Tasman Great Taste Trail and Golden Bay Explorer - Tuatara Tours

New Zealand Cycle Trail:

Tasman Great Taste Trail and Golden Bay Explorer

Where

Nelson to Nelson

Duration

5 days / 4 nights

Fitness

NZ$2295

Thinking ahead? Dates for 2024 2025 summer available now

All available dates for this and next summer below:

  • Start Date Status
  • Mon 15 Apr 2024Available
  • Mon 18 Nov 2024
  • Mon 9 Dec 2024
  • Mon 20 Jan 2025
  • Mon 10 Feb 2025
  • Mon 24 Feb 2025
  • Mon 3 Mar 2025
  • Mon 17 Mar 2025
  • Mon 31 Mar 2025
  • Mon 7 Apr 2025
Do you have another date in mind?
We can build a tour especially for your group, please enquire for a private tour for 10 or more friends
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No bike?
No problem!

We have a variety of e-bikes and manual bikes ready for hire.

Find Out More

Tasman’s Great Taste Trail is one of New Zealand’s Great Rides.

This easy cycling trail takes a leisurely tour of Tasman’s and Golden Bay’s most beautiful coastal and inland areas.

Riders will pass vineyards, breweries, orchards and no end of places to stop and enjoy some quality cuisine.

The Tasman Great Taste Trail was created as part of a government-led initiative: Nga Harenga – The New Zealand Cycle Trail, developing New Zealand’s best cycle tracks.

Tour Itinerary

NZ$2295

Day 1 Nelson to Motueka

Location: Motueka - Modern Motel

Distance: 47km

We start our journey at Richmond between 8:30 and 9am. This section of Tasman’s Great Taste Trail winds alongside the scenic Waimea Inlet which is the largest enclosed estuary in the South Island and home to a wide range of  sea birds including the bar-tailed godwit, white heron, royal spoonbill, little egret, Australasian bittern, and banded rail.

You ride to the popular recreation area/ beach on Rabbit Island and arrive at the Mapua Ferry, which transfers you to the seaside village of Mapua.

Leaving Mapua the trail runs along the coast, where you’ll be rewarded with amazing views out across Tasman Bay and up to the Mt Arthur Range and  Kahurangi National Park.  From here the trail descends gradually to Motueka where you stay overnight.

Day 2 Motueka to Takaka

Location: Takaka - Modern Motel

Distance: 37.3km

Leaving Motueka behind, this section of Tasman’s Great Taste Trail takes you through the beautiful fruit and hops growing area of the region and on to the picturesque seaside holiday mecca, and one of New Zealand’s favourite beaches, Kaiteriteri.

In Kaiteriteri we board the vehicle and drive over the infamous Takaka Hill to Little Takaka. From here we ride down the idyllic Takaka Valley to the township of Takaka where our riding finishes for the day.

You will have time this afternoon to walk around Takaka and enjoy browsing through the arts and craft shops and galleries this area is known for.

Tonight we stay and dine in Takaka.

Day 3 Takaka to Collingwood

Location: Collingwood - Modern Motel

Distance: 36.2km

This morning we ride the 6.7kms to the Waikoropupu (Pupu) Springs to see the clearest spring water in the world and enjoy the bush walk around the springs soaking up the unique features of this special place.

From the Waikoropupu (Pupu) Springs we ride along the quiet back roads to the Anatoki River and visit the Anatoki Salmon farm where if you are keen you can catch your own salmon and have it hot smoked for you.

Then it is all aboard the vehicle and drive north along the glorious coastal road to Collingwood, soaking up the fabulous views over the pristine waters of Golden Bay.

On arrival in Collingwood we are on the bikes again and ride to Puponga and on to Wharariki Beach.

Tonight we stay in Collingwood and travel a short distance to dine at the famous Mussel Inn and soak up the atmosphere of this charming brewery and eatery.

Day 4 Collingwood to Takaka

Location: Takaka - Modern Motel

Distance: 33km

We drive this morning through the quiet rural Aorere Valley to the end of Aorere Valley Road which is the official start of the famous Great Walk – The Heaphy Track.

From here it is onto the bikes to ride back down the valley to the small historic town of Bainham where we visit the Bainham store and discover the history of the area.

This general store and post office has been providing essentials to the Bainham community and travellers since 1928.

The store has been in the same family four generations, since it opened in 1928. EB Langford was the initial proprietor, followed by his grand-daughter Lorna who ran the store and post office for 63 years. Lorna retired in May of 2008, handing over the reins to Sukhita Langford, who hopes to do both the community and family proud by continuing the traditions that her great grandfather instilled more than 80 years ago.

On leaving Bainham we cycle on down the valley riding through farm land until we meet the coastal road where we finish cycling for the day. Tonight we stay and dine in Takaka.

Day 5 Takaka - Nelson

Distance: 34km

This morning we drive back over the Takaka Hill to Riwaka and along a beautiful quiet back country road which meanders along following the west bank of the Motueka River, world famous for its brown trout and fly fishing. 

On arrival at Tapawera your biking starts for the day. You ride on the trail through the hop fields to Kohatu, Norris’s Gully to Spooners Tunnel (1.35km long). From the tunnel you then ride onto Belgrove and then to Wakefield if time allows.

We then drive back to Nelson where your tour finishes between 4 and 5pm approximately.

What’s Included

Accommodation

Each night you will stay in comfortable hotel, motel or bed and breakfast accommodation.

Rooms are double (one queen or king bed) or twin (2 separate beds). If you have a preference for a twin room, please let us know when you make your booking. All rooms have their own ensuite bathroom.

If you are a single traveller, you can nominate to share a room with another single of the same gender or pay an additional single supplement to secure a private room for the duration of the tour.

The single room supplement for this tour is $545

Bike Hire
We have bikes for hire and recommend you use them as they are tried and true in the areas we operate. All of our bikes are fully maintained and serviced before they leave. Included in the cost of your cycle hire is a cycle helmet and safety vest. You may use your own bike, but please ensure it is well maintained and fully serviced before your tour starts. For The Tasman and Golden Bay Explorer, bike hire is $225 for a mountain bike and $525 for an E Bike.
An experienced guide

Our guides are very experienced, friendly walkers and bikers who love to share their knowledge of New Zealand’s flora and fauna and local history. They all hold current first aid certificates, passenger driving licences and are the very best people to ensure your experience will be one to remember.

Food

You will enjoy great local cuisine; continental breakfasts and hearty packed lunches during the day, and either restaurant meals or wholesome home-cooked fare prepared by your host/hostess in the evenings. If you have any dietary issues or food allergies, we are happy to cater for these, please advise the office of details when you make your booking. Alcohol is not included in the tour cost, but is available for purchase most nights.

Safety and Risk Management

To ensure maximum safety for all, our guides are certified first aiders and fully qualified drivers. Tuatara Tours operate under a Safety and Risk Management Plan which is regularly audited and approved by a qualified and independent auditor.

Luggage & Transfers

Tuatara Tours transports all your luggage for the duration of the tour.

Tour Kit Bag Exclusive to Tuatara Tours

To ensure you get the very best out of your journey with the least of fuss, we provide you with a bag of useful goodies.

This will be given to you at the start of your tour.

All transport

Access and Concession fees paid to the Department of Conservation

NZ Goods and Service Tax (GST)

Testimonials

For me the tour was a lovely mix-the scenery, the exercise, the cycling not too demanding

Flora - NZ

I thoroughly enjoyed the variety of each day, the opportunity to see more of beautiful NZ

Marilyn - NZ

Very well organized. A good route giving us a chance to see Golden Bay as well as the Great Taste Trail

Joanne - UK

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