Go Bicycle Touring in New Zealand
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Unspoiled New Zealand: glaciers, rainforests, lakes and snowy peaks.The Southern Alps cycling tour takes one on a breathtaking loop through some of the world’s finest scenery. [/one_third] [one_third]
Tuatara Tours will take you from Christchurch right into the heart of the South Island of New Zealand for The Tekapo Canal Trail. You will soak up the magical views and discover the history of Mackenzie Country in four leisurely paced days of pedalling. [/one_third] [one_third_last]
Cycle Turismo provides high quality guided cycling holidays in New Zealand. Each tour will allow you to sample the deliciously indulgent Classic New Zealand Wine Trail and serves up luxury accommodation, fine dining, world-class wines and abundant natural beauty. [/one_third_last]
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New Zealand is a small island nation in Southwestern Pacific Ocean, it comprises of two islands – a North Island, and a South Island. New Zealand has a population of roughly 4.4 million people, and an area of 268,021 square kilometres. New Zealand is over 1,600 kilometres long and has a maximum width of 400 kilometres. New Zealand was one of the last major landmasses to be inhabited by humans.
From a cycling perspective, New Zealand has a vast array of challenging, yet rewarding rides. With over 15,000 kilometres of coastline to explore. And, because of it’s small size, you can see lots in a short amount of time – whether you’re in the South Island, or the North Island. From it’s capital city of Auckland, right out to the coastal regions and stunning sand dunes.
Popular Bike Tour Destinations In New Zealand
- New Zealand’s South Island offers a fine selection of bike touring destinations, and is indeed one in it’s own right. The South Island boasts many of multi-use, rail-trails that are most popular among mountain bikers. They vary in distance and difficulty, from the city of Christchurch, lies a forty kilometre, crushed rock trail to Little River on the Banks Peninsula. You also have the option of tackling a 150 kilometre rail-trail in Central Otago, where various guided and self-guided tours are offered, complete with bike hire, cafes and restaurants, and accommodation.
- The Rainbow Road is a 130km isolated gravel road, though terrain is tough, you are rewarded with multiple river-side camping opportunities. This trail can be completed in approximately two days, it will take through meandering valleys and onward, to the majestic Canterbury Plains. The Rainbow Road is suitable for most touring bicycles, however it is also very isolated in some sections. So, be prepared to be alone for sections of varying distances.
- The Golden Bay is located at the South-western end of the South Island. It offers incredible vistas of the Pacific Ocean, complimented by sweeping forests and green canopies. Topping off the incredible views of the sea, and the awe of the forest, is the opportunity to cycle from Collingwood to Puponga. This allows you the luxury of camping right on the beach, with the massive curving arm of the bay to your left and the Abel Tasman National Park in the blue yonder to your right.
- Auckland is a major Metropolitan city, located on the North Island. Auckland marks the beginning of several bicycle routes taking you out of the hustle and bustle of the metropolis and off into the wilderness. Cycling along majestic beaches and sprawling open roads, as you wind your way into names of places that have kept their Aboriginal flair, and are home to a great deal of New Zealand’s Aboriginal tribes, many of whom are descendants of the Maori people.
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Cycle Turismo provides high quality guided cycling holidays in New Zealand. Each tour will allow you to sample the deliciously indulgent Classic New Zealand Wine Trail and serves up luxury accommodation, fine dining, world-class wines and abundant natural beauty. [/one_third] [one_third]
We start with a magical ride around the Marlborough Sounds coastline, to Nelson – famous for its high sunshine hours, arts and crafts and boutique wineries. Climb gradually to Nelson Lakes National Park, and then it’s down spectacular Buller Gorge to the wild West Coast. See Pancake Rocks and Blowholes at Paparoa National Park. [/one_third] [one_third_last]
We start our ride in Colville and wind our way along the coast road towards Fletchers bay with plenty of scenic and historic stops along the way. Accommodation at Fletchers bay will be backpackers or tent depending on availability. Enjoy the evening while a hangi dinner is prepared for you.
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Facts About New Zealand
- New Zealand is where the first commercial bungee jump took place, A.J Hackett was the jumper.
- New Zealand has three official languages: English, Maori, and curiously, NZ Sign Language.
- Kiwi is not a fruit – it is actually New Zealand’s flightless bird, and a slang term for someone from New Zealand. Kiwis call the fruit – “kiwifruit”, but they are also known as Chinese Gooseberries.
- New Zealand has been known as “The Home of Middle Earth”, ever since the release of Lord of the Rings in 2001.
- As a part of the Commonwealth, New Zealand’s official Head of State is Queen Elizabeth II, although she is represented in the country by the Governor General, who has the power to ratify any and all legislation put in front of him or her by New Zealand’s parliament.
- New Zealand is one of only three countries that has two official national Anthems – Canada and Denmark being the other two. The first is God Save the Queen (the same national anthem shared by England, and a number of other Commonwealth nations), the second is God Defend New Zealand.
- New Zealand was the first country to have it’s three top positions of power held simultaneously by women. The Prime Minister was Helen Clark, the Governor General was Dame Silvia Cartwright, and the Chief Justice was Sian Elias.
- Ernest Rutherford – the world’s first alchemist (so titled because he managed to convert nitrogen into oxygen), was born in New Zealand.
- It’s Capital City of Wellington, is the world’s southernmost Capital City.
- Sir Edmund Hillary was the first man to reach the summit of Mount Everest, he was born in Auckland, and his face is emblazoned on the New Zealand $5 bill.
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