MOUNTAIN BIKE TOUR | 7 DAY | NEW ZEALAND
APRIL 24th- 30th 2022
If you require a specific date. Contact us directly to arrange.
Minimum of 7 people per tour.
You’ve heard about the spectacular North Island of New Zealand - with its myriad of dirt roads winding through some of the most mystical landscapes that time has forgotten.
On this tour you’ll get a taste of what the country has to offer, exploring some of the best country backroads on a mountain bike.
In just 7 days you’ll experience some of the planet’s most beautiful landscapes and get to know the real New Zealand. It’s sure to leave you wanting more!
Sometimes, just a little taste is all you’ll need to know that this is somewhere you have always dreamed about riding on a mountain bike. New Zealand has some of the best dirt roads in the world, winding through some of the most mystical and unique forests on the planet.
Aussie Bike or Hike have carefully selected routes that will allow you to enjoy everything at a laid back pace, while having all the comfort along the way, to help make your ride really enjoyable.
Day 1 | Arrival to Rotorua |
Arrival – Rotorua
Where - Ride Whakarewrewa Forest
Our trip begins in Rotorua - a town set on its namesake lake and renowned for its geothermal activity and Maori culture, as well as its famous mountain biking culture.
We will make our way to the Whakarewarewa Forest, adjacent to the Whakarewarewa thermal area, where we will ride through some of the 6 hectares stand of Californian Redwoods, truly something a sight you will never forget.
There are trails to suit anyone, and no mountain biking trip to New Zealand is complete until you get to experience the rutty climbs, mixed with lots of cool berms and some very technical ditches in this forest of tall redwoods.
With loads of tacky “hero dirt” and awesome corners, it’s almost impossible to make Rotorua’s trails look bad!
ACCOMMODATION: Redwoods Riding House
RIDE TIME: 3-5 hours
DISTANCE: Your choice
MEALS: (Lunch,Dinner)
Selected dates in 2022(Contact us to find date)
$3000AUD
7
DAYS
7 Day tour $3000 AUD Per Person
Single Room Supplement $450 AUD Per Person
Bike rental per riding day
Full suspension bike - AUD$90 including GST
Full suspension e-bike - AUD$130 including GST
Extra accommodation before or after
1 night at our riding house
AUD $110 including GST
DAILY DISTANCE:
20 TO 60 Kilometres PER DAY
The tour Aussie Bike OR Hike have designed will be mostly dirt roads. places where traffic is at a minimum and wild life and sights are at a maximum!
Our aim is for the ride not to test you physically but to be enjoyable whilst still covering a decent distance. A lot of thought has gone into the route for our tours to make it as enjoyable as possible.
Day 2 | Pureora to Piropiro
Today we drive south of Rotorua, through the magnificent volcanic heart of the North Island, till we reach the start of the Timber Trail, where we will take time to check over our bikes and gear.
We will ride from Pureora together on the timber trail, which meanders through magnificent podocarp forests of rimu, totara, miro, matai and kahikatea, as well as some exotic forestry, offering extensive views of the surrounding landscape.
The trail utilises historic bush tramways, old bulldozer and haul roads, and features 35 high suspension bridges looking over amazing forest canyons, many of which we will cross on our ride. Get ready for a challenge on the first half of today’s ride – a 500 metre gradual ascent to Mt Pureora, pushing through the eerie clouds and mist of the forest - a scene reminiscent of Lord of the Rings. After a short break of breathtaking views at the summit, you’ll ride down a gradual descent to Piropiro, and our accommodation for the evening.
You will have earned the hearty feast awaiting you, along with a well deserved drink.
You can relax in your comfortable lodgings and enjoy a nice hot shower before resting for the night.
ACCOMMODATION: Timber Trail Lodge
RIDE TIME: 4-5 hours
DISTANCE: 40 km
CLIMB: 500 metres
DESCENT: 540 metres
MEALS: (Breakfast ,Lunch ,Dinner)
Day 3 | Piropiro to Ongarue
Today we will continue our journey along the Timber Trail on single track trail through more magnificent forest and over some spectacular suspension bridges. Our ride will take you past some amazing rock formations and you’ll get a glimpse of New Zealand’s colonial history.
We hope you like pedalling uphill, because after 5km of nice easy riding you will face a significant uphill section on this sensational Grade 2/3 ride. Where there’s an uphill, here usually follows a downhill, and the descent through the forest won’t disappoint - it’s a feast for your eyes.
You’ll see New Zealand’s highest suspension bridge, arguably one the most memorable sights on the trail. The vertigo-inducing Maramataha Bridge, at 141 metres long and 53 metres high, is not only a highlight on this ride, but also an icon of the entire New Zealand Cycle Trail.
You’ll also get to experience the only rideable railway spiral in the world – a relic of New Zealand’s early logging pioneers. This is one of the trail’s most interesting features and an engineering marvel. The Ongarue spiral, with its upper and lower bridges, circle of track, and arced tunnel will be something you will never forget. Restored to its former glory with new spans, it’s an impressive site and a popular photo-op for those wanting to capture its captivating curves.
At the end of the trail we’ll head back to Rotorua and our overnight accommodation.
Accommodation : Rotorua Riding House
RIde Time : 5 hours
DIstance: 44 km
Climb: 400 metres
Descent: 750 metres
Meals: (Breakfast ,Lunch ,Dinner)
Day 4 | The Day is yours - explore Rotorua.
Kia-Ora to Rotorua. There is so much to see in this beautiful place, located in the Bay of Plenty region. In Te Puia’s Whakarewarewa Valley, there are bubbling mud pools and the 30m-tall Pohutu Geyser, which erupts many times daily. It’s also home to a living Maori village and the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute, with traditional wood carving and weaving schools.
Rotorua really is the cultural heart of New Zealand, and a wonderful place for you to explore.
You can go zip lining or rafting, or take a more sedate Lake cruise. The choice is yours. You may just decide to kick back and relax, and have a non-activity day, in order to be rested for the following days riding.
We will hold a bike maintenance workshop, for those who are interested, while we take the opportunity to go over our bikes and make sure everything is ready for the riding to come.
Accommodation : Redwoods Riding House
Day 5 | Lake Taupo
Today we will ride the Great Lake Trail, Lake Taupo.
Skirting the shore of New Zealand’s largest lake, the Great Lake Trail features lush forest and wetlands, waterfalls, beaches and panoramic views from a series of lookouts.
The Great Lake Trail dishes up an invigorating mix of inland forest and shoreline track and our ride today will give you a fantastic contrast to the previous day’s rides, with incredible views across Lake Taupo.
The trail gradually descends into smoothly laid out corners and berms, surrounded by more of New Zealand’s magnificent forest scenery. The ride finishes in the peaceful settlement of Kinloch, where you can take a refreshing dip in the beautiful water of Lake Taupo. After another amazing g day of riding, we’ll return to Rotorua.
Time to download some of your amazing pics and relax for the evening.
Accommodation: Redwoods Riding House
Ride Time: 2.5-3 hours
Distance: 19.5 km
Climb: 130 metres
Descent:150 metres
Meals: (Breakfast ,Lunch ,Dinner)
Day 6 | The Whirinaki Forest
Today, after a hearty breakfast, we will head south, to the Whirinaki Forest - a majestic, primeval, ancient forest, which stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the great forests of the world.
Together we will ride a tight, winding single track through the lush sub canopy of tree-ferns and incredible native forest, and you’ll be awestruck as you ride through the mists of this primordial place.
You may be riding slowly, but you’ll feel as though you are going quite fast as you pedal through the footsteps of dinosaurs, in the shadow of the giants of the Whirinaki podicarp trees.
You may be lucky enough to see the native Kaka, the North Island’s own parrot, as well as an abundance of other native birds along the trail.
This place is a as wild as it gets anywhere in the North Island on a mountain bike and is a biodiversity hotspot.
On our way back to Rotorua at the end of the day’s ride, we will stop off at a hot spring, and then spend the evening reminiscing about another days great riding!
Accommodation: Redwoods Riding House
Ride Time: 4 hours
DIstance : 16 km or more if you’re up for it.
Climb: 300 metres
Meals: (Breakfast ,Lunch ,Dinner)
Day 7 | Depart
Sadly today is out last day together and the end of your North Island riding adventure with us. We hope that you will have gathered memories of not only some of the best riding trails in New Zealand, but also experienced some of the most spectacular scenery on the planet in the process.
Aussie Bike or Hike specialises in first class guiding all over the world, either hiking, mountain biking or motorcycle riding.
We take care of all the planning, while you enjoy the ride.
We will look forward to your next epic adventure with us, because we know that just one trip with us is never enough!
STYLE
Fully supported mountain bike tour.
Aussie Bike or Hike STAFF AND GUIDES
This tour will be led by one of our senior mountain bike guides.
INCLUSIONS:
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All breakfasts, lunches and dinners (as stated in Itinerary, except for your free day in Rotorua where lunch and dinner are on you.
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Riding snacks – because you need fuel
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All transport and shuttles – all you need to concentrate on is riding
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Guiding and hosting
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All park entrance fees to our national parks and riding areas
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All accommodation
ACCOMMODATION
Resting up in comfortable lodging and surroundings at the end of a days ride is important.
We don’t like to dirtbag it anymore, so neither should you.
We’ve selected lodges and hotels that are rider friendly and understand the importance of a place to hang out, wash your bike, socialise and exaggerate about riding experiences at the end the day on the trail.
EXCLUSIONS:
• Airfares to/from New Zealand
• Comprehensive travel insurance policy, which must cover use of Mountain Biking and medical expenses and evacuation
• Tourist visa for New Zealand (if applicable)
• Expenses of a personal nature such as postage, laundry, souvenirs and all drinks
• Alcoholic and Soft Drinks
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Mountain Bike hire
GROUP SIZE:
Minimum 7 people to schedule a new departure,
Maximum 12 people.
ACCOMMODATION
SINGLE ROOM SUPPLEMENT
The sleeping arrangements are for double rooms (1 big bed) or twin-share (2 single beds).
If you are a solo rider you will be paired up with someone of the same sex, in this case you will not need to pay the single room supplement. If you want your own room, single room supplement is AUD $450.
DIFFICULTY
Intermediate 3/5
Intermediate: Tours are suitable for riders with good fitness level.
Previous mountain bike experience is recommended. Trail surfaces may include uneven terrain, some single track, with occasional obstacles (roots, rocks, lose sand).
Hills and descents are moderate and require some skill.
Riders with minimal mountain bike experience but who have road biking skills or a strong fitness level, along with an adventurous spirit, should be suitable for an intermediate tour.
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CYCLING CONDITIONS
We ride on everything from single track, jeep track, dirt roads, farm trails, small paved roads, sandy trails. Due to the nature of the trails our support vehicle can't ride with us at all times.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. Q: Do you supply transfer to and from the airport?
A: Yes - from Rotorua Airport.
2.Q: What Insurance Do I Need?
A: On all of Aussie Bike or Hike tours you will need to ensure that you have comprehensive medical insurance. The minimum that we require is coverage for the costs of medical treatment and evacuation in the event of an emergency. An extra cover will also cover you for loss of luggage and a host of other issues. We recommend that you take out insurance as soon as you have booked your tour as full cover will cover costs that you may incur should you not be able to travel. There are many insurance policies available both through your local travel agent and online.
3.Q: What currency should I bring with me?
NZ Dollars - which are available for exchange in AKL airport, Rotorua airport and at ATMS everywhere.
4.Q: Do I need a visa for New Zealand?
Depending on your country of origin and Passport. Please check this before boarding flight.
5.Q: Where do I fly into?
Auckland and then on to Rotorua (a short 30 minute flight)
6.Q: How do I carry my main luggage during the bike tour?
Your main luggage will be transferred from hotel to hotel by our support car. Bike boxes and other oversized luggage can be safely stored inside our office and delivered back to you at the end of the tour. Please consider that we have a finite amount of space to carry luggage, so we ask you to pack light. If you are traveling for a longer period of time and you have excess luggage, please let us know ahead of time. On most days your main luggage will be stowed out of reach while we ride, so it is a good idea to bring a day bag or small rucksack in addition to your camelback.
7.Q: How big is the group maximum
A: For this trip, the maximum is 12 persons.
8.Q: Will we have a local guide that speaks English alongside the Aussie Bike or Hike guide?
A: Yes – definitely. All of our tours are accompanied by at least one local guide and all-round fixer who can smooth our passage through New Zealand and yes, all of the guides speak excellent English and not much else haha
9.Q: How Many Guides on the tour per customer?
A: We provide one senior mountain bike guide per every 6 guests.
10.Q: Will A First Aid Dr be with us?
A: All our guides are Wilderness First Aid trained and vetted
11.Q: Do I need to take water with me?
A: Drinking water is provided during cycling. There will be several stops along the way where we provide cold drinking water. Of course you should bring your own camelback as well.
12.Q: Is there any medical support?
A: Our guides are drivers and are up to date first aid certified and our support crew is never far off in case of an accident that requires evacuation or visiting a medical center. Our guides carry a small first aid kit and there is a large kit available in all of our cars.
13.Q: What happens in case of an emergency?
A: We have a detailed list of all medical centers along the routes where we cycle. In the rare case of an emergency, We have strict procedures we are required to follow (and train our team to follow) in emergency events that require egress.
14.Q: What happens if I get half way along the track and get too tired. Can I turn around and go back to start?
A:Generally, once you're in, you're in. But we are super vigilant with people throughout the trip to ensure people don’t find themselves in that situation. We can always provide alternatives for people to prevent this from happening.
16.Q: What riding kit should I bring with me for the tour?
We'll provide a gear list upon confirmation of booking
17.Q: Can my family see where I am, Do you have tracking system like “Spot tracker”?
A: We always travel with a GPS tracker that tracks our location throughout the trip. The staff in the office will send you a link to the online map and you can share this with your family so that they know exactly where you are
18.Q:Do you supply riders with a briefing each morning of the tour, in case the riders get split from the group?
A: There will be a daily briefing as to where we are cycling to. We provide one guide per every 6 guests, so if there is a larger group the group can be split up or there will be a guide at the front and a guide somewhere at the middle and a sweeper guide.
19.Q: Do I need any immunizations for New Zealand?
A: Check with your doctor, but our understanding is NO
20.Q: How much spending money will I need to bring with me?
A: That mostly depends on how many souvenirs you will buy and how many cold beers you will drink :) On average AUD200-300 will cover your daily spending’s
21.Q: Are there ATMs on the tour route along the way?
A: Yes, there will be ATMs along the way and you can ask the driver to make a stop at an ATM if needed.
22.Q: What is the level of accommodation like?
A: We’ve selected lodges and hotels that are rider friendly and understand the importance of a place to hang out, wash your bike, socialise and exaggerate about riding experiences at the end the day on the trail.
23.Q: How do I charge my camera?
A: In New Zealand, the power plugs and sockets are the same as Australia and offer the same voltage.
24.Q: Is Wi-Fi available throughout the tour?
Yes, Most the accomodation offers wifi
25.Q: Can I get an New Zealand SIM card?
A: Yes, There are many cell service providers in New Zealand, Best to do this at the airport upon arrival.
26.Q: is there phone service throughout the whole tour?
A: Yes, with the exception of a couple of areas we spend a few hours in on the trail
27.Q: Is it safe to drink the tap water?
A: Yes.
28.Q: Can you cater for vegetarians/food allergies?
A: For sure, we can cater for special food request (vegetarian, vegan, halal etc..) or if any food allergies, please let us know in advance so that our team can make sure the necessary precaution are taken. .
29.Q: What kind of food is provided on the tour for breakfast lunch and dinner?
A: Fresh fruits, vegetables, fusion meals, cereals, fresh breads, cheeses and salads. Often bacon and eggs for breakfast! All home cooked.
30.Q: Can we buy beer and wine for the evenings
A: Yes, for sure. Who doesn't love a beer. Beer and Wine cost is on you. Just let us know what you need and one of the boys will grab you a carton during the day.
31.Q: Who operates this tour?
A: This tour is operated by Aussie Bike or Hike in collaboration with our local partner based in New Zealand, who are a fully licensed New Zealand based bike tour operator.
33.Q: How do I book?
To secure your place we simply need a AUD $1000 non-refundable deposit. The remainder does not need to be paid until 90 days prior to the tour start date.
You can do this by calling +61 408 692 990 or emailing info@aussiebikeorhike.com
34.Q: What happens if there is bad weather?
Please note it is quite common that it can be raining in one part of the island and not raining in another. So if it's raining in the morning at your hotel/villa don't assume it is raining where you will be cycling. Of course safety is our number one priority and we will never cycle through heavy downpours and take unnecessary risks. Also it is common that the rain falls heavily and for short duration, so if it does rain heavily, we just wait and continue the tour once the rain stops. Then again we love cycling in the rainy season. Everything is lush and green, all the dust is washed away and the air is a lot fresher during that time a year.
35.Q: What payment methods do you accept?
A: We accept direct bank transfers.
We do not accept Paypal or American Express.
Price for Riders is AUD (Australian Dollar) $3000
Price for Single Room Supplement AUD $450.00
Bank Details are: We require a deposit of AUD$1000 Sent to Alexander Kenneth Josef Cudlin, For account details please email us info@aussiebikeorhike.com
We shall then raise an invoice in AUD$ for the remaining balance and this may be converted and paid at your discretion in consideration of daily foreign exchange rates, at any time up until the Due Date, which is 90 days before the tour
commencement.