Mountain Biking in New Zealand

Cycling and mountain biking opportunities in New Zealand abound. The country is literally laced with exciting, and often, challenging mountain bike tracks, cycle trails and dedicated downhill blasts.

We've put a new page up explaining the cycling and mountain biking options for luxury travellers to New Zealand. But there are also plenty of options if you're more of a grassroots or family traveller.

Luxury travellers have the big advantage of having many fabulous cycling and mountain biking opportunities available from the front door of their lodge. These range from easy trails along farm and winery tracks to purpose-built downhill mountain runs through native forest park and tussock lands.

But for any traveller there are lots of options. One of the most popular rides is the 3 - 4 day, 152 km long Otago Rail Trail. Built along the remains of the old Central Otago Railway this fantastic trip is very popular with New Zealanders and visitors alike, so you need to book ahead. It traverses some amazingly beautiful open country that has seen pastoral farmers, gold diggers and railway workers walk its many miles. There are plenty of options to hire bikes, book accommodation or join a group - email us for details.  We handle enquiries for any travellers, not just luxury options.

Another excellent ride in the lower South Island is the Alps 2 Ocean Ride from the Mackenzie Country down to the sea at Oamaru. This is best done over 5 - 6 days as it's 300 kms long, dropping through stunning scenery and magnificent mountain country. Starting at the base of Aoraki-Mt Cook, New Zealand's highest mountain, the Alps 2 Ocean Ride skirts the edge of the turquoise-blue Lake Pukaki, across to Lake Ohau, across the plateau of the Mackenzie Basin and down the Waitaki River Valley to the sea. Once again there are plenty of options for cycle hire, tours and accommodation - email us for info.

Places like Nelson, Rotorua and Queenstown all have a number of exciting trail options with literally hundreds of kilometres of riding between them. These rides are usually easily done in a day but are just as exciting as the longer trails. Options include rides through national parks, hardcore downhill trails, winery paths, river banks, forestry trails and coastal rides. Some can be combined for a multi-day tour.

And if you are a luxury traveller here's a few tips. First stop could be the beautiful Farm at Cape Kidnappers lodge in Hawkes Bay. The lodge is part of a 6,000 acre working farm which you can explore by bike at any time of year. The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs in the Bay of Islands is not only a fantastic golf destination but also has some great bike riding throughout the stunning coastal property. Other luxury destinations include The Resurgence near Nelson, The George hotel in Christchurch (which is in easy reach of Canterbury’s excellent trails), Poronui in the remote central North Island and Wildwood Lodge near Rotorua. All these places have or are close to great cycling and/or mountain biking.

We can provide details and bookings on all these options, and more.

Email us for more info or to make a booking