Wairarapa and Hawke's Bay Back Roads

Your adventure begins with a short tour briefing in central Wellington before a drive round the Harbour to start our riding on the Hutt Valley River Trail. After a bike set-up and safety briefing, it’s an easy ride on a wide, largely flat pathway winding along the Hutt River to the foothills of the Remutaka Ranges and the leafy suburb of Maymorn. Along the way you’ll pass by some of New Zealand’s most important cultural history, including Maori pa and early European settlements. Leaving suburbia behind we follow an old railway route weaving through the Remutaka Ranges taking in more historical sights before climbing gently through native bush and regenerating forest to the summit. Then, it's a downhill ride along the historic Fell Locomotive Incline with an exciting half-kilometre journey through Summit Tunnel (1877). Expansive views of Lake Wairarapa open up as you emerge at Cross Creek. A short drive to Martinborough, the heart of Wairarapa wine country, for our overnight stay at a boutique vineyard, with dinner at the Martinborough Hotel.

Meals:  L,D

Our morning’s ride on the Wairarapa Cycleway is a pleasant touring route with stunning Wairarapa views and plenty of rural charm. We’ll take a mid-morning breather in the small, vibrant community of Gladstone before finishing this delightful ride in the small town of Masterton. Mt Bruce National Wildlife Centre is our afternoon destination. It’s an unfenced sanctuary for our native wildlife where many endangered birds live and are bred for release across Aotearoa, including the kiwi, takahe, kokako, kaka and longfin eel. We head back to Masterton for dinner and our night’s accommodation.

Meals:  B,D

The infamous Route 52 awaits us today, originally designated State Highway status but downgraded in 1960 when prosperity deserted New Zealand's farming industry and farming districts became depopulated. Today this route through quintessential rural New Zealand offers quiet roads, country pubs and friendly locals. Using the van to shuttle us to the most scenic sections we’ll finish our ride at Te Paerahi Beach, the best old-school NZ beach ever! Vast and golden, sheltered by large headlands at both ends and offering walks down to the rocks or up to the river mouth, it’s a great spot to explore. From there it’s a short drive to our accommodation at Wallingford Homestead, first built in 1858 and at the heart of a 34,000 acre sheep and cattle station in the 1900’s. Now a boutique stay, it offers peace and quiet in beautiful surroundings.

Meals:  B,L,D

Wine country beckons today and we start with a lift in the van to the start of our morning’s ride. This continues yesterday’s rural theme on a stunning back-country road leading to the base of Te Mata Peak. Steeped in Maori legend the Peak is both a visual feast and an integral part of Hawke’s Bay’s history, Maori and European. You can choose to get to the top by pedal power or motor but either way the 360 degree views from the top are stunning and a great spot for a picnic lunch. A short drive takes us to our accommodation in Havelock North. You’ll have time to wander this pretty country town, with dinner at your leisure at one of the several restaurants on offer.

Meals:  B,L

After breakfast at a local café we join the local trail network for our ride, initially following the Tukituki river out to the coast through idyllic rural and riverside scenery, including plenty of vineyards and orchards. A short stretch along the coast brings us to the impressive Star Compass, a training tool used by celestial navigators who sailed traditionally throughout the Pacific. Heading inland again, following the Tukaekuri River, we finish our ride at a boutique Hawkes Bay winery for lunch. It’s time to leave the Hawke’s Bay and drive across remote hill country on the Gentle Annie road to the Manawutu – a lengthy journey but worth the effort to enjoy an authentic Kiwi experience. Our hosts for the next 2 nights are the McGaw family, who run River Valley Lodge, a venue of rustic charm providing exceptional country comfort, where the focus is on delivering a quality, fun experience, maintaining good relationships with the local community, and operating with a minimum footprint in the natural environment.

Meals:  B,L,D

Today we explore this mostly unknown part of New Zealand with a scenic 13km 'float' on the Rangitikei River. Travelling by raft we take in over 30 Grade 2 (easy) rapids, passing through an incredible steep sided gorge with a side hike to a spectacular waterfall (weather dependent). After a riverside picnic lunch, we meet our crew and our bikes. From here we cycle 27km winding through remote back country roads, crossing the Mokai River canyon cycling at your own pace. The route follows a mix of sealed and unsealed roads, past some working stations and back to River Valley Lodge. There are plenty of spots to stop along the way to take in the beautiful unspoilt views. For those who would like to relax at the lodge in the afternoon, there is the option to return there by vehicle after lunch. A second night is spent enjoying dinner at River Valley Lodge where meals are a celebration of seasonal produce, sourced primarily from the garden. The chefs create the daily menu from whatever produce is freshly harvested that day.

Meals:  B,L,D

Today we head off the beaten track (again!) on a scenic and often surprising journey through rural Rangatikei, full of natural wonders, local history and country hospitality. We wind our way up the Mangawharariki Valley, following deep sided Papa cliffs with wide ranging views to the Ruahine Ranges and vistas of snow covered Ruapehu in the distance. The ride includes stunning climbs and descents into dramatic gorges and we pass through the delightful historic settlements of Apiti and Kimbolton. This will be a challenging but memorable final ride, after which we have a 3 hour drive back to Wellington. .

Meals:  B,L