Top 7 Self-Guided Tours in Nelson

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

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 63 reviews · from $80Our pick

Start at Kiwi Journeys in Nelson at 9 a.m., collect a comfort bike, helmet, pannier, repair kit, odometer, and map, then ride at your own pace toward Mapua. Stop for wine, beer, food, or peanut butter, cross by ferry, and return by shuttle.

“This is a great ride with lots of different views along the way. We enjoyed lunch in Mapua at the end and the company employees are very friendly.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Self-guided E-bike cycle tour with private wine tasting

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 26 reviews · from $121Top rated

Cycle independently from Nelson to Seifried Winery on a comfort e-bike, using a map and personal briefing from Chris or Bernie. The flat, off-road Great Taste Trail passes coastline, estuary, farmland, and Rabbit Island before a private wine tasting. Add lunch, return by bike, or continue toward Mapua.

“We had a fantastic day, lots of laughs! Chris and Bernie were awesome, so friendly and flexible. Totally recommend!!!!”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 23 reviews · 7 hours · from $77

Set your own pace on a self-guided ride from Nelson to Mapua. Kiwi Journeys supplies a comfort bike, helmet, repair kit, route map, water, and ferry ticket. Follow blue trail markers past the Waimea Swing Bridge, Rabbit Island, wineries, breweries, and Mapua Wharf, then return by shuttle.

“Fietstocht was leuk alleen zit er verschil een gids als mens mee of een papieren gids. Wij hebben een geweldige dag gehad 😎”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Great Taste Beer Tour by Bicycle (Self-guided)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 18 reviews · from $80

Cycle Nelson gives you a map, bike, helmet, transfers, and emergency support for a relaxed 23 km beer route from Nelson. Stop at bars, breweries, the coast, the Railway Reserve, and McCashin’s Tap Room for a four-beer or cider tasting paddle. The route is unguided, so you set the pace.

“Fantastic day, great bikes super nice people to deal with. Outstanding service, highly recommended way to spend a day.”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Self-Guided Tunnel to Town Cycling Tour via Mapua

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 9 reviews · from $93

Start in Nelson at 8:35 AM, take a 45-minute shuttle to Spooner's Tunnel, then cycle rail trails, farmland, wineries, the Waimea Estuary and Rabbit Island before crossing by ferry to Mapua. Bikes, gear, transport and the ferry are included. Food and tastings cost extra.

“Such a fun day out. Great bikes that covered all terrain and the route was absolutely amazing. 10/10 day out”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Magical Mapua Self Guided One Day Cycle Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · from $76Best value

Ride 26 km from Nelson Airport to Mapua on a comfortable hybrid bike or e-bike. Stop for beaches, wineries, breweries, glassblowing, local food, and Pic’s Peanut Butter World, then return by air-conditioned vehicle.

“Great relaxing ride. Decent bike. Very helpful guy in office. Easy to follow track. Would recommend.”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Spooners Tunnel to Nelson One Day Cycle Self Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · from $113

Ride 40km from Spooners Tunnel to Nelson with a bicycle, airport transfer, and a private group. The route is mostly downhill or flat, passing vineyards, hop gardens, farms, streams, and the Waimea River, with optional stops for pies, wine, beer, cheese, berry ice cream, and Pic’s Peanut Butter World.

“Beautiful ride mostly downhill or level. Great staff. Nice bikes. Stop at the bakery in Wakefield for excellent pies.”

Check availability →Read our full review