Saturday Stage 1 Arrival

Leaving Sydney on Saturday morning you push the clock forward by two hours to jump straight into the afternoon sun on landing. There’s no groundhog day here! You arrive in Queenstown where you will be met at the airport and have your luggage transferred to our hotel in the heart of Queenstown. On arrival you will want to put your bike back together from the journey before a quick look around town and dinner with Tour participants

While the many spectacular attractions and natural wonders of the area will certainly tempt you, it may be hard to resist the bungy jumping, jet boats or white water rafting on offer.  So, if rasing your heart rate is on the agenda then get stuck into it. Otherwise, there is use of a complete Fitness Centre with up to date equipment and featuring inspiring views, or just take a leisurely walk around town before settling in to our first night welcome dinner.

Sunday Stage 2 - 76kms

Waking up Sunday morning and we’re facing the biggest climb of the trip. Rising up out of Queenstown and heading to Wanaka, we approach Arrow Junction with some hesitation and  10kms of road peaking at 1100metres above sea level. Those of you having made the 4kms/16% and 10kms/10% climb in the Canadian Rockies will scoff at the threat that today’s climb makes. Whilst steep it’s not as challenging as what Canada had to offer. Once at the top there’s plenty of time to take in the vista such elevation provides before a 38km descent into our stop tonight along the edge of Lake Wanaka.

Monday Stage 3 - 113kms

This morning it’s time to head east towards Omarama. Today starts out fairly flat before a single long, steady climb as we travel 113kms through the inland ranges. You’ll be carried along by an array of different landscapes and mountain passes. It’s a scenic part of the South Island with plenty of hangouts for a comfortable picnic lunch before the ride into Omarama.

You will revel in the comfortable, laid-back feel of New Zealand which is captured here. The essence of New Zealand’s natural beauty revealed, Omarama is situated in a location that is more of an outpost than a town. For those of you interested in a local strip show, Wrinkly Rams offers participants the chance to watch Merino sheep being shorn in both modern and traditional methods. A great Kiwi tradition!

Tuesday Stage 4 – 88kms / 196kms

Waking up to sunlit valley views, Omarama is the ideal spot for exploration of the bizarre moonscape of Clay Cliffs, evidence of 2 million years of erosion on layers of silt and gravel that were exposed along the active Osler fault line. You can choose to leave your bikes secured with our sag wagon while taking in the sights, or stay in the saddle to continue on towards Lake Tekapo.

Half way to our destination is the opportunity to climb NZ’s famous Mt Cook. Turning left at Lake Pukaki provides an extra 108 kms to the days’ total of 88kms. A relatively flat section alongside Lake Pukaki before the final climb up Mt Cook, this option makes today the longest in the saddle for the tour.

Those not attracted to the longer saddle-day will turn right and complete the remaining 45kms at a leisurely pace into Lake Tekapo.

Wednesday Stage 5 - 88 kms

Alas, another hearty breakfast heralds in a relaxing 88km day riding east towards Geraldine. Those riders taking advantage of a few extra kms in their legs yesterday will see today as an opportunity for active recovery as the road heads downhill from km 2.

Thursday Stage 6 - 78kms

Today we direct our interest towards Methven, our last rural stop on tour. We ride a day of false flats with a gradual climb for the first 70kms or so. So gradual you will hardly notice it. Once a relatively busy area supporting an industry of natural resources, the area has since developed into a community with a relaxed pace and accommodating nature. The warmer months are the quiet time of year as it’s in winter that snow bunnies flock to the area for a bit of fun. 

Friday Stage 7 – 103kms

Our last day in the South Island countryside, the day begins with a gradual climb followed by a quick descent and then the last climb of the tour. For the next 80kms it’s all downhill first into the outer suburbs of Christchurch and then the inner city streets where we are based for the next 2 nights. An early afternoon arrival allows for participants to join in the end-of-the-workweek buzz the inner city pubs and cafes serve up.

Tonight you can wander at your leisure to take in all the city has to offer. There’s no shortage of local restaurants, bars and nightclubs to tempt your interests and desires. Before you know it the sun will be rising as you wonder where all the time has gone! Don’t indulge too much though, there’s still tomorrow as our last hit out on NZ streets.

Saturday Stage 8

Today you can either relax and pack your bike for tomorrow’s return journey home or join a  ride around the Christchurch area. With the benefit of local knowledge we have an opportunity to take on the Kiwis on their home territory and spend the morning racing around streets not commonly known to “blow-ins.”

Spend the afternoon taking in the sights of Christchurch before settling in to an evening of boasts and bravado at our final night farewell dinner. Tonight is our final night of the NZ ‘round the paddock tour. Enjoy the hospitality of friendly locals while we mark a terrific time had on and off the bike. Relive those moments riding the South Island that has made it  memorable…. and begin planning your next cycling adventure.

Sunday Stage 9 Departure

All great things must come to an end and today is no exception. Enjoy an invigorating swim , have a quick ride around the streets or just enjoy another hearty breakfast in preparation for your return home. Make sure your bike is packed and everything in order for your flight back to life as you once knew it.

World, here we come!!