New Zealand Biking
"Picture the Oregon coast on one side of the road and the Tetons on the other, without a stoplight all day," says Condé Nast Traveler of the South Island’s west coast. Join Backroads for a feast of biking and beauty in this place where sheep farms rub elbows with rain forests, alpine peaks host thundering waterfalls and deserted beaches welcome crashing breakers. Each biking day underscores New Zealand's endless beauty and diversity, and just when you think it couldn't get any better, it does. To top it all off, you’ll rarely encounter people more genuine than New Zealanders.
Day 1 Punakaiki
Meet in Christchurch 
Take the famous TranzAlpine train from one side of the island to the other, enjoying views of the Canterbury Plains and the spectacular gorges of the Waimakariri River Follow the river to the Tasman Sea, where the pounding surf awaits Arrive at Punakaiki, known for its impressive ocean "geysers."
Day 2 Hokitika
Bike along the dramatic Tasman coastline, bordered by rain forest Explore the town of Hokitika, famous for pounamu (New Zealand jade).
Day 3 Franz Josef
Pedal through dense marshland, bush reserves, verdant paddocks and old-growth forests on your way to Mount Hercules and Westland National Park.
Day 4 Fox Glacier
Hike up the stunning Franz Josef Glacier, where ice meets the rain forest For the truly fit, bike the challenging Fox Hills to Fox Glacier, or skip the pedaling and get there using van and foot power.
Days 5-6 Lake Moeraki
Ride to picturesque Lake Matheson and stroll along the shore Enjoy the beauty of the coastal rain forest as you spin to Lake Moeraki Tackle coastal climbs and savor fantastic views of the Tasman Sea Walk to Munro Beach, where you can feed eels or just kick back.
Days 7-8 Lake Wanaka
Discover the waterfall-laced Haast World Heritage area on the most spectacular and challenging ride of the trip Climb Haast Pass and pedal along Lakes Makorora and Hawea en route to sapphire Lake Wanaka Opt for a scenic flight and cruise to the spectacular Milford Sound Visit beautiful Lake Hawea Station for an afternoon of sheepshearing and sheepdog demonstrations.
Days 9-10 queenstown
Follow the Clutha and Kawarau Rivers past vineyards in one of New Zealand’s fastest-growing wine regions.
KIWI COMFORTS: Premiere Inns
Punakaiki Rocks Hotel (1 night): Adjacent to Paparoa National Park, enjoy the beautiful views of the dramatic Tasman Sea from your oceanfront room.
Beachfront Hotel Hokitika (1 night): Steps away from the beach and surrounded by views of the ocean, rain forest and Southern Alps.
Westwood Lodge (1 night): Spacious, warmly finished guest rooms overlook the rugged terrain at this inviting and secluded lodge.
Te Weheka (1 night): Tastefully furnished rooms with private balconies offer expansive vistas in a stunning locale near the Fox Glacier.
Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki (2 nights): Few places on Earth can match the unique natural setting of this family-run riverside hideaway in the rain forest.
Edgewater Resort Hotel (2 nights): Enjoy the beautiful mountain and lake panoramas from the window of your well-appointed and spacious lakeshore suite.
Nugget Point Resort (1 night): An intimate full-service resort in a spectacular setting overlooking Shotover Gorge.
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
Day 1
- Level 2 1 Route Option Available
- 26 miles
- 300 feet elevation gain
Day 2
- Levels 2 to 4 2 Route Options Available
- 26, 51 miles
- 1000 - 1500 feet elevation gain
Day 3
- Levels 4 to 5 3 Route Options Available
- 45, 65, 82 miles
- 1500 - 3000 feet elevation gain
Day 4
- Levels 2-3
3 Route Options Available
- Optional Hiking 2, 4 miles
- 500-1000 feet elevation gain
- Optional Biking 15 miles
- 2150 feet elevation gain
Day 5
- Levels 3 to 4 2 Route Options Available
- 45, 61 miles
- 500 - 1000 feet elevation gain
Day 6
- Levels 2 to 4 2 Route Options Available
- 21, 42 miles
- 1000 - 2000 feet elevation gain
- Optional Hiking 1.5 hours
Day 7
- Levels 3 to 5 4 Route Options Available
- 40, 62, 71, 90 miles
- 1000 - 5000 feet elevation gain
Day 8
- Level 3 1 Route Option Available
- 32 miles
- 500 feet elevation gain
Day 9
- Levels 3 to 4 2 Route Options Available
- 35, 45 miles
- 500 - 1000 feet elevation gain
Day 10
- Conclusion of Trip
Routes For All Abilities
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.
| Activity Level | Average Time | Biking Average | Walking Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | 2-3 hours | 10-20 mile | 2-5 miles |
| Level 2 | 2-4 hours | 21-30 miles | 5-7 miles |
| Level 3 | 3-5 hours | 31-40 miles | 7-9 miles |
| Level 4 | 4-6 hours | 41-55 miles | 9-11 miles |
| Level 5 | 5-7+ hours | 56-75+ miles | 11-13+ miles |
2010 DATES
CLASSIC TRIPS
- 12/19-28Price: $4098 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1490 for sgl. occ.)
- 12/31-1/9Price: $4298 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1490 for sgl. occ.)
The trip you have selected is different from the one displayed. Here's how:
Hotel Rotation: On Day 4 we will stay at Westwood Lodge.
2011 DATES
CLASSIC TRIPS
- 1/12-21Price: $3998 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1490 for sgl. occ.)
- 2/9-18Price: $3998 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1490 for sgl. occ.)
The trip you have selected is different from the one displayed. Here's how:
Hotel Variation: On Nights 3 & 4, we will stay at Westwood Lodge. - 3/9-18Price: $3998 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1490 for sgl. occ.)
The trip you have selected is different from the one displayed. Here's how:
Hotel Variation: On Nights 3 & 4, we will stay at Westwood Lodge. - 11/16-25Price: $3998 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1490 for sgl. occ.)
- 12/21-30Price: $3998 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1490 for sgl. occ.)
Guest Trip Reviews
The best active vacation I've ever experienced. Everybody should see New Zealand at least once in their lifetime, and this Backroads trip is the best way to do it.- Park City, UT
I recently traveled with Backroads to New Zealand, and I believe it was one of the defining vacations of my life (and I have probably been on several thousand vacations in my life). Two reasons it was so terrific were the leaders. Both represented Backroads at its best: attentive, gentlemanly, athletic, sensitive to the guests' needs, and always there when you needed them.- New York, NY
Great fun and excellent coordination of every detail by your team. Everything from the pre-trip information, to the day-in and day-out support, was handled perfectly. The Backroads Team operated with great efficiency and a smile throughout. I don't think we could have asked for a better prepared or more enthusiastic group of folks to spend the ten days with. Easy to see that the value of your brand and business is anchored by the quality of your people. Credit to Backroads for being able to recruit and retain talented staff and trip leaders.- Marana, AZ
This was my first bike trip and I will admit that I was nervous about it. My husband is the biker in the family, but my trepidation was overcome by my desire to share this experience with him. I need not have worried. Your leaders never once made me feel that I was an encumbrance. With their expert advice and warm support I felt as good about reaching my own goals as did those who were able to finish every mile. Kudos to you for your excellent choice of staff and obvious good training. I have been singing the praises of Backroads ever since we returned. Thank you for a wonderful experience!- Portland, ME
I love your trips. I had no idea about what New Zealand was like and now I feel I have learned so much. We are so well taken care of, the biking is perfect for all levels, and I saw so much of the country.- Issaquah, WA
I cannot say enough good things about this trip. I believe it was a combination of great leaders, a great group and of course the wonderful country.- Naples, FL
I would do this trip over and over again - it was fantastic. The leaders were great, knowledgable, funny, motivational, supportive, organized... Thanks for a great experience!- Stoneham, MA