Great Taste Trail Grand Experience self-guided tour

Itinerary: 

Day one (Grade one)

·        
Be issued with your cycle & accessories, receive route instructions
& maps and a briefing

·        
Start at Nelson Airport , leisurely cycle through to Mapua(cycling time excluding
stops about 2 hours) 26km

·        
On the way visit medal winning wineries, cafes, restaurants, taste some
cheeses at the cheese shop, swim at white sand beaches, visit glass blowing
studio, indulge in scrumptious real berry fruit icecreams, swim at a pristine
white sand beach, enjoy beautiful wetlands. There’s something for everyone.

·        
Cross from Rabbit Island to Mapua on the bike ferry

·        
Explore Mapua or if you haven’t cycled enough head for the scenic
Moutere, cycling on quiet back country roads, visit medal winning wineries, New
Zealand’s oldest pub, check out some of the region’s historic places, abundant
art studios, be tempted by the freshest of fruits from the vendor stands. 
Return to Mapua. (30 km)

·        
Stay overnight at a delightful B&B in Mapua

·        
Dinner – own arrangements

Day Two (Grade
two and three)

·        
Cycle from Mapua to Kaiteriteri (49 km) at times following the scenic
coastline, at others viewing it from the heights, bypassing the fishing
township of Motueka, commercial heart of this fruit growing region.

·        
Lots of quirky places to enjoy refreshment stops along the way,
including boutique breweries, community enterprises, great cafes, yummy berry
icecreams etc

·        
You will cycle past citrus orchards, vineyards, through apple and
kiwifruit orchards and hops, finishing up with a short ride through the bush on
a very easy mountain bike trail into Kaiteriteri.

·        
Stay in a beautiful Eco Lodge set in a bush setting for 2 nights.
B&B Basis

Day Three

·        
Optional leisure day to explore beautiful Golden bay – by kayak or cruise
or one of many cruise combo options available including a walk out on the World
famous Abel Tasman Great Walk or you can just laze on the golden beach.

·        
To cycle or not to cycle? if you do want to cycle, head for Marahau
(8km) and from there you can walk out onto the Abel Tasman track.

Day Four (Grade
two) quiet back country road (39 km 3-4 hours)

·        
Cycle from Kaiteriteri back to Riwaka,

·        
then you are cycling along the scenic tree-lined Westbank of the Motueka
river, set in all the grandeur of the Kahurangi National Park.  You will cycle through the simply stunning
rolling hills of the valley and its beautiful pastoral scenes to your choice of destination.

1) you can cycle as far as Woodstock and then stop and relax at your charming B&B.(39 km) 

NB Choosing to stop here adds an optional extra day to the itinerary or you can make up the distance on another day. We will provide you with an alternative quote for this option. 

or, 

 2) if you are up for a longer day, continue to cycle on through the Baton valley to Tapawera (68 kms)

Dinner bed and breakfast included.both options

Day Five (Grade
three) quiet back country road 36.5 km 3-4 hours

·        

From Tapawera you will resume cycling towards Kohatu and then Spooners Tunnel,
which at almost 1.5 km long is the longest disused rail tunnel available for
cycling in the southern hemisphere. From the tunnel the trail is a 10 km
downhill blast.  Then you are cycling
alongside the Waiti stream  until 
you reach your destination of Wakefield and your delightful B&B.

Breakfast included        

Day Six (grade
1-2) 19 km on cycle trail 1-2 hours

·        
Easy cycle through the villages of Wakefield and Brightwater riding
through the vineyards, past cafes.  Take a last opportunity to do some
tastings at award winning wineries and boutique breweries. Enjoy a lazy winery
lunch or a beer tasting with pizza before arriving back at Nelson Airport.