South Island Great Rides (Three Trails) 15D14N, Small Group & Fully Guided

From A$7,180.00 A$6,460.00 Per Person, Twin Share

At a Glance

Gear up for an all-encompassing Kiwi quest! Over 15 days, get a taste of three of New Zealand's Great Rides - Alps to Ocean (A2O), Central Otago Rail, and West Coast Wilderness - all on one unforgettable biking trip. Cycle in comfort with full support and within a small group, allowing you to immerse yourself in the breathtaking scenery. This adventure through the South Island showcases majestic rugged mountains, breathtaking glaciers, untamed coastlines, and shimmering emerald lakes, offering nature’s grandeur at every turn.

Your adventure begins in Christchurch with a scenic drive to Tekapo, where you start cycling on the Alps to Ocean trail near Aoraki/Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak. You'll pedal past the snow-capped Southern Alps, turquoise glacier-fed lakes, and lush sheep-dotted pastures, ending in the charming port town ...

Trip Highlights

  • Savor award-winning Pinot Noir at a boutique Central Otago winery
  • Enjoy a free day in Queenstown and Dunedin as you explore at your own pace
  • Explore the charming Victorian Precinct in Oamaru
  • Cycle in comfort with full support, allowing you to immerse yourself in the breathtaking scenery
  • Marvel at Lake Matheson, famous for its sunset reflections of Aoraki/Mount Cook
  • Admire New Zealand’s native birds and forest from a Treetop Walkway
  • Hike beneath Mt Cook in the breathtaking World Heritage National Park
  • Ride the stunning gorge section of the new Lake Dunstan Trail
  • Take in the rugged coastlines, pristine lakes, and alpine landscapes of the West Coast
  • Cycle 3 of New Zealan’s Great Rides: Alps to Ocean, Central Otago Rail Trail & West Coast Wilderness Trail—all in one incredible trip!

What's Included

  • 14 nights accommodation in comfortable motels and lodges on a twin share basis
  • All meals as specified in the itinerary
  • Experienced guides who handle all the hard bits and share epic stories (2 guides for a group of 8 or more people)
  • Full vehicle support along the trail including trailer for luggage
  • Bike hire of a hybrid mountain bike with helmet (E-Bike rental is available at an additional charge)
  • Wine tasting at a Waitaki vineyard
  • Entrance fee to West Coast Treetop Walkway
  • Tasty nutritious snacks, drinks and treats plus our famous morning and afternoon teas
  • Transport from Christchurch (return)
  • Pre departure information kit to help you plan and prepare
  • Rider fees paid to the Cycle Trail Trust for ongoing maintenance and improvements, concession fees paid to the Department of Conservation

Itinerary

DAY 1 JOURNEY FROM CHRISTCHURCH TO TEKAPO & BEGIN THE ALPS TO OCEAN TRAIL
Lake Tekapo Village Motel, Lake Tekapo or similar
Dinner
DAY 2 TRACE THE SCENIC TEKAPO HYDRO CANAL TO MOUNT COOK
Aoraki Alpine Lodge, Aoraki Mt Cook or similar
Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 3 ASCEND TARNBRAE SADDLE: A20’S PINNACLE JOURNEY TO OMARAMA
Sierra Motels, Omarama or similar
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 4 MARVEL AT SCENIC HYDRO LAKES IN WAITAKI VALLEY TO KUROW
Waitaki Braids Lodge, Kurow or similar
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 5 DISCOVER ELEPHANT ROCKS ENROUTE TO DUNEDIN
Dunedin Palms Motel, Dunedin or similar
Breakfast
DAY 6 FREE DAY IN DUNEDIN; UNEARTH VICTORIAN SPLENDOUR AND COASTAL CHARMS
Dunedin Palms Motel, Dunedin or similar
None
DAY 7 EXPLORE MIDDLEMARCH TO WAIPIATA ON THE OTAGA CENTRAL RAIL TRAIL
Waipiata Country Hotel, Waipiata or similar
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 8 ADMIRE COSMIC LANDSCAPES; POOLBURN TUNNEL & THE RIVETING BLUE LAKE
Lauder School B&B, Lauder
Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 9 RAIL TRAIL RIDE FROM OTAGO TO QUEENSTOWN INCLUDING THE NEWLY FINISHED LAKE DUNSTAN TRAIL
Blue Peaks Lodge, Queenstown or similar
Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 10 FREE DAY TO EXPLORE QUEENSTOWN
Blue Peaks Lodge, Queenstown or similar
None
DAY 11 CYCLE NEW ZEALAND’S HIGHEST ROAD FROM QUEENSTOWN TO WANAKA
Oakridge Resort, Wanaka or similar
Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 12 FROM LAKES TO GLACIERS: WANAKA TO FOX GLACIER
Mt Cook View Motel, Fox Glacier or similar
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 13 WEST COAST WILDERNESS TRAIL: FOX GLACIER TO HOKITIKA
Beachfront Hotel, Hokitika
Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 14 BIKE THROUGH THE WEST COAST WILDERNESS ROUTE TO KUMARA
Theatre Royal Hotel, Kumara
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 15 FAREWELL KUMARA
None
Breakfast, Lunch

Dates & Prices

Please contact us for private departures or group bookings. Single supplement is available at an additional cost. E-bike rental is available at an additional cost. 

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How To Get There

- The departure and finish point is Christchurch

- Major commercial flights provide convenient access to Christchurch.

Weather & Climate

As a general rule, November to April are the most ideal months for travelling in New Zealand’s stunning outdoors. One of the most important things travellers need to know about the New Zealand climate is that it’s a maritime climate, as opposed to the continental climate typical of larger landmasses. Thanks to its position in the path of the ‘Roaring 40s’ and mountainous terrain, New Zealand’s weather can frequently change with amazing rapidity. Because the weather can change so unexpectedly you should be prepared for sudden changes in temperature and weather conditions. This basically means having a good waterproof jacket and some warm clothing. You don’t need to bring your winter wardrobe but a good fleece/jumper and good thermals are a must.

The temperature during the South Island summers range from 10‑30 ºC, with a pleasant 40‑50% humidity. Higher altitudes are always considerably cooler and snowfall is not uncommon even in summer. The Southern Alps act as a barrier to the moisture laden winds coming west across the Tasman Sea, creating a wet climate on the west side of the mountains and a drier climate on the east side. The geography also creates a wind pattern, which can in summer be very hot, dry and fierce. Maximum temperatures we may encounter range up to 30°C. Minimum temperatures expected in the Southern Alps in Summer time are around ‑5°C. Weather is an integral facet of any mountain range and getting to understand and work with this major environmental factor is what will make you more prepared for your tour

BIKE INFORMATION

Mountain Bike:

Our new fleet of Avanti Discovery mountain bikes combines the best characteristics of a hybrid bike and a mountain bike to give you a great ride and comfort on gravel cycle trails. This bike has a more upright riding style meaning you can still take in the amazing scenery you’ll encounter along the way. These bikes have 29” wheels, suspension forks and suspension seat posts to iron out the bumps and hydraulic disc brakes give responsive braking. They are also available in a low rise, also known as a step though bike frame, please specify on your booking form.

Electric Bike (Additional Charge):

Our Sinch ebikes are perfect for cyclists that may require a little assistance on their travels. Pedalling our ebikes is easier on knees and joints than riding a traditional bike. They provide up to 100kms of pedal assistance before requiring recharging. Very simple to operate and they provide people with varying levels of cycling experience health and fitness levels the opportunity to enjoy our cycling holidays.

Accessories: A bicycle helmet will be included with your bike rental, along with a 15L saddle bag for personal items you might need in the day.

Other Information

Onlyluxe Travel acts as travel agency and work with different tour operators.

Payment Detail
All pricing is in Australian dollars and are quoted on a per person twin share basis. A supplementary price is available (see below). Bookings are not confirmed until full payment and the signed Booking Form has been received by Onlyluxe Travel.

A non-refundable 30% deposit is payable within 7 days of your booking, with the final balance due 60 days prior to departure. If a booking is made 60 days or less before departure, the full payment is payable immediately. Last minute bookings are payable before arrival. Failure to pay on time may result in automatic cancellation of a booking with cancellation penalties payable to Onlyluxe Travel. If you pay by credit card or PayPal a surcharge will be added to the total price.

Single Supplement
All accommodation is twin share. Single guests will share with someone of the same gender. If a single room is demanded, a supplementary price of will apply. The supplementary price refers to our quotation and needs to be stipulated at the time of booking.

General Cancellation Policies
- Outside of 60 days monies will be refunded less 30% of full fee
- Within 60 days prior to arrival all monies will be forfeited
- No refunds will be given in the event of non-arrival, any unused services or unused nights due to flight or weather disruption
- We strongly recommend guests protect themselves with travel insurance and medical insurance

Please Note: Cancellations must be advised in email and will take effect from the date they are received.

Liability
The participant agrees to indemnify Onlyluxe Travel, and its servant, tour operator and agents, in relation to any liability, loss and damage which the tour operator, or its servants and/or agents may incur as a result of the participants, negligence or misconduct during the tour.

Smoking is not permitted on the bus, or in tents or in other accommodation being used by tour operator at the time that a trip is being conducted.

Child Policy
Please consult travel consultant on age limit.

Changes to Itineraries
Local conditions may necessitate changes to sightseeing, walking and driving routes, camping and accommodation locations. While every effort will be made to provide the services and experiences as offered in our brochure, on our website, and in our trip letters, we reserve the right to vary your itinerary. In the event that we are forced to change your arrangements, substitute arrangements of a similar standard will be provided. The tour operator will not be liable where interruptions to itineraries are caused by weather conditions, technical problems to transport used by the tour operator, industrial action, political or civil commotion or other circumstances beyond our control. We refer you to the conditions regarding travel insurance.

Changes in Prices
While we will do its utmost to honour its pricing unforeseen circumstances may mean that prices may be subject to change without notice.

Pre-Existing Medical Conditions and Age Limits
You need to advise Onlyluxe travel and the tour operator on any pre-existing medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability that might reasonably be expected to increase the risk of your requiring medical attention, or that might affect the normal conduct of a trip and the enjoyment of other trip members. Onlyluxe Travel and the tour operator may require an assessment of your medical condition from a qualified medical practitioner. If you fail to adequately notify the tour operator of any pre-existing medical conditions and/or disability, the tour operator reserves the right, at its reasonable discretion, to cancel your participation in a trip at any time, including after the commencement of your trip, with no right of refund if your medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability could be reasonably expected to affect the normal conduct of the trip and the enjoyment of other trip members.

Cancellation by The Tour Operator
The walks take place in very special wilderness settings. The tour operator is at the mercy of nature in all her beauty and all her fury. The tour operator will under no circumstance knowingly place at risk the health and well-being of our guests and guides. In the case of natural threats, acts of God and the like (e.g. bushfires, impassable snow, etc) the tour operator may need to cancel a walk with very little notice. In some cases, this can occur after the walk has commenced. The tour operator reserves the right to cancel any walk up to 60 days prior to departure if a minimum of 4 walkers are unable to meet for a tour. If the tour operator needs to cancel for any reason, the cost of the walk or any other costs associated with travel to the designated pick up point, overnight accommodation, meals, etc will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore we strongly recommend travel insurance be taken out prior to travel.

Force Majeure
'Force Majeure' means (without restriction) any event which Onlyluxe Travel or its third party providers could not, even with due care, foresee or avoid. Force Majeure covers events such as, but not limited to, adverse weather conditions, fire and all similar events beyond our control. In the case of Force Majeure Onlyluxe Travel will not accept liability, and reserves the right to change and cancel trips.

Evacuations
In rare circumstances, due to injury or unforeseen illness, the tour operator may need to evacuate you from a remote part of the walk. Helicopter evacuations are expensive and in most cases will be at a cost to the customer.

For Australian residents, under the Australian Government Medicare Act, it is prohibited for any domestic travel insurance product to provide any financial reimbursement with regard to ambulance or air ambulance services. We therefore strongly advise our customers to take specific ambulance cover through their health insurance provider. Evacuation cost will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore it is also strongly recommended that our customers take out travel insurance to cover (amongst other things) the costs associated with evacuation.

Travel Insurance
In view of the heavy cancellation penalties applied to cancelled reservations in certain circumstances, we strongly recommends suitable travel insurance be purchased at the time the holding deposit is paid. We recommend insurance cover that covers any loss which may be suffered due to cancellation. We also strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance against loss of baggage and medical expenses.

Product Code : ENZCHCSIG15