Back of Beyond New Zealand
Back of Beyond offers a unique mountain biking experience, having access to some of the more remote privately owned High Country stations. Beginning at the picturesque township of Mt Somers, the gateway to the location for Edoras, the fortress city of the Rohan people in The Lord of the Rings.
The accommodation varies each night from renovated shearers quarters, an authentic musterer’s hut to a luxurious farm stay. Each day you will experience true kiwi hospitality among the local High Country community.
Back of Beyond tours cater for novice as well as experienced mountain bikers so everyone can enjoy the ride and you can always hop in the support vehicle if you fancy a break.
Spending 4-5 hours per day on your bike, there is plenty of time to stop when you feel like it, take in the sights and sounds and then relax in the evenings.
Each tour is equipped with experienced guides and a 4WD support vehicle that carries all the gear, allowing you to ride unencumbered.
Our all-inclusive package, "Rough it in Luxury" is a must for those looking for adventure without compromising on comfort. We can promise fantastic mountain biking, awesome scenery, exciting activities and also the very best of accommodation and dining that the High Country can offer.
Rough it in Luxury Tour includes:
- Jet Boating the superb Rakaia River
- Helibiking deep into the rugged Southern Alps
- White water rafting the mighty Rangitata
- Mountain bike and helmet hire
- Superb food and wine
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner during your tour
- Snacks
- 2 or 3 nights accommodation
- Transfers to and from Methven
- Liniment for those aches and pains
- Pure New Zealand water for drinking
We also "Optional extras" including:
- Hot air balloon ride over the Canterbury Plains
- Relaxing massage or therapeutic massage for those aching muscles
- Horse riding among the foothills of Mt Somers
- Golfing on 2 great courses within 30 minutes drive
- 60m Abseil
- Fishing in some of the best trout rivers and lakes on the South Island
- Eco tours of the local area
- Garden tours
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| Day 1 |
Transfers from Methven (if required). (Hot air ballooning over the Canterbury Plains available before pickup at extra cost.) Jetboat up the braided Rakaia River before travelling up to Glenfalloch Station. We spend a few moments going over some safety and hot tips that will help you enjoy your ride. We then make our way along 4WD drive tracks to Lake Heron, following Lake Stream, a great trout fishing river, here we overnight at the luxury cottage at Lake Heron.
This day gently eases you into the swing of things, as the track is fairly flat with some gentle up hill climbing - suitable for first time riders.
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| Day 2 |
The hills are more challenging on this section of the tour so ‘climb like a billy goat’ or admire the view from the support vehicle!
We bike up through Mt Arrowsmith Station, with great views over Lake Heron and mountain tarns to New Zealand's premiere lunch spot. A panoramic view few have seen. The afternoon begins with an awesome downhill ride into a remote glacial valley were we overnight in an original Musterer's Hut. Those who are still feeling energetic can travel further up the valley to the Ashburton glacier.
This day has some challenging riding with steep slopes, requiring some fitness and riding experience for the downhill.
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| Day 3 |
Meander down the glacial valley to Arrowsmith Homestead for a wholesome lunch admiring the views from the front porch. We are then taken by Mt Hutt Helicopters for a breathtaking flight over part of the majestic Southern Alps. We land at Mt Potts Ski Field (1700m) and after a while exploring and relaxing, we jump on our bikes for an exhilarating downhill ride towards Mt Sunday, one of the more famous sites used in the Lord of the Rings films. *From here we ride to Erewhon Station, which has great views of the mountain ranges, across the Rangitata River to Mesopotamia, which is one of the Canterbury’s special High Country runs (land of English author Samuel Butler) where we overnight in the Shearer’s Quarters.
*Dependant on the weather, an alternative route to Inverary Station will be used if the river is too high to cross.
This day offers mostly downhill rides, river crossing and cycling along remote shingle roads.
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| Day 4 |
Enjoy the morning’s crisp clean High Country air as we cycle down Rangitata Gorge Road where we meet up with the Rangitata Rafts crew for 3 hours of the greatest white water rafting New Zealand has to offer. (Other options available for those not wishing to participate, please ask us for details.) After the Raft BBQ and an opportunity to see the video footage and pictures of your day, we drive you back to Methven.
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| Required Skill Level |
Open to All
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| Required Equipment |
Included
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Mountain Skills & Disciplines |
Hiking |
Mountaineering |
Canyoneering |
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Backpacking |
High Altitude |
Caving |
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Camping |
Traversing |
Coasteering |
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Rock Climbing |
Aid Climbing |
Big Walling |
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Ice Climbing |
Free Climbing |
Ropes & Knots |
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Bouldering |
Solo Climbing |
Belaying |
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Indoor Climbing |
Lead Climbing |
Rappeling |
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Traditional Climbing |
Top Roping |
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Avalanche Awareness |
Outdoor Survival |
First Aid |
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Environmental Awareness |
Navigation |
Search & Rescue |
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Basics & Backgrounds
in Dutch
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