Enjoy a fantastic cycling experience from Auckland to Rotorua. In between, you will visit the delightful towns of Cambridge, Taupo and Napier. From these bases, you'll enjoy scenic rides on quiet country roads taking in rolling farmland, glittering lakes, volcanic fields, vineyards and coastal vistas. Both longer and more moderate daily rides have been developed for all riding levels. You will stay multiple nights in Cambridge and Napier, allowing time to enjoy some of the many activities such as visits to thoroughbred horse studs, award-winning wineries, visits to Hobbiton, a significant location used for The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films, Sanctuary Mountain, the largest eco-restoration project in NZ, to name but a few.
The North Island is one of New Zealand’s two main islands, known for its volcanic activity, national parks, winegrowing regions and cosmopolitan cities. It's home to about three-quarters of New Zealand’s population. The Rural and Wine tour is based on the format of staying in one or more hubs and choosing scenic rides out from the hub each day.
You will start this tour in the Northern city of Auckland which has two major harbours and is known as the City of Sails and finish in the tourist haven of Rotorua which is famous for its exciting geothermal activity including geysers and mud pools. In between, you will enjoy riding around the rich rolling green pastures of the Waikato region, then through to the stunning Lake Taupo, a volcanic crater created by a supervolcanic eruption which occurred 26,500 years ago.
From there you will transition to Hawke's Bay on the East coast, recognised on the world stage for its award-winning wines. The region includes scenic coastal land as well as a hilly interior stretching up into the Kaweka and Ruahine Ranges with five major rivers connecting the two. Three days are spent exploring this delightful area, this includes a rest day. Time for both stunning rides as well as other attractions such as the wineries and the Art deco town of Napier. Leaving Hawke's Bay you will travel to Rotorua which has a prominent Maori culture and a thriving adventure tourism industry. There is also a range of mountain bike rides around the area.