Tour Aotearoa – South Island

Tour Aotearoa – South Island runs the length of the South Island from Picton to Bluff, covering around 1,250 km over 12 days of riding. The route climbs out of the Marlborough Sounds, threads goldfields country to Nelson and Lake Rotoroa, then crosses to the West Coast via Reefton and Greymouth, picking up the West Coast Wilderness Trail to Hokitika.

From there riders continue past Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers (with a rest day at the glaciers), over Haast Pass and along Lake Wānaka to Cromwell, Queenstown and Walter Peak Station, finishing through Southland's high country and flat farmland into Bluff.

They cap the tour at eight riders, with one staff member driving, navigating and providing light mechanical support, plus a support vehicle that can't reach every trail section.

Highlights:

• Ride the Tasman Great Taste Trail and cross Braeburn and Maruia Saddles to the West Coast
• Follow the West Coast Wilderness Trail from Kumara to Hokitika
• Rest day among the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers
• Climb Haast Pass through Mount Aspiring National Park to Lake Wānaka
• Cross Lake Wakatipu by boat to Walter Peak Station and ride through the Von Valley to Mavora Lakes
• Finish through Southland's plains into Bluff at Stirling Point

Surface and terrain:

Roughly 35% sealed road, 30% cycle trail and 25% gravel, the rest beach or forest single track. Terrain is hilly with saddle climbs (Braeburn, Maruia, Haast Pass) and variable trail surfaces at an average speed near 15 km/h. Hardtail/full-suspension MTB, gravel or touring bikes with wide tyres suit best.

Suitable for:

Seasoned cyclists capable of around 100 km/day over varied, often off-road terrain, comfortable with gravel, single track and sustained saddle climbs.