New Zealand: The New Cycling Mecca

When you think of cycling overseas what comes to mind? South-East Asia. Across Tibet. New Zealand?

Yes, our friends across the ditch are fast becoming known for the extraordinary amount of cycling experiences available suitable for beginners to the very experienced. It’s largely all thanks to the Nga Haerenga project, the NZ government initiative which is seeing them roll out $50 million of exciting new dedicated Cycle Trails across both the North & South Islands.

The trail that started it all, the Otago Rail Trail, is celebrating its 20^th birthday in 2015. While you can do it self guided choosing a guided experience brings along with it all the advantages guided trips do, like a guide for starters, as well as extra opportunities off the trail you may never know about, or be able to get to, on your own, complete organisation of every logistic and of course local knowledge.

There are now a bunch of guided trips along various Cycle Trails and no company offers more than Adventure South. The Alps to Ocean, Best of the North Island Cycle Trails, the West Coast Wilderness Trail, Clutha Gold… the list goes on. These NZ Cycle Trails offer a great short break for Australian travellers. They are not as demanding and very affordable. Check them all out.

Cycling group at Lake Pukaki with Mt Cook beyond

For more serious cyclists you may want to consider some of the more demanding Road Cycling options. What are the top three according to our cycle guru and founder of Adventure South, Geoff Gabites?

Southern Lakes Cycle: A personal favourite because of the diversity of the tracks and trails and the countryside covered.  From Mount Cook to Lake Ohau, down to Oamaru and then over to the Central Otago Rail Trail.  Wow. Finishing into Queenstown with all those local rides to be explored – magic.

Hot Pools, Passes & Rainforests: Any trip that includes a soak in the hot pools at Hanmer Springs has got to be good. This itinerary also includes the bush clad road over Lewis Pass providing a challenge for strong riders.  Down the coast and then either continue onto Queenstown on our Great West Coast Cycle trip or come back to Christchurch on the Tranz Alpine Express. There’s alot of variety.

Southern Coast Cycle: This trip has been tweaked for the coming season to include one day cycling on the beautiful Otago Peninsula before enjoying some coastal riding into Oamaru.  The trip finishes in Christchurch and includes some iconic NZ iconic road cycling around the remarkable Catlins Coast area which offers stunning beaches and quiet rural riding.