|
|
|
 |
|
CASCADE-AFFILIATED INTERNATIONAL TOURS
|
|
|
New Zealand Southern Island Grand Tour
|
| Dates: |
Jan. 21 - Feb. 4, 2013
|
| Pace & Distance: |
Moderate pace; hilly routes.
|
| Group size: |
12 minimum, 20 maximum |
| Cost: |
Between US$3,720 - $4,277
(NZ$4,720 - NZ$5,415)
See pricing details
|
| Itinerary: |
15 days, 14 nights
 Printable tour itinerary
|
| Tour company:
|
|
 Our South Island Adventure starts at Picton, a picturesque fishing town at the northern tip of the South Island. It is a small town (pop.2,600) nestling under bushclad hills of Queen Charlotte Sound, named by Captain Cook in 1770. Your options for reaching Picton are as follows:
- Fly to Auckland, then fly to Wellington, take the ferry to Picton. The scenic Inter-Islander departs at 8.25am, 10.35am, 2.00pm and 6.15pm and the journey takes three hours. You can therefore take the 8.25am ferry on the meeting day and be in Picton in time to meet the group.
- Fly to Christchurch, drive or take the TransCoastal train to Picton. Our guide will be driving up on the meeting day; please let us know if you would like a ride in the minibus with the guide. The train departs Christchurch at 7.00am and arrives in Picton at 12.15pm. It is a very scenic journey but you would need to arrive in Christchurch the day before in order to take the train.
Cycling distances given are entirely optional. Cycle as little or as much as you wish each day. The van will be available at any time.
Suggested cycling distances are given for each day, as follows:
Cas. = casual cyclists
Int. = intermediate cyclists
Adv. = advanced cyclists
|
New Zealand Southern Alps
Detailed Itinerary
|
|
MEETING DAY / DAY ONE
Arrival in Picton
|
We meet at 1 p.m. at Beachcomber Inn in Picton. Your tour leader will hold a trip orientation meeting after lunch. We will then take a short ride of around 20 kilometres on a quiet country road, to Waikawa Bay and return.
Lodging:
Beachcomber Inn, 27 Waikawa Rd, Picton
Phone: 03 573-8900
info@pictonhotel.com
www.pictonhotel.com
Facilities: Restaurant, bar, outdoor swimming pool, guest laundry.
Features: Central to harbour and ferries.
Lunch and dinner are included.
|
|
|
DAY TWO
Picton to Nelson
CYCLING
Picton to Nelson: Adv. 110 km / 69 mi
Picton to Havelock: Cas. 35 km./ 22 mi.
Picton to Pelorus Bridge: Int. 56 km / 35 mi
|
 We climb out of Picton along a delightful, twisty little road to Mahau Sound and the sleepy town of Havelock, from where the mail boat leaves. There is an attractive bush reserve at Pelorus Bridge. Meet at Pelorus Bridge or Rai Valley to drive into Nelson over the climbs of Rai Saddle and Whangamora Saddle, to avoid this busy section. The cathedral city of Nelson (pop 43,000) is New Zealand's sunniest city with its neighbouring orchards and sandy beaches.
Lodging:
Rutherford Hotel, Trafalgar Square, Nelson
Phone 03 548-2299
www.heritagehotels.co.nz
Facilities: Licenced restaurants, bar, outdoor pool, gym and sauna, free wifi in lobby area, internet connection in rooms, hairdryer.
Features: A newly refurbished Heritage hotel in the heart of the city, close to the cathedral and shopping.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.
|
|
|
DAY THREE
Nelson to St Amaud
CYCLING
Motueka to Kohatu: Cas. 52 km / 33 mi
Motueka to Golden Downs: Int. 56 km / 35 mi
Motueka to St Arnaud: Adv. 97 km / 61 mi
|
|
We cycle up the Motueka Valley, a delightful quiet road that passes apple orchards, berry farms and wineries before reaching open sheep country. Through Golden Downs forest we continue to climb to St Arnaud, set in beech forest by beautiful Lake Rotoiti.
Lodging:
Alpine Lodge, Nelson Lakes, St Arnaud
Phone 03 521 1869
enquiries@alpinelodge.co.nz
www.alpinelodge.co.nz
Facilities: Licensed restaurant, bar, laundry.
Features: In beautiful Nelson Lakes National Park.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.
|
|
|
DAY FOUR
St Arnaud to Murchison
CYCLING
63 km / 39 mi: Cas. (downhill)
|
|
 We take a short walk in the beech forest by the lake before starting the day's ride. From St Arnaud we follow the Buller River downhill through sheep farming country to Murchison. Once a goldmining town, it is best known for the devastating 1929 earthquake.
Lodging:
Murchison Motel
53 Fairfax Street, Murchison
Phone: 03 523 9026
murchison.motels@xtra.co.nz
www.murchisonmotels.co.nz
Facilities: Laundry, swimming pool
Features: Modern motel in very central location
Breakfast and dinner are included.
|
|
|
DAY FIVE
Murchison to Westport
CYCLING
Murchison to Westport: Adv. 97 km / 61 mi
Murchison to Berlins: Cas./Int 64 km / 40 m
|
|
There is the option (at extra cost) to raft down the impressive Buller Gorge to Lyell for lunch, or cycle the road which follows the river. We then continue down alongside the river, before heading for the sea and Westport. The sparsely populated West Coast is relatively isolated being cut off by the Southern Alps. Before dinner there will be an opportunity to see seals and cheeky black wekas (flightless native birds).
Lodging:
Chelsea Gateway Motor Lodge
330 Palmerston Street, Westport
Phone 03 789 6835
chelseagateway@xtra.co.nz
www.chelseagateway.co.nz
Facilities: Very spacious modern rooms, laundry
Features: Walking distance to town centre
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.
|
|
|
DAY SIX
Westport to Punakaiki
CYCLING
Westport to Punakaiki: Int./Adv. 57 km / 36 mi
Westport to Charleston: Cas. 26 km / 16 mi
|
 At Charleston you may wish to go caving or underwater rafting. The rolling coastal road offers many spectacular views and delightful sandy coves. At Punakaiki we explore the fascinating Pancake Rocks and watch the sea surge through blow holes.
Lodging:
Punakaiki Resort, Punakiaki
Phone 03 731 1167
info@punakaiki-resort.co.nz
www.punakaiki-resort.co.nz
Facilities: Spacious modern rooms, licensed restaurant and bar, laundry, internet kiosk and wireless internet access
Features: Magnificent beachfront location; all rooms have a sea view.
Breakfast and dinner included. Lunch is not provided today.
|
|
|
DAY SEVEN
Punakaiki
REST DAY
|
|
Options today include kayaking on the Pororari River, walks in Paparoa National Park, or simply relaxing in the beautiful surroundings.
Lodging:
Punakaiki Resort, Punakiaki
Phone 03 731 1167
info@punakaiki-resort.co.nz
www.punakaiki-resort.co.nz
Facilities: Spacious modern rooms, licensed restaurant and bar, laundry, internet kiosk and wireless internet access
Features: Magnificent beachfront location; all rooms have a sea view.
Lunch and dinner are not provided today.
|
|
|
DAY EIGHT
Punakaiki to Hokitika
CYCLING
Punakaiki to Hokitika: Adv. 84 km / 52.5 mi.
Punakaiki to Greymouth: Cas./Int. 44 km / 28 mi
|
|
We head south to Greymouth, the principal town of Westland. Named after Sir George Grey, New Zealand’s first Governor, it was the site of Mawhera, the largest Maori settlement on the West Coast. From here it is a flat run to Hokitika, a town famous for its goldrush in the 1860’s and more recently timber milling. The town has greenstone (jade) and glass blowing factories and now relies on tourism.
Lodging:
Jade Court Motor Lodge, 85 Fitzherbert Street, Hokitika.
Phone 03 755 8855 Fax. 03 755 8133
stay@jadecourt.co.nz
http://www.jadecourt.co.nz
Phone 03 443 9224 / Fax. 03 443 9246
Facilities: Internet facilities and laundry
Features: Luxury units in attractive garden setting.
Breakfast and dinner included. Lunch is not provided today.
|
|
|
DAY NINE
Hokitika to Franz Josef Glacier
CYCLING
Mt Hercules summit to Franz Josef: Cas. 51 km / 32 mi
Lake Ianthe to Franz Josef: Int. 80 km / 50 mi
Hokitika to Franz Josef Glacier: Adv. 135 km / 84.4 mi
|
| Hokitika is known for greenstone (jade) which is collected from local river beds and can be seen worked in a shop factory.
Crossing the Hokitika River we head south through native bush of rimu and kahikatea (white pine). The country is rolling with one climb after the town of Harihari and a final flat run from Whataroa. Entering Westland National Park as we pass beautiful Lake Mapourika, we have superb views of snow-capped peaks.
Lodging:
Punga Grove Motor Lodge, Franz Josef, Waiho Gorge, Westland.
Phone 03 752 0001 / Fax. 03 752 0002
host@pungagrove.co.nz
http://www.pungagrove.co.nz
Facilities: Laundry, spa pool, internet access.
Features: Peaceful rainforest setting with a backdrop of snow capped peaks and flowing glaciers. Walking distance to flightseeing operators.
Breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner are included.
|
DAY TEN
Franz Josef
REST DAY
|
 A walk up the glacier valley gives spectacular views of the terminal ice, while the Westland National Park Visitors Centres house a wealth of information. (Thirteen percent of N.Z. is national park.) Also highly recommended are ski- plane or helicopter flights over snowfields, forests and glaciers. Neighbouring Okarito Beach, site of Abel Tasman's landfall and once a thriving town, is a further option for those who want some more cycling.
Lodging:
Punga Grove Motor Lodge, Franz Josef, Waiho Gorge, Westland.
Phone 03 752 0001 / Fax. 03 752 0002
host@pungagrove.co.nz
http://www.pungagrove.co.nz
Facilities: Laundry, spa pool, internet access.
Features: Peaceful rainforest setting with a backdrop of snow capped peaks and flowing glaciers. Walking distance to flightseeing operators.
Breakfast included. Lunch and dinner are not provided today.
|
|
|
DAY ELEVEN
Franz Josef to Haast
CYCLING
Bruce Bay to Lake Moeraki: Cas. 43 km / 27 mi
Fox to Lake Moeraki: Int. 89 km./ 56 mi
Franz Josef to Haast: Adv. 145 km / 90.5 mi
|
| From Franz Josef to Fox Glacier is just 24 km, but includes three quite severe climbs (and descents); it is through beautiful native forest. The remaining terrain is very gently undulating. From Fox to Lake Paringa the road passes through lush rain forest of rimu and rata, flax filled swamps and past rugged hills. The many rivers become raging torrents after rain. With fine weather there will be superb views of Mt. Cook and the Southern Alps. Just south of Lake Moeraki, Knights Point affords excellent views of the rugged coastline where seals can often be seen basking in the sun.
Lodging:
Heritage Park Lodge. Marks Rd, Haast
Phone 03 750 0868
www.heritageparklodge.co.nz
Facilities: Ensuite units with tea/ coffee or kitchenette facilities, guest laundry
Features: Rainforest setting, close to scenic walks. Tavern and supermarket close by.
Breakfast and dinner are included. Lunch not included today.
|
DAY TWELVE
Haast to Makarora
CYCLING
Haast to Pleasant Flat: Cas. 49 km / 31 mi
Haast to Makarora: Adv. 86 km / 54 mi.
|
 From Haast we head inland, following the Haast River towards the snowcapped peaks. We pass innumerable waterfalls and much bird life, notably keas, fantails and bellbirds. After lunch the stiff climb through the Gates of Haast is negotiated before the gentle descent to Makarora.
Lodging:
Makarora Tourist Centre, Makarora
Phone (03) 443 8372 / Fax. (03) 443 1082
info@makarora.co.nz
http://www.makarora.co.nz/
Facilities: Swimming pool, restaurant.
Features: Jet boating up Wilkin River into Mt. Aspiring National Park.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.
|
|
|
DAY THIRTEEN
Makarora to Wanaka
CYCLING
Makarora to Hawea turnoff: Cas. 50 km / 31 mi.
Makarora to Wanaka: Int./Adv. 66 km / 41 mi
|
| The country is now dramatically drier, dense bush giving way to open sheep paddocks. The scenery is breathtaking as the road closely follows Lake Wanaka, crosses the Neck to Lake Hawea and then recrosses to Lake Wanaka.
Lodging:
Te Wanaka Lodge, 23 Brownston Street, Wanaka.
Phone: (03) 443 9224 / Fax: (03) 443 9246
info@tewanaka.co.nz
http://www.tewanaka.co.nz
Facilities: House bar, library, internet, garden hot tub and laundry facilities.
Features: Attractive boutique lodge in the town centre.
Lunch and dinner are not included today. There are excellent restaurants and cafes in Wanaka.
|
DAY FOURTEEN
Wanaka to Queenstown
CYCLING
Wanaka to Cardrona: Cas./Int. 27 km / 17 mi
Wanaka to Queenstown: Adv. 78 km / 49 mi.
|
| Our route today takes us up the Crown Range, over the Cardrona Road. We climb past the historic Cardrona Hotel; on reaching the top there will be amazing views of The Remarkables mountains and Queenstown. We descend the exhilarating hairpin bends down to Arrowtown, with its quaint old cottages and avenues of elms.
A short leisurely ride beneath Coronet Peak, a winter ski field, takes us to Arthur's Point where we cross the Shotover River on our way to Queenstown. Surrounded by mountain peaks (including the famous Remarkables), and set on Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown has much to offer.
Lodging:
Heartland Hotel, 27 Stanely St, Queenstown
Phone 03 442 7700
http://www.scenichotelgroup.co.nz/Hotel-By-Name/Heartland-Hotel-Queenstown-1/default.aspx
Facilities: Licensed bar, restaurant, wireless internet access, laundry.
Features: Comfortable hotel with excellent location - three minutes walk to town centre.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.
|
|
|
DEPARTURE DAY / DAY FIFTEEN
Queenstown
|
| Options today include a jet boat or rafting trip on the Kawarau or Shotover Rivers, the steamer "Earnslaw" to visit a high country sheep station, the gondola cableway, Skippers canyon, a flight to Milford Sound (fiord), and much more. Queenstown also has an excellent botanical garden and a very good shopping centre. It is here that we say farewell, a safe journey home and hope to see you again. |
|
THE FINE PRINT
|
Pricing
The New Zealand dollar price for this tour is fixed. The US dollar price is dependant on the exchange rate and is included to give you an indication of the price at the current rate. The final cost of the tour will also depend upon how many people sign up, as follows - so encourage your friends and family to join you!
All prices include a 15% local tax.
Single room supplement: NZ$1,490 (approx. $1,162)
Bike hire: NZ$475 (approx. $370)
We regularly upgrade our bikes (Trek 7.5 hybrids and Trek 2.1 H3 road bikes). All will be less than two years old.
These prices represent a discount of up to 30% on our projected rates for February 2013 - a great deal for Cascade members!
Registration
To sign up, please go to the secure Pedaltours Bookings Page and choose "Southern Grand especially for Cascade Bicycle Club" from the drop-down menu. Make sure to choose the correct dates (Jan. 21, 2013 - Feb. 4, 2013). Alternatively, call Pedaltours at 1 888 222-9187.
Cancellations
If for any reason it is necessary to cancel a reservation, the following will apply: Cancellations more than six weeks before trip departure, loss of full deposit. Cancellations within six weeks of departure will result in forfeiture of full payment.
There will be no refunds once a tour has commenced. We strongly recommend you take out travel, accident, medical, baggage and cancellation insurance. Medical Evacuation Insurance is compulsory in Vietnam. We advise against discounted airfares that carry restrictions.
Trip Inclusions
- Accommodations as specified
- Dinner x 11, lunch x 8, breakfast x 14
- Two Pedaltours drivers/guides
- Two minibuses and purpose built trailers to carry cycles and luggage (also tools and spares)
- Maps, one per day per cyclist, with profiles
- South Island map
- Wine with final dinner, four wine and cheese briefings
- Souvenir cycle jersey
Trip Exclusions
International Tours FAQ
Please read the Cascade-Affiliated International Tours FAQ for helpful information on participating on any International bicycle tour. Topics include renting a bike versus bringing your own, flight selection, trip insurance, spare parts, suggested gratuity guidelines and more.
Flight Plan
Cascade Bicycle Club recommends Seattle travel consultant Elizabeth Holmes Travel for booking airfare. Elizabeth Holmes supplies services to tour operators and travel media entities including Rick Steve’s Europe Through the Back Door, Rudy Maxa, the Savvy Traveller, Earthbound Expeditions and Tofino Expeditions. Most recently they were recommended in the National Geographic’s Adventure Magazine.
Please contact Sarah Ferris Scott at 206-547-8361 ext. 22 or visit www.elizabethholmes.com. The website will introduce you to current information and airfares; however, you must call for quotes.
Travel Insurance
Any policy you purchase should cover trip cancellation, loss of baggage, accident/loss of life, travel delays, and non-refundable airline tickets. You may also consider insurance that covers emergency medical evacuation. Search the web to find the best deal that suits your needs - and be sure to read the fine print. Carriers for travel insurance include Travel Guard and Travelex.
Weather notes
Please check Weather Underground or another weather site for seasonal weather patterns in New Zealand. In general, Feruary is an ideal month for travelling in New Zealand.
Rider Testimonials from 2011 Southern Grand Tour
A+. Marilyn was great!. A fabulous guide, beautiful country, great biking, good food and wine – all in all great value for the money.
- Deanna, Washington USA
Great scenery and interesting, relatively easy cycling.
- Tony, Australia
I liked the variety of cycling experiences; mostly quiet roads which were well researched and mapped. This was our second Pedaltours ride. Once again it was a very memorable experience, the organisation was of the highest standard and nothing was too much trouble, from pre-booking to every aspect of the ride.
- Robyn, Australia
|
|
|
|
Worried you might not be in good enough shape to tackle the hills? Join Cascade Ride Leaders this spring in the Cascade Training series. We'll be leading rides every weekend geared to getting YOU ready for this summer's big CBC rides. Visit the Activities Calendar for more information and ride listings.
|
|
|
|
