3
moderate

Traveller Rating

 

Activities
  • 7 day cycle trail
Accommodation
  • 1 night homestead
  • 1 night vineyard
  • 2 nights motel
  • 2 nights lodge
Meals
  • 5 Dinners
  • 6 Lunches
  • 6 Breakfasts

7 Days$5195NZD

Trip Code: WHB

Trip highlights


  • Ride up the leafy Hutt Valley and over the forested Remutaka Ranges
  • Stay the night at a boutique Martinborough vineyard
  • Enjoy the vineyards and farmland of the Wairarapa and Hawke's Bay
  • Meet rare, New Zealand wildlife at the Mt Bruce National Wildlife Centre
  • Stay at the stunning River Valley Lodge and take a scenic 'float' through the Rangitikei River Canyon by raft
  • Stay at Hawkes Bay's Wallingford Homestead, built in 1858, and now a delightful exquiste retreat
  • Explore the pretty, country town of Havelock North
  • Choose your mode of transport up Te Mata Peak and soak up the views

Discover stunning vineyards, homesteads and countryside along the back roads of the rural lower North Island by bike on our fully supported Wairarapa and Hawkes Bay Back Roads tour.

Starting in Wellington you’ll head over the Remutaka Ranges, dropping down into our first wine region, Martinborough. You'll enjoy easy riding on the Hawke’s Bay trails through vineyards and orchards, tackle Te Mata peak by bike or van, and explore Havelock North, one of New Zealand's most picturesque small towns.

Over to the Manawatu via the stunning Gentle Annie, you’ll bike the delightful Manawatu cycleway. An easy scenic rafting trip on the Rangitaiki River through an impressive gorge takes us through stunning back country.

Staying at some unique, historic properties along the way, you’ll enjoy warm hospitality in some very special places, well away from the noise, distraction and chronic busyness of everyday.


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


Inclusions

  • Tasty cafe breakfasts (x6), gourmet picnic or cafe lunches (x6), two course restaurant dinners (x5) catered to all dietary requirements
  • 1 night at the exclusive luxury Wallingford Homestead
  • 5 nights hand picked motel/lodge accommodation with ensuite facilities on a twin share basis
  • Experienced guides who handle all the hard bits and share epic stories (2 guides on groups of 8 or more)
  • Half day Rangitikei River scenic rafting trip
  • Entrance Fee to Pukaha National Wildlife Centre
  • Tasty nutritious snacks, drinks and treats plus our famous morning and afternoon teas
  • Wine tasting at 2 boutique wineries
  • Full vehicle support along the trail including trailer for luggage
  • Transport from Wellington (return)
  • Pre departure information kit to help you plan and prepare
  • Access and concession fees paid to the Department of Conservation

  • Bike hire (including helmet)
  • Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
  • All beverages, other than breakfast
  • Arrival and departure transfers
  • Any optional activities
  • Water bottle (help us save the environment and bring your own bike drink bottle)
  • Personal expenses (eg. phone calls, internet, laundry, shopping etc)
  • Travel insurance

About Your Leader

Our guides are one of our biggest assets and we pride ourselves on their level of quality and high standards. Once the trip reaches 8 people, we provide you with two of our expert guides to maximise your enjoyment and overall experience. You’ll know you’re in safe hands as all of our guides are certified in first aid and CPR and many of them are trained bike mechanics. They come from all walks of life but our guides have a common desire to give you the best possible experience, fun and lots of fond memories to take home with you.


Accommodation


Bike information


Grading

moderate  
3

The Wairarapa and Hawke's Bay Backroads tour is graded moderate. The trails are not technical but you do need to be capable of cycling distances between 50-70km per day, for 5+ days. There's still plenty of time for our casual morning and afternoon tea stops. On-road trail sections may have low to moderate traffic levels, mostly on back-roads. Riders need to be confident riding with some traffic. Ebikes are suitable if ridden appropriately and manage battery life (i.e. not on turbo the whole time, and in the correct chain ring for climbing hills). With the trip being fully supported, you can also choose to ride shorter sections and hop in the van at any time.


Departure dates


Notes

HS
Holiday Season

Want to organise a private group?

Fundraising events, sporting groups, family treats; learn how you can organise a Private Group from just 6 travellers.

Priceper person from

$5195NZD

Options & Supplements*
  • Bike RentalNZD$210
  • Ebike RentalNZD$600
  • Single Supplement - Limited to 2 per departureNZD$995
*Prices listed are per person

Essential information

Ready to book? Make sure you download and read the detailed Wairarapa and Hawke's Bay Back Roads trip notes which contains all the essential information you need to know before booking. Once you’ve booked, we will supply you with a Pre-Departure document which contains a detailed gear list and other important information to help you prepare for your adventure ahead.


Trip reviews


Videos

Wairarapa and Hawke's Bay Backroads Cycle Tour

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