Starting Location
Dwarfed by the Southern Alps you will be immersed in breath taking scenery on the Canterbury Peaks to Plains cycle tour.
This cycle tour is ideal for those seeking a little more adventure than the usual cycle trail experience, but with luxury accommodation and bespoke dining to revitalise you after your days in the saddle.
Starting and finishing in Christchurch, your first mode of transport will be the scenic TransAlpine train to Arthurs Pass village. The ride from here is mainly on gravel roads, private farm tracks and some sealed roads. There are some hills to climb, but the majority if the route is gently undulating, rather than steep ups and downs and we have planned the days to allow plenty of time for each ride.
Our accommodation is a variety of luxurious lodges, hotels and even a secretive musterers hut, beautifully renovated and tucked away on a merino station dwarfed by the surrounding landscape. Throw into the mix an exhilarating jet boat transfer and you’ve got a small but perfectly formed Escape Adventures cycle tour. This is a supported loop tour – so you can ride the Canterbury Peaks to Plains Cycle Tour knowing that we have got your back!
The Biking Lowdown:
- A total distance up to 210 km spread over 5 days of biking.
- Riding distances, tour pace and refreshment stops have been designed around a pedal bike pace, but E bikes are absolutely welcome!
- Daily riding distances have been planned so that you have time to explore historic sights, take in the scenery and also enjoy the luxurious accommodation at the end of the day.
- We encourage an early start so that you have time to recharge at the end of the day.
- 25- 58km riding per day on a wonderfully scenic riding route in an area relatively untouched by cycle tourers. Approximately 20% sealed roads / 80% gravel roads and farm tracks.
- There will be mostly undulating terrain with some sustained climbs and descents, our main variable will be the prevailing nor’wester.
- Dirt/gravel road biking experience will add to the enjoyment of your tour.
Our ‘Sag Wagon’ support is available (most of the time) should you need a break from the saddle.
Itinerary:
Day 1: Take the TranzAlpine Train into the mountains - 25km
Meet with your tour leaders & fellow bikers at… the Train Station! We’ll have a pre-tour briefing, then your tour begins with a scenic ride on the famous Tranz Alpine railway line out to Arthur’s Pass. Take a walk through this village steeped in history or clamber some stairs to the Devil’s Punchbowl waterfall before lunch. Then we hop on our bikes for a warmup ride and to enjoy the mountain scenery.
Day 2: Discover Mt White Station By Bike - 25-40km
We have all day to dig deep into the history of Mt white Station and learn about their current operations. Head out for a morning ride on the farm tracks, then relax for the afternoon at the purpose built lodge, wander through the farm buildings or chat to a passing shepherd.
Day 3: Exploring Kura Tawhiti and lakeside cycling - 47km
A short vehicle transfer takes us to the Kura Tawhiti Conservation Area – or Castle Hill! We’ve got time to explore the famous limestone rock battlements before we gear up and hit the road on our bikes. Its smooth seal to start, then we turn south and take a 4WD road past glistening alpine lakes towards Windwhistle and the mighty Rakaia river. Taste buds will tingle tonight, as we’re taken on a culinary journey using quintessential Canterbury ingredients in a bespoke dining experience.
Day 4: Jet Boat Rakaia Gorge to a private musterers hut - 28-40km
We start the day ON the Rakaia River! An exhilarating jet boat ride up the gorge gives us a whole new perspective and some interesting insights to the geology of the area. We meet our bikes upriver and pedal on dirt tracks through a working merino sheep station. Our accommodation is a bit different this evening. Inaccessible to the general public, we stay at a beautifully renovated musterer’s hut. It’s shared quarters like you’ve never seen before… Even the shower has stunning views!
Day 5: Pedal rural roads of the Canterbury plains - 58km
Wake up to enjoy the scenery and sip your coffee out on the deck. Today is your last day of riding! We’re pedaling past the working station buildings this morning, and we might be lucky enough to see a mob of merino sheep being brought down from the hills. Then we are on our way to the edge of Lake Heron, following quiet rural roads down towards the canterbury plains. Our last night is close to Escape Adventures headquarters, you’ll be eating like a local but with a decadent twist, the menu has been designed to showcase the best of what New Zealand has to offer, with locally sourced ingredients stealing the limelight.
Day 6: Farewell
After our final leisurely breakfast together, we transfer back to Christchurch. We will aim for midday and say our goodbyes. Stay on an explore Ōtautahi and the surrounds or onwards travel.
Other Dates Available:
February 16th - 21st 2025