Gillian Press & Friends - Twin Coast & Northland Cycle

We meet at our hotel in Paihia at 9am for a tour briefing before embarking on the first section of the new Twin Coast Cycle. A short drive takes us to Opua and the start of the trail. Our ride heads off along an estuary edged with mangroves. The gentle trail continues alongside the tracks of a vintage steam railway and crosses a beautifully restored bridge before ending in the small rural town of Kawakawa. Here we'll find the Huntervasser toilets adorned with mosaic tiles, sculptures, cobblestone floors and a grassy roof. Next, we cycle through the town of Moerewa before climbing gently for the next 25km through rolling farmland and forest with waterfalls and suspension bridges along the way. We finish our riding for the day at Kaikohe and enjoy lunch at the Mint Café, housed in what was the ground floor banking chamber of a neo-classical building built for the Bank of New Zealand in 1910. In the afternoon there is an option to visit the pioneer village museum before a 45 minute drive to transfer to our hotel in Omapere overlooking the vast Hokianga Harbour. This will be our base for the next 3 nights. We have time to relax and walk on the beach before dinner, then a sunset walk to view the sun setting into the ocean is an evening must do. Cycle Distance: Opua to Kaikohe - 44km Accommodation: The Heads - Hokianga

Meals:  L,D

This morning we will head back to Kaikohe and ride the second section of the Twin Coast Cycle. We start by climbing gently along an old railway corridor to reach a viewpoint 280m above sea level. After passing through a spooky, curved 80m tunnel constructed in 1915, the trail descends to Lake Omapere and on through rolling rural country to Okaihua. We are then greeted with views down the Utakura Valley, we tackle the last part of the ride through farmland before descending into the valley following a series of switchbacks. A 1200m-long boardwalk section then snakes through the mangrove estuary connecting us to the Hokianga Harbour. The trail ends in the quaint historical settlement of Horeke. There will be time to visit the old fire station and Wesleyan Mangungu Mission House dating back to 1838. For those who would like more riding, we can continue on the undulating gravel road to Takehe which is an extra 16km. We then transfer back to Omapere and overnight overlooking the harbour and giant sand dunes. Cycling Distance: Kaikohe to Hokianga Harbour - 42km Accommodation: The Heads - Hokianga

Meals:  B,L,D

Today we visit the ancient Kauri trees of the Waipoua Forest. We start with a drive to visit the Traunson Kauri Park and take a 1.6km loop walk through the forest. We then set off on our bikes and ride the quiet gravel road via Donnellys Crossing to SH12. The highway is generally very quiet and undulating and becomes enclosed by thick lush native forest as it winds through magnificent stands of tall kauri, rimu and northern rata, and offers extensive views in a few places. The sag wagon is as always available to take the hard work out of the hills. We take a slight side detour to our lunch site alongside the Waipoua River. The climbing continues after lunch and at the top of the last major climb we take a rest from the bike to walk through the forest. Here we can admire Tane Mahuta, 'Lord of the Forest'. With a girth of 13.77m it is New Zealand’s largest known living kauri tree. As we leave the forest we are greeted with views of the surrounding hills and our descent to Pakia Hill Lookout rewards us with spectacular views of Hokianga Harbour and the large sand dunes across the bay. We continue to descend back into Omapere and our accommodation for a 3rd night. Cycle Distance: Traunson Forest Park to Omapere - 45km Accommodation: The Heads - Hokianga

Meals:  B,L,D

Our scenic ride today starts as we skirt the shores of the beautiful Hokianga Harbour. We pass through Opononi which became famous when a bottlenose dolphin "Opo" started swimming with children in the summer of 1955/56. We continue on to visit the unusual Koutu bolders, like the Moeraki Boulders are huge spheres up to 3m in diameter, and take a walk on the beach. We follow the quiet rural roads to Rawene where we take a car ferry across the harbour. The road continues to follow the waters edge along the side of the Mangamuka River, before turning inland and winding its way through the pretty Maungataniwha Ranges. We can load up the bikes at Broadwood, or continue cycling further along the road climbing through the Herekino Gorge to emerge on the west coast at Ahipara on the southern end of the spectacular 90 Mile Beach. Cycle Distance: Omapere to Rawene – 30km, Rawene to Broadwood – 28km Accommodation: Ahipara Bay Motel

Meals:  B,L,D

A spectacular ride today takes us to New Zealand’s northernmost point at Cape Reinga. Cape Reinga is considered the separation marker between the Tasman Sea to the west and the Pacific Ocean to the east. From the lighthouse it is possible to watch the tidal race, as the two seas clash to create unsettled waters just off the coast. At the Cape there is a gnarled pohutukawa tree, believed to be over 800 years old. According to Maori legend, the spirits of deceased Maori leap from this tree into the ocean to return to their ancestral homeland of Hawaiki. We will ride a section of road either north to south or south to north to take advantage of tail winds. The road is straight and undulating with occasional views out to sea and we make a small detour to visit the famous 90 Mile Beach. From the cape we walk over the cliff tops to Tapotupotu Bay via Sandy Bay (5km) affording stunning coastal views and views back to the lighthouse. In the afternoon we will drive back down the peninsula to Awanui and onto our comfortable resort at Taipa Bay. We can enjoy a walk on the beach immediately opposite our accommodation and tonight we have dinner overlooking the sea. Cycle Distance: Pukenui to Cape Reinga – up to 70km Accommodation: Ramada Reia Taipa Beach

Meals:  B,L,D

Mangonui is an interesting historic settlement and the 3km heritage trail is a walk around the old buildings providing a glimpse of the Maori and European history in the area. We then transfer to Kaeo to get back on the bikes and cycle the coastal road around the Whangaroa Harbour. The road weaves through a pretty mix of rural and coastal landscapes with some gentle climbs and long descents. We can admire the stunning Taiaue Bay before weaving to the end of the ride where the road meets the state highway. Here we load up the bikes and transfer to Kerikeri with options to visit the Rainbow Falls, Old Stone Store or Wharepuke Sculpture Park in the late afternoon. Cycle Distance: Whangaroa to Matauri Bay Road/SH10 – 41km (635m ascent) Accommodation: Group split between Wharepuke Motel/Colonial House Motel

Meals:  B,L,D

On leaving Kerikeri we drive approx. 1 hour to Helena Bay (with an option to visit the Waitangi Treaty Grounds). We unload the bikes at the Helena Bay Cafe and Gallery where there will be time to view the sculpture garden and gallery and have morning coffee. We then set off, first with a great descent down to Helena Bay and then we enjoy more spectacular coastal riding as we bike from bay to bay. We follow the Russell Road northwards through beautiful northland bush, with views of the bright blue seas and sandy beaches, the views from the high points make the climbs worth while! We arrive in Russell in the late afternoon where there will be chance to explore this historic whaling settlement. We can also take a short walk to Flagstaff Hill for incredible views across the Bay of Islands. We spend our final night in the luxurious Duke of Marlborough Hotel and celebrate our week's cycling achievements at our final group dinner. Cycling Distance: Helena Bay Gallery to Russell - 60km (570m ascent) Accommodation: Duke of Marlborough Hotel

Meals:  B,L,D

After breakfast we say farewell to our guides and take the passenger ferry across the bay to Paihia where the tour finishes.

Meals:  B