Pedal the rural lanes of the North Island
Explore the iconic sights and the lesser known tracks of this lovely part of NZ
Cycle to this beautiful spot on the second day of the tour
Biking, exploring and heartily enjoying all the North Island has to offer on this superb tour
Cycle tour NZ's diverse scenery as you take the road less travelled

North Island Back Roads: Wellington to Auckland

Duration
9 days
Site savings
$32
From
$3,160 USD

Ride NZ’s spectacular coastal and rural roads from Wellington to Auckland over 9 days on a guided group tour. Cycle a selection of New Zealand’s quiet back roads from the capital all the way to the City of Sails on this 9 day fully supported road biking tour. The guides will be there to show you the best of NZ, share their stories and will always be nearby with the support vehicle if anyone gets tired legs, or needs a snack! You’ll also enjoy a variety of carefully picked local accommodation and kiwi hospitality.

  • Category
    Road Cycling
  • Type
    Fully Guided
  • Duration
    9 days
  • Culture Level
    Familiar
  • Skill Level
    3 - Intermediate
  • Activity Level
    3 - Active
  • Elevation
    3 - Intermediate
  • Terrain
    Mixed
  • Distance
    356 miles
  • Avg. Daily Distance
    44.1 miles
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From Wellington, you'll follow winding roads through the Hutt Valley towards the Rimutaka Ranges. The ride then descends through vineyards to the east where you will follow rolling coastal and rural roads to the town of Napier.

Two nights in Napier allows plenty of time to explore the world-renowned art deco architecture, enjoy more scenic riding and the equally impressive wines of nearby Hawke’s Bay. Your journey then takes you to the volcanic landscapes of the Central Plateau via the infamous ‘Gentle Annie’ climb.

There’s time to explore Rotorua’s thermal paradise before heading further north to the Coromandel Peninsula. Here, you'll ride along another stunning coastline to your final destination, Auckland.

The tour is graded moderate to challenging. You will need to be a competent road rider with stamina and a good level of fitness, you should be able to cycle comfortably for up to 6-8 hours or around 100km/60miles per day, day after day, with some extended uphill ascents. There are some long days and some steep sections. You should be confident riding on main roads alongside traffic which can be traveling at speed. This tour is not for beginners. The tour is fully supported and if at any stage you feel like having a rest from cycling you will be able to ride in the support vehicle.

Tour inclusions and exclusions at a glance:

What's included?
Items included in the cost of the tour

  • Accommodation
  • Professional qualified driver/guide
  • Private vehicle transport/support vehicle
  • Water and snacks while cycling
  • Concession fees paid to the Department of Conservation
  • 8 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 4 dinners
  • Entrance into Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland Park
  • Te Puia Maori culture dinner and performance
What's not included?
Items not included in the cost of the tour

  • International / Domestic flights
  • Arrival and departure transfers
  • Meals where not specified in the itinerary
  • All beverages, other than breakfast
  • Water bottle (help save the environment and bring your own bike drink bottle)
  • Personal expenses (eg. phone calls, internet, laundry, shopping etc)
  • Travel Insurance
  • Visas
  • Optional activities
  • Free bike rental is not included. Please see the available rental options below.

Tour options and upgrades:

3 equipment options available
1 tour add-on available