Great West Coast Cycle: Christchurch to Queenstown

What you get on this adventure:

• • An experienced cycling guide or guides with extensive local knowledge of the area
  • Ensuite accommodation in motels and hotels in twin and double rooms (7 nights)
  • 7 days of cycling along the Great West Coast Cycle route
  • Full vehicle support along the trail including trailer for luggage
  • Breakfasts (x8), picnic or cafe lunches (x5), two course restaurant dinners (x4) catered to all dietary requirements
  • Nutritious snacks, drinks, treats, and morning and afternoon teas
  • TranzAlpine train journey from Christchurch to Greymouth
  • Transport from Christchurch to Queenstown
  • Pre-departure information kit
  • Concession fees paid to the Department of Conservation

Road bike/e-bike and helmet rentals are available for an added fee of $240 and $480, respectively.

What’s not included:

• • Airfare and visa costs (if applicable)
  • Arrival and departure transfers
  • Bike rental — available for rent
  • Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
  • All beverages, apart from breakfast and afternoon tea
  • Optional activities during the adventure (eg. scenic flights, sea kayaking etc)
  • Any personal expenses
  • Travel and medical/rescue insurance
  • Guide gratuities — optional

To fully enjoy this guided Great West Coast cycling trip, a good level of fitness is essential. The journey is graded as moderate to challenging, with an average daily distance of u 50 miles (80 km) and some extended uphill ascents. You should be a competent road rider with good stamina, capable of cycling comfortably for up to 6-8 hours per day.

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:

• • Bike and helmet — available for rent
  • Daypack large enough for all the items you might need on the move — comes with bike and helmet
  • rental
  • Comfortable riding or athletic clothing, preferably moisture wicking or synthetic material
  • Sneakers or sport shoes
  • Breathable outside layer or jacket
  • Waterproof jacket
  • Fleece
  • Quality thermal wear
  • Casual clothes and sneakers for when you’re not cycling
  • Sunglasses
  • Water bottle or hydration bladder
  • Biking gloves are optional but recommended
  • Toiletries (sunscreen, cosmetic products, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.)

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 booking process, you have the option to rent a bike, and we offer four distinct styles for hire—road bikes, hybrid bikes, e-bikes, and tandem bikes. When reserving your bike, kindly provide your height and weight preferences to ensure the best fit.

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 prefer the performance and speed of a road bike but seek a more natural, upright riding position with flat handlebars, the hybrid road bikes are an excellent choice. They provide optimal bike control, a well-placed center of gravity, and reduced strain on the rider’s neck and back.

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.

Experienced cycle partners seeking to enjoy the journey together can rent tandem bikes. These tandems offer a similar riding position to mountain bikes but are fitted with road tires, making them perfect for sealed roads.

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, as well as a well-appointed hotel. These lodgings are carefully selected to provide you with a restful and enjoyable stay throughout your journey. Twin share or double rooms with private facilities are typically provided, and you have the option for a single supplement if you prefer more privacy during your stay (limited availability).

Group sizes and prices:

• • The maximum group size for this group tour is 14 participants.
  • If 8 or more people join the tour, 2 guides will accompany the group.
  • The minimum number of participants that need to join for this group to operate is 4.
  • The cost does not decrease as the group grows.

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 you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
  • Children as young as 10 are able to go on trips with a legal guardian. That said, if you have a young rider strong enough to handle sustained climbs (either riding or walking their bike) of hundreds of feet, and rough terrain, then they may be able to participate on a case-by-case basis.

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 both emergency medical and travel insurance. With medical insurance, if you have an accident or medical emergency on or off the mountain, you’ll avoid paying out of pocket for costly expenses. This covers everything from hospital treatments to emergency air transportation and more.

Travel insurance covers canceled flights, natural disasters and other scenarios that may interrupt your travel plans.

We also expect you to respect local regulations and take measures to protect yourselves, your guides, and the communities you’re traveling to. For more information on travel recommendations and restrictions in the South Island please refer to the U.S. Department of State’s travel information on New Zealand.

If you need assistance selecting the right insurance for your group, let us know and we will be happy to help!