Nelson to Mapua: Full-Day Self-Guided Cycling Adventure

Highlights

Inclusions

Itinerary

1. This one day cycle adventure takes in some of the most stunning scenery on Tasman’s Great Taste Trail. There are many fun stops along the way with award winning wineries, craft breweries, and the World of Wearable Art museum to name a few. Cycle along the old rail route from Nelson City to Richmond then turn onto the picturesque Coastal Route to Rabbit Island and Mapua. This is all grade one riding (easy) where a moderate fitness level is required. A short ride on the Mapua Ferry has you landing on the Mapua Wharf where the vibe and atmosphere is very relaxing. This is also a great day out for the whole family.

   30 min

2. Stop of for a brewery tour, tastings, or amazing food!

   40 min

3. Take a tour of this world class peanut butter factory or just stop for a bite to eat at the cafe.

   1 h

4. Enjoy first class wine tastings at the biggest winery in Nelson.

   40 min

5. Great place for lunch and a real fruit ice cream!

   1 h

6. Amazing Pizza and Craft Beer just as you turn off to the coastal route to Mapua. We highly recommend this! NOTE: After this, our shuttle (included in price) will deliver you back to our Nelson City depot.

   1 h

7. Enjoy cycling alongside the beach of Rabbit Island towards Mapua.

   30 minAdmission included

8. There's time to wander the galleries, shops and cafes of Mapua before connecting with the shuttle back to Nelson.

   1 h

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.

Reviews

Ratings come from 74 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.

Showing reviews written in English.

• 5Highly Recommend

  Our first ‘stop’ on arrival in New Zealand is flying to Nelson and immediately going to Mapua to rent bicycles and cycle Rabbit Island to Richmond, stop to swim at the community swimming center, then go back. After a few wonderful days we are fully recovered from the flights from Boston, acclimatized to the time zone and continue our magical cycling and hiking in New Zealand. We rent from Kiwi Journeys, which I would highly recommend.

  DickSimonPhotographyMay 2026via Tripadvisor

• 5Outstanding service

  Kiwi Journeys made our trip so easy. They have all the experience so the places they booked us to stay each night where outstanding. Fantastic hosts and the most delicious food. The trails were well sign posted and the staff at Kiwi Journeys provided excellent communication and support. The ebike I rented was perfect for the trails. A perfectly organised trip by Kiwi Journeys.

  TonkaPascoeMay 2026via Tripadvisor

• 5Great ride

  Great service, great bikes, stunning scenery.

  TobyAst123123May 2026via Tripadvisor

• 4Confusing route from Nelsom city to Rabbit Island

  Easy pick up point in CBD, given a map which was hard to follow and in sections. Guide explained the route options but when on the track not well signed for Tasman Taste trail around Richmond ended up going through Stoke and near busy roads, parts old railway line. Struggled to find my way however once I saw signposts to Rabbit Island and Mapua all good. Would recommend starting at the airport exploring the beach then carry on to the Island as the CBD Richmond section not scenic and confusing. Would be good if NZ ride was along Tahauanui beach but this is a busy road at present, two good cycle lanes from CBD to the beach would make the ride more enjoyable Shuttle when I booked was told 3pm, from Mapua when I collected the bike from Nelson was told 5pm, when I arrived in Mapu parked the bike outside Kiwi journeys office which was closed at 3.20pm although the opening hrs said 4.30pm, so nobody to ask but the note on the door said shuttle was 4.30pm. Rushed a meal to get back for 4.30pm saw a member of staff who assured me it was 5pm. Driver dropped me off at my accommodation.

  TraceydancocksApril 2026via Tripadvisor

• 5A fabulous Ride!

  A very lovely experience - staff were very welcoming and gave helpful advice - a varied and interesting route - bikes good quality and comfortable and helmets very good condition and clean! The locks and panniers were also very helpful - pickup was on time and Mike the driver gave a fabulous history lesson on our return which was extremely informative and enjoyable and thank you Mike for your recommendation of your local pub - very good food!

  S5407JUangelamApril 2026via Tripadvisor

• 4An Amazing, Unique Way to See Nelson to Māpua!

  Would definitely recommend this to anyone traveling to the Nelson area! It was a great way to see the different things Nelson to Mapua has to offer. We saw and experienced so many things that we may not have seen just driving around. All of the stops the staff said to take were so fun and the food and brews were yummy. Highly recommend making the stop at the Honest Lawyer for breakfast and coffee and then later to the Seifried Estate winery. Along the route, there was so much gorgeous farmland and friendly animals to say hi to. Only thing that could be improved is a little TLC on the mechanical bikes.

  Taylor_OApril 2026via Viator

Know before you go

How it compares in Nelson

• Its from-price is 75% below the median of the 9 day trips we list in Nelson.
• Its length is typical for the group.
• By number of reviews it ranks 4 of 9.
• The operator lists free cancellation on it.

About Nelson

Nelson is a sunny city on Tasman Bay at the top of New Zealand's South Island, close to Abel Tasman National Park, craft studios, orchards and vineyards.

Nelson sits on Tasman Bay at the northern end of the South Island, backed by hills and facing a wide, sheltered bay, and has a reputation as one of New Zealand's sunniest places. Begun as a planned settlement of the early 1840s, it is a compact city with a hilltop cathedral, a long waterfront and a lively arts scene of potters, glassblowers and weavers.

See all 41 experiences in Nelson