10-Night E-bike Trail Tour of the South Island
Full Tour Itinerary - Ebike Trail Tour
Day One - Christchurch
Arrive in Christchurch and meet your guide and fellow travellers at 1:00 pm at Quest Cathedral Junction. Following a tour briefing and bike fitting, we’ll take a short drive to the Te Kuru Wetlands for a gentle ride to get comfortable with the bikes. If time and weather allow, we’ll continue up to the Sign of the Kiwi for sweeping views across Christchurch and the Southern Alps. The day concludes with a welcome dinner — a perfect chance to get to know your guides and the rest of the group.
Cycling: Short introductory ride
Accommodation: Quest Cathedral Junction
Meals: Welcome Dinner
Day Two - Christchurch to Lake Ohau: Alps2Ocean
After breakfast, we leave Christchurch early and drive south through the Canterbury Plains, heading towards Twizel where we get ready for our first ride. Biking from Twizel township, we ride along the Alps2Ocean trail to the edge of Lake Ohau. The Ben Ohau Range dwarfs all and sundry as we follow the lake foreshore towards Lake Ohau Village and its Lodge – perfectly positioned for post-ride refreshments, and our accommodation for the night.
Cycling: Alps 2 Ocean (A2O) – Lake Pukaki to Lake Ohau, 57km
Grade: 2 - Easy
Accommodation: Lake Ohau Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day Three - Lake Ohau to Cromwell: Alps2Ocean
After breakfast at the lodge, we take a short drive to Omarama, where we will continue along another (and the newest) section of the A2O. Cycling along Lake Benmore and then taking in the newly opened section from Sailors Cutting to Benmore Dam is an incredible experience with amazing scenery. We will continue riding to Aviemore Dam, where the van will transport the group to Cromwell for the night.
Cycling: Alps 2 Ocean - Alps 2 Ocean – Omarama to Aviemore Dam, 52kms
Grade: 2/3 – Easy & Intermediate
Accommodation: Marsden Lake Resort Central Otago
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day Four – Cromwell to Clyde: Lake Dunstan Trail
Today’s ride starts right from the hotel on the Lake Dunstan Trail. One of the newest trails in New Zealand, it’s spectacular engineering and incredible views are truly breath taking. The trail ends in Clyde, where we spend the night.
Cycling: Lake Dunstan Trail, 51km
Grade: 2/3 – Easy & Intermediate
Accommodation: Olivers Lodge & Stables
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day Five – Clyde to Queenstown - Roxburgh Gorge
After another beautiful breakfast, we head out on our bikes first thing to ride the stunning Roxburgh Gorge. The trail also incorporates a 45-minute boat ride up the river (included in tour cost). At the end of the ride, the group will be transported to Queenstown, our destination for the next 2 nights.
Cycling: Clyde to Roxburgh Gorge 12.5km, plus 32kms on the Roxburgh Gorge (+13km by jetboat)
Grade: Grade 2/3 – Easy & Intermediate
Accommodation: Copthorne Hotel And Resort Queenstown Lakefront
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day Six – Queenstown
Today we take a break from the bikes to explore one of the many activities Queenstown has to offer (all activities optional, not included in tour price). We highly recommend an excursion to Milford Sound - all can be pre-booked prior to travel and paid for on the day of the activity.
Cycling: No cycling
Accommodation: Copthorne Hotel And Resort Queenstown Lakefront
Meals: None
Day Seven - Queenstown to Wanaka - Queenstown Trail
In the morning, you will cycle the beautiful Queenstown trail to the legendary gold mining town of Arrowtown. From Arrowtown, follow a cycle path to Kawarau Bridge and then be driven over the Crown Range for incredible views, past the famous Cardrona Hotel and then on to Wanaka, where we will spend the night.
Cycling: Queenstown Trail, 40 km
Grade: Grade 2/3 – Easy & Intermediate
Accommodation: Wanaka Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
Day Eight - Wanaka to Fox Glacier - Hawea River Trail
This morning we ride directly from the hotel on the Wanaka Lakeside Trail, then down past Hawea River, ending at Gladstone. The van will then take us through the Mt Aspiring National Park to Fox Glacier for the evening.
Cycling: Hawea River Trail, 35kms
Grade: Easy to Intermediate
Accommodation: Lake Matheson Motel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day Nine – Fox Glacier to Hokitika - West Coast Wilderness Trail
This morning presents a great opportunity to take a heli-flight over the Glaciers (weather permitting, pre-booking essential, not included in tour). Mid-morning we head north to the Treetops Cafe where we hop on our bikes to start our first ride on the West Coast Wilderness Trail. We ride from Treetops to Hokitika, our destination for the night..
Cycling: West Coast Wilderness Trail, 33kms
Grade: Grade 2-3 Easy – Intermediate
Accommodation: Beachfront Hotel, Hokitika
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day Ten - Hokitika to Christchurch (via TranzAlpine) - West Coast Wilderness Trail
It’s back on the bikes this morning for the last time and another stretch of the West Coast Wilderness trail – this time from Kumara to Greymouth. In Christchurch, we gather for a celebratory farewell dinner.
Cycling: West Coast Wilderness Trail, 31kms
Grade: Grade 2, Easy
Accommodation: Quest Cathedral Junction (same as first tour night)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Farewell Dinner
Day Eleven - Departure Day
Your journey comes to an end in Christchurch today.
Airport transfers can be arranged on request for those departing today. If you wish to extend your stay and explore more of Christchurch or the South Island, we would be happy to assist with additional arrangements.
Cycling: None
Meals: No meals included today
Tour Includes:
x10 nights in mostly 4 - 5 star accommodation (pre and post nights can be arranged on request for an additional cost)
x8 breakfasts, x3 dinners, 8 Lunches & Daily Snacks
Air-conditioned Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Coach
TranzAlpine train from Greymouth to Christchurch
Luggage transport during the entire journey (luggage is transported in the van during the cycling stages)
2 guides/drivers
Jet Boat Ride in Roxburgh Gorge
E-bike hire
Pannier
Drink bottle
Multi tool, tyre levers and spare tube
All Department of Conservation fees and trail fees
Pre-loved helmet - It is the law that helmets must be worn in NZ. If you prefer not to use our helmets, you are welcome to bring your own
Tour Excludes:
Meals/food not included in itinerary
Airfares/travel costs to/from the start/finish of the tour
Airport transfers (can be arranged on request for additional cost)
Drinks (except water during the cycling), telephone & mini-bar costs
Personal expenses such as laundry etc
eBIG Tour 400 EQ
eBIG NINE 400 EQ
eBIG Seven 400 EQ
Espresso CC 400 EQ
Bike Information
Our Small and Medium sized Ebikes are the eBIG Tour 400 EQ. Joining together urban practicality with the willingness to explore is no easy feat, but the eBIG.TOUR 400 EQ does just that, with the new Shimano EP6 drive unit giving you smooth yet powerful assistance whenever you need it. Large volume tyres, a suspension fork and mountain bike inspired geometry deliver capable and confident handling whenever you want an adventure, but the low (trapeze) frame design with integrated 630 Wh battery and generous standard fit equipment including mudguards and lighting have your everyday needs covered, so there's no need to compromise.
Our Large and Extra Large Sized Ebike are the eBIG NINE 400 EQ. More fun when you're riding off-road, with a powerful new Shimano EP6 drive unit to help you up the hills. More versatility, thanks to a fully equipped spec that includes lights, mudguards, lock, rack and kickstand. More time on the bike, with an integrated 630 Wh battery that'll keep you going for miles. More control, thanks to a SR Suntour suspension fork, chunky tyres and powerful Shimano brakes. More comfort on the commute, thanks to standard fit mudguards, lights, rack and kickstand.
For our Extra Small riders, we offer the eBIG Seven 400 EQ. Exactly like it's bigger cousin above, just in a smaller frame size, smaller wheel size (27.5 inch) and slightly smaller battery (504 Wh).
**There is very little difference between the eBIG Tour and eBIG Nine, apart from the frame types. The eBIG Tour has a trapeze frame and the eBIG Nine has a standard frame. Both are perfectly designed for our NZ Bike Trails.
We do have a limited number of step-through bikes available, please enquire at the time of booking. These are the Espresso CC 400 EQ. This is Merida's latest smart and stiff low step-through frame with an internally mounted 504 Wh battery and Shimano's latest powerful EP6 drive unit to deliver impressive function. Shimano's workhorse 9-speed drivetrain and strong hydraulic brakes won't let you down, while the bike comes fitted with guards, rack, lights, lock and a kickstand as standard, meaning no expensive add-ons are needed to get rolling.
A removable gel seat can be supplied for no extra charge
Carrier and back cage to for x1 Pannier (provided)
Helmet included in hire