New Zealand’s Wine Trail
New Zealand Bike Tours
Bike in New Zealand and discover the Marlborough Region
- Tour Type
- Skill Level
- Length5 days
- Prices fromNZ$2015 Rates
- Book This Trip
Overview
This bike tour in New Zealand is perfect for the food connoisseur or anyone who enjoys a good glass of wine! This cycle vacation allows you to relax and celebrate a few of the sweeter things in life: biking in New Zealand through stunning scenery, tasting some of the finest wines, and enjoying beautiful, four and five-star accommodations as you cycle through the Marlborough region of this incredible country.
Marlborough is one of the world's top 10 wine destinations, with the world's best Sauvignon Blancs but also delicious Chardonnay, Riesling, and Pinot Noir. This is a rural but beautiful region with quiet roads that are ideal for relaxing cycling.
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Itinerary
There are two options possible for this tour. Please see itineraries below for details!
Option 1:
Day 1: Arrival Blenheim
Day 2: Blenheim to The Bell Tower, 15 mi. (25 km)
Day 3: The Bell Tower to Old St. Mary's Convent, 12 mi. (20 km)
Day 4: Old St. Mary's Convent to The Peppertree, 15 mi. (25 km)
Day 5: Departure from Blenheim, 15 mi. (25 km)*All distances are approximate.
Day 1: Arrival in Blenheim
Sunny Blenheim, the heart of the Marlborough district, is a busy country town with interesting shops, cafes, and buildings. Nearby Pollard Park has wonderful gardens, a 9-hole golf course, tennis courts, and a fitness trail. Tonight's accommodations are in Hotel d'Urville, an elegant boutique hotel in a historic building in Blenheim's center. If you'd like to pick up your bike today, you will be greeted at the shop and fitted for your bicycle. For an excellent evening meal in a delightful setting, the d'Urville Wine Bar and Brasserie may be the perfect place.Day 2: Blenheim to the Bell Tower, 15 mi. (25 km)
Today is an easy day of cycling and you can take a leisurely tour of local sights en route to your destination, a boutique lodge set in stunning scenery, overlooking vineyards. Wither Hills walkway has great views of Blenheim and the Wairau Plains. Here you can see the studio of award-winning artist, Fran Maguire, known for eclectic ceramic sculptures and tableware. Villa Maria Marlborough, Matua Marlborough, and Fromm Winery are well-established vineyards that are worth a visit! Then, perhaps have a late lunch at the Tuscan-style Highfield Estate Winery. You arrive at The Bell Tower Boutique Lodge on Dog Point in the early afternoon.Day 3: The Bell Tower to Old St. Mary's Convent, 12 mi. (20 km)
After enjoying a delicious breakfast, get ready for a day of cycling through gorgeous vineyards and quality wine tasting. The first stop is Grove Mill with its award winning wines, extensive wine library, and gallery. Seresin Estate is another exciting and stylish winery. Framingham is a must-see, for its small batch whites, and its charismatic host. You can enjoy lunch today at Cellier le Brun, known for its underground cellars. Forrest and Hunter's are also two other great wineries of note. Tonight you will stay at the charming Old Saint Mary's Convent Estate, which has won several travel accolades. For dinner, Gibb's Vineyard Restaurant is highly recommended.Day 4: Old St. Mary's Convent to The Peppertree, 15 mi. (25 km)
Your route today includes, at least, four more vineyards of note. Allan Scott Family Winemakers offers tastings in a beautiful setting. Also, the famous winery that took New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc from 'curiosity to respectability', Cloudy Bay. Then, Drylands Estate, and St. Clair. As a last stop, see Price's Traditional Country Preserves. If you choose to return your bike today, your host can drive you to your luxury, vineyard Bed and Breakfast. Alternatively, you can cycle along the scenic route to Peppertree. Enjoy dinner at one of the many nearby restaurants or let your hosts know if you would prefer a leisurely dinner at tonight's accommodations.Day 5: Departure from Blenheim, 15 mi. (25 km)
Enjoy a country-style breakfast in the elegant dining room and stroll around the lovely garden before your tour ends. If you dropped your bikes off yesterday, a shuttle will collect you mid-morning and transfer you to a location of your choice in central Blenheim. If you cycled to The Peppertree yesterday, you must return your bike by 4:30 pm (your luggage will have been transferred to the bike shop earlier, for your convenience). You will leave with wonderful memories of Marlborough, and perhaps a few bottles of Marlborough wines.Option 2:
Day 1: Christchurch to Kaikoura
An early start from the Christchurch Railway station begins a memorable journey via the rugged wild Pacific Coastline to Kaikoura. Your hosts will meet you and transfer you to your beachfront hotel. The afternoon can be spent at your leisure. Local tour operators offer the chance to watch whales, dolphins, seabirds and many other species of marine life on a daily basis; by boat, flight, and by land. With wetsuits provided, visitors can even join dolphins and seals in their ocean environment. Kaikoura boasts a great selection of restaurants, also offering you local seafood.Day 2: Kaikora to Blenheim, no cycling
After breakfast,the last 2 hours of your train journey to Blenheim.Blenheim is in the heart of New Zealand’s Marlborough district and is a busy country town full of interesting shops and cafes. An hour’s stroll will take you from historical buildings to modern architecture.Hotel d’Urville is a fine & elegant boutique hotel situated within the historic Public Trust Building.Bill from Spokesmans Cycles will fit your bikes and orientate you with the local area. The rest of the afternoon is at your own leisure.For an excellent evening meal in a delightful setting, try the d’Urville Wine Bar and Brasserie.Day 3: Hotel d'Urville to The Bell Tower Boutique Lodge, 15 mi. (25 km)
Your destination today is ‘The Bell Tower, a boutique lodge situated amid stunning scenery overlooking Marlborough's vineyards. The first stop of today is Fran Maguire’s Pottery studio. Fran is an artist with a passion for clay and food which is reflected in her brightly colored, unique tableware. Visit Brancott Estate (with fabulous views) on Brancott Road. You may want to have lunch in this beautiful spot or carry on to the nearby Tuscan style Highfield Estate. Arrive at The Bell Tower Boutique Lodge on Dog Point early afternoon ready to be spoiled. Your host will provide some great recommendations for dinner in nearby restaurants.Day 4: The Bell Tower to the Peppertree luxury, B&B, 19 mi. (30 km)
Prepare yourself for a day of quality wine tasting. Visit Seresin Estate where only grapes from their organic and biodynamic vineyards are used in the production of their wine. Julie & Howard from The Boutique Gibson Bridge Vineyard, loves to share their passion for wine. Cycle through Forrest Wines and see Georges Michael Wine Estate and the family winemakers of Allan Scott. Your last evening can be spent relaxing in one of Peppertrees beautiful garden spots. Savour local produce from The Peppertrees own organic orchard and from the famous Marlborough area.Day 5: Departure from Blenheim, 9 mi. (15 km)
Enjoy a country-style breakfast in the elegant dining room and stroll around the lovely garden before your tour ends. If you dropped your bikes off yesterday, a shuttle will collect you mid-morning and transfer you to a location of your choice in central Blenheim. If you cycled to The Peppertree yesterday, you must return your bike by 4:30 pm (your luggage will have been transferred to the bike shop earlier, for your convenience). You'll leave with wonderful memories of Marlborough, and perhaps a few bottles of Marlborough wines.View all our featured bicycle tours, specials, and news or look at our full list of bike tours in Europe.
Accommodation
Accommodations in 4-5 star bed and breakfasts and hotels.
Inclusions
What’s Included
- 4 nights’ accommodations in 4-5 star hotels and lodges
- 4 x breakfasts
- Hotel to hotel luggage transfer
- Multi-geared bicycle with helmet and pannier
- Route descriptions & maps
- Option 2 only
- 1 x light dinner
- Train ride from Christchurch
- Transfer to restaurant for dinner and return taxi to Bell Tower (Day 3)
What’s Not Included
- Transfers to and from airport
- Lunches and Dinners
- Travel Insurance
Dates & Pricing
Dates
Arrival possible mid October to early April (Spring, Summer, and Autumn in New Zealand)
*Recommended times: November to mid December and February to end of March.Please Note
- Rates are per person, based on double occupancy
- Tour prices are based on the fuel costs at time prices are set, often months or years in advance. In rare cases, additional fees may apply for fuel cost increases.
- Information to read before you book
- We recommend purchasing trip insurance
- Please see our FAQ
Pricing
Option 1 (Valid for bookings up until May 31, 2014): $2015
Option 2: $2085
Single supplement: $985
Extra Info
Skill Level — Easy
This is an easy, self-guided tour with average daily distances from 12 to 15 miles (20 to 25 km).
Airport Info
Fly to Auckland International Airport (AKL). Other options are Wellington or Christchurch Airports.
Local Travel
From Auckland, there are daily flights to Blenheim.
From Wellington, Air NZ Link service operates several flights to Blenheim’s domestic airport (flight is approximately 15 min.)
From Christchurch, there is a daily train to Blenheim that departs around 7am and arrives around noon. There are also daily shuttles between CHC and Blenheim. Trip is about 5 hours. Daily flights are also possible through Air NZ.
Climate
Average high/low temperatures in degrees F for the region are: January 74°/53°, February 74°/54°, and March 71°/51°.
Recommended
If flying into Christchurch, an extra night in Kaikora (midway point between CHC and Blenheim) is recommended. Here, you can participate in a whale watch boat trip or swimming with the dolphins excursion.
Tour Operator
This tour is run by Pacific Cycling.
We value the strong relationship we have with our local partners and the services we provide.
We are not a broker.
We do not inflate tour prices.
We are simply travelers helping travelers.Would you like to learn more About Us? How about What Makes Us Different than other companies?
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