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Join us to explore Sounds to Sounds, South Island New Zealand, by bike! A fully supported version of the Kennett brothers’ 1500 km classic route means you can enjoy this notoriously hilly and sparsely serviced ride with peace of mind – knowing a comfortable bed is waiting for you, snacks, lunch and water are sorted, and your gear is being hauled to the evening’s destination by our trusty sag wagon.
We begin our ride in Picton, setting off to challenge ourselves, starting with a section of the Queen Charlotte track and continuing on backcountry roads like the Molesworth and Omarama Saddle. We will pass through historic towns, ride purpose-built cycle trails, and enjoy vast, sweeping landscapes all the way south. The journey culminates in Fiordland national park – a truly memorable and emotional end to your epic adventure.
No tricky logistics! With two crew providing meals and riding sweep with mechanical support, your accommodation is booked, plus the van and bike trailer if you need it. We are here to help your bike packing dreams become a reality.
*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 Te Anau/ Queenstown or package your bike to travel in a cardboard box that you can recycle on your arrival.
Meeting Point: Picton
Ride Start: Ships Cove, Meretoto
Ride Finish: Milford Sound, Piopiotahi
Tour Finish: Queenstown (or Te Anau if you want to stay on to explore Fiordland)
Arrive in Picton and meet with your tour leaders and fellow bikers first thing in the morning! After your pre-departure meeting and bike set up, you will load your bikes onto a boat then transfer out to Ships Cove/ Meretoto to get started on the Queen Charlotte Track. Furneaux Lodge is your first stop of the tour, nestled in one of the many beautiful Marlborough Sounds bays.
Cycling Distance: 16km
Accommodation: Lodge
Meals: Lunch
Continue following the beautiful Queen Charlotte trail along to Kenepuru saddle. From here you’ll meet an equally scenic and little less strenuous gravel road heading for Portage, Te Mahia and finally a sealed road to Picton on. Hopefully in time for real fruit ice cream!
Cycling Distance: 82km
Accommodation: Motel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Enjoy stunning coastal views as we make our way from Picton to Blenheim via the scenic route. Mostly gravel and with some decent hills, this is a great test for the legs before we take on the Molesworth. Remember our support vehicle is always close by if you want to take a break.
Cycling Distance: 66km
Accommodation: Motel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Take the back route out of Blenheim and the landscape starts to change, link into the stunning Awatere Valley and we’re definitely heading inland now. A big day of pedaling today, as we gradually make our way up the valley, but we think you’ll agree it was worth it when you arrive at Middlehurst Station.
Cycling Distance: 100km
Accommodation: Farm stay
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We continue climbing up the Awatere Valley for 30 kms topping out at over 1100m. Then it’s downriver and into the stunning and historical Molesworth Station. Our day ends with a good honest climb and fun descent into Hanmer Springs thermal resort.
Cycling Distance: 107km
Accommodation: Motel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
You’ve earned a rest day already! Head to the hot pools or if you’re still feeling fresh then check out the local trail network. There are plenty of lovely cafes and restaurants to refuel and other activities like leisurely canoe tours along the river?!
Cycling Distance: 0km
Accommodation: Motel
Meals: Own Cost
We start the day on sealed roads, phew! And make a beeline to Culverden for a morning coffee. Then we’re following the Hurunui heartland ride as it dog legs to avoid the highway. Working our way steadily south, we finish the ride on the banks of Waipara river.
Cycling Distance: 105km
Accommodation: Farm Stay
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Spin out the gate and … up a hill! Enjoy the rewarding descent before passing Iron ridge quarry sculpture park and relaxing into sealed roads from Amberley towards Ashley Gorge and Oxford.
Cycling Distance: 86km
Accommodation: Motel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Work up an appetite this morning because the Sheffield pie shop is a ‘must visit’. From there you’re headed through the stunning Rakaia Gorge and onwards to Methven.
Cycling Distance: 91km
Accommodation: Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Enjoy a day off the bikes in Escape Adventures’ home base. Relax at Ōpuke thermal pools, visit the blue pub or have a nosey at Big Al’s bike shop. In the afternoon join our ‘Backyard tour’ of the local area, Escape Adventures base is just along the road in Staveley!
Cycling Distance: 0km
Accommodation: Lodge
Meals: Own Cost
Warm up with a spin along sealed roads past the Alford Moa to Staveley (great cafe), then you’ll take back roads gently descending towards Geraldine.
Cycling Distance: 87km
Accommodation: Motel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
We’re heading for the high country and specifically Makenzie Pass/ Manahuna, sitting at 785m this is just a taste for what’s to come. Your accommodation this evening will ensure you get a wonderful night’s rest.
Cycling Distance: 125km
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Following the lovely Alps 2 Ocean trail today, first stop Lake Pukaki, fingers crossed for Aoraki views, from here you’ll head for Twizel past Loch Cameron (good swimming) then on a 4wd canal track to Lake Ōhau. Look out for Te Maiharoa Pou on the Lake Ōhau shoreline.
Cycling Distance: 93km
Accommodation: Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Practically a rest day! Back on the A2O you head up the Tarnbrae track through beautiful forest until you pop out of the tree and are rewarded with stunning views of Ben Ohau range. Continue on the cycle trail to Omarama and get your legs rested!
Cycling Distance: 40km
Accommodation: Holiday Park Motel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Prepare yourself for some walking and wet feet! Today’s ride will be weather dependent so lets hope for sun as we cross from Canterbury into Central Otago. Climb up, up an over Omarama saddle, 1256m, before taking on the rocky descent and 31 fords. Your bed is going to feel extra comfortable tonight!
Cycling Distance: 80km
Accommodation: Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
If yesterday was tough, today is the relaxing pedal you require! Riding a smorgasbord of purpose-built trails starting with Otago Central rail trail (headlight needed!) through Alexandra, then the Roxburgh River trail and finally the gorgeous Dunstan trail.
Cycling Distance: 113km
Accommodation: Motel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Treat yourself to a lie in! Then get out and explore this historic gold mining town, now better known for its extensive stone fruit growing. Also, the perfect opportunity to head out for a Central Otago wine tasting tour! Or an afternoon nap and lots of electrolytes.
Cycling Distance: 0km
Accommodation: Motel
Meals: Own Cost
This is your highest climb of the tour, 1270m, and we think you’ll agree the Duffers Saddle moonscape is an incredible place to be. From there you will descend a little before continuing up the Nevis valley and over Nevis Saddle 1119m, then on to Mossburn using the lovely Around the Mountains cycle trail.
Cycling Distance: 130km
Accommodation: Motel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Fiordland here we come! Soak up the changing scenery today as we travel through Southland towards Te Anau. The gateway to perhaps the most famous and unique national park in NZ Cycle trails and some sealed roads get us to the shores of Lake Te Anau, the second largest lake by surface area in Aotearoa!
Cycling Distance: 93km
Accommodation: Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Your last day on tour and the final test. Today is all about navigating stunning terrain and a narrow road. You will reap the reward of all your hard work as you roll into Milford Sound, Piopiotahi, hopefully enjoying some stunning views and an immense sense of achievement. After celebrating transfer back to Te Anau on the van for the last night together.
Cycling Distance: 120km
Accommodation: Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Our final breakfast on the tour. Stay on to explore the area, perhaps book a cruise to see Milford or Doubtful Sound from the water or check out the Te Anau bird sanctuary. If you are departing, then join the included Escape Adventures transfer to Queenstown airport.
Cycling Distance: 0km
Meals: Breakfast
○ A total distance of 1500 km spread over 17 days of biking
○ 16-130 km riding per day on wonderfully remote and scenic riding route. Approximately 50% sealed roads and 50% gravel roads, cycle trails and 4wd tracks. This is a ‘Pedal bike-centric’ cycle tour. Riding distances and overnight stops have been designed with a pedal bike in mind.
○ Daily riding distances have been planned to be achievable, (but will be challenging) and to allow time to enjoy the back country areas along the way. We encourage an early start so that you have time to recharge at the end of the day.
○ The Sounds to Sounds is renowned for its hilly terrain – big ups, big downs and lots of gravel roads with variable surfaces. Don’t say we didn’t warn you. 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.
YOU – RIDE . NAVIGATE . ENJOY . EAT . SLEEP .
WE PROVIDE:
We will 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, and route cue notes so that you can ride at your own pace, stop when you would 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.
This cycle tour includes rides of 16-130 km 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:
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.
The ideal bike for this tour is a hardtail mountain bike (or electric mountain bike). We do not recommend riding a gravel bike or rigid touring bike on this tour. You will need to be able to carry up to 2L of water, a jacket and snacks/ lunch 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).
Scott Scale 980 hardtail mountain bike $600
E-Bikes – $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.
Most breakfasts, riding snacks, lunches and some evening meals are included. Please refer to the itinerary for exact inclusions. The meals that are not included 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:
Accommodation is included for all 20 nights of the cycle tour.
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, and have chosen carefully some of the South Island’s most scenic and comfortable accommodations. In most instances there will be ensuite bathrooms, however in some cases it will be necessary to share bathrooms.
Accommodation is on a share twin basis. If you’re travelling 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.
This trip has 8-12 guests, plus two experienced Escape Adventures tour leaders
