What you can expect on a Global Cycling Adventures’ New Zealand South Island Road Cycling Holiday

Considering a South Island Road Cycling Holiday?

Global Cycling Adventures’ New Zealand South Island Road Cycling Experience is a tour designed for serious road cyclists who enjoy cycling putting some serious kilometres behind them with eight of the 14 tour days offering rides of 100 km or more. Riders can expect to push themselves and experience new highs of achievement.
The trip begins in the southern-most town of Bluff in the South Island and finishes in the northern most point – Picton. For riders with less time, a 10 day option is available starting in the adventure capital Queenstown on day 4 of the tour.

So, what you can expect on the New Zealand South Island Road Cycling Experience?

Bluff –  located at the very south of the South Island. Famous for its signposts and the beginning (or end) of State Highway 1 which transverses the length of the country to Cape Reinga in the far north – the journey really does begin in Bluff!
Must do – eat oysters!
Cycling – a leisurely 100 km on a main road than on quieter back roads through arable land

Gore – the official home of country music and line dancing in New Zealand. Well known for its fly fishing. Gore is a rural town supporting the local farming community.
Cycling –challenging route, undulating with steeper climbs that will test your legs followed by a gentle 10 km to finish the day’s ride of 146 km.

Clyde – a historic town located at the foot of a river gorge surrounded by hills of schist and large craggy standing rocks. Clyde was settled during the gold rush of the late 1800s.
Must do – a great place to enjoy a coffee amongst a scenic setting that’s rich in history
Cycling – easier, flatter riding, 89 km.

Queenstown – the adventure capital of New Zealand sits on the shore of crystal clear Lake Wakatipu amongst dramatic alpine ranges. There is a smorgasbord of activities from hardcore adventure to relaxing options on our first rest day.
Must do – you have ample time to tick off something from your ultimate adventure bucket list!
Cycling – shorter distances today, however it does include our most challenging climb. Total distance 73 km.

Lake Wanaka – a popular small town holiday destination for Kiwis. Nestled above towering mountains, Wanaka is tranquil and picturesque. Home of the world famous Warbirds over Wanaka, an airshow held biennially.
Must do – keep an eye out for low flying warbirds
Cycling – A long scenic ride takes us over the glorious Haast Past to the Tasman Sea

Haast – surrounded by World Heritage Area, the main attraction here. All around us rainforest tumbles across the landscape.
Must see – Fur seal and penguin colonies
Cycling – a little bit of everything today including small climbs, steep climbs and flat riding. Possibly the most scenic riding of the tour. 144 km.

Franz Josepf – scenic rainforest town surrounded by native forests and home to the Franz Josepf Glacier. Check out the hot pools, take a half day hike on the glacier or even a helicopter ride on our second rest day.
Cycling – 134 km of flat to undulating.

Hokitika – another historic town steeped in history of shipwrecks, gold miners and pounamu hunters of the West Coast.
Must do – great souvenir shopping followed by Pancake Rocks and Blowholes at Punakaiki
Cycling – easy flat riding, 138 km

Westport – was settled as a gold mining town but today it’s coal mining that keeps the town going. A great centre for outdoor adventures including jet boating, rafting, caving and kayaking.
Must do – a pint of the local Miner’s beer
Cycling – our longest day of cycling as we head inland, 156 km.

St Arnaud – provides the perfect base from which to explore the honeydew forest and mountains of Nelson Lakes National Park.
Must do – learn about the ecology of the honeydew beech forest at the Department of Conservation visitor centre
Cycling – our last day of cycling, 153 km

Picton – picturesque seaside town at the top of the South Island and the base for the ferry service that links the North and South Islands of New Zealand. Great marine, forest and island attractions of the sheltered and scenic Marlborough Sounds.
Must do – get out on the water in the Marlborough Sounds for fishing, dolphin watching or kayaking

After 1283 km of great road cycling it’s time to pack up our bikes and bid farewells!

Start your New Zealand South Island Road Cycling Holiday here.