Feb 18 - Mar 1, 2025
Mar 4 - 15, 2025
If you would like more information about New Zealand, please drop us an email.
NEW ZEALAND: LAND OF THE LONG WHITE CLOUD
“All people think that New Zealand is close to Australia or Asia, or somewhere, and that you cross to it on a bridge. But that is not so. It is not close to anything, but lies by itself, out in the water.” — Mark Twain, Following the Equator
If one could create a Venn Diagram of the places so many people want to visit and never do, one of the biggest overlaps would be, without a doubt, New Zealand. The Land of the Long White Cloud, or in Maori, Aotearoa, is one of Earth’s truly unspoilt natural marvels, and Te Waipounamu, New Zealand’s South Island, proffers it in spades. Its backbone is a range of towering mountains known as the Southern Alps, reaching skyward over 12,000ft/3500m at their highest. Dotted with pristine lakes, glaciers, and traced by bountiful gravel tracks, they form the backdrop for one of RAID’s most ambitious and remote destinations yet.
With 10 days of hard riding that’s just as easy on the eyes, the New Zealand Gravel Expedition promises to tax the body and reward the soul with a total of 707 miles of mixed-terrain cycling. Recovery is handled in typical RAID fashion, with local dining gems unearthed for our weary travelers, uniquely Kiwi accommodations, and even a natural hot spring thrown in for good measure.
Leave winter’s short days, long nights, and cold rides behind. Join us in New Zealand.
D1 ARRIVAL DAY – BLENHEIM, NZ
Blenheim welcomes you with sunshine and quench your thirst and delight your taste buds. As the producer of 75% of New Zealand’s wine, it’s the perfect launching point for a bit of indulgence before we venture off into the hinterland. Today our team will assist with your bike assembly, provide an orientation and assist with airport transfers. We will also offer a self-supported shakedown spin this afternoon before our evening dining experience.
D2 BLENHEIM - MIDDLEHURST
60.3 mi / 5,995 Ft
97.1 km / 1,827 m
35 Km pave / 105 km grvl
Today we will take the often-discussed but rarely traveled Acheron Road. It’s 207 km long, the route is nearly all dirt with a gradual climb taking us into the oasis of the Awatere Valley from Blenheim to Middlehurst Station and then further on to Hanmer Springs. We will break it up into two solid days of riding.
Tonight’s very special farm stay at The Quarters at Middlehurst Station is one of New Zealand's few remote High Country stays, and one of its finest. Nestled within sight of Middlehurst's prominent/iconic Mt Lookout, and a short walk from the Awatere Valley’s braided rivers. The Quarters offers a comfortable and stylish getaway retreat on an authentic New Zealand working sheep station.
The Macdonald family and The Quarters’ Private Chef are passionate about providing a special dining experience unique to Middlehurst Station. They serve premium produce, sourced from the farm and local producers, and serve their guests from an open plan kitchen in a luxurious family style setting.
Acheron Road
D3 MIDDLEHURST - HANMER SPRINGS
66.3 mi / 4,339 Ft
106.7 km / 1,323 m
1.3 Km pave / 105.4 km grvl
Continue our route along the The Molesworth Muster Trail through the second half of the Acheron Road. Be prepared for a hard summit followed by a gentle descent down Jack’s Pass. Hammer Springs await, a naturally-heated waterpark where you can relax and recover from the day. Keep an eye out today for the ‘local’ traffic jams - (traffic jams here are frequently caused by sheep!).
Hanmer Springs
D4 LAKE TEKAPO - LAKE OHAU LODGE
65 mi / 2,837 Ft
105 km / 865 m
18 Km pave / 75 km grvl
Leave Hammer Springs in spectacular fashion: aboard a scenic flight down the spine of New Zealand’s alps. We’ll land at Lake Tekapo known for its azure blue color. This ride is pure glory, traveling along stunning lakes with mountains all around. We will see Mt. Cook (Aoraki to native New Zealanders) across Lake Pukaki and the views reminiscent of Lord of the Rings carry us all the way to Lake Ohau Lodge, where your room will offer a sunrise view out over the lake.
O/N Lake Ohau Lodge
Mt Cook
D5 LAKE OHAU - OAMARU
110 mi / 5,633 Ft
178 km / 1,717 m
85 Km pave / 65 km grvl
Today we tackle the rest of the famous “Alps to Ocean” route, leaving Lake Ohau via another scenic gravel road. We’ll take a detour along small country lanes past ancient goelogicial formations such as elephant rocks and the valley of the whales. The Victorian town of Oamaru awaits, with a locally-sourced dinner at the Criterion. You’ll also have a chance to catch sight of some penguins, plentiful along the city’s South Pacific shores.
O/N Mariners Suites
D6 OAMARU - DUNEDIN
80 mi / 5,927 Ft
128 Km / 1,828 m
110 Km pave / 15 km grvl
Leaving the stately architecture of Oamaru behind, our ride today follows the coast. Start with easy pedaling and beautiful views (including a stop at the enchanting and spherical Moeraki Boulders) before heading inland towards Dunedin. Dunedin’s street layout is identical to Edinborough Scotland, but the city planners neglected to take into account the topography. You’ll see what we mean when you arrive. We’ll pass up and over Mount Cargill, the largest peak in the region, before dropping us into town at the base of Baldwin Street, famously the steepest street in the world. Go for it if you have the guts!
O/N Fable Dunedin
*Dinner on own
D7 DUNEDIN - REST DAY
44 mi / 3,503 Ft
70 km / 1,068 m
80% pave
Explore the breathtaking Otago Peninsula today. Nestled on the South Island's southeastern coast, this scenic gem promises an unforgettable journey for our chill ride today. With its rugged coastlines, flourishing wildlife, and charming historic villages, the Otago Peninsula offers a perfect blend of natural beauty and cultural intrigue.
The peninsula's coastline boasts dramatic cliffs, sandy beaches, and hidden coves. Explore the historic architecture of Portobello, sample local cuisine in quaint cafes, and learn about the region's rich Maori and European heritage.
Dunedin has developed a vibrant and thriving craft beer culture that has gained national and international recognition. Some of the notable breweries in the city include Emerson's Brewery, New New New Corporation, and the Craftwork Brewery. Speight's Brewery is one of the country's most iconic and well-loved breweries. Its history dates back to the mid-19th century, and it has played a significant role in New Zealand's brewing tradition. Lets pour a glass and maybe take a tour.
O/N Fable Dunedin
D8 DUNEDIN - RANFURLY
87 mi / 5,951 Ft
141 Km / 1,814 m
54.7 Km pave / 86.3 km grvl
We start hilly as we leave Dunedin and pass the Taieri Gorge, a deep river-carved canyon that takes us up and away from the ocean. Otherworldly rock formations showcase the diversity of New Zealand’s landscapes. Once we reach Middlemarch, things flatten out along the Central Otago rail trail: New Zealand’s first big cycling path. Several historic railroad tunnels and trestled bridges are a reminder of the route’s original purpose.
O/N Hawkdun Lodge
D9 RANFURLY - cROMWELL
82 mi / 3,336 Ft
133 Km / 1,814 m
10 Km pave / 120 km grvl
The is a day almost entirely on off-road cycle paths that NZ tourism has spent millions resurfacing and reconstructing out of disused railroad beds. Because the route follows old railroad beds the grades all day are very gentle which should allow for some easier riding. Or, ride fast and arrive in Cromwell early to enjoy some of the wonderful vineyards the area is renowned for. Many people have compared the area to the Okanagan in British Columbia Canada. The first 90km finishes the Central Otago Railtrail and the second portion follows the shore along Lake Dunstan including a short stretch of cliff-side bridge trail.
O/N Harvest House
Central Otago
D10 cROMWELL - MOSSBURN
86 mi / 6,643 Ft
139 Km / 2,025 m
10 Km pave / 130 km grvl
The trip’s Queen Stage. Almost all unpaved, one of the hardest and one of the best days you will experience on a bicycle. We’ll finish the Central Otago rail trail before riding along the shores of the Clutha river on another recently completed rail trail. At kilometer 75, in the town of Bannockburn, the road turns upwards and we start climbing. The Nevis Road is one of the most remote places in the entire country, taking us over at least a dozen creeks and through abandoned gold mining settlements. Nevis Road is the highest public road in New Zealand, and the views are correspondingly insane; words aren’t enough to describe how it feels to look out over all those kilometers you climbed. After a stunning descent from the Nevis Valley to Garston a mellow 50 kilometer ride takes us to Mossburn and the historic Mossburn Railway Hotel. The quintessential New Zealand experience awaits, a bar, restaurant, and hotel seemingly outside of time.
Central Otago
D11 MOSSBURN - QUEENSTOWN
64 mi / 2,637 Ft
103 Km / 840 m
0 Km pave / 103 km grvl
Our last day of riding. Head out from the Mossburn Railway Hotel along another gravel path heading North to Mavora Lakes with the by-now familiar New Zealand scenery continuing to stun. The end of our ride today is along the shores of Lake Wakatipu and finishes at Walker Peak Station. Relax with a cup of tea or a cold beer before taking the TSS Earnslaw across the lake to Queenstown, a resort town known for adventure activities. Stay on past the trip end to bungee jump, mountain bike, or jet boat along rivers.
D12 QUEENSTOWN
Departure day. It’s best to fly from Queenstown Airport (ZQN). We will assist you this morning in your departures and movements.
Queenstown
