Series: 2018 New Zealand

We started today in Twizel with a short ride on road out to the canal for what we thought would be an easy section of the trail. Unfortunately 30knot cross winds made for hard going, with the added worry of being blown into the canal!

Morning tea was a welcome break as was the trail around Lake Ohau which was somewhat protected from the wind.

We stopped for a very tasty lunch at Lake Ohau Lodge where we finally were able to see Mt Cook on a beautiful clear day. After lunch, 8 of us started the climb to the Tarnbrae Highpoint (one of the toughest parts of the trail).

It was hard, hot and dusty riding on rough shingle.

I took an hour and a half to cover the 11km to the high point – it was hard going, not just the hill but the roughness of the track.

We were all looking forward to the downhill and arriving at our motel in Omarama. We took it slow going down and had to cross a few places with water over the road. Some were deep enough that our shoes were underwater.

The final 23 kms were meant to have a tailwind but the wind had followed us around so was in our yet face again. Altogether we rode 82 kms today in what was one of our toughest days on a bike.

With the hills supposedly behind us we headed out of Omarama looking forward to an easier day in the saddle. The first 13 kms were off road and around Lake Benmore to Sailors Cutting.

We had a quick break here and saw a beautifully maintained steamboat being readied for a trip on the lake. The next section of the A2O was on road and included a 3km hill (or undulation as the guides prefer to call them). The downhill was welcome before we turned off the road to head for the Benmore Dam Wall. Warren was one of only a couple who didn’t have to push their bikes some of the way up this steep pinch.

From here it was another lovely ride beside Lake Aviemore where we stopped for a picnic lunch.

Another 6km to the Aviemore Dam wall which unfortunately was closed for 2 days for maintenance (a once in 50 year event!)

This meant we had to board the bus and retrace our tracks back to the main road at Otematata and then onto Kurow. Our tour does not allow cycling on this stretch of road as it is very busy with many blind corners. I don’t think anyone was disappointed at only riding 53 kms today.

Our accommodation for tonight was the recently restored Waitaki Braids. Made of local stone, this was voted the best accomodation and the best meal, venison, for the entire trip. Our host, Kate told us 18,000 cyclists pass through Kurow every year.

After dinner we went to the pub next door to watch the Crusaders play the Highlanders in the Super Rugby (the NZ South Island equivalent of Broncos v Cowboys). Our American friends tried to make sense of the rules while tasting the local brew.

This morning we cycled along the banks of the Waitaki River and over some rocky creek beds. We are starting to get used to this type of cycling which is very different to our rides at home. 

We then visited the Takiroa Rock Art Site and the interesting historic town of Duntroon.

After a look around town we cycled 6km up the road to the unique rock formations known as Elephant Rocks for lunch.

The next stretch was mostly off road on gravel tracks through farms.

We then followed an old railway line through the Raki tunnel.

Our accommodation for the night was the historic Victorian Burnside Homestead.  Built in the 1890’s, it was purchased by our hosts Bruce and Alison in 1974. They opened a B&B in 1995 and it was certainly a memorable place to spend our last night together.

Our room was the original master bedroom with attached bathroom. Unfortunately someone had turned off the hot water system so it was cold showers for most before our dinner served by Alison and Bruce in period costume.

We said goodbye to our hosts at Burnside Homestead and headed off for the last time this trip through the picturesque rolling countryside.

It was only 19km to the finish of the Alps 2 Ocean trail in Oamaru and we all had photos taken in the commemorative frame. We had covered 292km in the 6 days and seen a lot of the NZ south island countryside.

We had plenty of time for a good look around the Victorian Precinct of Oamaru before lunch at a cafe overlooking the water.

It was then onto the bus for the long drive back to Christchurch and our flight home in the morning. We spent our time swapping photos and picking our favourite rides, accommodation and meals. Our guides Sue and Wayne and Adventure South did a great job and we hope to return to NZ and try some of the other trails in the future.