Passes and Capes

Christchurch to Auckland - Auckland to Christchurch

We start in Christchurch with sightseeing and a ride up the port hills of Lyttleton Harbour. From here we head for the goldmining area of the west coast, crossing the southern Alps through Arthur's Pass. Places like Hokitika and Greymouth had their hay day in the 1860s with prospectors coming from all over the world. Since the gold rush many places have become interesting ghost towns.

Following the remote west coast road towards Westland National Park we visit Franz Josef and Fox glaciers. From here we ride through Haast Pass which was once used by the Maori in search of greenstone (jade).

The next day we reach Queenstown where we have a rest day and the daring ones can try bungy jumping, Fly by Wire, jet boating, sky diving or paragliding. Queenstown also offers many nice walks, boat rides and visits to Skippers Canyon and Kawarau Gorge former gold mines in the area.

From here the tour heads north through Lindis Pass to Lake Pukaki, Mt Cook and Lake Tekapo, some of the most illustrated and photographed places in the South Island.

From Lake Tekapo we also have the chance to take a scenic flight over Mt Cook and the glaciers. On our way through Lewis Pass we can stop to soak in the hot pools at Hanmer or Maruia Springs before reaching our camp for the day, an old ghost town near Reefton.

Once again we meet the rugged west coast as we ride to Westport. From here we take the meandering road through Buller Gorge which leads us to the northern part of the South Island. We stay an extra day by Abel Tasman National Park so that we have a chance to explore the area on foot or by kayak.

From Nelson we ride along serpentine roads of the Marlborough region to Picton and by ferry we sail across to the North Island. The boat ride is a very scenic and relaxing trip through the Marlborough Sounds.

The tour continues to Hawkes Bay, a region famous for its wine. It was here that Captain James Cook first stepped ashore and made contact with the Maori people.

Deserted winding roads around the East Cape lead us through remote and untouched areas still dominated by Maori. To learn more about this fascinating culture we camp in Rotorua where we can visit the art & craft institute and early settlements.