Best New Zealand biking holidays: Combine cycling and adventure

There’s no better way of really ‘seeing’ a country than on two wheels, and when that country happens to be New Zealand, you are in for a treat. Bikes let you reach and experience parts of this country that planes, trains and automobiles can’t. The best New Zealand biking holidays are those that combine cycling with the other ‘must-do’ elements of New Zealand’s outdoor playground – flexible accommodation, knowledgeable guides, wonderful hikes and once in a lifetime adventure activities.

That’s what sets Flying Kiwi’s New Zealand tours and biking holidays apart. You get to choose the rides you want to do everyday (and there is something for all fitness levels) and combine this with anything from a great hike to dolphin swimming and kayaking. The custom built buses carry everything you need on this New Zealand biking tour, you just pick and choose the things that you love.

Whether you fancy a few kilometres off-road down a gentle path, some serious alpine challenges or a day on the tarmac for some road cycling, it’s completely up to you. The best New Zealand biking holidays cover some of the most varied cycling terrain on the planet, from coastal roads to mountain ranges. But to give you a bit of an insight into what’s available, we’ve broken down the options into three easy categories.

New Zealand Cycle Trail

A project that aims to link some of the most spectacular and remote areas of the country with bike paths, Flying Kiwi are working closely with the New Zealand Cycle Trail teams to give as much acces as possible to these rides as they become available. With a number already mapped out on the itinerary and plenty more to come it’s a hugely exciting time to be doing a biking tour in NZ.

South Island

Explore the Kaikoura region, with its seal colony and opportunities for whale watching – this is where cycling and natural beauty meet perfectly. There’s the chance to swim with dolphins, go whale watching and an evening cycle along the Pacific path is a must.

The Canterbury plains are also highly recommended, complete with stunning views of the Southern Alps, and even some accommodation at the foot of Mount Cook. There are some shorter rides around the Lake Pukaki and Tekapo region with views of the snow-capped mountains.

Downhill fans will love some of the rides around Fiordland national park including a fantastic section from the top of Haast Pass and in the Mt. Aspiring National Park.

North Island

The regions around Auckland offer the chance to ride alongside golden beaches and coastal roads and witness thundering waterfalls up close and personal. The Bay of Islands region also provides a number of options for cyclists, with a challenging 50km loop to Kawakawa through Paihia being a highlight. You can also cycle through some of the best parts of the Kauri and Waipoua forests.

Hot Water Beach on the Coromandel Peninsula  lets you sample some of the oldest MTB sections in the country, passing through the famous Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve and to the 700-year-old village there.

The Rotorua region is home to a newly developed and world-class mountain bike trails which is a fantastic option for those who like to get their wheels muddy.

With so much exceptional cycling terrain to choose from, it’s little wonder the flexibility you get from Flying Kiwi offers some of the best New Zealand biking holidays. The combination of an adventure and cycling tour around New Zealand ensures you experience the best of this incredible country.

We highly recommend Flying Kiwi tours and its not just us – National Geographic recently rated them the #1 NZ budget tour operator for hiking and biking, multisport, nature & wildlife and cultural encounters.

All photos used in this article were taken by guests on the Flying Kiwi Tours.