What you get on this adventure: An experienced, local biking guide with extensive knowledge of the area 7-days Wairarapa and Hawke’s Bay bike tour Tasty cafe breakfasts (x6), gourmet picnic or cafe lunches (x6), two course restaurant dinners (x5) catered to all dietary requirements Nutritious snacks, drinks, and treats plus our famous morning and afternoon teas 1 night at the exclusive luxury Wallingford Homestead 5 nights at hand-picked motel/lodge accommodations with ensuite facilities on a twin share basis Full vehicle support along the trail including trailer for luggage Transport from Wellington (return) Half day Rangitikei River scenic rafting trip Entrance Fee to Pukaha National Wildlife Centre Wine tasting at 2 boutique wineries Pre departure information kit to help you plan and prepare Access and concession fees paid to the Department of Conservation What’s not included: International or domestic flights and taxes Arrival and departure transfers Meals not mentioned in the itinerary All beverages, other than breakfast Bike hire (including helmet) Water bottle (help us save the environment and bring your own bike drink bottle) Personal expenses (eg. phone calls, internet, laundry, shopping etc) Visa (if required) Guide gratuities — optional Travel and medical insurance — optional

How fit do I need to be?

In order to fully enjoy this Wairarapa and Hawke’s Bay Backroads tour, good fitness and previous multi-day riding experience is recommended. Over 7 consecutive days, you’ll cover around 350 km (217 miles) on two wheels. Check out day-by-day distances in the itinerary. The Wairarapa and Hawke’s Bay Backroads tour is graded moderate . The trails are not technical but you do need to be capable of cycling distances between 50-70 km (31-43.5 miles) per day, for 5+ days. There’s still plenty of time for our casual morning and afternoon tea stops. On-road trail sections may have low to moderate traffic levels, mostly on back-roads. Riders need to be confident riding with some traffic. E-bikes are suitable if ridden appropriately and manage battery life (i.e. not on turbo the whole time, and in the correct chain ring for climbing hills). With the trip being fully supported, you can also choose to ride shorter sections and hop in the van at any time. For more biking adventures in New Zealand, click here !

What do I need to bring?

The tour is fully supported so you won’t have to carry anything. If hiring one of your guides’ bikes, it will have a rear saddle bag with enough space to put an extra layer, your camera, wallet, phone etc. Your guides recommend you pack your luggage in a soft sports bag for easy stowing in the trailer/vehicle. Please keep your luggage to a minimum. If you have extra luggage you do not require for your holiday, your guides can arrange to store it until the end of the trip. Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring: Comfortable biking clothes Spare clothes for layering Sneakers or sport shoes Breathable outside layer or jacket Waterproof rain jacket Fleece Quality thermal wear Casual clothes and sneakers for when you’re not cycling Sunhat Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.) Headlamp or flashlight Sunglasses Biking gloves Camera — optional (but recommended) Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.

You can either rent hybrid mountain bikes or e-bikes for this Hawke’s Bay bike tour. You can add them to your booking upon checkout for an additional fee. A bicycle helmet will be included with your bike rental, along with a 15L saddle bag for personal items you might need throughout the day. For hybrid mountain bikes, your guides offer custom Avanti Discoveries , which have been built to suit the New Zealand trails with the best characteristics of a hybrid bike and a mountain bike. Your guides offer quality Sinch e-bikes , providing people who might need a little pedaling assistance the opportunity to enjoy the cycling holidays. These e-bikes are simple to operate, very comfortable to ride, and are more gentle on the body than a traditional bike.

What’s the weather like?

As a general rule, November to April are the most ideal months for traveling in New Zealand’s stunning outdoors. One of the most important things travelers need to know about the New Zealand climate is that it’s a maritime climate , as opposed to the continental climate typical of larger landmasses.

Group sizes and age requirements

Group sizes and pricing For this Hawke’s Bay bike tour, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 7:1. If 8 or more people join the tour, 2 guides will accompany the group. It takes a minimum of 4 people for this tour to operate. The maximum group size is set at 14 participants. Biking in New Zealand can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements. Min. age requirements If you are older than 18, you’re good to go. Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the bike tour on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian. If your group has bikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

Getting there and meeting location

The starting point of your Hawke’s Bay bike tour is Wellington. To get there, most people fly into Wellington International Airport (WLG / NZWN) . From there, you can take a shuttle service, public transport, or rent a car to reach Wellington. Keep in mind that you’ll need to arrive at least a day prior to Day 1 of the tour as you will meet your guide on the first morning of the tour in central Wellington. More information will be provided by the guides before the tour starts. At the end of the trip, if you wish to fly home that evening, please ensure your flight departs Wellington domestic airport later than 8pm. You can get a taxi, shuttle or public bus to the airport from the city center. For those staying in Wellington on the final evening, your guide will drop you at a central drop off point around 6‐7pm (depending on traffic).

Safety measures and insurance

We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both medical and travel protection . To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible , simply choose Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner! Redpoint tailors their protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations. Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered. Once your booking is confirmed and your trip is paid in full, you will be offered to purchase Redpoint’s protection. If you need any help or require more information, let us know and we will be happy to help!

Rafting on Rangitikei River in New Zealand

Bikers in a vineyard cafe in New Zealand

WELLINGTON | NEW ZEALAND

Wairarapa and Hawke’s Bay: Bike Tour in New Zealand

5.00 ()

Season

February through March

Duration

7 days

Accommodation

Homesteads, vineyards, motels, and lodges

Difficulty

Guide

Adventure South NZ

Book a call

From $3,170 () / 7 days

Intro
Itinerary
Brochure
Guides
Accommodation
Reviews
Things to know

How about this: On New Zealand’s North Island, we’ll take you on a 7-day adventure where biking’s just the beginning. Apart from lush valleys, stunning back roads, and wild ranges, it’s a trip filled with wine tastings, rare wildlife, and even a scenic float down a river canyon. Along the way, we’ll hang out at cozy lodges, and stay at a historic homestead with enough character to tell its own stories. But that’s not all—think charming towns, amazing food, and more vineyards than you can shake a cork at. And just when you think you’ve seen it all, we’ll top it off with a ride up Te Mata Peak for views worth every pedal stroke. Sounds good? The roads are open, and the wine is waiting. Let’s go!

Adventure highlights

The Grape Escape

It’d be a crime riding through wine regions without sampling the wine, so we’ll be doing wine tastings at boutique wineries
History meets luxury

Stay at Wallingford Homestead, built in 1858, and now an exquisite retreat described as “possibly the most welcoming place in the world”
Oh, the places you’ll go!

Meet rare wildlife of New Zealand at the Mt Bruce National Wildlife Centre, and take a scenic float down a river canyon

Download itinerary

Itinerary

Get ready to pedal through New Zealand’s best-kept secrets on a 7-day ride that’s more than just a bike trip. We’ll cruise up the leafy Hutt Valley, conquer the lush Remutaka Ranges, and sip the good stuff at boutique vineyards. From there, it’s all about rolling past vineyards, farmland, and feathery locals at the Mt Bruce Wildlife Centre. We’ll rest up at River Valley Lodge before floating through the Rangitikei River Canyon, then bunk down in style at the historic Wallingford Homestead. To wrap it all up, we’ll explore the charming Havelock North and take in the breathtaking views from Te Mata Peak.

Your adventure begins with a short tour briefing in central Wellington before a drive round the Harbour to start our riding on the Hutt Valley River Trail. After a bike set-up and safety briefing, it’s an easy ride on a wide, largely flat pathway winding along the Hutt River to the foothills of the Remutaka Ranges and the leafy suburb of Maymorn. Along the way you’ll pass by some of New Zealand’s most important cultural history, including Maori pa and early European settlements.

Leaving suburbia behind we follow an old railway route weaving through the Remutaka Ranges taking in more historical sights before climbing gently through native bush and regenerating forest to the summit. Then, it’s a downhill ride along the historic Fell Locomotive Incline with a short, exciting journey through Summit Tunnel (1877). Expansive views of Lake Wairarapa open up as you emerge at Cross Creek. A short drive to Martinborough, the heart of Wairarapa wine country, for our overnight stay at a boutique vineyard, with dinner at the Martinborough Hotel.

Meals: Lunch, dinner
Biking: 50 km/ 31 miles
Accommodation: Boutique vineyard
Our morning’s ride on the Wairarapa Cycleway is a pleasant touring route with stunning Wairarapa views and plenty of rural charm. We’ll take a mid-morning breather in the small, vibrant community of Gladstone before finishing this delightful ride in the small town of Masterton. Mt Bruce National Wildlife Centre is our afternoon destination.

It’s an unfenced sanctuary for our native wildlife where many endangered birds live and are bred for release across Aotearoa, including the kiwi, takahe, kokako, kaka and longfin eel. We head back to Masterton for dinner and our night’s accommodation.

Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Biking: 50 km / 31 miles
Accommodation: Homestead, vineyard, motel, or lodge
The infamous Route 52 awaits us today, originally designated State Highway status but downgraded in 1960 when prosperity deserted New Zealand’s farming industry and farming districts became depopulated. Today this route through quintessential rural New Zealand offers quiet roads, country pubs and friendly locals. Using the van to shuttle us to the most scenic sections we’ll finish our ride at Te Paerahi Beach, the best old-school NZ beach ever!

From there it’s a short drive to our accommodation at Wallingford Homestead, first built in 1858 and at the heart of a 34,000 acre sheep and cattle station in the 1900’s. Now a boutique stay, it offers peace and quiet in beautiful surroundings.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Biking: 77 km / 48 miles
Accommodation: Wallingford Homestead
Wine country beckons today and we start with a lift in the van to the start of our morning’s ride. This continues yesterday’s rural theme on a stunning back-country road leading to the base of Te Mata Peak. Steeped in Maori legend, the Peak is both a visual feast and an integral part of Hawke’s Bay’s history, Maori and European.

You can choose to get to the top by pedal power or motor but either way the 360 degree views from the top are stunning and a great spot for a picnic lunch. A short drive takes us to our accommodation in Havelock North. You’ll have time to wander this pretty country town, with dinner at your leisure at one of the several restaurants on offer.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Biking: 52 km / 32.3 miles
Accommodation: Homestead, vineyard, motel, or lodge
After breakfast at a local café we join the local trail network for our ride, initially following the Tukituki river out to the coast through idyllic rural and riverside scenery, including plenty of vineyards and orchards. A short stretch along the coast brings us to the impressive Star Compass, a training tool used by celestial navigators who sailed traditionally throughout the Pacific. Heading inland again, following the Tukaekuri River, we’ll finish our ride at a boutique Hawkes Bay winery for lunch.

It’s time to leave the Hawke’s Bay and drive across remote hill country on the Gentle Annie road to the Manawutu—a lengthy journey but worth the effort to enjoy an authentic Kiwi experience. Our hosts for the next 2 nights are the McGaw family, who run River Valley Lodge, a venue of rustic charm providing exceptional country comfort, where the focus is on delivering a quality, fun experience, maintaining good relationships with the local community, and operating with a minimum footprint in the natural environment.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Biking: 52 km / 31.7 miles
Accommodation: River Valley Lodge
Today we explore this mostly unknown part of New Zealand with a scenic 13km (8 miles) ‘float’ on the Rangitikei River. Traveling by raft we take in over 30 Grade 2 (easy) rapids, passing through an incredibly steep sided gorge with a side hike to a spectacular waterfall (weather dependent). After a riverside picnic lunch, we’ll meet our crew and our bikes. From here we cycle 27 km (16.8 miles) winding through remote back country roads, crossing the Mokai River canyon cycling at your own pace. The route follows a mix of sealed and unsealed roads, past some working stations and back to River Valley Lodge.

There are plenty of spots to stop along the way to take in the beautiful unspoilt views. For those who would like to relax at the lodge in the afternoon, there is the option to return there by vehicle after lunch. A second night is spent enjoying dinner at River Valley Lodge where meals are a celebration of seasonal produce, sourced primarily from the garden.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Biking: 27 km / 16.8 miles
Rafting: 13 km / 8 miles
Accommodation: River Valley Lodge
Today we head off the beaten track (again!) on a scenic and often surprising journey through rural Rangatikei, full of natural wonders, local history and country hospitality. We wind our way up the Mangawharariki Valley, following deep sided Papa cliffs with wide ranging views to the Ruahine Ranges and vistas of snow covered Ruapehu in the distance. The ride includes stunning climbs and descents into dramatic gorges and we pass through the delightful historic settlements of Apiti and Kimbolton. This will be a challenging but memorable final ride, after which we have a 3 hour drive back to Wellington.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Biking: 55 km / 34.2 miles

Wairarapa and Hawke’s Bay: Bike Tour in New Zealand

Adventure Brochure

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Talk with us and let one of our adventure experts help you plan your perfect adventure.

Meet your guide

5.00

Adventure South NZ

Adventure South NZ is the leading provider of fully supported, guided adventures offering a wide range of over 40 high-quality trips across New Zealand and beyond. Specializing in cycling, mountain biking, and hiking, they are passionate about delivering exceptional experiences while taking care of all the logistics. Accompanied by experienced guides, travelers will explore New Zealand's natural wonders and gain insights into the local culture. At Adventure South NZ, small group travel is prioritized to minimize environmental impact and create immersive and personalized experiences. With over 30 years of experience, their expertise lies in crafting unforgettable active holidays.

Accommodation

The accommodation for this trip has been carefully selected to provide comfort and value in the best locations possible. The accommodation is on a twin share or double room basis with private facilities wherever possible. Each night, we’ll stay at hand-picked historic homesteads, boutique vineyards, comfy motels, and lodges, such as Wallingford Homestead and River Valley Lodge.

5.00 (4 reviews)

Scott McNaughton (source: Guide’s Website)

We had a wonderful experience with the 2 best guides Robbie & Rich, always available, supporting us & making sure we were enjoying the amazing rides. This was the 3rd time we had travelled with Adventure South, A very professional Company to travel with, & we would not hesitate to recommend the Company to anyone looking for a hiking or cycling tour in NZ. Hoping we can tour with you again Next Year

Margaret Tomlinson (source: Guide’s Website)

Another great trip our 4th. Chris Mike and Lisa looked after us extremely well. When the weather wasn’t cooperating they came up with great alternatives! Pleased to hear new bikes are arriving soon. Enjoyed our Wordle competition! Margaret and Mike.

Leanne J (source: Guide’s Website)

The trip was very well organised and run by Sue and Brett. The morning teas and snacks to keep us going were a bonus. I had a fantastic time. It was a well chosen route.

Helen M (source: Guide’s Website)

This was a great trip, made special by our two excellent guides, Sue and Brett. The trip was very well organised and both guides were very friendly and helpful. The itinerary was varied and each day’s cycling about the right length. I would definitely recommend both Adventure South and this trip.

Things to know

What you get on this adventure:
- - An experienced, local biking guide with extensive knowledge of the area
  - 7-days Wairarapa and Hawke’s Bay bike tour
  - Tasty cafe breakfasts (x6), gourmet picnic or cafe lunches (x6), two course restaurant dinners (x5) catered to all dietary requirements
  - Nutritious snacks, drinks, and treats plus our famous morning and afternoon teas
  - 1 night at the exclusive luxury Wallingford Homestead
  - 5 nights at hand-picked motel/lodge accommodations with ensuite facilities on a twin share basis
  - Full vehicle support along the trail including trailer for luggage
  - Transport from Wellington (return)
  - Half day Rangitikei River scenic rafting trip
  - Entrance Fee to Pukaha National Wildlife Centre
  - Wine tasting at 2 boutique wineries
  - Pre departure information kit to help you plan and prepare
  - Access and concession fees paid to the Department of Conservation
What’s not included:
- - International or domestic flights and taxes
  - Arrival and departure transfers
  - Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
  - All beverages, other than breakfast
  - Bike hire (including helmet)
  - Water bottle (help us save the environment and bring your own bike drink bottle)
  - Personal expenses (eg. phone calls, internet, laundry, shopping etc)
  - Visa (if required)
  - Guide gratuities — optional
  - Travel and medical insurance — optional
In order to fully enjoy this Wairarapa and Hawke’s Bay Backroads tour, good fitness and previous multi-day riding experience is recommended. Over 7 consecutive days, you’ll cover around 350 km (217 miles) on two wheels. Check out day-by-day distances in the itinerary.

The Wairarapa and Hawke’s Bay Backroads tour is graded moderate. The trails are not technical but you do need to be capable of cycling distances between 50-70 km (31-43.5 miles) per day, for 5+ days. There’s still plenty of time for our casual morning and afternoon tea stops. On-road trail sections may have low to moderate traffic levels, mostly on back-roads.

Riders need to be confident riding with some traffic. E-bikes are suitable if ridden appropriately and manage battery life (i.e. not on turbo the whole time, and in the correct chain ring for climbing hills). With the trip being fully supported, you can also choose to ride shorter sections and hop in the van at any time.

For more biking adventures in New Zealand, click here!
The tour is fully supported so you won’t have to carry anything. If hiring one of your guides’ bikes, it will have a rear saddle bag with enough space to put an extra layer, your camera, wallet, phone etc. Your guides recommend you pack your luggage in a soft sports bag for easy stowing in the trailer/vehicle. Please keep your luggage to a minimum. If you have extra luggage you do not require for your holiday, your guides can arrange to store it until the end of the trip.

Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
- - Comfortable biking clothes
  - Spare clothes for layering
  - Sneakers or sport shoes
  - Breathable outside layer or jacket
  - Waterproof rain jacket
  - Fleece
  - Quality thermal wear
  - Casual clothes and sneakers for when you’re not cycling
  - Sunhat
  - Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.)
  - Headlamp or flashlight
  - Sunglasses
  - Biking gloves
  - Camera — optional (but recommended)
Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.
You can either rent hybrid mountain bikes or e-bikes for this Hawke’s Bay bike tour. You can add them to your booking upon checkout for an additional fee. A bicycle helmet will be included with your bike rental, along with a 15L saddle bag for personal items you might need throughout the day.

For hybrid mountain bikes, your guides offer custom Avanti Discoveries, which have been built to suit the New Zealand trails with the best characteristics of a hybrid bike and a mountain bike.

Your guides offer quality Sinch e-bikes, providing people who might need a little pedaling assistance the opportunity to enjoy the cycling holidays. These e-bikes are simple to operate, very comfortable to ride, and are more gentle on the body than a traditional bike.
As a general rule, November to April are the most ideal months for traveling in New Zealand’s stunning outdoors. One of the most important things travelers need to know about the New Zealand climate is that it’s a maritime climate, as opposed to the continental climate typical of larger landmasses.
Group sizes and pricing
- - For this Hawke’s Bay bike tour, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 7:1.
  - If 8 or more people join the tour, 2 guides will accompany the group.
  - It takes a minimum of 4 people for this tour to operate. The maximum group size is set at 14 participants.
Biking in New Zealand can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

Min. age requirements
- - If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
  - Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the bike tour on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.
If your group has bikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
The starting point of your Hawke’s Bay bike tour is Wellington. To get there, most people fly into Wellington International Airport (WLG / NZWN). From there, you can take a shuttle service, public transport, or rent a car to reach Wellington.

Keep in mind that you’ll need to arrive at least a day prior to Day 1 of the tour as you will meet your guide on the first morning of the tour in central Wellington. More information will be provided by the guides before the tour starts.

At the end of the trip, if you wish to fly home that evening, please ensure your flight departs Wellington domestic airport later than 8pm. You can get a taxi, shuttle or public bus to the airport from the city center. For those staying in Wellington on the final evening, your guide will drop you at a central drop off point around 6‐7pm (depending on traffic).
We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both medical and travel protection. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, simply choose Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner!

Redpoint tailors their protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations. Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.

Once your booking is confirmed and your trip is paid in full, you will be offered to purchase Redpoint’s protection. If you need any help or require more information, let us know and we will be happy to help!
To secure your spot, a non-refundable deposit in the amount of $245 is required at the time of booking. The remaining part must be paid 70 calendar days prior to the trip departure. Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies. If you cancel the booking…
- - More than 70 days prior to your departure date, your full deposit will be forfeited.
  - 70-35 days prior to your departure date, 50% of the tour price will be forfeited.
  - Less than 35 days prior to your departure date, 100% of the tour price will be forfeited.
Please note that booking fees are non-refundable in all cases and will be deducted from the refund amount.
57hours partners with Redpoint Travel Protection, offering you a fully integrated program with a single point of contact for all your needs, from emergency services to travel assistance and protection claims. We highly recommend purchasing a comprehensive protection policy from Redpoint, which will protect you both before and during your travels. Before your departure, your investment is protected by the trip cancellation benefit. Once you depart, your policy provides coverage for trip interruption, medical assistance and rescue, baggage loss, trip delay, and more. Once you complete booking with 57hours, we'll create bespoke quote for you (and your group), making sure you're fully protected for the adventure ahead.