Bike and Walking holiday in New Zealand
 

I am thinking of doing a bike and or bike/walking holiday with my son (23) in New Zealand later this year or early next year. I have searched lots of sites and am now totally confused. Can anyone recommend a tour company - I don't want to do my own thing, I need support vehicle (my son has done a fair bit of riding, I haven't) The Otago Trail looks good for me but perhaps too tame for him. The holidays seem to vary so much in price, accommodation and what they offer. Fodors "Nelson" can you recommend anywhere near you? I looked at Backroads and their prices are exhorbitant compared with everyone else!! But is it a case of you pays for what you gets? I would need a very comfy bike and some tours just have 'ordinary' rent a bikes.

Any suggestions would be wonderful. Also when would be the best time to go weather wise, I get the feeling it is awfully unpredictable. (I am only coming from Sydney!!)

<<I get the feeling it is awfully unpredictable>>

Indeed it is.

Sorry, no suggestions for biking operators, but you might be interested in the Queen Charlotte Track, which is known as one of the best multi-day biking tracks in NZ.

Info here:

http://www.qctrack.co.nz/track/bike/

http://www.advsouth.co.nz/cycle/departures

In true NZ fashion, I am 1 degree of separation from the people that run Adventure South.

They are very well established and it looks like they have a good range of options that might suit you.

There's a new Alps2Ocean trail, from Mt. Cook to Oamaru (about 90 minutes drive north of Dunedin). Most of it is rated "easy," a portion requires a helicopter crossing (you can skip this section), and it's not yet entirely off-road, but it looks beautiful. On my last trip to Mt. Cook in April, I noticed a few cylists on its on-road portions. As it finishes up in Oamaru, you could then travel on to Dunedin, where you could catch the train or arrange shuttle transport to do a day or more on the Central Otago Rail Trail. There are many transport/support options for the Central Otago Rail Trail. Many folks catch the train to Middlemarch and start the Rail Trail from there.
http://www.alps2ocean.com/
http://www.tripadvisor.co.nz/ShowUse...th_Island.html
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/travel/new...ectid=10810489
http://www.stuff.co.nz/timaru-herald...p-expectations

Adventure South, which Thelittlestkiwi recommends, offers support for Alps2Ocean and the Rail Trail.

I read about this other enticing cycling option in the NZ Herald a few months ago, from Paradise, near gorgeous Glenorchy, which is about 45 minutes from Queenstown on Lake Wakitipu.Being close to Queenstown, you could do other things such as dine out, ride the gondola, visit wineries and historic areas, jet boat, bungy, tramp, etc.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/travel/new...ectid=11225420
http://www.tripadvisor.co.nz/ShowUse...th_Island.html
http://paradisetrail.co.nz/

I have a friend here in Dunedin who often drives up to Middlemarch to do a day ride on the Central Rail Trail, just cycling out and back again. Or she'll do a day ride on the Clutha Gold Trail or Roxburgh Gorge Trail.
http://www.nzcycletrail.com/clutha-gold-trail
http://www.nzcycletrail.com/roxburgh-gorge-trail

Oh, oh, oh PARADISE! Don't miss that one.

Sorry Schnauzer I have no experience with cycle tours. There are several trails around the Nelson area which I enjoy because they are flat!!!

Here is a link to a company that does organise tours in this area.

http://www.bikingnelson.co.nz/