At a Glance
Enjoy three days of glorious cycling, explore the best sections of Tasman's Great Taste Trail, and stay at the luxury retreat Te Koi Lodge set on Nelson's Bronte Peninsula with views across Waimea Estuary. This is the ultimate combination of relaxation and adventure.
Tasman's Great Taste Trail is a network of cycleways along a sparkling coast, looping through the Tasman region's picturesque countryside dotted with galleries, vineyards and restaurants. The trail is part of Nga Haerenga, the New Zealand Cycle Trail network, one of 22 New Zealand's Great Rides. You will ride on the trail to enjoy postcard-perfect views.
At the end of your daily cycling adventure, return to the luxury secluded retreat - Te Koi Lodge looking out to the stunning waters of the Waimea Estuary. Here, you will immerse yourself ...
Trip Highlights
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What's Included
- 2 nights' accommodation on a twin share basis (single supplement available at additional expenses). Stay at at the luxury secluded retreat - Te Koi Lodge looking out to the stunning waters of the Waimea Estuary (5 star luxury boutique lodge)
- 3 days self guided cycling. Includes bike hire, helmet, pannier day bag and water bottle as well as ferry ticket and route map
- Great New Zealand food and wine. 2 breakfasts and 2 dinners. Pre-dinner drinks and canapés, 3-course dinners prepared from fresh local produce, and fine local award-winning wines that delight your palette
Itinerary
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Cycling distance: approx. 43 km (Easy to Moderate Grade). We can tailor the cycling route to suit your fitness level. Pick up from Nelson accommodation in the morning, and transfer to Kaiteriteri. Today you will cycle on the Tasman's Great Taste Trail from Kaiteriteri to Mapua. Some of highlights on the Tasman's Great Taste Trail: Kaiteriteri to Motueka via Riwaka (17.5 km) After Riwaka, you'll ride to Motueka. This is a short section and it’s flat. And it’s "honesty box" country so expect some fresh fruit (in season) including apples, pears, nashi, grapes, feijoas, citrus and melons. Motueka to Mapua via Tasman (26 km) Take time to explore the pretty coastal village of Mapua. Relax and explore the vibrant Mapua community including bars, cafes, restaurants, museums and galleries. It is casual and laid-back here, with kids swimming, busy cafes, a brewery, and hot smoked fish and chips best eaten straight out of the paper. And pick up a patisserie or two in the village too, they are pretty hard to resist. Door-to-door return transport to luxury lodge - Te Koi Lodge (or Stonefly Lodge if Te Koi Lodge is not available). Immerse yourself in pure luxury at this secluded retreat looking out to the stunning waters of the Waimea Estuary. Enjoy pre-dinner drinks and Hors d’oeuvres and 3-course table d’hote dinner; each course wine matched with quality New Zealand wines. |
Te Koi Lodge (or Stonefly Lodge)
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Cycling distance: approx. 47 km (Easy to Moderate Grade). We can tailor the cycling route to suit your fitness level. Some highlights of your day: Enjoy a relaxed breakfast at the lodge endowing the Bronte Peninsula with views of the Waimea estuary and surrounding greenery. You will be transferred to Spooners Tunnel and ride to Mapua today. Start your first section of ride from Spooners Tunnel to the charming historic village of Wakefield. This is a rail route, which stopped service in 1955. Cycling through the 1.4km disused railway tunnel soft blackness, you feel as if you are riding through space. Then ride from Wakefield to Brightwater Vineyard. This vineyard won the Air NZ Trophy for their Pinot Noir in 2015. This section is very pretty as the countryside here is dotted with pretty rural buildings and large trees. The landscape here is full of history. This is a very easy leg, flat all the way. From Brightwater, ride on the Coastal Route and on to Rabbit Island (38km). The Coastal Route then follows around the edge of the estuary (with interesting coastal bird life), with boardwalks and pretty reedy sections, before emerging at the beachfront at Rabbit Island. Take a break on the beach here before continuing on pine forest trails to Mapua, bristling with cafes, galleries and a small, beautifully landscaped beachfront park. Door-to-door return transport to luxury lodge - Te Koi Lodge (or Stonefly Lodge if Te Koi Lodge is not available). Immerse yourself in pure luxury at this secluded retreat looking out to the stunning waters of the Waimea Estuary. Enjoy pre-dinner drinks and Hors d’oeuvres and 3-course table d’hote dinner; each course wine matched with quality New Zealand wines. |
Te Koi Lodge (or Stonefly Lodge)Breakfast, Dinner |
Cycling distance: approx. 38 km (Easy to Moderate). We can tailor the cycling route to suit your fitness level. Enjoy a relaxed breakfast at the lodge endowing the Bronte Peninsula with views of the Waimea estuary and surrounding greenery. Woodstock to Riwaka is an on-road section which is very quiet and lovely - and gently downhill virtually all the way, following the Motueka River. Enjoy the occasional roadside fruit stall, the tobacco and hop kilns, lovely picnic spots (and one fabulous swimming spot) beside the river here. Pick up from Riwaka and drop you off back to Nelson accommodation or airport. |
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Dates & Prices
Daily departure on request. Please contact us to book if you have a group of more than 12 people.
More Info
The departure point is Nelson, New Zealand.
How to Get to Nelson, NZ
BY SEA
Regular Cook Strait ferries provide vehicle and passenger access between Wellington in the North Island and Picton in the South Island.
BY AIR
Nelson is fortunate to have five airlines servicing the region: Air New Zealand, Jetstar, Originair, Sounds Air and air2there in and out of Nelson Airport, along with Golden Bay Air, based at Takaka in Golden Bay.
BY ROAD
The Nelson Tasman region is accessible by road from Christchurch, Blenheim, Picton, the West Coast and Murchison.
Nelson Tasman has sunny Mediterranean climate. Summer months have long sunny days with sunset at around 8.30pm. The summer temperatures average a high of 24 degrees celsius and low of 12 degrees celsius. There are 7 rain days on average, during summer.
Day 1: Cycle Kaiteriteri to Mapua, approx. 43 km
Day 2: Cycle from Spooners tunnel to Mapua via Rabbit island, approx. 47 km
Day 3: Cycle from Woodstock to Riwaka approx. 38 km
Total: Approximately 128 km cycling
All the distances can be tailored to suit.
Onlyluxe Travel acts as travel agency and work with different tour operators.
Payment Detail
All pricing is in Australian dollars and are quoted on a per person twin share basis. A supplementary price is available (see below). Bookings are not confirmed until full payment and the signed Booking Form has been received by Onlyluxe Travel.
A non-refundable 30% deposit is payable within 7 days of your booking, with the final balance due 60 days prior to departure. If a booking is made 60 days or less before departure, the full payment is payable immediately. Last minute bookings are payable before arrival. Failure to pay on time may result in automatic cancellation of a booking with cancellation penalties payable to Onlyluxe Travel. If you pay by credit card or PayPal a surcharge will be added to the total price.
Single Supplement
All accommodation is twin share. Single guests will share with someone of the same gender. If a single room is demanded, a supplementary price of will apply. The supplementary price refers to our quotation and needs to be stipulated at the time of booking.
General Cancellation Policies
- Outside of 60 days monies will be refunded less 30% of full fee
- Within 60 days prior to arrival all monies will be forfeited
- No refunds will be given in the event of non-arrival, any unused services or unused nights due to flight or weather disruption
- We strongly recommend guests protect themselves with travel insurance and medical insurance
Please Note: Cancellations must be advised in email and will take effect from the date they are received.
Liability
The participant agrees to indemnify Onlyluxe Travel, and its servant, tour operator and agents, in relation to any liability, loss and damage which the tour operator, or its servants and/or agents may incur as a result of the participants, negligence or misconduct during the tour.
Smoking is not permitted on the bus, or in tents or in other accommodation being used by tour operator at the time that a trip is being conducted.
Child Policy
Please consult travel consultant on age limit.
Changes to Itineraries
Local conditions may necessitate changes to sightseeing, walking and driving routes, camping and accommodation locations. While every effort will be made to provide the services and experiences as offered in our brochure, on our website, and in our trip letters, we reserve the right to vary your itinerary. In the event that we are forced to change your arrangements, substitute arrangements of a similar standard will be provided. The tour operator will not be liable where interruptions to itineraries are caused by weather conditions, technical problems to transport used by the tour operator, industrial action, political or civil commotion or other circumstances beyond our control. We refer you to the conditions regarding travel insurance.
Changes in Prices
While we will do its utmost to honour its pricing unforeseen circumstances may mean that prices may be subject to change without notice.
Pre-Existing Medical Conditions and Age Limits
You need to advise Onlyluxe travel and the tour operator on any pre-existing medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability that might reasonably be expected to increase the risk of your requiring medical attention, or that might affect the normal conduct of a trip and the enjoyment of other trip members. Onlyluxe Travel and the tour operator may require an assessment of your medical condition from a qualified medical practitioner. If you fail to adequately notify the tour operator of any pre-existing medical conditions and/or disability, the tour operator reserves the right, at its reasonable discretion, to cancel your participation in a trip at any time, including after the commencement of your trip, with no right of refund if your medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability could be reasonably expected to affect the normal conduct of the trip and the enjoyment of other trip members.
Cancellation by The Tour Operator
The walks take place in very special wilderness settings. The tour operator is at the mercy of nature in all her beauty and all her fury. The tour operator will under no circumstance knowingly place at risk the health and well-being of our guests and guides. In the case of natural threats, acts of God and the like (e.g. bushfires, impassable snow, etc) the tour operator may need to cancel a walk with very little notice. In some cases, this can occur after the walk has commenced. The tour operator reserves the right to cancel any walk up to 60 days prior to departure if a minimum of 4 walkers are unable to meet for a tour. If the tour operator needs to cancel for any reason, the cost of the walk or any other costs associated with travel to the designated pick up point, overnight accommodation, meals, etc will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore we strongly recommend travel insurance be taken out prior to travel.
Force Majeure
'Force Majeure' means (without restriction) any event which Onlyluxe Travel or its third party providers could not, even with due care, foresee or avoid. Force Majeure covers events such as, but not limited to, adverse weather conditions, fire and all similar events beyond our control. In the case of Force Majeure Onlyluxe Travel will not accept liability, and reserves the right to change and cancel trips.
Evacuations
In rare circumstances, due to injury or unforeseen illness, the tour operator may need to evacuate you from a remote part of the walk. Helicopter evacuations are expensive and in most cases will be at a cost to the customer.
For Australian residents, under the Australian Government Medicare Act, it is prohibited for any domestic travel insurance product to provide any financial reimbursement with regard to ambulance or air ambulance services. We therefore strongly advise our customers to take specific ambulance cover through their health insurance provider. Evacuation cost will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore it is also strongly recommended that our customers take out travel insurance to cover (amongst other things) the costs associated with evacuation.
Travel Insurance
In view of the heavy cancellation penalties applied to cancelled reservations in certain circumstances, we strongly recommends suitable travel insurance be purchased at the time the holding deposit is paid. We recommend insurance cover that covers any loss which may be suffered due to cancellation. We also strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance against loss of baggage and medical expenses.
