+64 3 545 1789 [email protected]
NZD
+64 3 545 1789 [email protected]
NZD

Tour Aotearoa, NZ South Island, Te Waipounamu

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February 27, 2025
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Cycle Tour the South Island, ride Picton to Bluff on our fully supported version of this classic route.

This is a stunningly diverse bike ride from the Marlborough Sounds to Bluff in the deep south. We encounter a fabulous combination of wild coastlines, rain forest, mountain passes, cycle trails and rural back roads.

Join us to explore the South Island, Te Wai Pounamu, by bike! A fully supported version of the Kennet brothers 1410km classic route means you can enjoy each day’s riding knowing there is a comfortable bed waiting, snacks, lunch and water are sorted, and your gear is being hauled to the evening’s destination by our trusty sag wagon. 

Beginning our ride in Picton with incredible scenes of the Marlborough Sounds, we challenge ourselves on backcountry roads like the Maungatapu, discover the Nelson Lakes National Park and enjoy the native beech forests that shroud the mountains and meet the incredibly wild and beautiful West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island. Finishing your ride at the famous Stirling Point signpost in Bluff is a memorable and emotional end to your epic adventure.   

No tricky logistics! With two crew providing meals and riding sweep with mechanical support, your accommodation booked plus the van and bike trailer if you need it… we are here to help your bike packing dreams become a reality. If the full tour is too much at once, then why not tick off one island at a time.  

*Please note if you are coming from overseas and bringing your own bike, we are not able to carry empty bike bags or boxes. You can either courier them from Picton to Invercargill or package your bike to travel in a cardboard box that you can recycle on your arrival.  

Tour Highlights - Tour Aotearoa South Island

Departure & Return Location

Meeting Point & Ride Start: Picton
Ride Finish: Bluff
Tour Ends: Invercargill

Price Includes

  • 19 nights Accommodation
  • Meals as per tour itinerary
  • Two Escape Adventures tour leaders
  • Support vehicle & Bike Trailer
  • 1x Boat Transfer

Optional Extras

  • Bike Hire: If required hire fee is NZD $600 (Pedal Bike)
  • E Bike Hire: If required hire fee is NZD $1600 (Available November 2023 bookings essential)

Price Excludes

  • Airfares, visas, or airport taxes
  • Optional activities and excursions
  • Some meals as per the detailed itinerary
  • Personal equipment
  • Getting to Picton and from Invercargill

Solo Travellers - Single Supplement

  • NO Single Supplement! If you’re traveling alone, we’ll pair you to twin-share with another biker. (same gender)
  • If you do not wish to share that is fine too, a single supplement of $1600 NZD will apply. NOTE Single rooms will be provided where available however in some places you will be required to share a bathroom.
Itinerary - Tour Aotearoa, NZ South Island Supported Cycle Tour

DAY 1: Arrival day in Picton

Arrive in Picton.  Meet with your tour leaders & fellow bikers at 5pm for your pre-departure meeting and first meal together.

DAY 2: Bike Queen Charlotte Drive

We get our wheels turning on the stunning Queen Charlotte drive. A shorter riding day offers us time to explore the coastal settlements along the way. If trails are your jam, then you can hop onto the Link Pathway which runs almost parallel to the roads through the regenerating native forest.

Cycling Distance: 4okm

Accommodation: Motel

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 3: Cycle Scenic Roads to Nelson City

You’ll ride on sealed roads today through small rural settlements and over the scenic Whangamoa reserve between Havelock and Nelson. Don’t worry, there’s a good cafe and at least one ice cream shop on the way! 

Cycling Distance: 75km

Accommodation: Motel

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 4: Cycling to St Arnaud

We meander out of Nelson on the sealed/gravel Great Taste Trail. Navigating a historic railway tunnel is a pretty great way to avoid a steep hill, so don’t forget your head torch! Then we’re on country roads all the way to St Arnaud.

Cycling Distance: 99km

Accommodation: Motel

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 5: Ride via Lake Rotoroa to Murchison

We stretch our legs today clocking up some kilometres on quiet country roads.  We pass through Lake Rotoroa, some gorgeous native bush and lots of fords.

Cycling Distance: 75km

Accommodation: Motel

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 6: Native bush and back roads to Reefton

Good rural farming country meets native bush on lovely quiet little used roads. We pop over Maruia Saddle at 500m, then it’s a lovely up and over piece of road – rich in bush and birdlife to Reefton.

Cycling Distance: 123km

Accommodation: Historic Guesthouse 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 7: Historic roads to the West Coast

It’s gently descending all the way to Greymouth. Stopping off at the eccentric and historic settlement of Blackball and paying our respects to the minors lost in the Pike River mine disaster.

Cycling Distance: 81km

Accommodation: Motel

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 8: Rest day in Greymouth

A well-earned rest day, explore the nearby historical mining settlements, enjoy the Pounamu pathway exhibition or hire a car/ ride your bike up to the beautiful  Punakaiki rocks.

Accommodation: Motel

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 9: West Coast Wilderness Trail

We don our plaid and join the West Coast Wilderness Trail and gently climb on purpose-built trails through magical forest. What goes up must come down, this afternoon we enjoy a stunning ride from Cowboy Paradise down to Hokitika via the Lake Kaniere trails

Cycling Distance: 102km

Accommodation: Motel

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch 

DAY 10: Coastal Cycle Trail

We absorb the West Coast pace of life on the most recent part of the West Coast Wilderness trail. Coastal cycle trail, secondary roads and finally highway, we enjoy a smorgasbord of farmland, stunning bush and lakes.

Cycling Distance: 82km

Accommodation: Retro Hotel

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch 

DAY 11: Riding into Glacier Country

Get your hill legs out… we’re riding into glacier country. We set out early to allow time for optional glacial viewing activities for those who wish.

Cycling Distance: 86km

Accommodation: Motel

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 12: Pedal the Wild West Coast

We continue riding south on sealed roads through towering Rimu rainforest. You’ll enjoy glimpses of rugged and wild coastline including Bruce Bay and the famous Knights Point lookout.

Cycling Distance: 120km

Accommodation: Motel

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch 

DAY 13: In the shadow of the Southern Alps

Click into your low gears or crank up your battery we’re going over… Up we go – up and over the Southern Alps. Take it slowly – because there is some great scenery to see!

Cycling Distance: 81km

Accommodation: Cabins

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch 

DAY 14: Wānaka awaits - lake views get us there

We ride from Lake Wānaka to Lake Hāwea and back to Lake Wānaka.  It sounds like a circle… but it’s not.  It’s quite hilly and can be windy but if we’re in luck the resident nor’wester will blow us to Wānaka with the last part on a fun riverside cycle trail.

Cycling Distance: 73km

Accommodation: Motel

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 15: Rest Day in Wānaka

Rest Day in Wānaka. Central Otago scenery, local activities, abundant shopping and dining options or a relaxing walk by the lake.

Accommodation: Motel

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 16: Bike Crown Range Road

There’s no doubt you need your wits about you today, the Crown Range Road is the highest main road in NZ at 1076m and you’re going to ride over it! We finish the day on the cycle trail into Queenstown. (You can of course opt out of this ride if you prefer).

Cycling Distance: 87km

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 17: Round The Mountains cycle trail

We begin the day with a 45 min boat trip across Lake Wakatipu. Today is BIG, big scenery, big day, big climb, big down and hopefully a big southland feed!

Cycling Distance: 102km

Accommodation: Motel

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 18: Pedal The Southland Plains

We make a beeline for Invercargill today. Quiet roads through rolling farmland with an occasional view of the Southern Ocean make a great landscape to reflect on your journey!

Cycling Distance: 107km

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 19: Grand finale into Bluff!

The last hurrah, the crowning glory! Today you roll to the iconic signpost at Stirling Point, Bluff marking the end of your incredible adventure by bike.

Cycling Distance: 34km

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch 

DAY 20: Farewell

Our final breakfast together. Stay on and explore the region or travel on to Stewart Island. Crew can help arrange bike boxes and transfers to the airport.

Meals: Breakfast

Photos from the Tour Aotearoa South Island - Cycle South Island NZ.

Map - Tour Aotearoa, NZ South Island Cycle Tour
Cycle Tour Aotearoa, Cycle South Island NZ - Te Waipounamu Frequently Asked Questions
Escape Adventures fully supported bike tours have been running for decades, if you have any questions "just ask us"

The biking lowdown

  • A total distance of 1410km spread over 16 days of biking.
  • This is a ‘Pedal bike-centric’ cycle tour. Riding distances and overnight stops have been designed around the needs of pedal biking. E-Bikers are welcome to join.
  • Daily riding distances have been planned to be achievable, (but not without challenge) and to allow plenty of time to explore the local towns along the way.
  • We encourage an early start so that you have time to recharge at the end of the day.
  • 31-124km riding per day on wonderfully remote and scenic riding route. Approximately 64% sealed roads / 21% quiet gravel roads and 15% cycle trails.
  • There are some big climbs, big downs, undulating coastal terrain and of course there is also some flat terrain.
  • Cycle trails have variable terrain and generally slow riding speed.
  • Dirt/gravel road biking experience will add to the enjoyment of your tour.
  • Our ‘Sag Wagon’ support is available (most of the time) should you need a break from the saddle.

How does a 'supported cycle tour' work?

YOU – RIDE . NAVIGATE . ENJOY . EAT . SLEEP .

WE PROVIDE:

  • Daily ride information.
  • Digital navigation and cue notes.
  • Mechanical and first aid support.
  • Carry your luggage.
  • Ride sweep.
  • Sag Wagon.
  • Breakfasts, lunches, water and riding snacks (and some dinners).
  • All the logistics.
  • And all Accommodation

Whether you choose to ride the full length of New Zealand or just one Island at a time – we’ll sort the nitty gritty. Before your tour begins, we will organise all the logistics and book all accommodation.

We will give you daily digital route maps, that you can follow on your phone or GPS, and route cue notes so that you can ride at your own pace, stop when you like to smell the roses and grab a coffee when the opportunity presents, while always knowing that we are there if you need us.

On tour, your awesome Escape Adventures support crew will have your breakfast ready for an early start and provide snacks for you to carry with you.  They will provide daily ride information and ride sweep with first aid and mechanical support.  Our support vehicle will carry your luggage, and on most days set up a ‘floating picnic lunch’ on route so that you can dine’n’dash and top up on water and snacks.  The support vehicle is also there if you need first aid or mechanical support, or if you need a break from the saddle.

How fit do I need to be for this cycle tour?

This cycle tour includes rides of 31-124km per day. Please do read about the daily riding distances taking note of the riding terrain in the itinerary below and prepare accordingly. The more prepared you are the more you will enjoy your adventure! You should be comfortable riding 3-5 times a week with regular rides of 30-50km in length. Preparing for your cycle tour should involve gravel, dirt and off-road riding, with some hills. Please do contact us if you would like some help with a detailed training plan.

Preparing for your cycle tour should involve:

  • Riding on gravel, unpaved terrain with some hills.
  • Ride 3-4 times a week with rides of 40-80km in length.

Support: Our trusty support vehicle carries all your luggage, has lunch, snacks and water at hand, and is there if you need a break from the saddle.

What kind of meals do you provide?

Included in your tour: All breakfasts and riding snacks, most lunches and one evening meal. (Two lunches are not included).
Two lunches and most of the evening meals (as per the tour itinerary) are in places where there are dining and wining options available – therefore at your own cost and choosing. (This gives you more control over the cost of your tour AND spreads the love supporting local businesses!)We are most definitely able to cater for vegetarians and special diets. If this includes you, it is essential to advise us of this before your tour begins, so that the support vehicle can be stocked with the necessary supplies.

Typical Included Meals:

  •  Breakfasts – Fresh fruit, muesli, toast and spreads, hot drinks. 
  •  Lunches – Picnic style lunches, fresh salads, cold meats, cheese & bread.
  •  Snacks – Fresh fruit, salty snacks, home baking.

What kind of accommodation can I expect?

All accommodation for the duration of 19 nights of your cycle tour is included. Our job is to explore and find the most fitting accommodation to work in with the riding route. Sometimes there is lots of choice, sometimes very little. We will be staying in a combination of motels, hotels, lodges, holiday houses and holiday park cabins. When possible these will have ensuite bathrooms, however in some cases – in holiday houses and holiday park cabins it will be necessary to share bathrooms.

Accommodation is on a share twin basis. If you’re traveling alone, we’ll pair you to twin-share with another biker. If you do not wish to share a single supplement is available. *Single room options may be limited in some locations.

What type of bikes do we ride?

The ideal bike for the tour is a hardtail mountain bike or a touring bike with off road tyres. A gravel bike is also an option – but only if you are familiar with riding one on unpaved surfaces! You will need to be able to carry up to 1.5-2L water, a jacket and snacks in a backpack, front roll or frame bag.

Escape Adventures have a small fleet of bikes and E-bikes available for hire available for hire in S M L & XL. (Bookings Essential).

Trek X-Caliber mountain bikes $950
E-Bikes (Brand and Model tbc) – $1600 

When you hire one of our bikes – they are maintained by us and kept in excellent running condition.  Contact us if you plan on hiring a bike.

What is the maximum size of the cycle group?

This trip has 6-12 bikers, plus two experienced Escape Adventures tour leaders

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1 Review
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Wendy Norwood

Solo Traveller

I’ve long wanted to do the Tour Aotearoa but haven’t been able to do it the standard way … so how happy was I when Escape Adventures decided to do it! I think I was probably one of the first to sign up for the inaugural tour in 2020. If you’ve done a trip with these guys before you’ll know how good they are – if you haven’t then this is your chance. Great guides, great organising, great baking – thanks Mandy. I loved every minute, even the challenging bits. So many highlights. Just cycling the length of the South Island and experiencing our beautiful country by bike was truly amazing.

January 20, 2021