South Island Experience Tour
Eleven days of breathtaking alpine passes, snow covered
mountains, massive valleys, rugged coastline and cool, shaded
rivers. View the imposing South Island glaciers after experiencing
the 'adrenaline capital of the world' and then visit delightful
bays, islands and waterways in the north.
11 - 13 day tour - See below
for pricing
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![View the tour brochure [PDF] 4.0mb](graphics/tab_tourpdf.gif "View the tour brochure [PDF] 2.7mb") |
Experience the South Island and enjoy
some of the best riding to be found anywhere on the planet...
 Christchurch
- Designed to reflect ordered English class structure instead
of being just another shabby colonial outpost, Christchurch is
the most 'English' of NZ's cities. Stroll through exquisite gardens,
punt on the Avon River, ride a tram or people-watch in Cathedral
Square.
Mt Cook - The first day's
ride gets you in the mood for the brilliant roads to follow as
it twists over mountain passes and along turquoise lakes with
snow-capped mountains in the background. The mighty Mt Cook is
the highest peak in Australasia and a must-see. You can add an
optional day to explore Mt Cook National Park.
 Mt
Cook to Dunedin (12 and 13 day version only)
Today's ride via Lindis Pass and back to the East Coast brings
diverse scenery and more great roads through Central Otago. The
very Scottish city of Dunedin (meaning 'Edinburgh' in Celtic)
is the second largest on the South Island. As the home of the
oldest university in New Zealand, it's lively and interesting
with plenty of entertainment like theatres and live music clubs
and grand Victorian architecture. Take a walk up Baldwin Street,
the steepest street in the world with a 1 in 1.266 gradient or
take a tour of a local brewery with some free beer tasting! Dunedin
also reputedly has the best night life on the South Island and
you'll have a great time finding out if it's true!
 Fiordland
- More superb roads and scenery brings you to Fiordland National
Park. This indescribably beautiful area is on every tourist's
agenda and you'll quickly discover why. You'll have an extra day
here to visit Milford Sound for a spectacular cruise and do some
riding in the area. There is only one road in and out but you
won't mind, it's as scenic as they come. No matter how you say
“steep ravines, deep fjords, blue shimmering crevasses,
snow-covered Alps, blue seas and thundering waterfalls”
the words just cannot do this area justice. Take a look at the
pictures and you'll see what we mean!
Queenstown - The 'adrenaline
capital of the world' has plenty to keep you busy. Choose from
bungy jumping, jet-boating, white-water rafting, river surfing,
white-water sledging, paragliding, parachuting, canyoning, mountain
biking and aerial sightseeing! Still not enough? Add fishing,
water-skiing, windsurfing, yachting, horseback riding and rock
climbing. You have an extra day here to make the most of the activities
on offer. For the not-so-active it has some of the best restaurants
on the South Island in one of the most scenic spots in the world
on the shores of Lake Wakatipu. Or you could simply collapse onto
a sofa....
Westland National Park -
If Queenstown didn't provide enough adrenaline, the shortcut via
Cardrona to Wanaka will! Then ride over the Alps via the beautiful
Haast Pass. The road winds along steep slopes with huge views
over the glacier lakes Hawea and Wanaka and down to the same named
town. After a great ride you'll arrive at two of the most prolific
glaciers in the world - Fox Glacier and Franz Josef Glacier are
tumbling rivers of ice streaking down the valleys towards the
sea. There are plenty of great walks in the area but the best
way to see the glaciers is via helicopter.
 The
West Coast - Incredibly rugged with wild rocky beaches
and a backdrop of high mountain peaks, this area experienced its
own gold rush in the late 19th century. Largely untamed, wildlife
and birds are plentiful. You’ll be amazed at how thousands
of years of rain, wind and saltwater have formed the Pancake Rocks
and the gigantic Blowholes at Punakaiki.
Abel Tasman National Park
- Once little know outside the immediate area, now very popular
with hikers and  nature
lovers. Dotted with caves, potholes and limestone hills and with
golden beaches washed by crystal blue waters it's little wonder
the park is now so popular. You'll overnight at one of the most
beautiful beaches in the area.
Marlborough - Convoluted
waterways, delightful bays and islands and a beautifully surfaced,
twisty, scenic coastal road - what more could you ask for? Wine,
that's what. Marlborough is New Zealand's largest wine producing
area, known for its sauvignon blancs and chardonnays. Stay off
the wine if you're riding though!
Kaikoura - The coastal highway
brings you to Kaikoura, where snow-capped mountains spill towards
the ocean. Eco-tourism abounds here. Whale-watching was once dominant
but these days you can also swim with wild dolphins and snorkel
with seals. Get there early and get on a boat or spend an optional
extra day to give yourself enough time to do it all!
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