Day 1 Christchurch – Twizel

The Alps 2 Ocean Trail cycle tour gets underway as we head south across the plains towards Geraldine. After a lunch stop we continue into the Mackenzie Basin, driving past Lake Tekapo to Lake Pukaki and the start of our cycle trail ‘great ride’. Alternatively we can organise a bus transfer from Queenstown to Tekapo. The first 6km cycle ride section is on a sealed road providing a good opportunity to get familiar with your bike. You then enter the cycle trail on the Lake Pukaki foreshore, featuring fantastic views of Aoraki Mount Cook and the snow-capped Southern Alps, all the way to the spillway (9km). Enjoy a refreshment break at the Lake Pukaki foreshore before embarking on the final section of the day on the 10km bike trail across the Pukaki Flats to Twizel (10km) featuring great views of the immense Mackenzie Basin and the late afternoon sun falling across the Benmore Range. Check into our comfortable accommodation for the next two nights.
Cycle Distance: 25km
Meals (D)

Day 2 Twizel

This morning we ride out of Twizel on the glorious flat and sealed canal roads, towards Lake Ohau (20km). At the lake enjoy views of the Barrier Range over morning tea, before cycling the Alps 2 Ocean trail Ohau weir section (19km) around the edge of the lake and on to Lake Ohau Lodge. We enjoy lunch here, and there is plenty of time to relax and enjoy yet more million dollar alpine views. We take a side trip to the head of the lake and into the glacial valley where it feels like you can literally reach out and touch the mountain tops. On the way back to Twizel we stop off and visit Glenbrook Station. Glenbrook is a 3700 hectare farm running merino sheep and beef. Enjoy a relaxing afternoon tea in front of the homestead before taking a tour around the (lower parts) of the station, learning about the merino sheep and how they are farmed by our hosts the Williamson family. Our farm visit is a great opportunity to lean the merino wool story and see first hand the wool product, from the farm to the finished product.
Cycle Distance: 39km
Meals (B/L/D)

Day 3 Twizel – Otematata

Today we ride the Quailburn section of the Alps 2 Ocean Trail to Omarama, featuring more great views of the surrounding mountains (24km), where there is also the opportunity to explore an historic woolshed. After lunch, the next 13km cycle section takes you from Omarama to Sailors Cutting, following the lakeside of Lake Benmore. Here we load up and travel to Otematata and our accommodation.
Cycle Distance: 37km
Meals (B/L/D)

Day 4 Otematata – Kurow

We farewell the Mackenzie Basin and travel down the Waitaki Valley. Our ride
commences at the Benmore Dam and takes us around the side of one of the great hydro lakes of the valley, under the cool shade of the willow trees (22km). We then travel to Kurow for lunch, before riding on the Alps 2 Ocean Trail from Kurow to Duntroon. This section features an ancient Maori rock drawing site which can be explored. We return to Kurow and settle into our accommodation for the night.
Cycle Distance: 50km
Meals (B/L/D)

Day 5 Kurow – Oamaru

We head to Duntroon and commence the last day of our spectacular Alps to Ocean bike ride. We leave the river valley and head inland through North Otago countryside, home to the unusual limestone ‘Elephant Rocks’ to Prydes Gully (19km). Enjoy cycling the final 33km section through very attractive looking ‘English’ countryside, from Windsor via the Botanical Gardens to Oamaru, finishing up by the sea at Friendly Bay. Check into our comfortable accommodation and enjoy a celebratory meal together in the historic Victorian Precinct of Oamaru.
Cycle Distance: 52km
Meals (B/L/D)

Day 6 Oamaru – Christchurch

Have a leisurely start to the day and spend the morning exploring the absolutely splendid Victorian precinct featuring some of New Zealand’s best 19th century architecture in Oamaru’s old town. We depart for Christchurch arriving in the city by 4:30pm. Alternatively you can take a bus to Dunedin or Queenstown from Oamaru.
Cycle Distance: 0km
Meals (nil)

What’s included in the tour package?

• 5 nights twinshare en-suite accommodation
• 5 evening meals; 4 lunches; 4 breakfasts (indicated by B/L/D in the itinerary)
• fruit, snacks & morning teas on the trail
• the services of a tour leader who provides vehicle support & information
• cycle repair support
• farm visit and afternoon tea at Glenbrook Station
• all transport from/to Christchurch
• commercial guiding fees on the Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail
• Goods & Services Tax of 15%

Not included in the tour package:

• wine; beer; espresso coffees
• lunch on Days 1 & 6; breakfast on Day 6
• bike hire ($190) or e-bike hire ($450)
• single accommodation supplement ($410)
• Queenstown to Tekapo transfers Day 1 ($40 approx)
• Oamaru to Queenstown transfers Day 6 ($63 approx)

 

Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail – Concession Partner
The Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail showcases New Zealand’s geological, geographical and historical highlights from the Southern Alps to the Pacific Ocean. PureTrails New Zealand’s Concession Partner membership with the Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail is assisting this new trail to become established as one of NZ’s premier cycle trails. As a commercial tour operator PureTrails New Zealand pays $5+ GST per person for every half day spent cycling the trail.