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On Your Bike NZ, Monday August 29, 2016
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Marlborough
Marlborough boasts brilliant weather, stunning scenery and loads of off and on road trails.
See stunning scenery in this sunny region
MORE INFO
F YOU love exploring by bike, then a visit to one of New Zealand’s sunniest places is a must. Marlborough, located at the top of the South Island, boasts brilliant weather, stunning scenery and loads of off and on road trails, including the Queen Charlotte Track, a Great Ride on the NZ Cycle Trail. So what’s your passion — mountain biking through forests and secluded bays? Or perhaps something a bit tamer like cycling between the vines and cellar doors? First stop, mountain biking. There are heaps of mountain biking trails in Marlborough, such as the iconic 70km Queen Charlotte Track in the Marlborough Sounds, a stunning Great Ride made unique by using family owned and operated
Marlborough is New Zealand’s largest winegrowing region, producing more than 75 per cent of New Zealand’s wine and is the undisputed home of sauvignon blanc.With more than 150 wineries and 37 cellar doors, a brilliant way to sample the region’s wines is to cycle the Marlborough Wine Trail. Enjoy cycling along quiet rural roads through picturesque countryside, stopping to taste the latest wine vintages or relax over a vineyard lunch. Cycle hire and tours operate year-round. Marlborough is also home to the South Island’s biggest and most popular recreational road cycling event in April — the Forrest Grape Ride. The classic course traverses a 101km or 42km circuit through some of New Zealand’s most stunning scenery.
Start planning your next trip at MarlboroughNZ.com/bike
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companies such as Beachcomber Cruises, who have eight vessels operating throughout the Queen Charlotte Sound, for boat access and luggage transfers. There is a wide range of delicious local food and wine in the various types of accommodation along the track. Another brilliant option is to join a guided tour to discover Molesworth
Station with Molesworth Tours. Hear the tales of old, and enjoy the beautiful Marlborough High Country. Closer to Blenheim, the Wither Hills Farm Park features 1100 hectares of rolling hill country and is home to numerous tracks for mountain bikers with excellent views of Blenheim and beyond. Or explore the many other trails in Marlborough including the
Nydia Track, Whites Bay Loop and Wakamarina Track which were all included in the recent Santa Cruz NZ Enduro event, voted the best enduro race in NZ in 2015. The event welcomed many international riders including 2013 Enduro World Champion, Jerome Clementz, who said “It was good to see at the end of the stage everybody was like ahhhhhh! It was so cool ahhhhhh!” Now for those who like to cruise without breaking a sweat, then look no further.
• QUEEN CHARLOTTE TRACK Transfers specialists • Biking packages available • Private on demand water taxi • FREE Luggage transfers The Waterfront, PICTON
P: 03 573 6175 • E: office@mailboat.co.nz
www.beachcombercruises.co.nz the "One of actions best attr land" ea in New Z • FREE pickup and drop off to/from Blenheim and Renwick. • Self-guided tours so you have the flexibility to go where you want without feeling pressured to keep up with others. • SINGLE BIKE / TRIKE $45.00 p/p • CRUISER TANDEM $40.00 p/p Also Kids Seats, Trailers and Tow-alongs free of charge
Guided Great Ride Cycle Tours in the South Island Molesworth Muster Trail | Nelson Great Tastes and Golden Bay Cycle Alps2Ocean Trail | West Coast Wilderness Trail | 4-5-day package tours
Phone 03 5728025 or 0274351955
www.sceniccycletours.co.nz | info@sceniccycletours.co.nz
SEE WEBSITE FOR START TIMES
Your Hosts: Steve & Jo Hill • Hillsfield House, 33 Blicks Rd, Renwick, Marlborough Trip Advisor P: 03 572 7954 M: 021 432 276 E: info@winetoursbybike.co.nz Hall of www.winetoursbybike.co.nz Fame Winner