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A Selection of Rides

A Selection of Rides

Stunning bike rides are a big part of the Flying Kiwi tour experience. Photo taken by: (Flying Kiwi Traveller)

A SELECTION OF NEW ZEALAND'S BEST BIKE RIDES

We don't want to give away too many of the secret routes and memorable NZ bike rides that can be part of your Flying Kiwi tour experience. But we've collected together information on some New Zealand's best mountain bike trails and cycle routes.

This will give you a taste of what touring with us offers you, if you're looking to spend some time on a bike during your NZ visit. We might be biased, but we reckon New Zealand offers travellers biking experiences to rival any two wheel adventures on offer around the world.

Read on to learn more about some great North & South Island New Zealand cycle rides:

Cuemotion Karangahake Gorge IMG 0794 Copy

Coromandel Rides

After admiring the sights of the famous Cathedral Cove walk and relaxing on the beach at Hahei it’s time to head to camp. A short but sweet ride of 10km with a couple of challenging hills thrown in this ride has great views and gives you a nice alternative way of getting to our camp at Hot Water Beach. On arrival set up your tent and head to the beach to dig your very own hot pool to relax those tired muscles!

One of our most liked bike rides the Huaraki Rail Trail follows an old railway line 16km from the historic gold mining town of Waihi into the heart of the mighty Karangahake gorge. The area has a wealth of history centred on gold and silver mining that you will see evidence of as you make your way into the gorge. Although mining activities still continue in this part of New Zealand Karangahake is conservation land so you can take in the history but also enjoy beautiful scenery as well as tackling the 1.1km long tunnel towards the end of the ride, a real highlight and a great way to start the day.   

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Rotorua rides

In Rotorua you have the chance to ride one of the oldest and most extensive mountain bike networks in the country, in the Whakarewarewa Forest. With over 100km of trails which suit levels from beginners to expert riders, it is an experience not to be missed.

To really make the most of your day jump on your bike in the centre of Rotorua and follow the Te Ara Ahi Thermal by bike trail for 10km to one of the main entrances to the forest trails. The Te Ara Ahi Trail will take you past some of the nicest sites in Rotorua and give you a glimpse of the geothermal activity that makes this area so famous.

Spend time exploring the vast trails in the forests or cycle from the park entrance a short distance to camp where you’ll be able to unwind in a geothermal hot pool. 

Huka Falls Taupo

Taupo Rides

For those keen to have more trail riding, a more advanced option starts at Huka falls. The trail is completely off-road and eventually winds pass a natural Thermal pool. Pack your swimwear, lock the bike and follow the hot spring signs. The natural springs sit right at the side of the Waikato River so you get the best of both worlds; swim in the cold when too hot and then soak back in the hot pool feeling completely relaxed on your Flying Kiwi adventure. Another option is to buy some lunch in Taupo town and take a bike ride along the cycle path around the Lake. This is an easy level option and the trail extends 13km along the waterfront. A great way to spend your afternoon in Taupo, go riding capturing the stunning views of glistening fresh water Lake Taupo boasts with mountainous backdrops.

cycle in kaikoura

East Coast Rides

After enjoying the magnificent coastline on our way to Kaikoura our first ride on the south island includes a gentle ride through farmland to access an intermediate trail ride that takes you downhill and back to the coastline. Rub shoulders with the locals on this trail that will hopefully lay the foundations for further trails in Kaikoura in the near future. A short section on road will take you into camp where you can set up your tent and relax down by the beach.

 

Riding at Lake Pukaki

Central South Island Lakes

Arrive in Tekapo and head off to explore one of the many cycle options.  Cowans Hill Track (6.3km/71m elevation) will give you 360º views over the Mackenzie Basin.  For a different view of Lake Tekapo & a longer ride, head out and do the Peninsula Trail, where you will also get views of Lake McGregor.  There are also some easy rides along the Lakefront.  
The next day keen cyclists can head out early and cycle part of the A2O Alternate Route to Lake Pukaki.  Follow the Hydro Canals & Salmon farms, with unbelievably blue glacial water, for 42kms.  Meet the crew at the Lake Pukaki Lookout and continue up to Aoraki Mt Cook National Park.  Hooker Valley is the official start of the A2O.  Here you can choose to do some hikes or jump on your bike & head along the trail to the Airport (13kms), where the bus will meet you. In the afternoon there is another opportunity to do a little more of the famous Alps to Ocean trail as we start to leave the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps behind us. Hop on your bike for another 13km ending at Lake Benmore where there’s another opportunity for a quick dip to cool off.
dunhedin downhill

Otago Rides

Our first night in the Otago region is in the sleepy fishing village of Moeraki where it’s possible to take a short 12km round trip from camp out to Katiki Point Lighthouse. The highlight of this ride is seeing some more of New Zealand’s playful fur seals but perhaps even more impressive is the colony of rare yellow-eyed penguins, the rarest penguin in the world!

The following day we make our way to Dunedin where you have the option of exploring the city by cycle or take a longer ride out on the Otago Peninsula to view the stunning wildlife.

Remarkables

Queenstown

Once in Queenstown there are cycle options galore! Queenstown offers an array of trail cycling which will have you riding through private farm land, over suspension bridges and unspoilt insane New Zealand scenery. We urge you to pack a camera! The Queenstown trail which is part of the NZ cycle trail has almost 100km of trials in the spectacular Wakatipu Basin. With two days in Queenstown, you might like to try out the ‘Lake Wakatipu Ride’ (15km easy ride) or a more challenging ride with a combination of three different trails (42km full day).The trail takes in some of New Zealand’s most breath-taking scenery including Lake Hayes, Frankton and Queenstown. (Various lengths)

Queenstown is also home to an awesome downhill mountain bike park, however, you will need to hire a specialised downhill bike to take on this section. You will see riders have their bikes strapped on to the side of Queenstown gondola which takes you to the top of the park and then ride laps of just the downhill. The park has varying degrees of difficulty and terrain.

okarito

On Route To The West Coast

After a busy few days in Queenstown we travel back into more remote areas to explore yet more mountains and lakes on our way to the west coast. There is an option to ride 10km on road along the edge of Lake Wanaka and into our camp at Boundary Creek. You’ll get fantastic views across the lake and the peaks of Mt Aspiring National Park in the distance.

The remote west coast has some of the best scenery in the country complete with mountains, temperate rainforest and stormy seas, to really immerse yourself you can take the challenging ride into Fox Glacier Township. Go for the longer distance of 47km leaving from the coast or we can drop you just 22km outside of town for a shorter ride taking in the mountain vistas, farmland and forest.

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Glacier Country

Today we have a full day exploring the Fox Glacier and its surrounds so if you’re not heading up to the Ice by helicopter then the next best option is to ride the 5km trail up to the start of the glacier valley walkway. The off road cycle/walkway takes you through some beautiful fern forest before you set out on foot to view the Glacier. Hop on your bike and back into town to relax before heading down to Lake Matheson, another iconic New Zealand landmark that, when conditions permit, reflects the backdrop of Aoraki/Mt Cook and Mt Tasman in the water.

We leave Fox Glacier mid-afternoon and have a short drive to the little village of Okarito. It’s possible to grab the bike and ride the 10km quiet road through more native bush, bird watching on route and into camp. The camp is right next to the beach where you’ll be able to relax those tired muscles next to a campfire. 

West Coast Wilderness Trail

West coast

Shortly after a stop in the small gold mining town of Ross, cyclists can ride the remaining 14km into Hokitika following the West Coast Wilderness Trail. The trail follows an old tramline that is now shrouded in forest before crossing bridges and boardwalks through mangroves and eventually coming into Hokitika, the Greenstone capital of New Zealand.

Later that afternoon take the final opportunity to experience riding along some of the best coastal roads in New Zealand by taking on the 37km ride into our camp at Punakaiki. Starting with gorgeous coastal views, the road gradually moves inland passing the small settlement of Barrytown before the landscape takes on transformation. As you arrive in Punakaiki, Nikau palm trees appear and Limestone cliffs tower above creating an almost sub-tropical environment that feels as if you’ve just arrived in a Jurassic park movie set.

Tasmans Great Taste Trail

Tasman Bay

The Tasman region has wonderful national parks, great beaches and some awesome cycling. Grab the bike and ride the final 20km to camp via the beach town of Kaiteriteri. The best thing about this section of the Great Tastes Trail is it incorporates the Kaiteriteri mountain bike park. Stop off here for a bit of trail riding or simply follow the easy rider down to the beach for a short pit stop before making your way over the hill to Marahau, the gateway town to Abel Tasman National Park and the town we’ll be staying tonight

The Great Tastes Trail extends all the way to the city of Nelson where we will be making a stop on route to Picton so you’ll have one last opportunity to jump on the bike in the South Island. Follow the trail 20km into Nelson along the tidal inlets and waterfront of the Nelson area before stopping in the city and re-joining the crew before we depart to Picton for our ferry.

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