Cycle New Zealand: Alps 2 Ocean

Kia ora! Welcome to New Zealand. Your adventure begins in Christchurch. You’ll be picked up at 8 am and transferred to Lake Tekapo, where your cycling journey officially kicks off. Today’s easy, scenic ride along the Tekapo Canal to Lake Pukaki is a great chance to get to know the terrain and get a sense of what’s in store over the next six days. Along the trail, you’ll stop by the Mt Cook Alpine Salmon Farm, then continue to the Tekapo B Power Station. Sitting 130 m above Lake Pukaki, this spot has excellent views over the Southern Alps and the Mackenzie Basin. Continue riding down to the lakeshore before crossing the Twizel Flats. This alpine tussock plain leads you to the town of Twizel, where you’ll settle in for the night after an exciting first day on the bike. Don’t forget to look up tonight – Twizel is located within the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, so the views of the night sky here are spectacular.

This morning, drive to Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park. This is one of the four national parks that make up the Te Wahipounamu UNESCO World Heritage site and is home to New Zealand’s tallest mountains and largest glaciers. Mt Cook itself towers at 3724 m (12,217 ft), and a total of 19 of the park’s peaks exceed 3000 m. Go on a short walk to take in the raw natural beauty, then return to Twizel and hop back on the saddle. Follow a sealed road to the Ohau Canal, taking in views of the mighty Ben Ohau on the way to Lake Ohau. Cycle around the lake, soaking up the tranquil surrounds as you ride past the clear, still waters. After, check into your lakeside lodge for the night and get some rest – your adventure ramps up tomorrow with a ride that's set to be a bit more challenging.

Gear up for a thrilling day as you take on the first real climb of the trip. Say farewell to Lake Ohau and make the easy ride to Freehold Creek, giving you a new viewpoint back across to Ben Ohau, then begin your climb up through native beech forest to the highest point of the trail. Once you've surmounted the 900-m-high lookout, you’ll be rewarded with views over the Mackenzie Basin, Ben Ohau, Lake Ohau and Lake Ruataniwha. Then, descend to the remains of the historic woolshed at Quailburn Road, where you’ll stop for a packed lunch. It’s a gentle ride from here, taking you along a quiet backroad and a side trail that leads to the small town of Omarama. You’ll have the option to cycle to the Omarama Clay Cliffs – it’s an extra 14 km, but the sight of these towering cliffs separated by narrow ravines is well worth it.

Today will be your longest day on the bike, but the ride won’t be overly strenuous or technical – so you can focus on soaking up the scenery. Leave Omarama and cycle through lake country, riding east down the Waitaki Valley, past the Chain Hills Viewpoint, then follow the edge of Lake Benmore – New Zealand’s largest artificial lake – to Pumpkin Point. Along the way, you’ll follow a route through the Benmore Gorge to reach the top of Benmore Dam for dramatic views of the lake below. After lunch, continue your ride, leaving the town of Otematata and following the southern shore of Lake Aviemore. Cycle right up to the dam wall, then continue along the final stretch, past the Wharekuri ruins – the stone buildings of an abandoned 19th-century village – to the town of Kurow, where you’ll stay for the night. Located on the banks of the Waitaki River, this is the perfect spot to put your feet up and maybe have a drink at one of the local wineries.

Leave Kurow this morning and cycle down through the valley along the Waitaki River. Pass rolling vineyards and stop in at River-T Estate Wines, before continuing to the Takiroa Maori rock art site – an important landmark for the Ngai Tahu Whanui people. Ride on to the Duntroon Wetlands before arriving at Duntroon, where you might like to have some lunch at the Duntroon Hotel. After lunch, hop back on your bike to make a detour from the official trail, veering into Otago to visit the Elephant Rocks site. This was used as a filming location for the first Chronicles of Narnia movie. After, cycle back to the Duntroon Hotel – your accommodation for the night. If you arrive back with enough time, why not head to a local winery and end the day with a glass or two.

Rise and shine for your final day on the bike, bound for the South Pacific Coast. Have an early breakfast, then leave Duntroon and get back on the trail, passing through the historic Rakis Railway Tunnel and following the old railway line to Windsor, then all the way through to Enfield. Stop for an early lunch, then ride the final stretch to the seaside town of Oamaru via the Botanical Gardens and the Oamaru Heritage Precinct. Finish up at Oamaru Harbour. Oamaru is known for its remarkable collection of Victorian buildings built from Oamaru whitestone and is full of nods to the Victorian period, with a local bookbinding shop, a cobbler, various boutiques and even the occasional penny farthing bike roaming the streets – the town even hosts an annual Victorian fete which includes the New Zealand National Penny Farthing Championships. When you arrive, a private vehicle will be waiting to transfer you back to Christchurch where your trip comes to an end.