Monday 27th January -Nelson to St Arnaud

Nelson has really good cycle paths and facilities. We started the day cycling through wine groves and when I say through they really were at the side of the cycle track. We were following the Great Taste Cycle Trail for a while which had been an old railway line.

Once we had cycled along the coast to Wakefield we turned onto the Golden Downs Trail along 80/8 Valley Road and also turned into the hills. We had two saddles to go over before reaching Tophouse Reays Hill Saddle and Kent  Hill Saddle. It was hard going but the weather was ideal at about 23 degrees with light cloud keeping the sun off us on the climbs and with no wind to speak of.

We eventually reached the end of the valley. We had enjoyed its traffic free roads, apart from the occasional logging truck that swept past within inches of us despite the fact that the road was wide and they had loads of room to move over!

Stayed at Nelson Lakes Motels as the DOC site was cheap but very basic. This is the Nelson Lakes Area and we are planning to stop an extra night and explore the alpine lake area in a bit more detail. 

Above and below are photos the Nelson coast as we cycle along their cycle track

The Great Taste Trail Cycleway

Cycling right next to the grape vines

Checking out the route

On the home straight to St Arnaud for our nights rest