We recommend you arrive in Nelson the day before your tour. Kiwi Journeys will greet you at the airport and shuttle you into to central Nelson. Our accommodation providers are right in the heart of the Nelson so you can experience the amazing food and beverage options that set the scene for your tour!

32 KM

Your adventure starts at our base in Nelson, where on arrival you will be fitted to your bikes and briefed on your tour. From here you will start your cycle ride to Mapua on the Tasman’s Great Taste Trail. We suggest you be at our depot by 9.00am for a 9:30am departure (this is flexible).

Follow the blue Great Taste Trail markers and head south, towards the seaside village of Mapua. Along the way you can visit the popular Classic Car Museum. We recommend cycling down the old Railway Reserve cycle path on the way to Richmond. This way you can enjoy craft beer (or a Brewery tour) and fabulous food from Stoke and Eddyline Breweries. Tip: We would also recommend a visit (or tour) to the new Pics Peanut Butter World.

Continuing on the Great Taste Trail you will turn off the coastal path and experience the coastal boardwalks of the Waimea Estuary and fertile farmland there, which is home to a range of internationally significant bird species including the White Heron. Next you will cross the spectacular Waimea Swing Bridge. If you have time on your hands and a palate for exquisite wine, take a left hand turn (instead of a right hand turn to Rabbit Island) where a five minute ride will take you to Seifrieds, the oldest and largest winery in Nelson.

From this point it is ten kilometres to The Mapua Ferry landing. Once you enter Rabbit Island choose to take a swim in the warm sea waters or just enjoy a quiet wander along the white sandy beach.

The trail takes you alongside the main beach of Rabbit Island where you will shortly arrive at the ferry landing. A short trip across the channel on the iconic Mapua Ferry lands you at the Mapua Wharf where you can enjoy the buzzing atmosphere of galleries, studios, restaurants, cafes, shops and the boutique Golden Bear Brewery.

Today’s ride is grade one (easy). You will have plenty of time to relax and take everything in, especially the amazing food, beverages and activities on offer.

Accommodation: Mapua

41 km

After breakfast it’s on your bike again to ride through Ruby Bay towards the quaint village of Tasman. On leaving Tasman, a steady climb up to Tasman View Road is all worthwhile, as you take time to enjoy the spectacular 360 degree views of Tasman Bay and the ranges beyond (this section is grade 2-3 and has a climb of 200 meters over 4 km’s). Next you will drop down into the Riverside Community and on to Motueka. A recommended lunch or coffee stop is Motueka’s best kept secret, ‘Toad Hall Cafe’ at the beginning of Motueka. As you make your way around the amazing coastal trail of Motueka, you can enjoy the variety of bird species and gorgeous scenery.

From the outskirts of Motueka, Kaiteriteri is approximately 12km’s away. The short bike ride into Kaiteriteri takes in boardwalks and bridges through the farmland and orchards of Riwaka (NB: there are two great cafes in Riwaka together with the Hop Federation Brewery!) before entering the ‘Easy Rider’ trail of the Kaiteriteri Mountain Bike Park. This 4km section through the mountain bike park winds through the stunning native beech forest. A reasonable level of fitness is required to bike this section and caution must be taken by inexperienced riders as there are tight turns and switchbacks.

Once you enter Kaiteriteri you can explore the beautiful golden sands which mark the gateway to the famous Abel Tasman National Park.

Accommodation: Kaiteriteri