New Zealand is a great country for cycle touring on picturesque backcountry roads.

On our many touring routes you can experience the freedom of the open road with the wind in your hair, the sun on your back and the tarmac barrelling along under your wheels.

Cycling around New Zealand can be undertaken in two ways. Firstly you can travel independently by buying or renting a road bike in Auckland or Christchurch. Some cycle shops have an excellent buy-back scheme for longer journeys whereby half the purchase price is refunded when the bike is returned in a reasonable condition. Alternatively you can join a fully guided and supported group cycle tour. This ensures that you simply ride only as much as you want to and all accommodation and gear transport hassles are handled by the tour leader.

Typical scenic routes for either independent cycling or group tours are as follows:-

North Island Eastern Route

Auckland, Coromandel, Bay of Plenty, East Cape, Gisborne, Napier, Wellington

South Island Southern Lakes and Glaciers

Christchurch, Hokitika, Glaciers, Haast, Wanaka, Queenstown, Te Anau, Dunedin, Christchurch

Local cycling excursions are also popular in wine-growing regions such as West Auckland, Hawke’s Bay, Marlborough and Nelson. Like their counterparts in France these delightful wine trail tours visit several outstanding vineyards to sample the fruit of the vine.

So why not cycle your way to a helluva good time downunder? You will see the best alpine, rural and coastal scenery, meet the locals and have a memorable trip.