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10 Day West Coast Cycle
Starting from Christchurch and driving down to the spectacular Arthur’s Pass, you'll then bike on minor roads on your way to the coast and Punakaiki and its famous BlowHoles. From here, you'll head south, pedalling through lush rainforest, past picture-perfect West Coast Glaciers and lakes. There is a rest day at Franz Josef Glacier with the opportunity for hiking or sightseeing and the tour concludes in the epic hub of Queenstown.
- CategoryRoad Cycling
- TypeFully Guided
- Duration10 days
- Culture LevelFamiliar
- Skill Level2 - Novice
- Activity Level3 - Active
- Elevation3 - Intermediate
- TerrainCoastal
- Distance220.6 miles
- Avg. Daily Distance27.5 miles
Notify when available
Itinerary Details
- Day 1Arrival
On the morning the tour commences, the guide will be driving from Christchurch on the East Coast of the South Island, across the Southern Alps to Punakaiki on the West Coast. Please let us know if you would like a ride in the minibus and where you will be staying in Christchurch the night before commencing the trip. Alternatively, you can take the TranzAlpine train from Christchurch to Greymouth and the tour operator will help to organise a transfer to Punakaiki.
There will be time to take a walk around Dolomite Point to explore the fascinating Pancake Rocks, where the sea has undermined the sedimentary rock and created spectacular layered rock formations and dramatic blow holes, especially at high tide.
- Punakaiki Resort
- Lunch and Dinner
- Day 2Punakaiki to Hokitika
You will head south along the coast on a road squeezed between the mountains and the sea, crossing a few rivers, to Greymouth, the principal town of Westland. Named after Sir George Grey, New Zealand’s first Governor, it was the site of Mawhera, the largest Maori settlement on the West Coast. From here it is a flat run to Hokitika, a town famous for its goldrush in the 1860s and more recently timber milling. The town has greenstone (jade) and glass blowing factories and now relies on tourism.
Punakaiki to Hokitika (pop 3,400):
adv. 84km / 52.5 mi
Punakaiki to Greymouth:
cas./int. 44 km/ 28 mi- 27.3 miles
- Beachfront Hotel, Hokitika
- Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
- Day 3Hokitika to Franz Josef
Crossing the Hokitika River you will head south through native bush of rimu and Kahikatea (white pine). The route takes you through an agricultural valley and forest. The country is rolling with one climb up Mt Hercules after the town of Harihari (nowhere near as daunting as the name suggests!) and a final flat run from Whataroa. Entering Westland National Park as you pass beautiful Lake Mapourika, you will have superb views of snow-capped peaks.
Mt Hercules summit to Franz Josef:
cas. 51km/ 32mi
Lake lanthe to Franz Josef:
int. 80km/ 50mi
Hokitika to Franz Josef Glacier:
adv. 135km/ 84.4mi- 31.7 miles
- Punga Grove, Franz Josef
- Breakfast and Lunch
- Day 4Franz Josef to Lake Moeraki
From Franz Josef to Fox Glacier is just 24km (14.9mi), but includes three quite severe climbs (and descents); it is through beautiful native forest. The remaining terrain is very gently undulating. From Fox to Lake Paringa the road passes through lush rain forest of rimu and rata, flax filled swamps and past ragged hills. The many rivers become raging torrents after rain. With fine weather, there will be superb views of Mt. Cook and the Southern Alps.
Lake Moeraki Wilderness Lodge was established in 1989 by owners Anne Saunders and biologist Gerry McSweeney to help protect the rainforest and to share this extraordinary natural lakeside setting with visitors. On arrival, there is time to take a paddle in canoes on the lake which is stocked with trout or hike to Monro’s beach to spot fur seals and (in season) penguins. Dinner this evening is in the lodge’s dining room overlooking the wilderness area.Bruce Bay to Lake Moeraki
cas. 43km/ 27mi
Fox Glacier to Lake Moeraki
int. 89km/ 56mi
Franz Josef to Lake Moeraki
adv. 114km/ 71mi- 26.7 miles
- Lake Moeraki Wilderness Lodge
- Breakfast and Dinner
- Day 5Lake Moeraki Optional Rest Day or Ride to Jackson Bay
After breakfast, you will have a free day with plenty of outdoor activities provided by the Wilderness Lodge, including kayaking or hiking through the rainforest. There is also a complimentary daily guided programme including glow worm walks and giant eel feeding. For those keen for more cycling, there is the option of riding to Jackson Head, south of Haast, mostly hugging the coastline. This headland provides shelter from the prevailing wind direction, and here a fishing harbour has survived since the early pioneer days of seal hunting. The village offers spectacular views of the ocean and the Southern Alps. Jackson Head also marks the southern end of the west coast’s narrow river plains. Beyond this point, the steep mountain ranges plunge directly into the sea - the first of the deep glacial fiords is just 50 kilometres away (31mi). When you visit this remote and geographically gifted region, it’s easy to see why it has been designated a World Heritage Area.
Lake Moeraki to Jackson Bay:
int/adv. 79km/49mi
Haast Village to Jackson Bay:
cas. 51km/32mi- 31.7 miles
- Lake Moeraki Wilderness Lodge
- Breakfast and Dinner
- Day 6Lake Moeraki to Makarora
Just south of Lake Moeraki, Knights Point affords excellent views of the rugged coastline where seals can often be seen basking in the sun. From Haast, you will head inland, following the Haast River toward the snow-capped peaks. You will pass innumerable waterfalls and much bird life, notably Keas, Fantails and Bellbirds. After lunch, the stiff climb through the Gates of Haast is negotiated before the gentle descent to tiny isolated Makarora. Makarora is a base for trampers (hikers) and the renowned Siberia Experience.
Lake Moeraki to Makarora (pop 80):
adv. 112/70mi
Lake Moeraki to Haast:
cas. 30km/19mi
Lake Moeraki to Haast Pass:
int. 81km/51mi- 18.6 miles
- Makarora Tourist Centre, Makarora
- Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
- Day 7Makarora to Wanaka
The country is now dramatically drier, dense bush giving way to open sheep paddocks. The road closely follows Lake Wanaka, crosses the Neck to Lake Hawea and then re-crosses to Lake Wanaka. There are dramatic views of jagged, rocky mountains across the lake. Wanaka is the gateway to Mt Aspiring National park and several winter ski regions. Those with energy to spare may like to hike up Mt Iron for more panoramic views or visit Rippon Vineyard (Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling wines) for a more leisurely afternoon.
Makarora to Wanaka: (pop 7,000)
int./adv. 66 km/ 41 mi
Makarora to Hawea turnoff:
cas. 50 km/ 31 mi- 31.1 miles
- Te Wanaka Lodge
- Breakfast
- Day 8Wanaka Rest day or Cycling
Situated at the Southern end of Lake Wanaka and surrounded by mountains, Wanaka is a playground for the outdoor enthusiast with a multitude of options to fill your day. You can choose a scenic loop road bike ride with a longer option riding around Lake Dunstan There are walks of all lengths, including one considered the best half day walk in New Zealand, the Rob Roy Glacier in the Mt Aspiring National Park, a world of mountains, glaciers, river valleys and alpine lakes. Those keen on the water can enjoy a boat cruise, jet boating, kayaking or fishing on the Lake and there is also a scenic golf course. A more leisurely day can be enjoyed exploring the town or visiting Vineyards.
Loop int. 56km/ 35mi
Loop adv. 115km/ 72mi- 34.8 miles
- Te Wanaka Lodge
- Breakfast and Dinner
- Day 9Wanaka to Queenstown via Cardrona
The route today takes you up the Crown Range, over the Cardrona Road. You will climb through tussock hills past the historic Cardrona Hotel; on reaching the top there will be amazing views of The Remarkables mountain range and Queenstown. The adjacent Pisa Range (193m/633ft) features New Zealand’s only Nordic ski touring and snowshoe trails. You will descend the exhilarating hairpin bends down to Arrowtown, an attractive, well-preserved gold mining village with quaint old cottages and avenues of alms. An easy flat ride beneath Coronet Peak, a winter ski field, takes you to Arthur’s Point where you will cross the Shotover River on your way to Queenstown. Look out for jet boats speeding through the narrow gorge. Surrounded by mountain peaks (including the famous Remarkables), and set on Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown (pop. 35,000) has much to offer.
Wanaka to Queenstown via Cardrona:
adv. 78km/ 49mi
Wanaka to Cardrona Hotel:
cas/int. 27km/ 17mi- 16.8 miles
- Millennium Hotel, Queenstown
- Breakfast and Dinner
- Day 10Departure
Options today include a jet boat or rafting trip on the Kawarau or Shotover Rivers, the steamer "Earnslaw" to visit a high country sheep station, the gondola cableway, Skippers canyon, a flight to Milford Sound (fiord), and much more. Queenstown also has an excellent botanical garden and a very good shopping centre. It is here that we say farewell, a safe journey home and hope to
see you again.- Breakfast