You can take the main south road to Ashburton (small town campground, backpackers, most facilities), then carry
on to Geraldine the following day. The more scenic route is to head west to Yaldhurst and then take the Old West
Coast Road to Home Bush road and spend your fist night at Glentunnel, a tiny hamlet with the Southern Alps for a
backdrop. (approximately 65 km).
The following day, pedal south to Geraldine and enjoy the Rakaia river crossing (steep slope in, steep ride
out), and the generally flat roads to Geraldine, a pretty town with a good campsite. The Canterbury Plains are a
lovely cycle ride with gorgeous views on all sides. You can detour to Peel Forest, one of the last stands of
native bush in the area. There is a store there and a DOC (Department Of Conservation) campsite. A particularly
lovely place.
There are a large number of side trips along this route south which offer isolation and pristine views of lakes
and mountains for the adventurous. Mostly on gravel roads, they nonetheless provide opportunities to see and
experience a uniquely wonderful landscape. Think grassy, lonely, dry, rolling foothills and swimming in lakes
and rivers with only birds for company. Consider the ride up to Lake Huron or Lake Clearwater in the cradle of
the Southern Alps. (Check out the weather forecasts before attempting this).
Round about now you might be getting lazy. If you want an easy day, cycle to Fairlie and relax.
It is approximately 46 km of rising road south of Geraldine along highway 79, but be prepared for plenty of
tourist traffic along this route. If you have time to meander then arguably nicer is the 70 km route along quiet
back-roads to Pleasant Point (camping at the domain), then following HW 8 through Cave and on to Fairlie (see
other South Canterbury cycle trails).
Fairlie is another pleasant, small service centre with
one or two cafés and a good campsite. Sometimes it feels good to mosey around small towns, feel a bit of
pioneer history and enjoy old trees and streets of cosy looking colonial homes. You might be lucky to catch a
craft fair as I did and wonder at the intricate work of local craftspeople and the generally low prices. It's
good to meet New Zealanders. They love showing off their part of the world and are recognised as genuinely
friendly and generous people.
Fairlie to Lake Tekapo is only 44 km, but you will need to cross Burkes Pass. You are now heading into Mackenzie
country, named for a local sheep rustler. This is a distinctively unpopulated, brown, hilly land of tussocks and
sheep. It gives broad and breathtaking views south and west. Burkes Pass is a long, slow incline to a final
steep kilometre to the top.
It is not as arduous as it looks and the views make up for any fatigue. Once through the pass, you have a
marvellous, rolling ride through broad vistas of hills and roads fringed with brilliantly coloured lupins. The
air is clear and the landscape gives you that feeling that you want to cycle forever.
Your first views of Lake Tekapo appear about now. A huge, wonderfully blue stretch of water lying in the
Mackenzie Basin. This is magnificent lower alpine country with views of mountains that run almost to the far
edge of the lake. South of Christchurch habitation dwindles. You become aware of a distinctly underpopulated
landscape of incredible loveliness.
Lake Tekapo is an unashamed tourist town that caters to the coach trade. Numerous buses stop here for food and
photographs. These tend to stick to the main area of town and the local lakeside motorcamp is quiet, pretty,
relaxed and fairly well away from the road yet still allowing you an easy walk to the stores.