Day One: Tekapo to Lake Pukaki 43km (Kids rode from Tekapo to the bottom of the Power Station 30km)

We set off from the Tekapo start around 10.30am.  This is opposite the town centre and clearly signposted with the red alternative route A2O signs, follow these until you reach the Tekapo Canal Road.  You will need to cross State Highway 8 on this section, so take your time and be careful.

Biking – Tekapo to the shores of Lake Pukaki…43km…the first section Tekapo to State Hwy 8 along sealed & gravel flat roads next to the canal, 15km.  We had lunch in the rest area after we crossed the Highway.  After lunch we continued on along the canal road which again changed regularly from sealed to thick gravel and was slightly uphill in places, so was fairly slow going.  Just before the Salmon Farm you are back on a public road and this is a popular fishing area.  You will reach the top of Tekapo B Power Station.  Jackets on then a speedy downhill.  You will have biked another 15km to Hayman Road at the bottom of the hill.  Traffic flow is moderate around this area so keep the kids close and alert to their surroundings.  I carried on down Hayman Road towards the State Highway (left as you come down from the Dam) then onto a wide bike trail that ran along the shore of Lake Pukaki.  Finishing at The Pines Camping area 13km from the Power Station

Facilities – There are toilets provided at each end of the canal road.  Most of the canal road is closed to traffic but workers do have access so you may come across a truck or two.  After you leave Tekapo there is no access to fresh water.  There is no drinking water at The Pines Camping area.

Accommodation – We stayed overnight at The Pines which is a freedom camping area on the shores of Lake Pukaki very close to the information centre.  It has a one night maximum stay restriction and a long drop toilet hiding up in the trees.

Carrying Gear & Support Vehicle – Using one set of panniers to carry the gear we required for our day.  Each of us had a hydration bladder – my bladder was 3L, the kids each had 1.5L bladders. Vehicle access is restricted along these sections of the track so you will need to carry snacks, water, spare clothing/jackets, mobile phone, a bike tool kit and a compact bike specific first aid kit.  Vehicles have access up Hayman Road off State Highway 8 just before the Information Centre.  Hayman Road is sealed until you reach Tekapo B Power Station

Day Two: Lake Pukaki to Omarama 87km (11yr old rode from Pukaki to Twizel 11km)

Biking – Lake Pukaki to Twizel approximately 11km across Pukaki Flats Track which is as the name suggests a gentle & flat biking/walking track.  At the information centre at the bottom of the lake you have to cross the Highway to find the Pukaki Flats Track.  Twizel has a population of around 1200, and has good facilities.  It is located on State Highway 8.

Twizel to Lake Ohau 38km.   Again you have to cross the main highway to get into the centre of Twizel where you will find the Alps to Ocean signs that lead you to the right of town and out along Glen Lyon Road.  After 18km biking along this sealed canal road you will reach the edge of Lake Ohau under the towering Ben Ohau Mountain.  It is then 11km around an off road biking/walking track to Lake Ohau Road.  A perfect spot for lunch.  It is another 10km onto Ohau Lodge. 

Lake Ohau to Omarama 38km.  The next 18km of riding is along Tambrae Track which I would describe as a mountain biking single track and your first major climb – it is 900m up to the “High Point” and a very rapid descent then follows.  Quailburn Road at the end of the track is gravel for approximately two thirds of its 20km length and unfortunately for me, it was new gravel, so difficult to ride.  Quailburn Road finishes at State Highway 8 where you will join a great little biking track beside the road and river which takes you through Ahuriri Campground where we stopped to camp.

Total distance 87km of very diverse surfaces and riding

Facilities – Food, water, toilets all to be found in Twizel. First toilet after Twizel is at Ohau Weir along the shores of Lake Ohau then again along the road leading to Ohau Lodge.  Apart from Ohau Lodge there are no other facilities at Ohau so don’t expect a coffee in a cafe, you’re in a remote area of NZ now.  At the end of Trambrae Track a 2km detour will lead you to a historic woolshed picnic area & toilet at the very top of Quailburn Road.

Again no drinking water can be found along the track.

Accommodation – We stayed at Ahuriri DOC campsite 3km outside of Omarama which has a basic toilet.  Omarama has a population of approximately 250 people.  You will find a couple of cafes, a petrol station and limited accommodation.

Carrying Gear & Support Vehicle – Using one set of panniers to carry the gear I required for the day and a hydration pack with 3L bladder.  Vehicle access is restricted along these sections of the track so you will need to carry snacks, water, spare clothing/jackets, mobile phone, a bike tool kit and a compact bike specific first aid kit. Vehicle has access at Twizel, Ohau & from Quailburn Road.

Day Three: Omarama to Aveimore Dam 52km (Kids rode from Omarama to Sailors Cutting 13km)

Biking – Omarama to Otematata 27km, which includes 3km of riding from Ahuriri Campground into Omarama.  The first section of this track from Omarama – 13km to Sailors Cutting – is a great off road smooth shingle track that offers easy, fun riding along the shores of Lake Benmore.  At Sailors Cutting the track leads onto the Highway – 9km on State Highway 83 up and over Otematata Saddle – not recommended for children or those not accustomed to traffic.  Trucks will be passing you on an open road – 100km speed limit…

Otematata to Aviemore Dam 28km.  The track turns towards Benmore Dam just before Otematata township so if you want supplies or the toilet you will have to ride into Otematata.  It has one small supermarket and a population of 200, again limited accommodation.  From Otematata it is a simple 6km ride along a bike track to the towering Benmore Hydro Dam and YES you are going up and across it so take a deep breath and get in a low gear.  The next 22km is along a sealed road next to Lake Aveimore – not a single car passed me but I imagine in summer that this road is busy with campers, boats and fishermen.

Total distance 52k

Facilities – Food, water & toilets all to be found in Omarama and Otematata

Accommodation – There are several different camping options along this section of track.  Please be aware that this is a very popular holiday destination in summer so booking, if possible, would be essential.

Support Vehicle – The entire section is either next to the road or on a public road so vehicles have easy access to you.

NOTE this section of track is now off road (Feb 2020): I choose to miss the next section of road riding from Aviemore Dam to Kurow, 18km of HIGH TRAFFIC road riding.  This was because of time restrictions and a southerly weather system that was forecast and generally because it is unpleasant to have trucks passing you at that speed with no room to get out of there way.

Day Four: Kurow to Oamaru 82km

Biking – Kurow to Duntroon 28km, followed by 54km to finish at the Pacific Ocean on the Wansbeck St Pier in Oamaru.  Total distance 82km!

From Kurow the whole section of track is off road on flat yellow shingle or four wheel drive tracks.  There are a couple of river crossings to attend to but this is generally a pleasant ride.

Duntroon to Oamaru is a diverse mix of sealed road, single bike track across working farms and back country gravel roads.  Although you do eventually end up going down into Oamaru the bulk of this track is rolling countryside with constant climbs and descents.  You will need a reasonable base of fitness to complete it comfortably.  And watch out for the magpies – spring time means nesting – I got attacked by 4!!  The public gardens & Victorian Precinct in Oamaru are an absolute pleasure to ride through.  And as promised the trail finishes right next to the Ocean!

Facilities – Kurow (pop: 320) will provide food, water and toilets and limited accommodation if you choose to stay here.  Duntroon (pop: 120) when I rode through on a Thursday in October at lunchtime no food places appeared to be open.  Duntroon does have the Flying Pig Cafe but I would check whether it is open before depending on it for food.  Rakis Railway Tunnel, 27km into this section has a table, toilet and drinking water from the tap.

Support Vehicle – Never far from road access with short off road sections throughout this ride

New to Riding & Kid Friendly sections:

• The Canal Roads make for easy, flat riding but could be a bit long depending on the age of your children, two 15km sections after Tekapo, one 12km section after Twizel
• The off road section of track next to Lake Pukaki, 13km from Tekapo B Power Station to Lake Pukaki Visitor Centre
• The Pukaki Flats Track from Lake Pukaki to Twizel, 11km
• The Lake Ohau shore track from the end of Glen Lyon Road to Lake Ohau Road, 11km
• Tarnbrae Track from Lake Ohau Lodge to Quailburn Road, 18km – your kids would enjoy this track only if they mountain bike regularly
• Omarama to Sailors Cutting, 13km
• Otematata to the top of Benmore Dam, 6km – the last 800m is steep!  But well worth the effort
• Benmore Dam to Aviemore Dam is on an undulating lake side road – watch traffic flow in summer, 22km
• Kurow to Duntroon, 28km.  Give yourself 3hrs…if this is too far do the beginning and finish just after 15km when the trail comes back next to the highway
• Elephant Rocks to Conlans Road, 7km – yours kids would enjoy this track if they mountain bike regularly
• Pig Island Road just after Winsor to Oamaru, 18km.  If this is too far there are a number of places along this section to join or leave the trail at.