Southern Lakes Cycle Tour

Package Overview

Trip Highlights
Purakaunui Falls, Catlins - Photo: Peter Walton
Cycle the Catlins rugged coastline
Visit the lighthouse at NZ's iconic Nugget Point
Explore the remote beaches of Cannibal & Curio Bay (tide dependent)
Walk to Mcleans Falls and Cathedral Caves
Challenge yourself on the rolling hills of the breathtaking Otago Peninsula
Trip Summary
I know I left it around here somewhere!
Lush green rolling plains, wild windswept coastlines and unique wildlife experiences characterise New Zealand's southern most region. This remarkable tour begins by cycling the scenic boarder roads of the Fiordland National Park before visiting Invercargill, the world's most southern city. The wildlife experiences of the remote Catlins Coast, home to an ancient petrified forest, fur seals, rare Hector's dolphins and yellow-eyed penguins will leave you rejuvenated before exploring Dunedin, a city known for it's Scottish history, and the Otago Peninsula with its tiny villages and panoramic vistas.

Trip Grading
To determine the grade of a particular adventure we consider a number of factors. These include the condition of the terrain, the altitude, the number of pass crossings and the length of the trip. The Southern Coast Cycle is graded moderate to challenging. You will need a reasonable level of fitness and we suggest 90 minutes of aerobic type exercise, (either cycling or jogging) three times a week for the three months leading up to your trip. The tour is fully supported and if at any stage you feel like having a rest from cycling you will be able to ride in the support vehicle.International or domestic flights and taxes
Arrival and departure transfers
Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
All beverages, other than breakfast
Bike hire (including helmet)
Water bottle (help us save the environment and bring your own bike drink bottle)
Optional activities (eg. visit to Lanarch Castle, Albatross Colony)
Personal expenses (eg. phone calls, internet, laundry, shopping etc)
Travel insurance
Visa (if required)
Tips

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Day wise Itinerary

• Day 1 : Queenstown to Te Anau

  You will meet the tour in central Queenstown around 08:00am for a bike fit. From Queenstown we drive the narrow lakeside road alongside Lake Wakitipu to Kingston, where we start our ride for the day on the rolling rural roads of upper Southland.The native red tussock covered hills lead us into the township of Te Anau, perched on the edge of the Fiordland National Park, our goal is the remote Five Rivers cafe for lunch and then onto Mossburn, but stronger riders can be challenged by the possibility of a metric century ride today. Cycling Distance: 126km / 78miles Shorter Option: Kingston to Mossburn – 67km / 41miles

• Day 2 : Te Anau to Invercargill

  The morning’s ride takes us alongside Lakes Te Anau & Manapouri before we head south through an ever-changing landscape. The stark arid mountains give way to more gentle pastures as we enter the productive Southland farm country. Small communities dot the landscape and the coastal riding becomes spectacular. This coast is exposed to southerly blasts creating some surreal windswept scenery. Gradually we quit the farmlands and approach Invercargill where we'll stay tonight. Cycling Distance: 108km / 66miles Te Anau to Blackmount – 60km / 37miles Optional Blackmount to Tuatapere – 42km / 26miles Tuatapere to Riverton – 48km / 30miles

• Day 3 : Invercargill to McLeans Falls

  The route today skirts the beautiful and undiscovered Catlins Forest Park and coastline. The roads are quiet and the scenery diverse as the coastline increasingly becomes spectacular. The morning ride ends at beautiful Curio Bay where we enjoy a leisurely picnic by the sea, short walks along the beach, a swim for the brave & a visit to a petrified forest on the sea-shore. This is a renowned wildlife area & you are likely to see the rare Hectors Dolphins, Fur Seals & Yellow Eyed Penguins. After lunch there is an optional ride to our overnight accommodation near McLeans Falls. Cycling Distance: Invercargill to Curio Bay – 85km / 52miles Curio Bay to McLeans Falls – 30km / 19miles

• Day 4 : McLeans Falls to Owaka

  We have a relaxed start this morning to explore our beautiful surroundings here in the Catlins coast, with options to walk to the nearby McLeans Falls and/or explore Cathedral Caves. Then it is back on the bikes for more scenic cycling along quiet roads. The cycling is tough with some serious climbs but the rewarding views of the coastline make the effort well worth it. Another picnic by the sea gives us the chance for a beach walk before we continue cycling on to Owaka. Late afternoon we drive out to Cannibal Bay for a yet another walk on a remote and beautiful beach to visit the resident Sea Lions. Cycling Distance: 38km / 23miles

• Day 5 : Owaka to Dunedin

  This morning we ride to the seaside village of Kaka Point then drive out to Nugget Point and enjoy a short walk to the lighthouse. We drive the busy main road section through rural landscapes to Balclutha for lunch. This afternoon we cycle from Waihola down to the coast for the final gentle ride along the beach to Brighton, on the outskirts of Dunedin. This cosmopolitan university town is known as the Edinburgh of New Zealand due to it's rich Scottish heritage and is where we stay tonight. Cycling Distance: Owaka to Kaka Point via Nugget Point – 32km / 19miles Waihola to Dunedin – 30km / 19miles

• Day 6 : Dunedin Peninsula to Oamaru

  Today we explore the Otago Peninsula by bike. This ride has some challenges, taking you first up and over the Portobello hill for sweeping views of the whole Peninsula before dropping down to finish with some relaxing, flat riding beside the ocean. After lunch back in Dunedin we'll make our way to historical Oamaru, stopping at the Koekohe Beach along the way to see the Moeraki Boulders, some unusually large and spherical boulders lying on the beach. There is also the option for some more beautiful coastal riding on quiet roads as we reach our destination. We'll stay in Oamaru for the evening. Cycling Distance: up to 59km / 36miles Optional coastal ride into Oamaru – 25km / 16miles

• Day 7 : Oamaru to Christchurch

  Today we are Christchurch bound - but not before more rural cycling. We have an option to visit the award winning Whitestone Cheese factory in Oamaru or nearby Riverstone Kitchen, to see their amazing gardens where they grow most of their own culinary produce. We then start cycling on quiet roads through small farmlets and communities along the Pareora River valley. An optional challenge is the climb over Pareora Gorge before we visit the spectacular St Davids Pioneer Church, made without nails out of local river stones and timbers. A final burst of cycling takes us to a late lunch at Pleasant Point and the start of the final drive back to Christchurch. With good traffic flows we should be into Christchurch by around 6pm. Cycling Distance: Pareora to Cave – 33km / 20.5miles Optional Cave to Pleasant Point – 15km / 9miles

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Inclusions

• Hotel
• Sightseeing
• 6 Breakfasts, 5 lunches, 4 dinners
• 6 nights hotel/motel ensuite accommodation on a twin share basis
• Professional qualified driver/guide
• 2 professional guides/drivers on trips with 8 or more people
• Private vehicle transport
• Water and snacks while cycling
• Access and concession fees paid to the Department of Conservation
• New Zealand Goods and Services Tax (GST)

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Exclusions

• International or domestic flights and taxes
• Arrival and departure transfers
• Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
• All beverages, other than breakfast
• Bike hire (including helmet)
• Water bottle (help us save the environment and bring your own bike drink bottle)
• Optional activities (eg. visit to Lanarch Castle, Albatross Colony)
• Personal expenses (eg. phone calls, internet, laundry, shopping etc)
• Travel insurance
• Visa (if required)
• Tips

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Terms & Conditions

Payment Terms & Methods :
* Some Advance Percentage of total booking amount
* Airfare/Transport fare to be paid full at one time in advance.

Cancellation & Refund Policy :
* Upon cancellation, refund will be made after deducting the Retention Amount.
* Retention Amount varies as per the number of days left before your package start date.

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This Tour is Offered by

Adventure South Ltd View Profile

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• Phillipstown, Christchurch, New Zealand - 8145
• XXXXXX1222 View Contact
• XXXXXXXXXX@adventuresouth.co.nz View Mail ID

About Adventure South Ltd

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