Off the Beaten Trail Tours
Tours galore of the top of the South Island.
- Nelson Airport pick up and return
- Extensive local knowledge of trails
- Great accommodation
- Stress free, you just concentrate on the riding
- Safe and secure bike and gear trailer
Welcome to Off the Beaten Trail Tours. Based in Murchison we are central to some of the best riding in the world!
With a pick up from Nelson you have a selection of epic native bush riding within minutes of arriving.
We have designed some tour packages that incorporate the three great rides of the area: The Heaphy Track (only from May 1st to November 30th), The Old Ghost Road and The Paparoa Track. These can be done together in a 7 day epic tour or by picking one main ride with some shorter rides around it.
We can take tours of up to 10 people (which is the most cost effective) with a minimim of three.
We have taken the logistical work out of your biking tour so you can concentrate on the fun stuff.
We have great add-ons as well:
- Heli drops
- Bike hire
- Dry bag and bike rack hire
- Rafting rides on the Buller
- Jet boating trips
- Shuttled bike park rides
Tour 1: The Gorge N Ghost
Blending two class favorites together we have an over night two day ride through the Rocky thor and out to the west coast. Then the epic park ride of The Wairoa Gorge to shuttle and stay over night at.
Day/night 1: Pick up at Nelson airport and drive to Murchison. Stay at OTBTA Murchison with food options. Get ready for two days of riding on the Old Ghost Road.
Day/night 2: Morning drop at Lyell where you start the ride 30km to the OGR mountain tops. Stay on top of the mountain at Ghost Lake Hut.
Day/night 3: Awake to a beautiful sun rise over the mountain tops, head downhill all day to the west coast (55km). Then get either picked up by van or a heli ride back to the top for another down hill ride to Lyell carpark. Stay at OTBTA Murchison for a BBQ and drinks debrief.
Day/night 4: Drive to the Wairoa Gorge bike park for a half day of epic single track and shuttles. Stay on the mountain in Gibbs or Barrys Hut.
Day 5: Awake to another half day of shuttles at the park and then drop off at Nelson airport or in Nelson to conclude the tour.
Tour 2: The Epic Toru
Incorporating the three best multi-day trails in New Zealand; The Heaphy, The Old Ghost Road and The Paparoa. You will have to be fit and be ready for 6 days of riding in a row! With the Heaphy only open from May-Nov there is a mixed bag of conditions so bike and rider will need to be ready for any weather that may arise.
Day/night 1: Pick up at Nelson airport and reassemble bikes, then drive to Murchison or meet at OTBTA for the night.
Day/night 2: Drive to Smoke ho Carpark Early for the start of the first ride. Ride in one day 57km, pick up Punakaiki back to OTBTA.
Day/night 3: Can sleep in a bit before drop off at Lyell and start the Old Ghost Road. Ride to Ghost Lake Hut for the night.
Day/night 4: Wake to a beautiful sunrise on top of the mountains and head down hill for 50km to Rough n Tumble Lodge dinner, drinks and stay.
Day/night 5: Get picked up and taken to the start of the Heaphy Track. Ride the beautiful coastline and up the hill to MacKay Hut with a view of the Tasman Sea.
Day/night 6: Ride out mainly down hill to Browns Hut to finish the Epic Toru. Stop at Mussel Inn for dinner and drinks then back to Nelson for a night.
Day 7: Clean and pack bikes ready for flight home.
This trip can be made into an 8-day tour with an extra night on Paparoa if you can't ride in one day.
Tour 3: The Kaharangi Circuit
Great loop around the second biggest national park taking in the beautiful Nikau Palms of the West Coast.
Grade 3/4 riding.
Day/night 1: Pick up from Nelson airport in the morning, get bikes ready, drive to Caynans Downs for ride down the Rarmeka Track. Dinner and drinks at Mussel Inn and stay the night at Pakawa Camp.
Day/night 2: Drop off at Browns Hut for the start of the Heaphy Track, ride to MacKay Hut.
Day/night 3: Ride to Karamea for pick up and drive back to Murchison for drinks and a BBQ.
Day/night 4: Drive to the Gorge Bike Park for a day of shuttles. Stay the night there or in Nelson.
Day 5: Pack bikes up and drop-off at the airport.
Tour 4: Maruia Saddle Day Trip
Steeped in native history the Maruia Saddle day trip offers riders the chance to seek a true escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.
Departing from Murchison, this full day MTB experience is perfect for beginners, families and those with grade 2 riding experience.
Starting with a 5km gentle climb to the saddle, ride amongst native bush where Kea, Kaka and other native birds call home.
From the saddle the real fun starts with a 7km flowing descent, crossing streams and winding around the bush-clad banks of the Warbeck Steam to the valley floor of the Matakitaki.
The ride back to Murchison from the valley floor is a rolling 30km of gravel, taking in views of the Matakitaki River and the surrounding mountains.
Trail Length: 42km (4-5 hours riding)
Experience Level: Beginners/Grade 2
Fitness: Moderate
Tour 5: Raft & Ride Day Tour
Here in the Upper Buller we are blessed with beautiful rivers to raft dwn and bike beside.
We have designed his package around a epic Rafting trip down the Mighty Buller in the morning.
Have some lunch then get taken up the Mataktaki River 12km for a gentle ride back to OTBT.
You will get dropped off at a beautiful Matakitaki Gorge with your MTB which you will ride through some of the areas best native Beech forest, getting glimpses of the river and creeks as you sweep along this mostly downhill grade 2 trail back to Muchison.
This experience is a great family fun day out for ages 13yrs and up.
Must be able to ride a bike on gravel and dirt tracks.