West Coast Wilderness Trail

Distance: 136km
Grade: 2/Easy (70%), 3/Intermediate (30%)
Highlights: ocean, rainforest & lakes; mountain views; rich heritage 

Tasman’s Great Taste Trail

Distance: 177km
Grade: 2/Easy (60%), 3/Intermediate (40%)
Highlights: coastal & rural scenery; wine, food & art; seaside vibe

Day 1 : Christchurch airport – Christchurch City

Transfer from the airport to your accommodation. 

Spend the afternoon in Christchurch, then overnight in the Garden City, with dinner at the historic tramway.

Night at The Grange B&B – continental breakfast included.

Day 2 : Christchurch (Tranzalpine) – Greymouth – Ross – Hokitika

Transfer from your accommodation to the train station. 

Travel to Greymouth on the TranzAlpine – one of the world’s greatest railway journeys. Transfer from Greymouth to Hokitika, to drop off your luggage, then onto Ross to cycle the West Coast Wilderness Trail back to Hokitika, where you’ll spend the night.

Highlights of this 33km/3–4 hours ride include the historic Totara railway bridge, the Treetops Walkway, Lake Mahinapua and ever-changing views of the Southern Alps.

Night at Teichelmanns Heritage – cooked breakfast included.

Day 3 : Hokitika – Milltown – Hokitika

Spend the day cycling the Wilderness Trail from Hokitika to Milltown (36km/3–4 hours) taking in some of the Coast’s best riding and scenery, including Lake Kaniere and the Arahura Valley. Transfer back to Hokitika.

Night at Teichelmanns Heritage – cooked breakfast included.

Day 4 : Milltown – Kumara

Transfer back to Milltown, for an unforgettable day’s cycling to Kumara (36km/3–5 hours) taking in the Wilderness Trail’s highpoint – Kawhaka Pass – pretty virgin rainforest and a suspension bridge across a spectacular gorge.

Stay overnight in the beautifully restored Theatre Royal Hotel, with themed rooms providing snapshots of the Coast’s fascinating gold-mining past.

Night at Theatre Royal Hotel – continental breakfast included.

Day 5 : Kumara – Greymouth – Nelson City 
 

Take it easy on the last leg of the Wilderness Trail from Kumara to Greymouth – an cruisy 31km/2–4 hours ride through regenerating forest with views of the Tasman Sea. Travel to vibrant Nelson via bus to spend the night.

Night at Annick House B&B – cooked breakfast included.

Day 6 : Nelson City – Mapua 
 

Cycle on the Tasman’s Great Taste Trail from Nelson to Mapua (35km/2–3 hours), taking in the bird-filled Waimea Inlet, forested Rabbit Island and ocean views galore. Spend the night in pretty Mapua with its lovely waterside setting, cafes, brewery and memorable shops.

Night at Accent House – continental breakfast included.

Day 7 : Mapua – Kaiteriteri

Bike from Mapua to Kaiteriteri – gateway to Abel Tasman National Park (40km/3–5 hours). Highlights on this section of the Great Taste Trail include a mouth-watering blend of coastal and rural scenery, and numerous opportunities to sample local delights.

Kaiteriteri Reserve Apartments – Boxed continental breakfast included.

Day 8 – Kaiteriteri – Cruise&Walk in Abel Tasman National Park – Kaiteriteri

Catch a water taxi into Abel Tasman National Park and walk a section of the coastal track. Golden beaches, azure waters and pristine forest come as standard. Spend your last night beside the sea in Kaiteriteri.

Kaiteriteri Reserve Apartments – Boxed continental breakfast included.

Day 9 : Kaiteriteri – Nelson Airport 

Transfer from Kaiteriteri to Nelson Airport.