Spooners Tunnel to Nelson One Day Cycle Self Guided Tour

Your cycle tour starts at the southern entrance to Spooners Tunnel, where we drop you off. Riding through Spooners Tunnel is a highlight. It is a 1.4km long rail tunnel, the longest decommissioned tunnel in the Southern Hemisphere. The railway line closed in 1955, against major protests at the time. Please note Spooners Tunnel is dark and chilly (13degr) all year round, so bring an extra layer. We will provide you with headlights and additionally, the midsection of the tunnel has reflectors laid down in the middle. You will feel your bike pick up speed as you commence the almost 10 km downhill section of the Trail as far as Belgrove where you can see a historic railway windmill, built in 1897, one of only 2 left in NZ. It originally pumped water to supply engines beginning the steep climb to Spooner's tunnel. Now used for domestic supply. This is the best remaining example of a wooden railway windmill in New Zealand. Then cycle on alongside the meandering Waiiti stream to Wakefield.

The lovely little rural village of Wakefield is a town with wonderful sense of history. Wakefield Primary School is New Zealand's oldest school and has been in continuous use since 1843. You will pass by the picturesque St John's Church, built in 1864, which is New Zealand's second oldest surviving church. Surprisingly the village also hosts some taste treats - the Wakefield bakery is famous for its great pies, arguably the best, and sweet treats too. For a relaxing coffee or lunch, there's also Cafe Villa where you can enjoy Organic coffee and great food. Scattered around the green pastoral landscapes from your bike you will see disused hop kilns now slowly coming back to life as increasingly hops and vineyards replace traditional agriculture. As you enter Brightwater you will pass the memorial to the Nobel prize winner, scientist Ernest Rutherford who was born nearby, and best known for being the first to split the atom. Then it's across a swingbridge and on to Old Factory Corner.

Old Factory Corner in Appleby is a one-stop shop for local produce and specialty food vendors. Sustainability and showcasing the best of the Nelson Tasman region are at the heart of every business within this boutique complex. You will find great coffee, cafes with fine food, delicious fresh berry icecreams, and a deli bursting with products of the region where you can have a free cheese tasting. Just a little further along the road, there is a wine-tasting opportunity at a local organic winery, Te Mania and Richmond Plains.

A short detour from the trail will take you to Pics Peanut Butter Factory. Their peanut butter is wonderful and vies for a place amongst the best. Complimentary tours (lasting 1 Hour) and tastings are available but you must book in advance (we can do that for you on request). The last tour daily is at 1.30 pm

For the beer lovers among you, the Eddy Line artisan brewery is just a hop skip, and a jump from the Great Taste Trail and worth a visit as you wend your way home and take some time out, as they say, "for calm in the current life". The name EddyLine refers to the Line separating the fast-flowing current in a river from the Eddy where the water slows, allowing kayakers(cyclists?) to stop, rest, catch up, and celebrate their victories. Serving award-winning fresh-brewed craft beer this state-of-the-art brewery claims to be world-leading in sustainability with CO2 reclamation, being solar powered, and water savings. From the EddyLine you head back to Nelson Airport and home. Important Note – This is a customizable tour, the places you will visit may differ based on your interests and preferences, and the duration of your stay in each attraction will vary.

When you visit this winery you get 2 in 1 as Te Mania is co-located with Richmond Plains Winery very close to the Old Factory corner. Here's what they say about themselves: "Te Mānia (the Maori name for “The Plains”) is a family-owned Nelson winery, located near the beautiful coastline of Tasman Bay. Our vineyards flourish on the ancient alluvial terraces through which rivers flow from the mountains to the sea. These stony soils, combined with Nelson’s cool maritime climate and high sunshine hours, produce grapes and wines of the finest quality." Richmond Plains is an organic wine-making pioneer producing New Zealand's first Certified Organic Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. A tasting here is around $10 for up to 4 wines Important Note – This is a customizable tour, the places you will visit may differ based on your interests and preferences, and the duration of your stay in each attraction will vary.