Kiwi Journeys Nelson Tasman Mountain Bike & Cycle Trips
Nelson Tasman Mountain Bike Hire & Tours
Situated right in the heart of the Tasman Great Taste Trail, Mapua is the perfect location to explore our amazing cycle trails. This is one of the region’s most popular day adventures with stunning scenery, wineries, breweries, history and activities.
Make the most of your stay in the Tasman/Nelson region Must do New Zealand can offer many independent day, or multi day adventures. These tours are arranged to suit individual needs and budgets. Remember all the other activities that you can do in the Tasman area we can assist with the complete planning of your cycling holiday including: Kayaking, walking, boat cruises, wineries, scenic flights, tandem skydiving and mountain biking are some of the many options available.
With 5 convenient rental locations, Nelson (beside the I-site ,Tahuna Beach Holiday Park, Mapua Wharf (home base) and Kaiteri Lodge & Kimi Ora Eco Resort in Kaiteriteri, we offer the widest range of bikes and accessories to make your visit easy.
Cycle Tasman’s Great Taste Trail and experience the Abel Tasman National Park or ride the awesome Nelson and Kaiteriteri Mountain Bike Parks. Trail Journeys offer a full range of bikes and accessories including specifically designed hybrid comfort bikes, fully suspended mountain bikes, high-end E bikes by Bosch, Fat bikes, kids bike and a lot more. Our full range of rental equipment allows the whole family to enjoy the trail.
This easy Great Taste cycling trail takes a leisurely tour of Tasman’s most beautiful coastal and inland areas. Riders will pass vineyards, breweries, orchards and no end of places to stop and enjoy some quality cuisine, just right for short morning rides and gentle afternoon cruises.
Kiwi Journeys Tour Options:
Nelson Bike Hire – Rabbit Island & Beyond
Price: $70 per person – Family $216 (2 A + 2 C )
Departs: On the hour between 10:00 am & 3:00 pm
Durattion: 4 Hours
Time & Distance: You Choose
Meals: Available along the Trail (own cost), we recommend you have lunch a one of the fantastic wineries along the way!
From the Mapua Wharf, the Mapua Ferry whisks you over to Rabbit Island where the peace and quiet will give you time to clear your head. Spend as long as you want exploring the white sandy beaches and trails around the island or carry on cycling towards Richmond crossing farmland, a swing bridge and amazing boardwalks over the estuary. It pays not to forget to visit an award winning winery or brewery for lunch along the route. The best part of this ride is that it is all flat, but we can still offer you the option to take an e-bike too!
This is Trail Journeys most popular day out, it’s an absolute ‘must do’ when visiting Nelson!
The peace and tranquillity as you wander from gorgeous plantation forest to open farmland and around the estuaries just makes you realise how good it is to be alive. The journey is also a fantastic day out for the whole family! We can provide kiddie’s seats, trailers and tag along bikes so there is something for everyone. You just need to remember to bring your swimming gear to cool off afterwards! When you arrive we kit you out with all the equipment you need to enjoy your day. We fit a detailed map to your handlebars which also highlights all the great food and beverage stops along the trail.
BREATH – RELAX – ENJOY
Transport – During the summer months, the Trail Hopper shuttle returns from Mapua twice a day (outside of summer, please contact us)
Inclusions:
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Cycle equipment which includes bicycle, helmet, repair kit, panniers or carrier bag, odometer and trail documentation
Bottled water/Souvenir map
Mapua Ferry crossing
Voucher -10% off when you dine at either the Jellyfish or Apple Shed restaurants on the Mapua Wharf.
Nelson Bike Hire – Nelson to Mapua – Distance 32 kms
Price: $99 person – 2 people $178
Departs: 9:00 am
Duration: 5 Hours
This one day cycle adventure takes in some of the most stunning scenery on Tasman’s Great Taste Trail. There are many fun stops along the way with award winning wineries, craft breweries, and the World of Wearable Art museum to name a few. Cycle along the old rail route from Nelson City to Richmond then turn onto the picturesque Coastal Route to Rabbit Island and Mapua. This is all grade one riding (easy) where a moderate fitness level is required. A short ride on the Mapua Ferry has you landing on the Mapua Wharf where the vibe and atmosphere is very relaxing while you enjoy some great food and beverages. This is also a great day out for the whole family
Your adventure starts at our base in Nelson where you will be fitted to your bikes and briefed on your tour. From here you will start your cycle ride to Mapua on Tasman’s Great Taste Trail. You are required to be at our depot by 9.30am for a 10:00am departure (this is flexible depending on the shuttle you are returning by).
You may choose to explore Nelson City before following the blue Great Taste Trail markers and heading south out to the seaside village of Mapua. Along the way, take in the ‘World of Wearable Art’ (WOW) exhibition then enjoy the atmosphere of the Honest Lawyer, a country style pub. There are also many craft breweries and wineries to sample along the 
way.
Continue on the Trail, take the coastal route and enjoy the views from the coastal boardwalks of the Waimea Estuary and fertile farmland (home to a range of internationally significant bird species including the white heron). Cross
the spectacular Waimea Swing Bridge then on to Rabbit Island. Take a swim in a freshwater swimming hole or the warm sea waters and sandy beaches of Rabbit Island. The trail takes you along the main beach of Rabbit Island where you will come to the Ferry landing. A short trip across the channel on the iconic Mapua Ferry lands you at the Mapua Wharf. Here you can enjoy the buzzing atmosphere of galleries, studios, restaurants, cafes, shops and the Golden Bear Boutique Brewery.
Transport – During the summer months, the Trail Hopper shuttle returns from Mapua twice a day.
Nelson Bike Hire – Rock & Roll (Paddle & pedal)
This tour is not currently operating
Price: $199 person – Childe $174
Departs: 7:00 am
Duration: 11 Hours
Trail Journeys Nelson and Kaiteriteri Kayaks have teamed up to bring you this amazing paddle and pedal package – Half day Kayaking / Half day mountain biking. Suitable for ages 8+
Nelson City to Kaiteriteri – Kayaking “Split Apple Classic Your adventure starts at 07:10am where you will be picked up from selected accommodations around Nelson; you will then be transported to the golden sands of Kaiteriteri beach. This guided kayaking tour covers the area between Kaiteriteri to the south and Split Apple Rock in the north. It is a relatively small area with lots of interesting nooks and crannies to explore. This makes it an ideal 
tour for the first timer and those who are looking for ultra cruisy kayaking! The trip starts at 7:00am with a safety briefing, with full instruction to make kayaking as simple as possible – even for first timers.
Tides play a big part in the tour itinerary. As these change with each day then so does our tour. We do however aim to get up to Split Apple Rock at around 11:00am. After a break for swimming, relaxing or exploring the beach we set off for Ngaio Island on the homeward journey. Back to Kaiteriteri at 11:45am.
Kaiteriteri to Nelson City – Mountain Biking (Kaiteriteri Mountain Bike Park)
Check-in with Trail Journeys around 12:30pm and the afternoon has 180ha of lush native bush and over 30km of mountain bike trails waiting for you. There is a trail for everyone in Kaiteriteri Mountain Bike Park from the family friendly trails right up to a range of intermediate and advanced-grade riding.
The park is well signed posted and easily self-guided. There is a mixture of smoothly crafted hand built and digger trails that you will find easy to navigate. After your days adventure, paddling and pedaling there will still be plenty of time for a swim on the beach and a cold one!
Your Itinerary:
07:10 – Depart Nelson to Kaiteriteri
08:30 – Safety briefing
08:45-11:45 – Split Apple Classic Kayak
11:45-12:30 – Lunch (at own cost or $15 packed lunch)
12:30-12:45 – Check in with Trail Journeys, Bike fit and kit up
12:45-17:00 – Ride KMTBP
17:00 – Depart Kaiteriteri to Nelson
Nelson Bike Hire – Cycle & Sail
This tour is not currently operating
Price: $194 person – Childe $1145
Departs: 7:00 am
Duration: 11 Hours
Cycle in the morning and Sail back in the afternoon
Sailing Schedule:
1:30pm – Depart Mapua
3:30pm – Arrive Nelson
Cycling distance: 32kms (Grade 1 – Easy)
Lunch: Many options available on the Mapua Wharf
This one day Cycle & Sail adventure takes in some of the most stunning scenery on Tasman’s Great Taste Trail, and the amazing experience of Sailing in Tasman Bay with Abel Tasman Sailing adventures.
Your destination – Mapua Wharf is a vibrant hub of galleries, studios, restaurants, wine bars, cafes, shops and the Golden Bear Boutique Brewery. A Perfect destination for lunch while sampling the relaxed atmosphere and vibe.
Your adventure starts at our base in Nelson where you will be fitted to bikes and briefed on your tour. From here you will start your cycle ride to Mapua on Tasman’s Great Taste Trail. (We suggest you arrive at our depot by 9.00am and aim to catch the 12:10pm Ferry on Rabbit Island over to Mapua) There are many fun stops along the way with award winning wineries, craft breweries, and the World of Wearable Art museum to name a few.
Cycle the old Rail Route from Nelson City to Richmond before turning onto the picturesque Coastal Route to Mapua. Cross the spectacular Waimea Swing Bridge then on to Rabbit Island. Take a swim in a freshwater swimming hole or the warm sea waters and sandy beaches of Rabbit Island.
This is all ‘grade one’ riding (easy) where a moderate fitness level is required. A short ride on the Mapua Ferry has you landing on the Mapua Wharf where the vibe and atmosphere is very relaxing while you enjoy some great food and beverages. This is also a great day out for the whole family.
At 1:30pm its time to board the sailing catamaran with the crew from Abel Tasman Sailing Adventures. Sit back or get involved on the 2 hour Sail back to Nelson, catching some great afternoon sea breezes and viewing Nelson from a whole different angle. This is a magic day out!
