Taste the Two
Grade 1-3 (Easy to Intermediate)
160km
This amazing 6 day, Cycle/Kayak adventure, takes you along the completed stages of Tasman’s Great Taste Trail. Take a break after two days of cycling and experience two days of pure magic in the world famous Abel Tasman National Park with Abel Tasman Kayaks.
Itinerary
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.
Continue on the Great Taste Trail, where 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.
After breakfast it’s on your bike again for a short 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: 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.
After enjoying your complimentary breakfast, you will be collected by staff of Abel Tasman Kayaks who will transport you over the hill to Marahau, where you will commence a 2-day fully guided, and fully catered tour in the Abel Tasman National Park.
Kayak the coastline from beautiful Awaroa down to Marahau. Spacious and spectacular; the northern section is seldom visited by others. Completely immerse yourself in the natural wonders of the Abel Tasman National Park. Experience it all from paddling with seals, relaxing on numerous beaches, exploring lagoons, islands and Maori Pa (village) sites to learning about local history and more. It's a relaxing, content rich and memorable two-day experience which is fully catered with food.
8.15am - Check in and meet your guide
8.30am - Water Taxi to Awaroa
9.45am - Arrive Awaroa
9.50am - Packing kayak and briefing.
10.15am - Kayak from Awaroa to Bark Bay. Total kayak time approx 4.5 hours including lunch and breaks
4.30pm - Arrive Bark Bay area
5.00pm - Set up camp site
7.00pm - Dinner and dessert
8.00am - Breakfast
9.00am - Decamp
9.30am - Kayak from Bark Bay area to Anchorage. Total kayak time approx 5 hours with breaks
12.00pm - Enjoy lunch in the Anchorage area
4.00pm - Arrive back in Marahau
What to bring?
Please bring personal water bottle, hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, towel, swimsuit, warm top (wool or fleece), wind jacket, a change of clothes, cameras and any medication. Evening: Long pants, t-shirt, warm top (wool or fleece), trainers and socks, rain proof jacket. Personal: Toiletries, sleeping bag (we can provide this), flashlight.
At the end of day two, you will then be transported back to Kaiteriteri to enjoy another night.
Farewell Kaiteriteri, and after exiting the mountain bike park, you will re-trace your steps back to Riwaka enjoying the leisurely ride with many scenic attractions along the way. A coffee stop at Mrs Smith’s Café is always a must.
Winding your way out of Riwaka turn right onto Factory Road, where the trail heads down the West Bank of Motueka River. Enjoy the quiet country roads passing through farmland whilst following the Motueka River. When you arrive at Peninsular Road, turn left off the Trail, and head to the Peninsular Road Bridge. This is a fantastic spot for a well-deserved swim in the pristine Motueka River. After riding this 27km section and depending on the day of the week, a special Winery lunch (and tasting) awaits after a further 1.5km ride down the Motueka Valley Highway. Should this option be unavailable, then Kiwi Journeys will meet you at the bridge at 12.30pm and shuttle you to Tapawera.
After lunch it’s back on your bike departing Tapawera and riding the new section of trail to the entrance of the Spooners Tunnel. At 1,352 metres long, this tunnel is the oldest disused rail tunnel in the Southern Hemisphere. The tunnel is pitch black and is a constant 10deg so take your jumper. After exiting the tunnel, a lovely downhill gradient takes you down to the Belgrove, before cycling the final section to Wai-iti Domain and the newest part of the Trail, on to the quaint village of Wakefield, where you will stay the night.
Your final day of riding is a leisurely day making your way back to Nelson. You will cycle beside quiet country roads towards Brightwater where you can have your first coffee stop for the day at HQ Café.
A slight diversion onto Livingstone Road could have you visit the Kaimira Winery before cycling over the Waimea River via a swing bridge with stunning views of the New Zealand Alps. Continue cycling through the gorgeous vineyards, orchards and farmland into Richmond. Make your way back to the Kiwi Journeys Nelson Depot with the option of visiting the Grape Escape for Lunch, Te Mania/Richmond Plains winery, breweries or the Olde ‘Honest Lawyer Pub’, Whatever direction your taste buds steer you, you are in for a great final day of riding back into Nelson, to complete your Great Taste Trail adventure.
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NZD$2,049pp twin share
Min 2 pax
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All cycle equipment which includes trail comfort bike, helmet, repair kit, panniers, odometer and trail documentation.
Accommodation - five nights
Breakfasts at accommodation x5
Winery or Café Lunch on Day 4
Luggage transfers between accommodation (1 bag per person – limit 15kgs per bag)
Abel Tasman Kayaks – Two Day Classic tour – fully catered
Shuttle on day 4
Mapua Ferry crossing
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12 Months
Prices are based on peak season (1st December to 1st April), contact us for off season rates.
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Guide
E-bike upgrade - $60 per day
Pre/post trail accommodation
Airport drop off (pick-up included)
