Marlborough Molesworth Epic – NZ South Island

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+64 3 545 1789

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Why Book With Us?

  • Small cycle groups
  • Hand-picked Cycle Tours & Activities
  • Family Run Business
  • 11 Days
  • 12 People Per Tour
  • Level: Moderate
  • Fully Supported Bike Tour
  • 620 km
  • NZ, CHCH - CHCH

Bike the Majestic Marlborough Sounds, Molesworth Station - Stunning Nelson Lakes. Marlborough Molesworth Cycle Tour

The Marlborough Molesworth Cycle Tour is quite possibly the perfect cycle tour, combining some of the best and contrasting riding locations in the top of the South Island including the Marlborough Sounds, Marlborough wine tasting, the mighty Molesworth Station and the stunning Nelson Lakes National Park.

This diverse cycle tour includes quiet roads of the Marlborough Sounds, the challenging,  remote and vast Molesworth Station before winding back to Nelson City through the stunning Nelson Lakes National Park. Of course we include plenty of quirky extras and special places in the true Escape Adventures’ style. This is a fully supported loop tour – ex Nelson so you can ride the Marlborough Molesworth Epic knowing that we have got your back!

*From November 2023 – the Marlborough Molesworth Epic will be starting and finishing in Christchurch city.  The route will be exactly the same with the first and last nights in Hanmer instead of Nelson.

What is a “Fully Supported New Zealand Cycle Tour”?

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.

Departure & Return Location

Meeting Point: Christchurch City
Ride Start: Springs Junction
Ride Finish: Hanmer Springs
Finish: Christchurch City

Price Includes

  • 10 nights Accommodation
  • Meals as per tour itinerary
  • Two Escape Adventures tour leaders
  • Support vehicle & Bike Trailer
  • Vehicle transfer from Christchurch to Hanmer Springs return
  • Vehicle transfer from Nelson to Marlborough Sounds

Optional Extras

  • Bike Hire: If required hire fee is NZD $300 - Booking Essential
  • E-Bike Hire: If required hire fee is NZD $700 - Booking Essential

Price Excludes

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

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 $650 NZD will apply. NOTE Single rooms will be provided where available however in some places you will be required to share a bathroom.

Itinerary - Christchurch, Marlborough Molesworth Supported Cycle Tour

DAY 1: Arrival day in Christchurch

Arrive in Christchurch.  Afternoon transfer to Hanmer.  Meet with your tour leaders & fellow bikers for your pre-departure meeting and first meal together.

DAY 2: Bike Bike Matakitaki River

After a short transfer to Springs Junction we ease into our bikes – taking the secondary route and 4×4 roads following the Matakitaki River to Murchison. 

Cycling Distance: 76km

DAY 3: Nelson Lakes National Park

We climb over the Braeburn Range and drop into Nelson Lakes National Park and Lake Rotoroa. Our final destination is the lovely St Arnaud village.

Cycling Distance: 74km

We climb over the Braeburn Range and drop into Nelson Lakes National Park and Lake Rotoroa. Our final destination is the lovely St Arnaud village.

Cycling Distance: 74km

DAY 4: Great Taste Cycle Trail

We depart St Arnaud on quiet back roads through small farms and forestry blocks. Then we hook into the Great Taste Cycle Trail for the ride all the way to Nelson City. 

Cycling Distance: 98km

DAY 5: Bike & Boat to Mystery Location

A short transfer out of Nelson and we begin our ride with a short section of highway then quiet gravel roads to Havelock. Here we boat to a mystery location in the Marlborough Sounds

Cycling Distance: 18km

DAY 6: Cycling Marlborough Sounds

We explore this remote part of the Sounds, passing through quiet coastal communities and farmland. 

Cycling Distance: 46km

 

Day 7: Queen Charlotte Cycle Trail

The biggest day of the tour, we continue climbing up the Awatere Valley topping out at over 1100m.  Then its downriver and into the stunning and historical Molesworth Station through to Hanmer Springs thermal resort.

Cycling Distance: 42km

DAY 8: Bike Picton to Blenheim

Picton to Blenheim via the scenic route, its up and down with stunning views. You’ll deserve glass of world class Marlborough vino when you arrive in Blenheim.

Cycling Distance: 69km

DAY 9: Cycling stunning Awatere Valley

We take the back route out of Blenheim then link into the stunning Awatere Valley. It’s a big day of pedalling today as we gradually make our way up the valley to the remote Middlehurst Station.

Cycling Distance: 98km

DAY 10: Cycle historical Molesworth Station

Our final and biggest day of the tour, we continue climbing up the Awatere Valley topping out at over 1100m.  Then its downriver and into the stunning and historical Molesworth Station and through to Hanmer Springs thermal resort.

Cycling Distance: 104km

DAY 11: Final Cycle Tour Breakfast

Our final breakfast together followed by a transfer back to Christchurch

Photos from the Marlborough Molesworth Cycle Tour - NZ South Island

Map of the Marlborough Molesworth Epic Cycle Tour - NZ South Island
Marlborough Molesworth Cycle Tour 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 620km spread over 9 days of biking.
  • This is a ‘Pedal bike-centric’ cycle tour.  Riding distances, tour pace and refreshment stops have been designed around the needs of pedal bikers.  E-Bikers are also welcome to join.
  • Daily riding distances have been planned to be achievable, (but not without challenge) and to allow plenty of time to explore along the way.
  • We encourage an early start so that you have time to recharge at the end of the day.
  • 25-104km riding per day on wonderfully remote and scenic riding route.  Approximately 40% sealed roads / 50% quiet gravel roads and farm tracks and 10% cycle trails.
  • There are some big climbs, big downs, undulating coastal terrain and of course there is also some flat terrain.
  • Cycle trails and some of the rougher trail options 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

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 25-104km per day. Please do read about the daily riding distances taking note of the riding terrain in the itinerary and prepare accordingly. The more prepared you are the more you will enjoy your adventure! 

Preparing for your cycle tour should involve:

  • Riding on gravel and unpaved terrain.
  • Lots of hills!
  • Ride 3-4 times a week with rides of 30-60km 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 three evening meals. (One lunch is not included).  The one lunch 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?

Accommodation is included for all 10 nights of the cycle tour. Our job is to explore and find the most fitting accommodation to work in with the riding route. The Marlborough Molesworth Epic is a remote, rural riding route and the availability of accommodation is limited, so on some nights only basic options are available. We will be staying in a combination of motels, hotels, lodges, a holiday house and a farm stay. Where possible we choose accommodation with ensuite bathrooms, however for some nights 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.

Bike Hire

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

  • Trek X-Caliber mountain bikes $300
  • E-Bikes (Brand and Model TBC) – $700 (Available November 2023)

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.