Cycling Adventure from North to South

Arrive in Auckland, enjoy a leisurely day exploring the CBD or head out on the water, and explore one of the islands on the Waitemata Harbour such as Waiheke Island or the dormant volcanic cone Rangitoto. If you want to get some cycling in, hire a bike and ride along the waterfront to Mission Bay, where you can go kayaking, swimming at the beach or simply relax in a cafe.

There are a few ways to get to Thames today, rent a car in Auckland and drive, take a bus directly to Thames or catch the ferry from downtown Auckland to Coromandel Town. If you choose the third option, take some time to look around Coromandel Town before catching a bus on to Thames.

Thames is a great place to relax and begin exploring the local gold mining history - you'll experience more of it when you begin cycling the Hauraki Rail Trail tomorrow.

The 3-day Hauraki Rail Trail is one of New Zealand's easiest cycle tracks. Following old railway lines between the gold towns of Thames, Paeroa, Te Aroha and Waihī, the trail takes in panoramic views, historic mining tunnels and picturesque waterfalls all surrounded by lush native forest. Along the way, there are plenty of side trails and small towns offering overnight accommodation.

Te Aroha at the trail's end is home to mineral spas where you can relax your aching muscles with a soak in the hot pools, a massage or beauty treatment.

Visit the trail page for full details of the Hauraki Cycle Trail.

Travel from the Coromandel back to Auckland and take a domestic flight from there to Queenstown.

Base yourself in the spectacular alpine village of Queenstown for the next 2 or 3 days. This year-round lakeside resort is the gateway to a scenic region offering a fantastic range of recreational & lifestyle activities to suit everyone.

Today, you'll journey from Queenstown to the town of Clyde and the start of the Otago Central Rail Trail - the original great ride that inspired the creation of other New Zealand Great Rides.

Extending over 150 km, this easy cycle trail follows an old railway route from Clyde to Middlemarch, through beautiful Central Otago farmland, past fascinating historic towns and spectacular landscapes. The trail takes 5-days to ride and ends just before Middlemarch Train Station. From here, you can catch the historic Taieri Gorge Railway to Dunedin or organise transport through a cycle tour operator.

For more details about the trail, visit our Otago Central Rail Trail cycle page.

End your cycling experience in Dunedin, with its historic buildings, museums and uniquely New Zealand wildlife experiences. 

Visit majestic Olveston Historic House or Larnach Castle, the only one in New Zealand. Or spend some time exploring nearby Otago Peninsula where you will find penguins, sea lions and the only mainland-breeding colony of Royal Albatross in the world. In the afternoon, take a stroll to Tunnel Beach where over time wind and water have worked together to erode the sandstone cliffs into a dramatic landscape. 

If you have time, the scenic Dunedin Botanic Gardens, Chinese Garden and Otago Museum are also worth a visit.