Aotearoa (Land of the Long White Cloud), as it is called by the Maori or New Zealand, as the European colonists named it, is a land of contrast, a land with more variety packed into a small space than any place on Earth. Team Pedalers presents a three week bike tour that takes in most all of it.

New Zealand's North Island is home to most of its population, native as well as colonial. We start south of the hustle and bustle of the big cities, on the coast in quiet Tauranga. Then set out across the heartland of the island, stopping first in Rotorua, New Zealand's answer to Yellowstone, before continuing the next day to scenic Lake Taupo. You'll skirt around the volcanoes of Tongariro National Park to Ohakune for a two night stay, then southward along the Parapara Highway to historic Wanganui. Our bike tour on the North Island winds down with a spin to Levin.

After catching the ferry to the quaint seaport town of Picton, we roll through the spectacular Queen Charlotte Sounds, enroute to Nelson. A few healthy climbs and you'll pick up the Buller River to follow its seaward journey. We wend our way down the coast of the Tasman Sea, following the narrow strip of land between the sea and the Southern Alps. Here our overnight stops are rather special, the Pancake Rocks and Blowholes of Punakaiki and Franz Joseph Glacier, where a free day allows time to hike atop the glacier. From our last night's stop along the coast in Haast, we turn inland to finally tackle a climb up and over the Southern Alps. Our last two stopping points are among the most scenic, the first on the shores of Lake Hawea and the finale of our ride, Queenstown, jewel of the South Island.

Itinerary (day-by-day)

Day 1 - We will be meeting at Auckland Airport's international terminal, then transferring a short way south to the town of Tauranga. The balance of the day is free.

Day 2 - And we're off, enjoying a cycling day loop around the wine country of the Bay of Plenty. Stop to sample some fine New Zealand vintages and relax a bit on the coast enjoying the view.

Day 3 - You'll be pedaling through rolling pasture country enroute to Rotorua. A leisurely ride will put you into town with ample time to explore the Kiwi answer to Yellowstone. 35 im / 56 kms

Day 4 - Continuing southward, you be cycling through forested regions and past one of New Zealand's thermal generating plants. Our stopping point is on the shores of Lake Taupo, a huge, crystal clear lake and volcanic crater (a trout fishing paradise if you are so inclined). 56 mi / 91 kms.

Day 5 - Today's ride travels across the 'desert' terrain of the North Island as you ride around the towering volcanoes of Ngarahoe, Ruapehu and Tongario. We'll be bedding down tonight in quiet little Ohakune, snuggled under the still active Mt Ruapehu. 87 mi / 140 kms

Day 6 - We switch modes today and embark on a jetboat trip up the historic Wanganui River. At lunch we set out to explore the abandoned Bridge to Nowhere and the surrounding homesteader sites. You have the option to switch to canoes for the retunr journey to enjoy a quiet paddle through deep gorges and bush country.

Day 7 - Rolling hills galore on today's route, as you pedal the Parapara Highway through bush country. Waterfalls, lush forests and sheep farms line the route to the historic town of Wanganui. 60 mi / 96 kms

Day 8 - Our last day on the North Island rolls across the flat coastal plains and then into the foothills. We will roll through the landscapes enroute to our overnight stop in the small town of Levin. 81 mi / 130 kms

Day 9 - After breakfast we will load up in our support vans for the drive to catch the high speed ferry to the South Island. Upon reaching Picton, we will check into our hotel and you have the rest of the day free to explore this quaint port town.

Day 10 / 11 - The South Island leg starts in the Queen Charlotte Sounds area, pedaling along numerous scenic bays to the town of Nelson on Tasman Bay. Day 11 is a free day, with an optional trip to visit Abel Tasman National Park or take a bike ride through the region's fine vineyards. 67 mi / 108 kms

Day 12 - A bit of climbing is in store, though nothing real challenging, as we pedal south through the Golden Downs Forest. Crossing Spooners Saddle (482 m) first, into the Motupiko Valley, then over Hope Saddle (613 m) into the Buller River Valley. Then downstream along the Buller River to Murchison town. 79 mi / 128 kms

Day 13 - The spectacular Buller Gorge is our morning route, then out to the coast and the Tasman Sea. We'll be staying near the Pancake Rocks in Punakaiki. 91 mi / 145 kms

Day 14 - You'll have the sea to your right, the towering snowcapped Southern Alps to your left for the next few days of riding, as we work our way down the western coastline. Tonight we'll be bedding down in the beachfront town of Hokitika. 1 mi / 83 kms

Day 15 / 16 - Today's ride continues to split the sea from the mountains as you pedal through the forest and glacier regions. We'll be staying for two nights at Franz Joseph Glacier. 129 kms . Day 16 is another free day.... perhaps a glacier hike or flight ?

Day 17 - Back on the bikes and away we go. A sidetrip to Fox Glacier, then on through the Ohinemaka and Paringa Forests to Haast township. 88 mi / 143 kms

Day 18 - Sooner or later it was inevitable, we have to cross back over the Southern Alps. You've got a spectacular ride up the Haast River and over Haast Pass (562 M) in store, then a rolling downhill to our resort on the shores of Lake Hawea. 79 mi / 128 kms

Day 19 - The last day of pedaling takes us over the famous crown range, with it's great views, to the ride's conclusion in Queenstown. An optional sidetrip will take you to Arrowtown, a historic gold boomtown. 51 mi / 82 kms (optional 10 kms add-on)

Day 20 - Its a short trip to the airport and a round of fond farewells.

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