My partner and I are moving to New Zealand in the fall, and kicking off our trip with a bike packing adventure, while raising money for charity!
We plan to start around Auckland, and head south, eventually settling near Christchurch.
Please recommend must see places/restaurants/campground, routes or highways to take/avoid, and any other tips from your experience! 🚴♀️
I’ve toured from BC (Canada) to San Fran (US), and the Great Ocean Road in Australia, but this will be my boyfriend’s first big tour.
by Roznw18
4 Comments
Kia ora
Great info here [https://www.kennett.co.nz/](https://www.kennett.co.nz/)
Watch Carl Mortimer on youtube for local experience.
Road shoulders are very narrow – 1 car in 20 will not be great at being patient and giving you a wide pass or stop texting enough to look up and see you – be VERY visible if on the roads. Professional drivers (trucks) will be good BUT they area long truck and trailer – and that going past you even with a wide berth moves the air a fair bit.
South island northern Nelson lakes can have a lot of sandflies – will need repellent and possible a head net.
Camp sites are great.
NZ gravel is really rough
Weather can be changeable and inconsistent.
We live in Raglan – have done most of the TA on full sus bike (partner on ebike)
FYI – January is the big holiday time here (school holidays too) – if you plan on using camp sites in popular areas you will need to book ahead.
AMA
I rode across New Zealand several years ago, it was fantastic and I’m so thankful that I had the opportunity to.
I followed the Tour Aotearoa route, which I believe another user recommended at the Kennett link.
The Tour Aotearoa route is fantastic, it has directions from Auckland to the southern tip of the north island, and can be downloaded via kindle or purchased physically.
I loved the area north of Auckland, up through Ahipara. Not many people travel there (everyone goes south). I was inexperienced and the full trip took me about 2 months.
Be certain to have a water purifier, I used a Sawyer Squeeze and had no issues. Also, believe the guidebook about the additional time required to do The Timber Trail. I found myself out of food there, as I underestimated how long it would take. Luckily some kind employees at the lodge there gave me food.
Be sure to try the meat pies from the convenience stores, they are fantastic. Be sure to have proper clothes, Smartwool socks are great.
Please let me know if you have any specific questions. Have fun!
I have done four bike tours in the North Island of New Zealand and by far the best was cycling along Highway 3 and 3A around Mt Taranaki ,up along the Forgotten Highway through Whangamamona to Taumarauni, up through National Park with spectacular views of Mt Ngarahoe, partially around Lake Taupo and back to Mt Maunganui. This was in 2019 in the Fall. It was a fantastic experience with great weather.
https://preview.redd.it/ginxby9vhobh1.jpeg?width=1232&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bb77faf2c11169f9443a91622b47d4b71a4b11b4
I toured there for 3 months in 2024. Auckland to Dunedin. Feel free to DM me any questions / queries.