Get ready to spin your wheels on New Zealand’s legendary Great West Coast Cycle—an epic 8-day journey spanning over 300 miles! Ranked among the world’s top five cycle touring routes, this adventure is a rollercoaster through high alpine passes, lakes galore, snow-capped peaks, lush rainforests, dramatic coastlines, and awe-inspiring glaciers. With daily rides pushing up to 80 miles, it’s the ultimate pedal-powered test of your endurance. Beyond the bike, hop aboard the TranzAlpine Express for a scenic train ride, live it up at Franz Josef Glacier, and groove to the laid-back vibes of Wanaka. Join a squad of intrepid explorers and saddle up for a quest to unveil the hidden wonders of New Zealand’s untamed wilderness.
Embark on an epic 8-day cycling adventure from Christchurch to Queenstown, tracing New Zealand's famed Great West Coast cycle route. Ride up to 75 miles daily through stunning and ever changing landscapes of the South Island. Your path is guided by experienced experts who handle the logistics while you focus on the ride. Along the way, savor local flavors, enjoy comfortable accommodations, and take in the scenic TranzAlpine train ride. With full vehicle support and more, it's an all-inclusive cycling odyssey to remember.
We will meet in central Christchurch at Cathedral Junction at 7:15 a.m. Your guide will drive you to the Christchurch train station in time for the TranzAlpine Train departure at 8:15a.m. We enjoy a scenic train journey across the Southern Alps and arrive at Moana on Lake Brunner around midday. We will eat our lunch on the train and then get on the bikes immediately to follow an undulating and winding course through the picturesque Arnold Valley to Stillwater. A flat ride beside the banks of the Grey River takes us out to the coastal township of Greymouth.
One of the trip’s many highlights is the coastal riding that follows as we head north to the small settlement of Punakaiki. The riding is pure quality, with enough hills to keep you honest and plenty of distractions—stunning rock formations, lush rainforest, and the wild coastline. Once in Punakaiki, we’ll have time for a short walk to the famous Pancake Rocks—a limestone landscape of pancake-shaped rock formations, blowholes, and surge pools—before settling into our accommodation and enjoying our first group dinner together.
Cycling: 47 mi (75 km)
Elevation gain: +2,135 ft (651 m)
Meals: Dinner
This morning we start with a transfer south, stopping for a short visit to Hokitika, one of the early gold-mining towns and known for the crafting of pounamu (greenstone), a spiritual treasure for the Māori and found only in the South Island. Continuing south, glacier country beckons and the road soon changes from rural countryside to one fringed with towering podocarp rainforests. Starting our ride late morning at the Waitaha River, we cycle through native forests with stunning mountain views, crossing several of the mighty West Coast rivers as they come to the end of their journey from the Southern Alps. Passing through the remote settlements of Harihari—the landing stage of the first solo crossing of the Tasman Sea in 1931—and Whataroa—the only New Zealand breeding ground of the majestic kōtuku/white heron—we finally reach Franz Josef Glacier township, our home for the next two nights.
Cycling: 56 mi (90 km), or shorter option Harihari to Franz Josef: 39 mi (63 km)
Elevation gain: 3,096 ft (944 m), or shorter option +2,276 ft (694 m)
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Time for a day off the saddle, and Franz Josef Glacier is a great place to enjoy a multitude of activities. Your guide(s) will need to have 24 hours off driving, so won’t be available for transport or guiding today, but can help with arranging any activities. With hot pools, ice climbing, and lots of short walks—there are plenty of options. You could also relax and catch up with your diary or read a book. Flightseeing is very popular here, either in fixed-wing planes around the mountains (up to 40 mins) or a helicopter flight to land on the snowfields high above the village (1.5–2 hours). There is also an option to enjoy some sea kayaking into the rainforest at the nearby Ōkārito Lagoon and bird sanctuary. Additional costs for optional activities apply.
Meals: Breakfast
This morning’s start is flexible depending on the weather and what people would like to do. There are a number of options—if the previous day’s weather hasn’t been friendly and you were wanting to take to the skies to see the glacier or enjoy some sea kayaking, you can do your activity this morning. In the afternoon, we ride through to Fox Glacier (optional). The distance to Fox Glacier is only a matter of 25 km, but that ride crosses three strenuous passes, each followed by an exciting and exhilarating downhill. The ride is worth the effort, with the last downhill into Fox leading straight into one of the village cafés or bars. In the evening, we take a short walk around nearby Lake Matheson, with its famous sunset reflections of New Zealand’s highest mountains.
Cycling: 16 mi (25 km)
Elevation gain: +2,109 ft (643 m)
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
After a couple more ‘relaxing’ days, we head off again on some lovely flat roads. We reach the coast at Bruce Bay before turning inland again, skirting the beautiful Lake Moeraki and then out to the Knights Point coastline. Eventually, we reach the longest one-lane bridge in New Zealand—the Haast River Bridge—spanning 737 metres (2,418 feet) across the Haast River and taking us across to the Haast township and our final night on the West Coast.
Cycling: 75 mi (120 km), or shorter option Fox to Lake Paring: 45 mi (72 km)
Elevation gain: +3,358 ft (1,024 m), or shorter option +1,413 ft (431 m)
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Haast Pass presents another cycling highlight. For some 50 km, the road slowly rises as the mighty Landsborough River joins the nearby Clark Valley. Countless waterfalls cascade from the mountains towering above the road, and the lush rainforest changes to beech forest higher up the valley. A final serious climb takes us to the summit of the pass at 678 m. From here, there is a 20 km ride down into the beautiful township of Makarora and a well-deserved conclusion to the day’s ride. If the descent does not provide enough excitement, there is an optional thrilling jet-boat ride nearby, taking you deep into Mount Aspiring National Park—or a delightful short nature walk at the back of the rustic accommodation.
Cycling: 51 mi (82 km)
Elevation: 4,090 ft (1,247 m)
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
There are dramatic changes in the landscape today as we enter the dry, arid country on the eastern side of the ranges. Today we cycle alongside spectacular glacial lakes as the road rolls down into the headwaters of the Otago valleys and then climbs along the shores of Lake Wānaka and Lake Hāwea before finishing on the Hāwea lakefront for lunch. We will have a short transfer in the van to the bustling resort township of Wānaka, our home for the night. The afternoon is free to enjoy some shopping—or just relax alongside the lake. This evening, we enjoy our final group dinner together to celebrate our week’s cycling achievements.
Cycling: 31 mi (50 km)
Elevation gain: 2,118 ft (646 m)
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Our ride this morning is a classic that follows the lakefront from Wānaka, heading west to the idyllic Glendhu Bay. This is a favourite among Wānaka locals, who never tire of the spectacular views of the lake and mountains that accompany the route. We’ll return the same way, head across to the historic Luggate Red Bridge, and finish at the family-owned Māori Point Vineyard, named for the Māori prospectors who panned for gold here in the 1860s. After a platter lunch and tasting, it’s a 90-minute transfer into Queenstown—along the lakeshore of Lake Dunstan and through the stunning Kawarau Gorge—with the opportunity to check out the original bungy jump site on the historic Kawarau Bridge. Known as the adventure capital of New Zealand, Queenstown is situated alongside beautiful Lake Wakatipu, surrounded by mountains. Relaxation and shopping here are fantastic.
Cycling: 37 miles (59 km)
Elevation gain: +1,685 ft (514 m)
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Loved every moment of the tour! I did the Marlborough & West Coast cycle ride and it was a blast, not only the riding but the hotels and restaurants that were part of the package were excellent. Our guide, Peter was amazing, always available, helping, and giving more then expected. He gave us lessons on the area, the animals, birds and offered extra biking and walks. Healthy snacks were provided along with tea stops in the morning. The rental bike was very nice but could have used a few more gears. Highly recommended!
What a wonderful trip we had. Adventure South were an amazing group to travel with, our leaders were so helpful, fun and knowledgeable. Would highly recommend them. Nothing was too much trouble, the food wines and accommodations were all spot on. And the ride was, well, breathtaking. Thoroughly enjoyed it, thank you. We will be back.
I had an amazing time with Adventure South. I did both the South Lakes and the West Coast Cycle tours. The guides were very knowledgeable and changed routes as needed to keep us safe. They did everything they could to keep everyone happy. If you want to do a cycling or hiking tour look no further. They are a New Zealand company with guides that live in New Zealand.
Included:
Add-ons (can be added at checkout):
Not included:
To fully enjoy this guided Great West Coast cycling trip, n excellent level of fitness is essential. You will be cycling up to 75 mi (120 km) per day & gaining up to 3,358 ft (1,024 m) in elevation. Check out the itinerary to learn about day-by-day distances.
You should be a competent road rider with good stamina, capable of cycling comfortably for up to 6-8 hours per day. There will be some extended uphill ascents.
In preparation for this adventure, we recommend dedicating 90 minutes to cycling three times a week for at least three months leading up to your trip. This practice will help you build the endurance and stamina required for the journey. The tour is fully supported, allowing less confident riders to opt for shorter distances if desired, and the support vehicle will always be nearby, ready to assist with transportation if needed. Your safety and enjoyment are our top priorities, and your experienced guides will be there to assist, observe your technique, and provide advice while keeping everybody safe.
Here’s what you’ll need:
The ideal months for travel, from November to April, bring temperatures ranging from 50°F to 86°F (10°C to 30°C) during the South Island summers, along with a comfortable humidity level of 40-50%. However, keep in mind that higher altitudes can be significantly cooler, and snowfall is possible even in summer. Additionally, there are occasional hot, dry, and fierce winds during the summer months. While you won’t need a full winter wardrobe, packing a good waterproof jacket and some warm clothing (including a fleece or jumper and quality thermals) will ensure you’re prepared for any unexpected changes in temperature and weather conditions during your tour. A more comprehensive gear and clothing list will be provided to you upon booking.
During the checkout process, you’ll have the option to add a rental bike to your tour.
Your guides offer the following bikes:
For those who crave the ultimate cycling experience, the Avanti Gran Durance 3 road bikes that are offered are equipped with drop handlebars, wider 40mm tires, carbon fiber forks, and hydraulic disc brakes designed for safety and ideal performance on New Zealand roads. They offer a relaxed geometry and multi-hand positions, making them suitable for cyclists of varying experience levels on longer touring routes.
If you could use a little pedal assistance, the Sinch e-bikes are a fantastic option. These electric bikes are user-friendly, exceptionally comfortable, and gentle on the body. They offer up to 100 km of pedal assistance before needing a recharge, making cycling easier on knees and joints.
And for those who prefer a traditional, pedal-powered ride, these mountain bikes offers the perfect balance of stability, comfort, and performance. Designed specifically for real-world Aotearoa New Zealand trails, it features fast-rolling tyres, upgraded suspension forks, and a 1×10 drivetrain for smooth and intuitive gear changes across mixed terrain. Hydraulic disc brakes provide reliable stopping power, while a relaxed upright riding position and rear rack with bag make it ideal for day rides and touring adventures.
Bike helmets will be provided with your rental, and each bike is equipped with a handy 15L saddlebag. Furthermore, all your equipment and luggage will be conveniently transported by our support vehicle, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable cycling experience.
Accommodations on this guided Great West Coast cycling tour encompass a range of comfortable options, including 3-star and 4-star family-run motels. These lodgings are carefully selected to provide you with a restful and enjoyable stay throughout your journey.
The price for this Great West Coast cycling tour is based on twin-share rooms, but a single occupancy room can be arranged at an additional fee. You can add it to your booking at checkout.
Solo travelers are welcome—they can either share a room with another same-gender solo traveler at no extra cost, or guarantee a private room by paying a single occupancy fee.
The price for this Great West Coast cycling tour is based on twin-share rooms, but a single occupancy room can be arranged at an additional fee. You can add it to your booking at checkout.
Solo travelers are welcome—they can either share a room with another same-gender solo traveler at no extra cost, or guarantee a private room by paying a single occupancy fee.
Group sizes and prices:
The Great West Coast Cycle in New Zealand can be arranged for bigger and private groups. Contact us prior to booking.
Min. age requirements:
If your group has riders under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
To get to Christchurch, the starting point of the tour, most people fly into Christchurch Airport. You will meet your guide(s) and fellow cyclists at Cathedral Junction at 7.15 am on Day 1.
We recommend arriving a day prior to the cycling adventure as our journey kicks off right after this initial gathering. Arriving a day in advance provides you with the opportunity to relax and ensures a seamless and stress-free start to your experience.
We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.
Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations! Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.
Deposits
Secure your spot with a 30% deposit upon booking! The remaining 70% of the trip price must be paid 90 days prior to departure at the latest. If booking within 90 days of departure, the full amount is required at the time of booking.
Cancellations
Booking fees are non-refundable after a 48-hour grace period. During checkout, however, you can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options—Basic, Flexible, or Super Flexible. Depending on which one you choose, a different cancellation policy will apply to your booking.
Basic
Flexible
Super Flexible
Loved every moment of the tour! I did the Marlborough & West Coast cycle ride and it was a blast, not only the riding but the hotels and restaurants that were part of the package were excellent. Our guide, Peter was amazing, always available, helping, and giving more then expected. He gave us lessons on the area, the animals, birds and offered extra biking and walks. Healthy snacks were provided along with tea stops in the morning. The rental bike was very nice but could have used a few more gears. Highly recommended!