South Island Gravel Explorer

Today we find our cycle legs with a stunning ride on Banks Peninsula, one of New Zealand's most unique landforms. There is a decent climb but well rewarded with stunning views! We start with a 1 hour drive out of Christchurch and set off riding along a flat lakeside trail to warm up the legs. There's a short walk across a pebble estuary before we start the gravel climb up the Bossu Road to a panoramic ridge. This is the crater rim of an extinct volcano with incredible views towards the Canterbury Plains, the snowy Southern Alps and into the vivid blue harbour. We eventually drop down to the tiny settlement of Wainui and enjoy a picnic lunch at the water's edge. After lunch it's just a short ride through to the small settlement of Duvauchelle where we'll load up and drive back to the city centre and our hotel, arriving in the late afternoon. Cycling Distance: Little River to Wainui - approx 33km Wainui to Duvauchelle - 12km Elevation Gain: 1083m 75% unpaved

Meals:  L,D

After breakfast, we load up our gear and drive to the small settlement of Cave on the edge of the Canterbury Plains with a coffee stop at Pleasant Point. This area, New Zealand’s only “flat” land, is wide open country with braided rivers teeming with trout and salmon. The Canterbury Plains are also rich in sheep and dairy farming and today’s ride finds us traveling through a pastoral landscape. Today our ride takes us up the Little Opawa River Valley and over the Waratah Saddle, winding through rolling farmland. We then head towards the tussock covered hills and over the Mackenzie Saddle (785m/2575ft) which cuts through the ranges and gives us our first views of the vast arid Mackenzie Country, where rivers flow through sweeping tussock plains with a backdrop of the snowy alps. We head northwards to meet the main highway at Dog Kennel Corner, a memorial to the importance of sheep dogs, prior to formal fencing of farmland. Here we load up to drive the final 15km along the main road to Tekapo. In early summer this road is lined with lupins creating an incredible splash of colour to the arid landscape. Upon arrival in Lake Tekapo, we take in views of the amazing turquoise water and the Southern Alps from the Church of the Good Shepherd. Dinner at your leisure tonight. Cycling Distance: Cave to Dog Kennel Corner - 66km Elevation Gain: 1293m 76% unpaved

Meals:  B,L

This morning we retrace our steps by vehicle to Dog Kennel Corner and start riding from the turn off where we see a sign pointing to Hakataramea Pass. On gravel from the start, we leave civilisation and climb towards an indigo sky, lofty views of the Southern Alps and the cloud piercer, Aoraki/Mt Cook behind us are now even more imposing above the Mackenzie Basin, whose truly vast scale is more easily appreciated as we approach the pass. The pass, marked with a fence-line, gate and signposts to destinations in both directions, proudly announces the pass is at 965m (3230ft) above sea level. A short winding descent leads to the broad Hakataramea Valley. The imposing Kirkliston Range to the west towers above the ordered, rolling farmland and we descend to Kurow, a small town where the Hakataramea and Waitaki valleys meet and our overnight stop. Cycling Distance: Hakataramea Road to Kurow – 76km Elevation Gain: 646m 54% unpaved

Meals:  B,L,D

Today's journey takes us over the remote alpine Dansey's Pass, a historic stock route and gold mining route linking the Waitaki District with Central Otago. The route today is not suitable for towing vehicles so we will be without the van support as the van will be relocated on alternative roads. From Kurow, the cycle trail takes us along the banks of the Waitaki River, past vineyards and a Maori rock art site to reach the small town of Duntroon. From there we head up the graveled Dansey's Pass road and onward and upward over the fractured Kakanui Mountains. We cycle through sections of gorge where the road clings to the cliff side and finally up to the barren tussock covered pass at 935m where huge triangular faced mountains tower above. From the summit we coast for 9km descending to our accommodation at the Dansey's Pass Coach House at the former gold mining settlement of Kyeburn Diggings. The hotel's original stonework was constructed in 1862 by a mason known as “Happy Bill”. Bill’s remuneration was in beer, and he received one pint for every schist boulder shaped and laid! In the afternoon there are options to ride to the old settlement of Naseby, cycle through the Naseby forest or participate in a game of curling. We can relax with a drink in front of the large fireplace and explore the old Kyeburn cemetery and mining relics before dinner. Cycling Distance: Kurow to Kyeburn Diggings - 79km Elevation Gain: 1347m 79% unpaved

Meals:  B,L,D

Today definitely qualifies as a Queen stage for the trip in terms of distance but the terrain is mostly on an old railway line so hard packed shingle and no steep climbs make the riding relatively straightforward! The main feature of the ride is the best section of New Zealand’s original and most famous “Great Ride,” the Otago Central Rail Trail. Steeped in history, this off-road rail trail offers a scenic and historic journey into the Central Otago heartland. This ever-changing landscape includes rugged mountains, crystal clear rivers, and steep winding gorges. Keen riders can choose to ride the extra 33kms to reach the Rail Trail from our accommodation, with the rest joining in from the iconic Wedderburn Station. From here it’s a steady climb to the highest point on the trail before dropping down to cycle over the impressive Poolburn viaduct and Manuherikia Bridge and through the 229m Poolburn tunnel. With views of the Dunstan Mountains and the Raggedy Range, we continue on to Alexandra, our home for the next 2 nights. Dinner at your leisure tonight. Cycling Distance: Wedderburn to Alexandra - 108km Elevation Gain: 735m Unpaved : 92%

Meals:  B,L

Today we get to ride on 2 stunning NZ Great Rides (Clutha Gold Trail & Roxburgh Gorge Trail) alongside the mighty Clutha River. The day begins with a drive to Beaumont where we start on the Clutha Gold Trail, riding 20kms through the scenic Beaumont Gorge. Emerging from the Gorge, we’ll reach the small farming settlement of Millers Flat. The next 30kms takes us past interesting riverside landmarks and deep into the orchard-lands of the Teviot Valley. The impressive Roxburgh hydro dam marks the end of one trail and the start of the next. With amazing vistas across the Lake Roxburgh the trail drops into a gorge and then heads away from the water passing through a small secluded valley and into sweeping hill country. At Elbow Creek, it’s a gradual descent to Shingle Creek, to meet a jet boat taking us 13km upriver to Doctor’s Point. The second half of the Roxburgh trail is equally remote and awe-inspiring with stone-walled water races and other remnants of gold mining activity. We emerge from the gorge back in Alexandra. Clutha Gold/Roxburgh Gorge Trails : 77km Elevation Gain: 620m plus 10km Jetboat 85% unpaved

Meals:  B,L,D

Today is the culmination of our epic adventure as we cycle the iconic Great Ride, the Lake Dunstan Trail. This spectacular ride takes us through unique and fascinating landscapes so characteristic of Central Otago as it journeys along the Clutha, the Kawarau River and the shores of Lake Dunstan. The region’s rich modern, pioneering and Maori historical stories are integrated along the way, some of which are brought to life in Clyde and Cromwell Historical Precinct. First, we begin with a delightful ride along the River trail from Alexandra to Clyde where we then join the Lake Dunstan Trail. From Clyde, you pass the historically controversial hydroelectric Clyde Dam, responsible for damming the Clutha River and creating of Lake Dunstan. Next up, the stunning Cromwell Gorge where you cycle around sheer rock faces and over lake inlets on impressively engineered platforms and bridges rising above Lake Dunstan, eventually meeting the Kawarau River at Cornish Point. Passing vineyards and olive groves the trail crosses the Bannockburn Bridge and ducks into the Cromwell Heritage Precinct where we’ll have a brief stop to explore before heading along the shores of Lake Dunstan where the trail finishes part way up the lake. Our concluding drive takes us through the picturesque Kawerau Gorge to Queenstown, passing the vine-lined Gibbston Valley and the famous Kawerau Bungy Bridge, ultimately reaching Queenstown, the grand finale of our gravel adventure. You will be dropped at a central location in town. Cycling Distance: 71km Elevation Gain : +698m 95% unpaved

Meals:  B,L