If your days are filled with screen time, scrolling, dings and pings, then you may need some digital detox. The idea of unplugging can feel almost radical and impractical. Yet, we all crave moments of stillness and less rushing. One of the purest, most refreshing ways to find that balance is through a digital detox that embraces the outdoors (without leaving comfort behind). Leaving your devices behind ( or at least turned off) and rediscovering the simple joy of pedalling from A to B, clearing your head of clutter. When travelling on two wheels you have time to notice the environment you are in or get lost in the simple pleasure of daydreaming.
Tasman’s Great Taste Trail, a spectacular cycling route that meanders through Nelson-Tasman’s coastal stretches, orchards, pastures and low-key rural landscapes. A cycle tour here is not just an energising outdoor adventure, but also a chance to reset your relationship with technology. The beauty of the trail is that it lends itself to a day tour or a full multi-day tour of up to 7 days. Wheelie Fantastic Cycle Tours are experts at creating bespoke tours that allow you to disconnect from devices and connect with nature, food, community, even the people you choose to share this experience with. The simple Unplug to Recharge tour is designed to help you get off-grid
Why a Digital Detox on a Bike?
Cycling naturally lends itself to unplugging. You can’t pedal and flick through social media at the same time—riding demands presence. And unlike walking, cycling carries you further, so you see more in the time you have set aside to enjoy this get-away feeling.
Highlights of The Great Taste Trail
Part of what makes this trail so ideal for a digital detox is its diversity. Each section brings a new flavour—literally and metaphorically. Here is a snapshot of the segemnts:
Nelson to Mapua: Start with gentle coastal riding from Nelson to the charming seaside village of Mapua. Boardwalks, tidal inlets, and a ferry crossing create an ever-changing background. Mapua Wharf itself is a hub of art galleries, local wine, craft beer and real fruit ice cream—an indulgent reward for phone-free explorers.
Mapua to Motueka: The route is a mix of countryside and coast. Many agree this section is the most diverse per Km than any other segment. Apple orchards, kiwi orchards, pastures with sheep and a panoramic view of mountain ranges in the distance, all offer a snapshot of the many tastes on offer. Quirky cafes and artists studios provide places to stop off, meet some locals and enjoy local produce too.
Moutere area: Don’t be in a hurry to leave the Mapua area as most of Nelson’s boutique wineries are not along the trail but are located close to it. The Moutere is not only home to cellar doors, but also home to several artists as well as the Moutere Inn, where local craft beers are on tap. All set in beautiful countryside that is enjoyed by many local cyclists.
Motueka to Kaiteriteri: This section flows toward golden-sand beaches, where Abel Tasman National Park can be accessed from. Kaiteriteri’s turquoise waters are an invitation to shake off the dust of the ride with a refreshing dip. Spending a couple of nights in this small village allows you to spend a day in the National Park. No cycling is allowed in the park, so a day off the bike can be spent walking, kayaking and a leisurely boat trip. Alternatively, a relaxing day at Kaiteriteri is also a good option.
Riwaka-Tapawera : An inland route offering rural serenity, rivers, valleys, rolling farmland. It’s called the Back& Beyond segment of the trail for good reason, yet it’s not as far from civilisation as you think.
Kohatu-Wakefield- Richmond: Continuing the theme of rural landscapes, the trail passes through Spooners tunnel and gradually makes its way back to sea-level, where you cycle through the historical villages of Wakefield and Brightwater, before returning to the coastal segment at Richmond. Enjoy being part of the relaxed café life, frequented by locals, in these small villages , before returning to the more urban feel of the trail at Richmond.
Embrace the Power of Slow Travel
We live in an age obsessed with speed., so the bicycle is your perfect companion to help you slow down
By detoxing from devices, slow travel deepens. You’re free to meander, to stop at a café without checking Google reviews, to strike up a conversation with a local instead of consulting an app. You begin to trust not the algorithm, but your own instinct and curiosity. The trail is well signposted so you shouldn’t need to consult our notes and maps too often during the course of your day.
A digital detox doesn’t mean rejecting technology forever. It means taking deliberate time to rebalance—reminding ourselves that we can live richly without being perpetually online. The Great Taste Trail offers an ideal setting for that reset: diverse landscapes, welcoming communities, and endless opportunities to savour the world directly, unfiltered.