
New Zealand: The South Island
Guided Biking
- Daily Mileage: 7 - 37 miles|
- Biking: 1 - 5 hours|
Starting From
12-day Air Package
$6,945
9-day VBT Tour Only
$5,045
Per person, double occupancy
New Zealand: The South Island
The dramatic beauty of New Zealand transcends the imagination—as you’ll see when you experience it up close as only an active vacation allows. Our carefully curated bike routes follow untamed seacoast, valleys framed by towering peaks, and woodland trails through the breathtaking South Island. On foot, you’ll explore a wildlife sanctuary, a moving glacier, the winding shores of a glittering lake, and historic gold-mining sites. You’ll also touch Kiwi history in pioneer towns and spend a day at a wilderness resort, with opportunities for kayaking, canoeing, hiking, and more. A home-cooked meal in a local town hall and exclusive visits to a working ranch and wine estate add a personal touch to this quintessential New Zealand bike and walk tour.
Tour Highlights
- Prepare to be dazzled by the staggering beauty of the South Island’s glittering lakes, lush forests, fertile farmlands, and alpine peaks.
- Hike up a valley carved by the retreating ice of Franz Josef Glacier.
- Spend a day at a wilderness resort, enjoying kayaking, canoeing, hiking—and perhaps strolling to a colony of glowworms.
- Experience life on a working ranch and savor a home-cooked meal during a visit to a sheep and cattle station.
- Sample local vintages during a wine tasting at a local estate
What to Expect
The majority of rides and all walks on this tour are on purpose-built trails (the Kiwis have it figured out!). Trails are packed gravel, regularly maintained, away from motorized vehicle traffic, and allow access to the beauty of the country. The roadways that we ride are secondary, quiet, and mostly paved. The VBT support vehicle is available for a head start, catch-up, or shorter option.
- Daily Mileage: 7 - 37 miles|
- Biking: 1 - 5 hours|
- Group Size: 20
Cycling
Cyclists
Support
Average High /
Low Temperature (°F):
Jan67º/53º
Feb68º/54º
Mar66º/50º
Apr62º/47º
Nov62º/48º
Dec64º/51º
Average
Precipitation:
Jan9.6 in
Feb7.8 in
Mar9.1 in
Apr9.2 in
Nov10.4 in
Dec10 in
Air Package | Tour Only |
|
---|---|---|
Roundtrip international airfare | ||
Airport car service for arrival and departure | ||
One night in Christchurch in a conveniently located hotel with daily breakfast and two in-flight nights | ||
8 nights in comfortable lodgings | ||
18 meals: 8 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners |

Step-Through Cross Terrain Bicycle
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Cross Terrain Bicycle
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Electric-Assisted Bicycle (E-bike)
See More >Biking Packages Include:
Custom VBT Bike and Helmet
Two Local, Bilingual Trip Leaders
Support Vehicle
Luggage Transportation
Ride with GPS and Daily Route Notes
Welcome Reception
Facilitated Cultural Experiences
Your Choice of VBT Branded Gear for Your Adventure
Accommodations (Please Note: Days are based on the Air Package Itinerary. Accommodations may vary depending on departure date. )
Enjoy Your Vacation Longer With Low-Cost Trip Extensions
Air Package Only
2023 Pre-Trip Extension - Auckland
3 Nights From $495 per person, double occupancy
Single Supplement: From $345
- 3 nights at the Movenpick Hotel Auckland
- Airport car service for arrival
- Daily breakfast
- City information
Your vacation is about to begin! Spend your first night aloft and arrive ready for an unforgettable trip.
Flying to Auckland requires crossing the International Date Line, so this day is “lost.”
Start off your first day in Auckland right by having a VBT representative greet you at the airport. A complimentary car service will whisk you to your centrally located hotel. From here, you are perfectly positioned to explore this charming city at your leisure.
After a delicious included breakfast at your hotel, you are free to explore on your own, using our included city information packet to guide your discoveries.
Included Meals: Breakfast
After a delicious included breakfast at your hotel, you are free to explore on your own, using our included city information packet to guide your discoveries.
Included Meals: Breakfast
After an included breakfast, complimentary transportation is provided by Super Shuttle from your Auckland Hotel to the airport for your flight to Christchurch.
In Christchurch gather your luggage and proceed through the terminal exit. Look for the next Super Shuttle vehicle and travel (approximately 30 minutes) to your hotel in Christchurch.
Once you settle in you’ll have time to explore and enjoy lunch and dinner on your own using VBT’s city information as your guide.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Air Package Only
2023 Post-Trip Extension - Queenstown
2 Nights From $295 per person, double occupancy
Single Supplement: From $345
- 2 nights at the Novotel Queenstown Lakeside
- Airport car service for departure
- Daily breakfast
- City information
After breakfast, shuttle to a quaint “wild west”-style village with a rich gold-mining past before continuing to Queenstown to settle into your lakeside hotel. Once you settle in, you’ll have time to explore using the included city information to guide your discovers.
Included Meals: Breakfast
After a delicious included breakfast at your hotel, you are free to explore on your own, using our included city information packet to guide your discoveries.
Included Meals: Breakfast
After an included breakfast this morning, you’ll travel by Super Shuttle from the hotel to the Queenstown Airport (an approximately 10 minute shuttle) for your departing flight.
Included Meals: Breakfast

We loved our hiking/biking/kayaking trip to New Zealand South Island. The guides were amazing, there are incredible vistas around every turn and the trip coordination was flawless. Also, because VBT hires all local guides, we received great recommendations for restaurants and optional tours on our extension. We also learned some new Kiwi phrases. A gob-smacking adventure!
New Zealand: Bike & Walk the South Island
VBT's New Zealand hike & bike tour is fabulous! I really enjoyed the amazing scenery on both our trail rides and our hikes. The guides were super enthusiastic and knowledgeable, I learned so much about the culture and flora and fauna of New Zealand.
New Zealand: Bike & Walk the South Island
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