Explore the top of the South Island in all its glory!
Bike tour Marlborough as part of this wonderful guided trip
You'll stay in this pristine part of the world for a few days and explore by foot and by water
Enjoy some coastal riding along much of the journey
Spend some time discovering this beautiful spot
As part of the trip, you'll visit some wineries and enjoy the local produce
Find your sea legs and view the land from a different perspective

Great Taste Trail & Beyond - Bike, Hike & Sail

Duration
7 days
Site savings
$26
From
$2,557 USD

Explore the best of Nelson, Tasman and Marlborough at the top of the South Island on the ultimate bike, walk and sailing holiday. This region is famed for its stunning natural landscapes, with long golden beaches, untouched forests and rugged mountains, it also boasts being the sunniest part of the country. Cycle along Nelson’s Great Taste Trail, sail a catamaran in the famous Abel Tasman National Park and walk through lush native forest on the Queen Charlotte track. Discover the magic of the Marlborough Sounds as you spend 2 nights at a remote oceanfront lodge, accessed only by boat, kayak or foot. Visit galleries, craft breweries, boutique stores and wineries in a region renowned for its creative artisan culture.

  • Category
    Multi-Activity
  • Type
    Fully Guided
  • Duration
    7 days
  • Culture Level
    Familiar
  • Skill Level
    2 - Novice
  • Activity Level
    2 - Moderate
  • Elevation
    2 - Moderate
  • Terrain
    Coastal
  • Distance
    153.5 miles
  • Avg. Daily Distance
    30.4 miles
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The journey begins in Nelson where you'll join the Great Taste Trail, cycling along flat or gently rolling terrain, through a disused railway tunnel and along coastal tracks towards the sandy beaches of the stunning Abel Tasman National Park where you'll go on a sailing excursion and walk part of the Abel Tasman track.

You'll then visit the breathtaking Marlborough Sounds where you can enjoy a day relaxing at the secluded Lochmara lodge before a hike - on the beautiful Queen Charlotte track - and bike ride leads you into the heart of wine-making country. The final ride takes you through the colourful vineyards of the Awatere Valley and you'll cycle over two passes before a wine tasting at a Blenheim winery, providing a fitting finale to this memorable outdoor adventure.

This tour is graded introductory, you will mainly be cycling on quiet rural roads & easy dedicated cycle paths, and walking on well-formed trails. There is one section over the Baton Saddle to the Baton River Valley that is introductory to moderate as it involves a climb and novice riders can ride in the support vehicle. You will need a reasonable level of fitness and we suggest 2 hours of aerobic type exercise, (either cycling or hiking) twice per week for the three months leading up to your trip. You will need to be able to walk for 3-4 hours at a time on undulating paths. We recommend training on compacted gravel trails and completing a multi-day ride prior to your trip to get used to being in the saddle for long periods of time.







Tour inclusions and exclusions at a glance:

What's included?
Items included in the cost of the tour

  • Concession fees paid to the Department of Conservation
  • Full vehicle support along the trail including trailer for luggage
  • Experienced guides who handle all the hard bits and share epic stories (2 guides on groups of 8 or more)
  • Tasty nutritious snacks, drinks and treats plus our famous morning and afternoon teas
  • Pre departure information kit to help you plan and prepare
  • Tasty café breakfasts (x6), gourmet picnic or café lunches (x6), 2 course restaurant dinners (x4) catered to all dietary requirements
  • Accommodation including 2 nights at the secluded Lochmara Lodge in Queen Charlotte Sound
  • 3 hour sailing excursion in the Abel Tasman National Park including lunch
  • Ferry crossing from Rabbit Island to Mapua
  • Wine tasting at boutique Riwaka & Blenheim wineries
  • Return water taxi to Lochmara Lodge
  • Queen Charlotte Land Cooperative Track Pass
What's not included?
Items not included in the cost of the tour

  • International / Domestic flights
  • Arrival and departure transfers
  • Meals where not specified in the itinerary
  • All beverages, other than breakfast
  • Water bottle (help save the environment and bring your own bike drink bottle)
  • Personal expenses (eg. phone calls, internet, laundry, shopping etc)
  • Travel Insurance
  • Visas
  • Optional activities (eg. underwater observatory at Lochmara Lodge)
  • Free bike rental is not included. Please see the available rental options below.

Tour options and upgrades:

3 equipment options available
1 tour add-on available