New Zealand's Greatest New Cycle Tour!

New Zealand’s Greatest New Cycle Tour! A six day/five night tour of the southernmost coast of the North Island. The tour starts with an exploratory ride around the picturesque wine village of Martinborough, followed by a wine tasting and a delicious platter lunch at one of our local wineries. This is followed by a Powhiri at Kohunui Marae, to welcome you to the region.

Our tour takes in scenic back country roads,with rides across amazing farmland featuring views of Palliser Bay and the Kaikoura Ranges. We ride on roads and tracks along the Palliser Bay Coast to Ngawi, visiting the famous Putangirua Pinnacles, Matakitaki a Kupe (Cape Palliser), and at Cape Palliser we climb the lighthouse steps and view the amazing fur seal colony - the North Island’s largest.  An epic day’s cycling takes us to Whiterock and our destination Tora.  Finally, we ride back to Martinborough on quiet, gravel and sealed roads. Enjoy a Night Sky Experience along the way!

Day 1 - Arrive and Discover Martinborough

Arrive at Green Jersey Explorer Tours by 10 am. We will fit you with a bike (if you have not brought your own). You will be given a basic health and safety briefing and have the opportunity to ask any questions. You are then given riding instructions for the day, before heading-off to explore our picturesque village, making your way leisurely towards a wine tasting at one of our family-run vineyards.  This will be followed by a fabulous platter lunch at 3 Little Words.

You will then be formally welcomed to the Wairarapa region by local Iwi during a Powhiri at Kohunui Marae. This is a unique experience where you, our guests, are formally acknowledged and accepted as manuhiri (visitors) to the area. This is an important event, as we cross several pieces of Maori Land containing sites of national significance and the powhiri offers us a chance to learn about the area from the local Iwi (Mana Whenua).

We stay at Lacewood, on the elegant and historic Tuhitarata Estate, dining at its 1860’s Homestead.

Lunch, Dinner.

Day 2 - Remutaka Cycle Trail

After breakfast we are transported by shuttle to Maymorn Station (Upper Hutt), to ride the Remutaka Rail Trail, to Greytown. This trail follows a section of the original railway line connecting the Wairarapa to Wellington.  This section was replaced by a tunnel in 1955.

The Remutaka Rail Trail is the most popular section of the Remutaka Cycle Trail and offers an easy, diverse ride across a mountain pass.  During the ride you will learn about the early history of this region, perhaps taking a dip in the clean Pakuratahi River, as well as zooming through 5 tunnels and whizzing downhill across the Siberia Curve Suspension Bridge.  A picnic lunch is provided .

Once you reach Featherston, we have organised a special visit to the Fell Locomotive Museum. Exhibits include the only remaining steam-powered Fell railway locomotive in the world, providing an amazing insight into the technology and also the fascinating history of the terrain you have just crossed.

Then, we move on to Greytown via New Zealand's longest Suspension Bridge, which spans the Tauwharenikau River, and leads to the Greytown Rail Trail. Avail yourself of the showers at the Greytown Campground prior to dining at Brac & Bow, The Royal Hotel, Featherston.

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 3 - Palliser Bay

We start the day by cycling to the funky Landgirl Cafe, at Pirinoa, enjoying their yummy cheese scones and coffee, before starting a short but steep ride across Palliser Ridge Station’s private track.  We visit their Woolshed enroute and stop at the Kaikoura Lookout to savour its breathtaking views of Palliser Bay.  We ride out on the Cape Palliser Road, turn left (East) and head to the Putangirua Pinnacles. 

Enjoy a self-guided walk to view the Putangirua Pinnacles while your lunch is being prepared. After lunch, we continue our journey on the Cape Palliser Road, to Ngawi.  At Waimeha, prepare yourself for some amazing kai and a fun-filled night, hosted by the legendary JP.

This day is fully supported by a non-riding guide.

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 4 - Ngawi to Tora 

Ngawi to Tora via the Cape Palliser Road and coastal track 

This is an epic day’s ride. From Kupe’s Sail (Nga Ra o Kupe) to Cape Palliser (Matakitaki a Kupe), NZ Fur Seal Colony to Whiterock Station and Bay, Te Kau Kau Point to our final destination - Tora. This is a rugged and exhilarating day's riding.  We cross several pieces of private land to enjoy an exclusive cycling (and a bit of walking) adventure. Special permission to access this land is unique to this trip. On arrival at Tora we are greeted with welcoming beverages and snacks.  You end the day with a self-catered BBQ, featuring top quality meats and salads, supplied by our fabulous Martinborough partners.  We spend the next two nights at the historic Tora Cookhouse.  

This day, you will be accompanied by two guides, who have exceptional historical and geological knowledge of the coast. They are also there to ensure you safely and comfortably complete the journey. Be prepared for an adventurous, but achievable day.

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Day 5 - Discover Tora

This is your day to discover the magnificent Tora Coastline (cycling distances vary).

Enjoy a day at Tora with a selection of optional activities:  

Cycle the coast as far as the historic Te Awaiti Station; do some fishing/snorkling/swimming; find the mysterious K/T boundary at Manurewa Point; walk up to the lookout, or just relax and read a book!

Optional :A Night sky experience with Under the Stars: Chris will expertly guide you through the galaxy. The Wairarapa has just become certified under the International Dark Sky Reserve movement, joining just 20 other locations worldwide.

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Day 6 - Tora to Martinborough

Ride on quiet gravel followed by tar sealed roads, then climb the Whakapuni Hill, passing by the Genesis Energy Hau Nui Wind Farm - recognised as one of the best wind farm sites in the world.  Enjoy the downhill ride, taking the interestingly named ‘Shooting Butts Road’ and you are ‘home’. You will arrive in Martinborough by 12 Noon.  We treat you to lunch at Kitchener’s Cafe, a local favourite,

Breakfast, Lunch.

Tour Includes:

• Standard hardtail mountain bike hire, if required.

•  5 nights double/twin share accommodation - Room with private bathrooms (2 nights) and cabins/homestead with shared bathroom (3 nights).

• 5 Breakfasts, 5 Dinners, 6 Lunches

• Meals are locally sourced and catered with a  mix of café, winery, restaurant, BBQ, and picnic lunches.

• We cater for all dietary requirements.

• Provide snacks and water on rides.

• Bag Transfer per day *Maximum of 2 bags per person

• Driver/Guide who provides daily briefings, assists cyclists along the routes.

• Day 4 of the tour (Cape Palliser to Ngawi) is fully guided by 2 Green Jersey Tour Guides.

• Information Pack.

• Access to Route Notes, detailed maps, GPX files.

• Cycle repair support,

• An official welcome to the South Wairarapa by local Iwi at Kohunui Marae.

• Wine Tasting.

• Admission to the Fell Museum Wellington.

Tour Excludes:

• Single supplement

• Travel to and from Martinborough

• Electric Assist bike hire

• Alcohol, soft drinks, additional coffees and beverages

• Travel Insurance

Extras:

• Additional Night’s accommodation pre/post tour

• Electric Assist bike hire

• Night Sky Experience

• Transport to Martinborough.  Subject to availability Green Jersey can provide shuttle transport to and from Featherston, Wellington (CBD and Airport).  Other regions available on request.