Bike Mackenzie Country

5 days  |  starts/finishes in Christchurch

With its amazing turquoise waters, velvety yellow brown foothills, and the rugged and imposing snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps, the Mackenzie Basin is one of the most scenic parts of the country. This tour explores the quieter back-roads of the Basin by cycle where few tourists venture, and the only crowds you will encounter are of the merino kind. Spend time in the quaint village of Lake Tekapo with its stunning night sky and amazing mountainous backdrop. Get off the beaten track and discover rural communities and historic sites tucked away up the valleys. The ever-changing vistas and ‘big sky’ wide open landscape of Mackenzie Country will take your breath away.

See the complete itinerary below...

Day 1 Christchurch - Lake Tekapo

We meet you at 8:00 for our hire bike fittings at the PureTrails depot. Departing Christchurch, we head south across the Canterbury Plains stopping for lunch at a beautiful rural café. After lunch it's just a short distance on to the start of our first bike ride through the Mackenzie Pass. The full distance of the ride is around 38km, but you can choose to do shorter sections if you prefer. We encounter the historic site where legendary sheep hustler James Mackenzie was caught in the act in 1855, and the views of the Mackenzie Country from here are simply stunning as we descend into the Basin. After the ride we continue by bus to Lake Tekapo and our accommodation, a stones throw from the lake. Eat out at a local restaurant. In the evening there is the opportunity to visit the Mt John Observatory to view the southern night sky in one of the clearest locations in the Southern Hemisphere, or a soak in the new hot pools. (L)

Day 2 Lake Tekapo - Twizel

Today's ride takes us from Tekapo along a quiet back road with absolutely stunning views of the Southern Alps, down to Lake Pukaki (40km). After a picnic lunch beside Lake Pukaki you can continue riding along the sedate Pukaki-Ohau-Ruataniwha hydro canal system behind Twizel (25km). The elevated canal offers stupendous views of the Mackenzie Basin and even Aoraki/Mt Cook if you're lucky! We make our way a short distance on to the town of Twizel and our accommodation for the next two evenings, featuring million dollar views of Aoraki/Mt Cook. (B/L/D)

Day 3 Twizel

Today we drive a short distance to the far edge of the Basin where we have a stunning ride on a quiet rural road, deep into a glacial valley, featuring sheer mountain ranges either side of the valley (25km). After a picnic lunch, and possibly a latte stop in a local town, we head to a second ride featuring more great views of the surrounding mountains (25km), where there is also the opportunity to explore an historic woolshed. After the days biking we visit the viewing hide of the highly endangered Black Stilt or Kaki at the breeding recovery centre. Through loss of habitat wetland numbers declined to just 23 and now the birds are intensively managed by the Department of Conservation. This is a great opportunity to view the birds up close and learn about their plight. (B/L/D)

Day 4 Twizel - Ohau

We travel by bus a short distance to the quiet sealed road leading to Lake Ohau, where the biking begins. This is a great 37km+ ride, with views of the lake and mountains beyond unfolding as you go, which are absolutely stunning. There are optional starting points and plenty of refreshment stops and a picnic lunch along the way. We retire to the stunning Lake Ohau Lodge for the evening, which affords absolutely stunning views out over the lake and mountains. (B/L/D)

Day 5 Ohau - Christchurch

We farewell the Mackenzie Basin and travel down the Waitaki Valley. Our last cycle ride takes us around the side of one of the great hydro lakes of the valley, under the cool shade of the willow trees (20km). After lunch we head down the Waitaki Valley and back to Christchurch via Waimate and the east coast. (B/L)

Included in the tour package:

All prices are in New Zealand dollars and include New Zealand Goods & Services Tax of 15%. The fare includes just about everything including: 4 nights accommodation; 3 evening meals, 5 lunches, 4 breakfasts and plenty of healthy snacks in between (as indicated on the itinerary - B/L/D); entry into the Black Stilt/Kaki viewing hide; a friendly guide; all transport and vehicle support; and bike repair support.

Not included in the tour price is one evening meal where we eat out at local restaurant; wine and beer (you are welcome to BYO where permitted); optional bike hire ($170); and the optional activities mentioned in the itinerary.