
Optional Activities
- Cycle 8km from Riwaka River Estate Winery to Motueka accommodation
Landmarks/POIs Baton Saddle Baton River Valley Motueka River Riwaka River Estate Winery - Day 3
Abel Tasman
Drive out to Marahau to explore the Abel Tasman Great Walk. You'll do a half-day hike covering 13.4km on a well-formed track that winds through sheltered bays and golden sand beaches, finishing at Anchorage. Lunch happens with views overlooking Torrent Bay, then you board a 3-hour catamaran for a sail around the heads. By late afternoon, you're at Kaiteriteri beach where you can swim or take a walk before heading back to Motueka.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch overlooking Torrent Bay), Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided half-day hike on Abel Tasman Great Walk to Anchorage (13.4km)
- Catamaran sail around heads and return to vehicle (3 hours)
Optional Activities
- Late afternoon swim at Kaiteriteri beach
- Stroll along Kaiteriteri beach
Landmarks/POIs Abel Tasman Great Walk Anchorage Torrent Bay Kaiteriteri Beach - Day 4
Motueka to Queen Charlotte Sound
Cycle 44km from Motueka, climbing through vineyards to Tasman View Road where panoramic views spread out in front of you. Then descend through apple orchards, vineyards, galleries, and artist studios as you make your way to Mapua. A short ferry gets you to Moturoa or Rabbit Island, and you cycle beachside through pine forest before returning to the mainland along Waimea Inlet. Lunch happens in Richmond after loading your bikes. Afterward, drive 2 hours through scenic ranges via Pelorous Bridge to Anakiwa, then take a water taxi to the remote oceanfront Lochmara Lodge in Queen Charlotte Sound, which you can only reach by boat, kayak, or on foot.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cycling Great Taste Trail from Motueka to Richmond (44km)
- Ferry journey to Moturoa/Rabbit Island
- Scenic drive through ranges via Pelorous Bridge
- Water taxi to Lochmara Lodge
Optional Activities
- Refreshments at waterfront cafes in Mapua
Landmarks/POIs Tasman View Road Tasman Bay Mt Arthur Range Ruby Coast Mapua Moturoa/Rabbit Island Waimea Inlet Pelorous Bridge Queen Charlotte Sound - Day 5
Queen Charlotte Sound
This is the guide's rest day, so you're free to explore everything around Lochmara Lodge at your own pace. Kayak or paddleboard out on the water, have a swim, walk the bush tracks around the property, relax in hammocks, or check out the Underwater Observatory. When night falls, there's a glowworm grotto to explore.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Access to Lochmara Lodge grounds and facilities
Optional Activities
- Kayaking
- Paddleboarding
- Swimming
- Bush track walking
- Visit Underwater Observatory (own expense)
- View art exhibition spaces
- Explore glowworm grotto
Landmarks/POIs Lochmara Lodge Queen Charlotte Sound - Day 6
Queen Charlotte Track to Blenheim
After breakfast at Lochmara Lodge, a water taxi takes you to Mistletoe Bay. Then you hike 14km along Queen Charlotte Track, which takes about 4 hours and climbs to Te Mahia Saddle through manuka bush with sea views opening up as you go. You'll reach a headland at Ohahau Bay where panoramic Sound views stretch across. The route descends through mature beech forest before reaching Umungata at Davies Bay and then Anakiwa village. Later, a scenic drive along Queen Charlotte Drive brings you to Blenheim. If you've got the legs for it, there's an optional 10km cycle on the new whale trail from Tuamarina. Evening's spent at Moa brewery in beanbags, followed by a final celebration dinner at a historic art deco hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Final celebration dinner)
Included Activities
- Guided hike on Queen Charlotte Track from Mistletoe Bay to Anakiwa (14km, approximately 4 hours)
- Scenic drive along Queen Charlotte Drive
- Relaxation at Moa brewery
- Final celebration dinner
Optional Activities
- Cycle short section of whale trail from Tuamarina to Moa Brewery (10km)
Landmarks/POIs Queen Charlotte Track Mistletoe Bay Te Mahia Saddle Ohahau Bay Umungata (Davies Bay) Anakiwa Queen Charlotte Drive Moa Brewery - Day 7
Blenheim
On this final day, you'll cycle the new Whale Trail section and two passes. Ride south from Blenheim on a designated cycle track to Redwood Pass Road, gradually climbing through vineyards and rolling farmland with the Kaikoura Ranges and Mt Tapuae-o-uenuku visible throughout. After the downhill to Redwood Pass, continue through Awatere Valley which is lined with vineyards. Head further up the valley, cross Taylors Pass through a remote section, and return to Blenheim. Your bikes get loaded at Taylors Dam, and then you visit a local vineyard for wine sampling. Back in Blenheim town centre by early evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Cycling new Whale Trail section from Blenheim (up to 65km)
- Cycle Redwood Pass Road
- Cycle Taylors Pass
- Wine tasting at local vineyard
Landmarks/POIs Whale Trail Redwood Pass Awatere Valley Kaikoura Ranges Mt Tapuae-o-uenuku Taylors Pass Taylors Dam
