5-Day Great Taste Cycle Tour

Trip Overview

Two days cycling, then three days your way.

In partnership with the Gentle Cycling Company, ride a mostly flat, easy section of the Great Taste Trail from Nelson through Mapua and Motueka to Kaiteriteri — passing beachside cafes, vineyards and boutique breweries along the way. At Kaiteriteri, hand back your bike and join straight into a 3-day lodge-based trip — walking, or kayaking & walking — to make up five days in total. Looking for a longer stay? See the 7-Day Great Taste Cycle Tour.

Best for

Local FlavoursActive AdventurersFull ImmersionCyclists

Book this trip

From

NZ$2,935

2 days cycling (bike hire included) plus 3 days walking, self-guided. Choose kayak & walk below for the guided price.

What's included

Beachfront accommodation

All meals, hot drinks & snacks

Luggage transfers

Boat transfers

Bike, helmet & trail map hire

Guided or Self-Guided

Walk your way.

The 2-day cycle is supported throughout by our partner, the Gentle Cycling Company. For the 3 days that follow, choose the 3 Day Walk for a guided or self-guided pace, or the 3 Day Kayak & Walk, which is guided.

Self-guided

Walk independently with the confidence of Wilsons' support behind you. Our exclusive app, knowledgeable lodge hosts and flexible boat transfers make it easy to explore at your own pace, while enjoying the comfort of two nights at each beachfront lodge.

Guided

Our experienced guides do far more than lead the way. They'll share the stories, history, wildlife and hidden places that make Abel Tasman so special, while taking care of the logistics so you can simply enjoy the journey.

Choose your continuation

Choose your 3 days in Abel Tasman.

The 2-day cycle is fixed, bike hire included — from Kaiteriteri, choose whether the following 3 days are walking or kayak & walking.

3 Day Walk

Active

Walk the Abel Tasman Coast Track over three days, staying at our beachfront lodges, guided or self-guided.

5 days, from

NZ$2,935

View trip

3 Day Kayak & Walk

Active

Combine guided kayaking and walking over three days, staying at beachfront lodges along the way.

5 days, from

NZ$3,085

View trip

Highlights

Cycle the Great Taste Trail

Ride a section of the Great Taste Trail through the wider Nelson Tasman region.

Guided kayaking in Abel Tasman

Add a guided sea kayaking section along the Abel Tasman coastline.

Walking the Coast Track

Include a walking section of the Abel Tasman Coast Track as part of the wider trip.

Beachfront lodge stays

Nights at Wilsons' own beachfront lodges during the Abel Tasman portion of the trip.

Full Nelson Tasman region experience

A multi-activity trip that covers more of the wider region than the Abel Tasman-only itineraries.

Route map

Gallery

See the experience

Trip information

Plan your experience

Use this section to understand timing, what to bring, highlights and practical notes before you travel.

Arrival & departure options

Your journey begins with a complimentary coach transfer, with standard departures from Nelson beginning at 8am or 10.15am, and returning to Nelson by approximately 5.30–6pm. Earlier or later departures may be available depending on the season or your travel plans.

Flexible by nature

All walking is optional, with boat transfers available throughout your journey. Whether you're travelling as a couple, with friends or as a family spanning different ages and abilities, everyone can enjoy the experience at a pace that suits them.

Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1 of 2 · Cycling

Nelson to Mapua

A shuttle transfer takes you to our cycling partner, the Gentle Cycling Company, for a pre-ride briefing and to pick up your 21-speed comfort bike (bike, helmet and trail map hire all included). Ride the Great Taste Trail at your own pace, taking in beach-side cycling, cafes, vineyards and boutique breweries, before crossing the Mapua estuary to the vibrant Mapua Wharf community.

Cycle 22km · easy grade

🏠 Mapua Bed & Breakfast

Day 2 of 2 · Cycling

Mapua to Kaiteriteri, via Motueka

Ride on through orchards, vineyards and market gardens to Motueka, then continue via the rural town of Riwaka — home to a boutique brewery — aiming to reach Kaiteriteri by early afternoon via the ‘Easy Rider’ trail through Kaiteriteri Mountain Bike Park (vehicle support available if you'd rather skip this section). Hand your bike back to the support team and meet your Abel Tasman guide with lunch.

Cycle 43.5km · easy–intermediate grade

🍽 Breakfast · Lunch

Then · Day 1 of your chosen trip

Straight into Abel Tasman National Park

From Kaiteriteri, you join your chosen 3-day trip — walking, or kayaking & walking — starting the same afternoon with a cruise to Tōtaranui and a walk on to Awaroa.

Cruise 1hr 40 · walk 9km

🍽 Afternoon tea · Dinner

What to bring

Small day pack
Warm layer and waterproof jacket
Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
Drinking water
Swimwear and towel, if swimming
Lunch or onboard food plan
Camera or charged phone
Comfortable walking shoes where relevant

Destinations

Anchorage

Why Choose Wilsons

Trusted by guests since 1841.

Flexible by nature

Walking is always optional and boat transfers run throughout the day, so every guest can set their own pace, whatever their fitness or age.

Stay in the park, not just visit it

The only Great Walk operator that lets you stay inside the national park overnight while transporting you around it by boat, instead of shuttling you in and out each day.

Every detail taken care of

Accommodation, meals, luggage transfers and logistics are handled for you, so you can focus on being here rather than planning it.

Locals since 1841

Generations of family ownership and daily access to the park most operators only visit — local knowledge you can feel the whole way through.

FAQs