Luxury North Island Bike 'n' Hike 11D10N, Self-Drive

Driving Information: N/A

Arrive into Auckland and collect your rental vehicle from airport depot.

Spend the rest of the day discovering the nation’s capital at your leisure. Also known as Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland sprawls over volcanic hills and around twin harbours, offering an exhilarating mix of natural wonders and urban adventures.

Those keen to stretch their legs should consider the North Shore Coastal Walk, which starts at Long Bay Regional Park and weaves through the beaches and suburbs all the way to Devonport. Alternatively, why not venture further afield and check out the trails on Rangitoto or Waiheke Island? You could also explore the city by bicycle – the Northwestern Cycleway and the Te Ara I Whiti – Lightpath are both very accessible.

You’ll stay the night at Fable Auckland. Located in the heart of Auckland, this elegant 5-star hotel will transport you to an age of opulent glamour. Its rooms and suites are classic master pieces of refined design, featuring exquisite bedding, muted fabrics and excellent service complemented with state-of-the-art technology. Five-star facilities include a fitness centre and jacuzzi as well as award-winning Cooke’s Restaurant & Bar, which pays homage to the famed eatery of the same name that first occupied the Windsor House in 1928.

Driving Information: Auckland to Thames: 124km/77mi | 2hrs

Biking from Thames to Paeroa, 34km/21mi

Depart Auckland and head south to Thames. Located on the doorstep of The Coromandel, Thames is a gateway to outdoor adventures. Enjoy a great coffee and soak up the gold mining heritage.

After bike fitting, start 2 day self guided biking on the Hauraki Rail Trail - one of New Zealand's iconic cycle trails. With its gentle terrain and abundance of cafes and restaurants, this Great Ride is one of the easiest and most satisfying trails in the North Island. Experience the Jewel of the Hauraki Rail Trail as you follow the old railway line out of Thames. Explore mining sites, lush farmlands and the Ohinemuri river through the Karanghake gorge. Today, you will ride 34km to Paeroa. Take the opportunity to explore the gold mining heritage before following the old railway line to Paeroa. As you move inland, the trail takes you riding through farmlands and amazing views of the Hauraki plains and Kaimai ranges. The rural town of Paeroa is the official home and birthplace to 'L&P' (Lemon and Paeroa), New Zealand's home grown fizzy drink. It’s also well known for its many antique and collectable shops. Stop on in and learn about the pioneering history of Paeroa at the Paeroa Historical Maritime Park.

Enjoy a 1-night stay at the comfortable Pedlars Motel next to the Ohinemuri River.

Cycling Information: Paeroa to Waihi: 24km/15mi

Today's ride is filled with plenty of extra activities to keep you busy. A continental breakfast at your accommodation will kick start a day of riding. The 24km trail follows the incredible Karangahake Gorge including the cascading Owharoa waterfall, photogenic gold mining sites, the Victoria Battery museum, and the infamous Windows Walkway. Another absolute highlight is riding through an amazing 1100-metre long railway tunnel. The Goldfields vintage train is a ‘must do ‘ and is a 30min leisurely ride from Waikino to Waihi. It even caters for those with bikes. NOTE: Train tickets are not included, however, can be purchased directly on your arrival in Waihi. We will collect your bikes after completing the riding.

Enjoy a night at Waihī Beach. From gorgeous sea views to intimate garden vibes, Waihī Beach has a great selection of restaurants, bars and cafes to choose from.

Driving Information: Waihi Beach to Rotorua: 111km/69mi | 2hrs

Journey south, passing many more beautiful beaches and the township of Tauranga, one of the North Island’s largest ports. Your route takes you through kiwifruit country around Te Puke and onto the heartland of thermal activity and the cultural centre of New Zealand, Rotorua.

Explore the raw beauty of the world’s youngest geothermal site on a self-guided, ecology-focused adventure among the craters of the wonderous Waimangu Volcanic Valley. This exciting geothermal attraction has a very unique ecology, with rare botany and plenty of fascinating geothermal features.

See the hypnotic steam rising from the Echo Crater, marvel at the fizzling Frying Pan Lake (the world’s largest hot spring) and take in the beauty and dazzling blue of the Inferno Crater hot lake. The newly forming silica terraces are also a highlight. At any stage during your walk, you can jump on board a courtesy shuttle that regularly circles the valley back to the Waimangu Visitor Centre.

You’ll stay the night at On The Point - Lake Rotorua. Poised on the edge of the glistening waters of Lake Rotorua and boasting sublime views across to Mokoia Island, On The Point - Lake Rotorua is located in the Central North Island region. The property is an expansive lakeside estate spread across a magnificent 2.8 hectares of grounds leading down to the lakes edge and private beach. On The Point - Lake Rotorua also offers several reception rooms for you to enjoy, including a quiet library and reading room with computer, pool room, large entertaining rooms and several dining rooms. Be pampered without leaving the serenity of the retreat at our onsite Day Spa by indulging in a heavenly massage.

One of NZ’s best one day walks “Five hundred-year-old trees standing 60m high, rare birds calling overhead – Whirinaki is a world-class example of unique rainforest that’s barely changed since dinosaurs roamed under the canopy. Discover ancient trees, extraordinary ecology and learn about the conservation challenges to protect some of the rarest creatures on earth. This lush forest is unlike anything else in New Zealand with ancient trees such as rimu, kahikatea, miro and matai. Whirinaki provides outstanding habitat for many of New Zealand’s rarest birds – kaka (North Island parrot), yellow-crowned kakariki (parakeet) and toutouwai (North Island robin), to name just a few.

Driving Information: Rotorua to Napier: 215km/134mi | 2.5hrs

Start your day with a thrilling mountain biking adventure in the Redwoods (Whakarewarewa) Forest. Known simply as “The Redwoods”, the 55,000-hectare forest is a playground for mountain bikers set among magnificent stands of towering Californian Redwoods, lush native forest and exotic trees. Red Bull rates The Redwoods’ trails among the top 8 in the world, Australian Mountain Bike Magazine claiming them to be the best.

Begin your adventure by fitting bikes and helmets to suit and undergo a short safety and bike instruction briefing. Choose from over 140-kilometres of purpose-built tracks tailored to all skill levels for a 3–4-hour ride through forestry back roads, single track and fun jump trails surrounded by beautiful native pine forests. Once above the canopy, you will get to appreciate panoramic views of Rotorua’s beautiful lakes, geothermal activity and brooding Mount Tarawera.

*NOTE: This is a great introduction to mountain biking. If you wish don’t participte in The Redwoords mountain biking tour, we can arrange a private city cycling tour – riding a scenic ride around the Rotorua central business district, taking in areas of significance and learning the geographical and cultural history of the inner city. Additional cost of $100pp.

After your ride, hit the road for a scenic drive through rugged mountain ranges and exotic pine forests to the fertile vineyards of Hawke’s Bay. Your afternoon is free to enjoy Napier, a world-renowned Art Deco treasure. Here, you will find many fine wineries, fabulous restaurants, bars and cafes. The boutique shops are a must-visit, as is the Sea Walls collection of magnificent murals painted on more than 50 walls around the city. Grab a map and walk or ride around the city to see them up close.

You’ll stay the next 2 nights at Brekenridge Lodge. Purpose-built to be a boutique luxury lodge, Brekenridge offers 5 unique private guestrooms, each with a spectacular vineyard overlooking pristine Chardonnay vines. Take time to explore the expansive gardens before indulging in a sumptuous 5-course degustation (own cost).

Cycling Information: Ahuriri to Havelock North: 26km/16mi | 2-4 hours

Set off on a half-day cycling adventure from Ahuriri to Cape Coast. This is a very scenic coastal ride of 26-kilometres, finishing at 3 of the best Hawke’s Bay wineries.

Departing the historic port village of Ahuriri, the cycle trail will take you past the Napier CBD, before continuing south along Marine Parade with spectacular views out towards Cape Kidnappers. Named by Captain James Cook after an attempt by local Maori to abduct one of his crew, Cape Kidnappers is an extraordinary stone headland that is home to the largest and most accessible gannet colony in the world.

Continue on to Waitangi Regional Park, where you will find the Ātea a Rangi (Star Compass), a training tool used by celestial navigators who sailed traditionally throughout the Pacific. The rising and setting points of the celestial bodies are memorized by using the Pou (Posts) and the Horizon. Here, you can learn about how Maori navigators used the stars to sail their wakas (canoes) to New Zealand.

Cycle on through the wetlands, home to numerous black swans, to the village of Clive, a great place for refreshments. Leaving Clive, you arrive at Black Bridge and the mouth of the Tuki Tuki river. Cycle through these 2 quaint coastal communities to get to Elephant Hill, Clearview Estate and Te Awanga, 3 of the best Hawke’s Bay wineries. Here, you can sample some of the region’s superb Red Blends, notably Syrah, Cabernet and Merlot. A visit to the Te Mata Cheese Factory is also a must – make sure to try the award-winning brie and blue-style cheese from sheep, goat and cow’s milk.

Transfer back to your accommodation around 4:00pm.

Driving Information: Napier to Ohakune: 187km/116mi | 2hrs 40mins

Journey inland to Ohakune along the Taihape-Napier Road. Known as “Gentle Annie”, this route was once rife with rough gravel. These days, the surface is sealed all the way, allowing a far more comfortable drive through a beautiful part of the North Island. Along the way, you’ll find picturesque high country sheep stations like Erewhon and Springvale as well as the majestic gorge of the Rangitikei River, where an old suspension bridge still resides alongside the concrete and steel structure that replaced it in 1974.

Arrive at Okahune, located in picturesque surrounds at the foot of Mount Ruapehu. Okahune emits an energetic yet laidback vibe, with plenty of activities, shops and restaurants attracting visitors all year round. Spend the afternoon exploring the town and surrounds before embarking on a 2-hour pre-sunset guided walk. One of Tongariro National Park’s best short walks, the easy 2 hour loop to Taranaki Falls is jam-packed with fascinating natural sights and excellent mountain views. A superb way to experience the Tongariro National Park and enjoy this stunning time of day. The walk comprises a choice of tracks: the Taranaki Falls loop track, a return trip starting on the famous Tongariro Alpine Crossing or a return route out to sunset ridge or Meads Wall. The beauty of these options is the ability to comfortably watch the sunset in an alpine environment, while a guide shares their local knowledge of geology, volcanology, and New Zealand cultural history. Cap off this magical experience with refreshment.

You’ll stay the next 2 nights at Powderhorn Chateau. Located in Okahune at the entrance to Tongariro National Park, this gorgeous chateau offers a traditional ski lodge atmosphere as well as a heated indoor swimming pool and restaurant. The Powderkeg Restaurant and Bar offers an a la carte menu all year round.

Approx. 4 - 5 hours canoeing (Easy Grade)

Today, you'll complete the great walk by canoeing on Whanganui River - New Zealand's only Great Walk by canoe, not foot! The Whanganui National Park has rugged terrain covered in lush native forest with the Whanganui River flowing through the heart of it.

You’ll pass through a mixture of farmland and patches of native bush. Paddling downstream you will travel through bush-clad hills, waterfalls, towering river gorges as well as some rapids en-route.

Walk to the world famous Bridge to Nowhere. Returning World War 1 servicemen once worked the land within what is now the Whanganui National Park. The farmers have long-since gone and this bridge is all that remains.

Enjoy your picnic lunch, and lie back and listen to the sounds of the bush, the birds, and see nature at its finest. Your guide will share stories of the river and of years gone by.

Return to National Park Village at approx. 5:00pm and self drive to hotel. 

Driving Information:
- Okahune to Waitomo: 178km/111mi | 2hrs
- Waitomo to Auckland: 190km/118mi | 2hrs 15mins

Journey from Okahune to Waitomo, home of the mysterious Waitomo Caves.

Embark on a guided tour of the caves. Your tour will take you through over 250-metres of stunning underground scenery and over 130 years of cultural and natural history. Your tour begins in the Cathedral and proceeds along a low narrow passage to the Tomo, a deep limestone shaft. Other magnificent cave formations include the Banquet Chamber, the Pipe Organ and the Catacombs. The highlight of your tour is an unrivalled boat ride through the spectacular Glow Worm Grotto. As your eyes adjust to the dark, the walls and roof sparkle with the lights of glow worm larvae like a thousand shimmering stars.

You will also have the opportunity to explore the Ruakuri Cave. Journey down through the spectacular spiral entrance to find winding passageways, vast echoing caverns, deep crevices and the distant thunder of subterranean waterfalls. You will have the opportunity to see glow worms right up close. Major features of the Ruakuri Cave tour include; Holdens Cavern, named after James Holden who first opened the cave to the public, The Drum Passage, The Pretties, and The Ghost Passage.

In the afternoon, continue onto Auckland to complete your journey. You will stay the night at Fable Auckland.

Driving Information: N/A

All good things must come to an end. Check out of your accommodation by 10:00am and drop off your rental vehicle to commence your onward journey. 

NOTE: This itinerary is provided as an example only – prevailing conditions and local arrangements may cause variation.