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Bikepacking New Zealand | Bucket List Worthy Bikepacking Routes

If you are like me and love New Zealand, then these are some bikepacking routes you gotta put on your dream list! I have not been to New Zealand, yet! But I have heard so much great things about the place and from pictures those mountains looks stunning!

I have always wanted to go and do a epic bikepacking adventure over there. And I think I have found it! In this article I researched all over the web for some bikepacking routes to do in New Zealand. From my research I was unable to find that many. If you had better luck then me or you have been on your own bikepakcing made trail in New Zealand do please let me know.

But for this post we have 5 potential amazing bikepacking routes to choose from or you could do them all. Starting from easy weekenders to a epic 3000 Km mission. I think I am going to head over to New Zealand soon to have a crack at the 3,000 Km one!

The criteria for making this list is the route has to be epic! In distance and in scenery! But I have also include some routes that are probably better for the beginner or someone just getting starting in this wonderful world of bikepacking. The first three are the ones I want to have a crack at most especially the first route mentioned below.

I should have been to New Zealand earlier, being from Victoria, Australia. You know it is just over the pond! I have been touring in many other countries but not the neighbours. Oh, look now I am starting to plan this epic adventure. Are you as excited as me? Lets get into these routes.

Tour Aotearoa

The old ghost road, northern loop no. 8 wired.

Route map for Tour Aotraroa COMPLETE by Roger Leary on plotaroute.com

The Tour Aotearoa route is a 3,000 Km epic bikepacking adventures, from Cape Reinga to Bluff it follows a combination of riding conditions. Varying from rough single track, to beaches, to dirt roads, gravel roads, sealed roads, cycle lanes, trails and paths, and 5 boat trips.

It is a annual ‘race’ well I should call it more of a ‘brevet’ whatever that means! if you want to get in for the upcoming 2020 on February the 7th it is maxed out to 1000 riders you can apply here it is free (for a fee to a charity) read more here .

Or if you are more like me a would rather tackle it at your own pace to truely soak in every moment. You can set off when you like to give this epic route a crack! Here are two A3 printable maps (for free) if you would find it helpful!

The Tour Aotearoa route is open to the public all year round, however, the best time to ride is in the late summer and early autumn. Keep in mind that the later you embark the less daylight you will have, but that there will also be less traffic on the roads and more options when it comes to accomodation. But try a prevent yourself for attempting it in winter if you can as the tracks will be too muddy! Also if you can try and word around going between 24 December – February as the summer holidays can make the roads busy.

For accommodation, depending on your pace you will be on the road for a few weeks. So where can you stay each night? You could just camp on the sit of the road! Or there are other options with general prices as follows.

• Camping: up to $18 per person per night
• Backpackers dormitory room: $15-25 per person per night
• Backpackers twin room: $40-80 per person per night
• Standard motel/hotel twin room: $70-180 per night
• Luxury hotel twin room: $180-350 per night
• Five-star hotel room with a chocolate on your pillow: $300-3000+ per night

Transportation is something to consider if you want to get a lift to the start of the route in Cape Reinga to follow it all the way south to Bluff. If you are flying into a main city like Auckland. You could get a shuttle and taxi vans that usually take bikes. Or planes or buses. However as a recent, transport from Auckland to Kaitaia (which is still 111 km from the Cape Reinga starting point) is no-longer straightforward. InterCity have switched to using buses on this route with too little cargo space, so that option is no longer available. You can fly with Barrier Air or hire a car. From Kaitaia you could get a one way shuttle that might be the best bet or just ride out to Cape.

With ferries if you choose to follow this route to a tee it will involve 5 of them. They are more costly then I have experienced with ferries in other countries. But if you wanted you could possibly look at alternative ways to navigate around, I am not sure if it is possible have not looked that far into it as of yet.

• Hokianga Harbour to Rawene – runs regularly for most of the day, costs $2, and takes 10 minutes. Take cash.
• Kaipara Harbour – special charter boat (Shamrock) from Pouto Point to near Helensville. Needs to be booked in advance, costs $50 if you are with ten or more other riders, and takes 2-3 hours. Accept cash.
• Whanganui River from Maungapurua Landing to Pipiriki – need to book one of the jet boats that runs regularly. It will cost around $90. Trip takes about 1 hour. Only one operator (Whanganui River Adventures), accept credit cards
• Cook Strait Ferry, Wellington to Picton – a few regular sailings every day. Costs about $55 and including boarding time takes 4 hours.
• Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown to Walter Peak – regular sailings and you can charter a boat, costs $40 – $60 dollars and takes about 1 hour.

You can find more details about these boats in the  Tour Aotearoa Official South and North Island Guide

Transport contacts

• Air New Zealand
• Interislander (Cook Strait ferry)
• Bluebridge (Cook Strait ferry)
• InterCity buses
• Barrier Air
• Shuttle service: Oli Lancaster shuttles people from Kaitaia to Cape Reinga, Ph 09 409 7500.

If you want anymore information check out the offical Tour Aotearoa page here

If you are looking for something shorter but still epic the Old Ghost Road has you covered! It is one of the best longest singletrack rides in New Zealand.

In the North West corner of the South Island of New Zealand a ghost has awakened. A long-forgotten gold miners’ road has been revived as a mountain biking and tramping trail – connecting the old dray road in the Lyell (Upper Buller Gorge) to the mighty Mokihinui River in the north. The 85km-long Old Ghost Road traverses majestic native forest, open tussock tops, river flats and forgotten valleys.

Find out more here at the offical site and more information for cyclists .

If you are up for something a little less demanding then the previous 3,000 Km route, this one might be for you! It is a great route for a weekender or maybe allow 4 days. A little longer then the Ghost route but not as much climbing per Km.

About The Author

Codey Orgill, a seasoned bicycle adventurer, has been exploring the world on two wheels for over 10 years. Since embarking on his initial cycling journey, Codey Orgill has traversed numerous countries, experiencing a series of epic adventures.

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Best Bikepacking Rides in New Zealand with Mark Watson & Hana Black

If you’re going to take advice from anyone when it comes to the best bikepacking rides and regions in New Zealand, it’s Mark Watson & Hana Black. 

The duo have spent more time on wheels than they have on their own two feet. You name a bike trial in NZ - they’ve smashed it (probably thrice times over). Not only are they experts of their home terrain in Aotearoa, but they’ve completed their fair share of international trails too. Mark & Hana have spent close to four years bikepacking nearly the lengths of the Americas, from Alaska to central Patagonia, via the road less traveled.

Here are their favorite New Zealand bikepacking regions and rides: 

#1 Maniototo

The Maniototo region of Central Otago is renowned for its dramatic scenery, diverse climate, and of course, one-of-a-kind bike trails. 

“The expansive plains and broad, rolling, craggy ranges of the Central Otago high country have a distinct charm of their own, but add a mountain bike into the mix and you can access some stunning areas that are visited by few. Rough Ridge and the historic and isolated Serpentine Church is one such spot, high on the tussocky ridges, while a few options are also possible on the lofty Hawkdun Range where you can feel as if you’re on the roof of the South Island.” 

#2 Banks Peninsula

Banks Peninsula is commonly known to Maori as Horomaka. It's also known as Te Pataka o Rakaihautū, meaning the storehouse of Rakaihautū, who was a legendary explorer. Only a short drive from Christchruch, Banks Peninsula is one of Aotearoa’s most unique landforms. 

“Close to the city of Christchurch, yet sparsely populated, the ancient volcanic massif of Banks Peninsula features a ton of riding potential, for both mountain bikers and gravel bashers alike. But whatever type of ride you seek here, bring your climbing legs! The peninsula is all about hills and sometimes they’re steep. The peninsula suits rides of 2-4 days length, and your climbing efforts will always be rewarded with big ocean views and sinuous descents that carve down into secluded bays, such as the charming Little Akaloa.”

Located at the top of the South Island, the Kahurangi National Park is New Zealand’s second-largest park, expanding over 4529 square kilometres. 

“While the Heaphy Track and Old Ghost Road are on most riders’ radars these days, opportunities abound to create link ups from 3-days to a week. The Kahurangi 500 (OGR, Heaphy, Rameka, Tadmor, Braeburn, Porika) is the king linkup, but a high quality, shorter loop can combine Old Ghost Road with the Denniston Shortcut for a ride with a lot of variety and epic scenery. Come prepared for sandflies and rain, but both Heaphy and Old Ghost Road have several bookable huts.”

Great Rides of New Zealand

Timber Trail, Maramataha Suspension Bridge, Ruapehu

By StudioZag

Totara Bridge, New Zealand

By Cindy Fleming

Otago Rail Trail, Central Otago

By Otago Central Rail Trail Trust

Hawke's Bay Cycle Trails, Hawke's Bay

By Richard Brimer

Be prepared for an amazing holiday experience when you ride one of the Great Rides along the New Zealand Cycle Trail.

Rich in breathtaking scenery and must-see attractions, Ngā Haerenga (‘The Journeys’) Great Rides are an unforgettable way to explore New Zealand. Mostly off-road and traversing a remarkable range of landscapes, the Great Rides offer adventures for almost every age and ability.

Renting a bike is easy in New Zealand; plenty of rental providers can be found in the main centres close to the Great Rides. Choose to explore a trail that fits in with your itinerary from the following themes:

• Remote wilderness Great Rides: Motu Trails, Old Ghost Road Cycle Trail, West Coast Wilderness Trail, Timber Trails, Coppermine Trail, Waikato River Trail. 
• Food and wine Great Rides: Hawke's Bay Trails, Tasman's Great Taste Trail, Queenstown Trail.
• Spectacular scenery Great Rides: Great Lake Trails, Queen Charlotte Track Great Ride, St James Cycle Trail, Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail, Roxburgh Gorge Trail, Around the Mountains Cycle Trail, Lake Dunstan Trail.
• Culture and heritage Great Rides: Pou Herenga Tai Twin Coast Cycle Trail, Hauraki Rail Trail, Whakarewarewa Forest Loop, Mountains to Sea Nga Ara Tuhono, Otago Central Rail Trail, Remutaka Cycle Trail.

As locals will tell you, there really is something for everyone on the New Zealand Great Rides, even for beginners and rusty riders. Passionate tour companies offer advice, guiding, shuttles and luggage transfers while welcoming accommodation, cafes and restaurants provide home comforts along the way. 

They are as diverse as they are beautiful, showcasing a satisfying blend of natural wonders, cultural sights , food and wine . Tasman’s Great Taste Trail  offers a leisurely tour of cafes, wineries and galleries spread across rolling countryside and along a sparkling coast. At the other end of the scale, the Old Ghost Road is a challenging journey through remote mountainous wilderness.

Spread throughout New Zealand from the Bay of Islands in the north to Queenstown in the south, the Great Rides are a memorable way to reach sights and attractions. Pedal between Napier’s art deco buildings on the Hawke’s Bay Trails,  stargaze from an alfresco hot tub on the Alps 2 Ocean  and wind through Rotorua’s steamy geothermal wonderlands on Te Ara Ahi (opens in new window) . Explore two contrasting national parks on the Mountains to Sea , and freewheel through the golden high country of the Otago Central Rail Trail .

Explore New Zealand's Great Rides

Ngā Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails Official Website

Go to Ngā Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails' official website (opens in new window) to find all detailed information about the 23 great rides of New Zealand. 

Great Rides App

Download the  Great Rides App (opens in new window)  - the only app designed for the Great Rides of New Zealand – it works offline, has 1500+ pages, and it’s free too.

Download for Apple (opens in new window) / Download for Android (opens in new window)

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Southern Escapade: Bikepacking in New Zealand

A three day adventure, with climbs, gravel, stunning scenery and a spooky history..

Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! >","name":"in-content-cta","type":"link"}}'>Download the app .

Escapade (noun); an act or incident involving excitement, daring, or adventure.

As the seasons changed and the days grew longer, I started daydreaming about riding trips. I was perfectly distracted from whatever I was supposed to be doing while building a perfect route. It would connect two southern regions: Waitaki and Otago; traverse high country passes, intersect gravel roads and cycle trails and, perhaps most importantly, the route would connect some historic backcountry pubs as well.

I vaguely plotted the bikepacking trip to take around three days. I kept things a little flexible with regards to the accommodation – there’s a heap of options in these regions. Also, you don’t always know what you’ll encounter en route, so having absolute distances to cover can be a little stressful.

For me, it’s best to be a little fluid and just see how everyone on the trip is feeling throughout the days of riding. It’s about breaking away from the regular structure of life and into the realm of spontaneity.

The lure of this iconic and diverse region always grips me. This was a scratch I really needed to itch, so I made plans to make it happen. I roped in a friend, Andrew Pike, who didn’t hesitate to commit when the call was made. As they say down these ways: ‘good on ya mate.’

The weather wasn’t really on our side as the Radio New Zealand news announced there would be showers, high wind, and snow freezing level to 1200m for the next forty-eight hours. This was spring deep in the South Island after all, so we ensured our woollies, Merino, jackets, gloves, hats, and a good dose of courage were packed.

The trip went from being a distraction to a reality. A lengthy commute by plane and car got us to our start destination of Duntroon.

For most of the transit we were listening to the Rugby World Cup quarter final: All Blacks vs Ireland. It’s amazing when you listen to coverage on the wireless as you need to imagine what’s going on rather than seeing. The atmosphere at the game could be felt in the vehicle, even as the patchy reception dropped in and out.

The snow on Lindis Pass was beautiful to witness, however, when we jumped out of the warm truck into the freezing temps, I did wonder: how could we be riding in this?! Luckily, as we made our way down Waitaki Valley, the snow cleared and gave way to pockets of sunshine.

Duntroon is a small farming town and would be the start of the border run from Waitaki into Otago – we’d eventually finish in Cromwell. The three-day bikepacking journey would have us overnight in Naseby and Clyde…if everything worked out.

As mentioned, the route was marked out, but I always allow for detours and deviations with most of these trips. It’s about the journey and exploring places you wouldn’t normally venture; the bike helps you take it all in at a human pace.

Bikes unloaded, bags mounted; we changed into some riding attire and pushed off. The route out of Duntroon led us to Danseys Pass Road. Large dairy farms were flanked by the high mountains that loomed in the distance, with a fresh dusting of snow.

It wasn’t long before we had to stop for cattle crossing on the road, although that didn’t really matter as we weren’t in any rush. A quick wave to the farmer then we were on our way again. Dark clouds on the horizon turned into a brief shower as we started to gradually climb.

The pedals got harder to turn as the road wound its way out of the valley floor. I looked up to the golden peaks that we’d need to somehow navigate over and around, and realised this would be a tough pass.

Danseys Pass (935m) is a mountain pass located in the Kakanui Range. The pass itself is located at the boundary of the Waitaki and the Central Otago districts. The road lies between the Maniototo Plain (part of the Taieri River water catchment) and the northern foothills of the Kakanui Mountains, which is part of the Waitaki River catchment.

Much of the road going over Danseys Pass is unsealed and is occasionally cut directly from the Haast Schist bedrock. The road was built for the owners of large sheep runs, brothers Allan and John McLean.

We must have been a few hours in and had already gone up and down and up again a few times. The countryside became more isolated and barren.

After passing one farmhouse that gave us a good wave, we pulled up for a snack and drink. Sustenance was needed as this was the start of the actual climb that would take us up and over, into Otago. It would be exposed, and the afternoon wind was starting to blow. The climb didn’t relent and, as we inched towards the summit, it got steeper and steeper.

The views were impressive…. if I could only see past my suffering. The steep gradient and loose gravel meant for sustained seated power. We both stopped to put on another layer as the temperature dropped, figuring it was better to grab another layer before we got cold, knowing it would be needed on the descent.

The summit greeted us to views all the way to the east coast and right up to St Bathan’s Range. The road snaked down ahead of us, and we didn’t hesitate to bomb down. After all, the lure of our first historic pub, Danseys Pass Hotel, wasn’t far now. The wind howled up the descent, but we pushed the pedals as hard as we could against it. Craggy rocks overhung the road with the Kyeburn River ravine running beside us.

At last, the entrance to Danseys Pass Hotel appeared. Located deep within the Kyeburn Diggings, the hotel has a colourful history traced back to the 1860’s, when it serviced a multicultural gold-prospecting community of 2000. Teamsters with their wagon trains, plying trade between the Waitaki Basin and the Central Otago gold fields, used the Coach Inn as a stopover when traveling on to the more remote gold prospecting areas of Central Otago.

The Danseys Pass Hotel was built in 1862, with the original stonework constructed by a mason known as ‘Happy Bill’. Bill’s remuneration was in beer, and he received one pint for every schist boulder shaped and laid. Legend has it that, after a particularly busy day, the blithe craftsman fell into an open grave at the cemetery and slept the night away.

Today, the Danseys Pass Hotel, standing at 600m above sea level, remains to remind travellers of the colourful history of the area and its community.

There were farm Utes parked out front with ol’ mates yarning, a few dirt bikes being ridden by teenagers, and a few gents sitting on the veranda drinking tall Speights bottles. The historic building was something to behold, so we ventured inside to find a large space with a roaring open fireplace.

I ordered a Speights and bowl of chips for both of us, and we plonked ourselves on the large couch in front of the fire. A few patrons were interested in our journey, so we got yarning. I was spent and could have stayed the night in this iconic hotel. However, we needed to push on a little more.

And yet perhaps the idea of staying wouldn’t have been a bad option as within minutes of being back on our bikes we were riding into strong block headwinds. It was an unrelenting hour or so before we finally reached Naseby.

Naseby is a small town in the Maniototo area of Central Otago. An important township during the gold rush of the 1860s, gold was discovered in the Hogburn in 1863. At its peak, the population of the town was around 4000 miners and 18 stores, 14 hotels, two butcheries and a hospital were built to service the community.

In 1898, a railway line was constructed 12km away, in Ranfurly, and as a result services gradually moved away from Naseby. By the time administrative boundaries were changed in the 1980s, it had become New Zealand’s smallest borough, with a population of around 100.

Our tired bodies could feel the temperature dropping as we reached this high-elevation town. The Royal Hotel sorted us out with some good country fare and beer. Again, some of the patrons were taken aback by where we’d ridden from and where we’d be heading in the days to come.

The publican was kind enough to make a few calls and sort us out some digs in the old schoolhouse for the evening – there’s that southern hospitality!

The next morning, we pedaled around Naseby. It is quaint, cute and stuck in a time of years gone by. It wasn’t exactly bustling, but I quite liked that and we even had to wait for the coffee shop to open around 8am. Fed and caffeinated, we left town and could see the tall mountain ranges ingulfing this small town.

It was about a minute before we were back on the quiet country roads. It was today that we’d intersect some of the Otago Rail Trial, en route to either Tarras – if we could get over Thomson Gorge Road – or into Clyde if not. In any case, we would be in for another tough day as the wind started to howl from the west.

A few hours in, we reached Oturehua Otago Rail Trial. I was curious about the Gilchrist’s General Store and walked inside to find a museum of yesteryear. It’s almost unchanged in appearance since 1899: the products on the display shelves behind the long counters will bring back nostalgic memories for many.

The current owner was like a historian telling us about all the old times. He was also a rugby fanatic – I asked about the recent All Blacks game and he gave us a full breakdown analysis. Forget the rugby pundits, this bloke ran rings around them!

The conversation turned to our route onwards and, with his suggestion, we made the detour from there up to the famous Vulcan Hotel in St Bathan’s, which is a stunning village steeped in gold mining history and surrounded by rolling farmlands and rugged mountains.

It’s also home to the man-made Blue Lake where you can view sluicings and gold mining remains.

As for the Vulcan Hotel, the place had been on our radar, but it was hard to make the route intersect with this location as it’s bloody remote. However, this journey was about historic pubs, and this was one of them.

Getting there was hard – wind gusts were very high, and the terrain was relentless. We’d also been slowly climbing, which made things even tougher. They don’t make the best pubs easy to get to, that’s for sure! I did question this detour quite a few times as I pushed hard into the block headwind. But this was about braking normality, exploring and immersing ourselves in an experience that will be imprinted in our memories for a long time.

In the end, it was well worth it. The old brick frontage of the hotel, with a bar that was just inside the doorway, was a nod to earlier times. The food was fantastic, and the historic pub even had its own brew on tap…

It also has a long history, having served locals and visitors since 1869. There’s a bit of a spooky story too: as it goes, Rosie was a sex worker who plied her trade from Room One of the Vulcan Hotel back in the gold rush days of the 1860s. Back then, St Bathan’s had 13 pubs and up to 2000 miners working their claims.

She was killed in the room by a person – or persons – unknown, who took the small quantity of gold that she had from her dealings with miners, and then absconded, never to be found. Rosie’s ghost is said to still be about, perhaps seeking justice for her fate.

Out of St Bathan’s, we headed south to either connect back with the Otago Rail Trail or head over Thomson’s Gorge Road. The best local intel – after numerous discussions with people en route – was to ask the Omakau garage and petrol station if we could go through the gorge or not.

We did have some doubts as the winds were high, snow was forecast up there and lambing season had just started. The lady at the gas station was lovely and happened to know the farmer at the base of Thomson Gorge Road. A quick call quickly ended our aspirations of going over this road into Tarras. She did say that we’d be crazy given the current weather and the forecast conditions.

And with that we headed into Alexandra via the Otago Rail Trail. It was great to intersect the latter with gravel roads and trails, and to hardly touch any bitumen. Once we reached Alexandra, we jumped onto the river track into Clyde which ended our rather monstrous day.

The Post Office served us chips and beers as we sat, tanks empty, around the table. After that, we rolled around the road to Clyde Central and met the lovely owner, Fizz, who kindly offered us a room for the night. She’s also a rider and asked about our journey – and we gave some advice for her upcoming bikepacking trip, too.

We hit bed early as the day’s toll had caught up with us by then!

The day of the final transfer across the mountain range dawned; and it brought with it moody conditions. This would be straight out of Clyde and…. Up! This road is called Hawksburn Road – it’s amazing and offers scenic views across the top. Like the previous days, the terrain was unrelenting but rewarding and, thankfully, the wind had faded away.

The road dropped us swiftly into Bannockburn which we then connected with river tracks into Cromwell. Taco Tuesday at Amigos filled up our empty bodies and we reflected on a brilliant three days of the border run. I couldn’t put the whole experience into words, as we encountered so much on this journey and time is needed to really absorb it all.

I had well and truly scratched the itch, and could return home a somewhat tired but incredibly elated man. Of course, there’s always more to do when you enter these areas but, often, you need to tackle small bits at a time. I’ll leave the plotting of another route for another time.

On these sorts of trips, it’s always best to have buddies that are just as enthusiastic! Andrew brought his energy, enthusiasm, and hype for this journey. Being curious, detouring from our set route and, most of all, letting go of any expectations, made this an epic adventure.

Of course, the trip is really made up of the iconic places and real-life characters you meet along the way.

It’s one thing to ride solo, but sharing a grand experience is by far the best way to do it.

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The basics of bikepacking New Zealand: Everything you need for cycling Picton to Queenstown

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The never-ending uphill climb on the Crown Range Summit (1076m) is worth it for the sense of success. Photo / Tsewant Nuru Sherpa

Covering 1200km of New Zealand’s South Island on a 13-day bikepacking adventure is the ultimate way to see Aotearoa, writes Tsewang Nuru Sherpa

Nothing can outweigh the ecstasy and freedom of biking during the long, languorous summer days. Preparing for a long-distance bikepacking trip, however, necessitates a meticulous plan. After overcoming the arduous task of assembling all my bike-gear essentials, on a cold drizzly Christchurch morning, I took the Coastal Pacific train to Picton, and there began my bikepacking sojourn covering 1200 km from Picton to Queenstown, via the scenic West Coast.

Bikepacking - a fresh term here in New Zealand, but an activity as old as the bicycle itself. Bikepacking is widely regarded as the minimalist, cost-effective, multi-day excursion that enables a sense of adventure and freedom to celebrate life in the slow, lesser-known lanes, embracing active travel. Think of it as a coalescent of tramping and off-road cycling, except, you’ll be covering way more distances ranging from 40 km to 200 km a day. Bikepacking, today is at the forefront of its rise to popularity, as its fast enough to travel a whole country at a reasonable time but slow enough to explore myriad interesting sights and experiences, venturing off into more remote territory, exploring some of New Zealand’s finest sights at the perfect pace, whilst meeting the most interesting people.

Savouring slow travel and exploring places intimately

Travelling on a bike is different. You see more but in a profound sensory manner, and you experience more too. Each day, I pedalled amidst a plethora of unique landscapes, and with each increasing kilometre, I grew even more affectionate for the places I was passing: The scenic ride around the Queen Charlotte sound. The picturesque alpine Nelson lakes - Rotoiti and Rotoroa. The well-maintained West Coast Wilderness trail. The quaint and quirky towns: Franz Josef and Fox Glacier. The treacherous Haast pass (562m). The never-ending uphill climb on the Crown Range Summit (1076m). As I pedalled past the vineyards in the Marlborough region, soaking the robust aromas and crisp flavours of gooseberry, I stopped to chat with a winemaker and tasted some fresh grape varietals. I biked through the Buller Gorge, taking pictures of the once booming gold town of Charleston, and walked along the intrinsic Pancake rocks in Punakaiki. I hiked to the summit of Roy’s Peak on my so-called “rest day” from biking.

Whilst long-distance biking can be the experience of a lifetime, there are also challenges, such as the unforgiving weather. On my ride from Murchison to Westport, whilst enjoying the plunging gorges and the roar of white water, the menacing sky suddenly burst into torrential rain gusting 50mph of wind. Completely soaked and defeated, I battled onwards until I stumbled upon a roadside cafe. Sipping warm coffee while the cold water seeped out of my rain-sodden clothes, I was at the lowest of my lows.

Where to find a sense of cycling community

I’ve come to appreciate how riding with a group can be an incredibly rewarding experience, albeit with a completely different feel. In contrast to the solitary venture, the group dynamic escalates into a life of its own, dawdling more and manifesting more into a social experience, fostering deeper connections and a sense of community.

Riding with a group, the trip slowly transitioned into a great learning experience for me. From the way someone packs their bike and their bike setup, to what they eat and refuel on the road. Most importantly, riding in a group always has a way of transforming simple ordinary events into something bigger. The coffee you share in a cafe is better because you get to enjoy the sip while reflecting on the ride, the stops you make at lakes or campsites are more enjoyable: you share the pain, banter, food and assimilate experiences with a shared appreciation of where we are, the challenges or personal highlights of the day’s ride.

Well-connected cycle trails in the South Island

New Zealand is famous for being a tramping country. After having ridden almost 1200km, I’ve come to realise that cycling is more popular. Thanks to the endless roster of cycle routes and a vast range of tracks catering to everyone, from a gentle breezy pedal around vineyards to a historic backcountry trail, from groomed trails to untamed gnarly runs, there is really something for everyone, whether beginner or the most well-seasoned biker - for an hour, a day, a week or even months.

On my bikepacking trip, I was amazed to ride along a few iconic bike trails. From riding along the sequence of cafes, and wineries to never-ending coastlines on the Tasman’s Great Taste Trail to the West Coast wilderness trail that encompassed a mixture of landscapes: rainforest, tumbling rivers, unspoiled lakes and beaches backdropped by the mighty Southern Alps. From riding along the picturesque Lake Hawea River trail to Wānaka, and then the Queenstown trail, I experienced the best of the southwest Otago region. On the other hand, the gnarly Maungatapu track offered a challenging terrain, climbing approximately 800m with a number of steep ascents.

Details: Cycling New Zealand’s South Island

The New Zealand Cycle Trail website lists a vast number of cycle trails in New Zealand. nzcycletrail.com/find-your-ride/23-great-rides

The Tour Aotearoa website has guidebooks and route details on Bikepacking the whole length of New Zealand, along some iconic NZ trails. touraotearoa.nz/p/home.html

The Tour Aotearoa Facebook page is a great place to ask questions and share stories of your bikepacking journeys. facebook.com/groups/touraotearoa

DOC manages more than 200 campsites throughout New Zealand. doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-stay/stay-at-a-campsite

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4 days bikepacking central otago in new zealand.

Myrthe Braam

It took Myrthe 25 years and a shift to New Zealand to realise she's a sucker for type two fun and suffer fests. She fills her days with trail running, hiking, camping, rock climbing, snowboarding, mountaineering, paddleboarding and orienteering. After four years of weekend missions, Myrthe embarked on a year-long road trip in her tiny house on wheels to explore every corner of New Zealand.

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Myrthe decided to combine all the bikepacking trails around Central Otago to create one massive four day bikepacking extravaganza! Here’s how it all went down.

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By combining the Otago Rail Trail, the Clutha Gold Trail, and the Roxburgh Gorge Trail, Myrthe has created a four-day bikepacking loop which offers the perfect introduction to bike packing in Central Otago, New Zealand.

How to Get There

This loop starts and finishes in Alexandra, which lies in the middle of the southern part of New Zealand’s South Island. From Queenstown, it takes just over an hour to drive to Alexandra, from Christchurch it’s a 5.5 hour drive. There’s a car park for Otago Rail Trail users on Tarbert Street.

You can also take the Intercity bus from Queenstown, Dunedin or Christchurch.

A perfect route!

Places to Stay in Central Otago

You’ll find campsites, cabins, motels, and B&Bs in most towns along the way, including Alexandra, Omakau, Wedderburn, Ranfurly, and Roxburgh. You can also practise responsible wild camping on public conservation land (check the Outdoor Access Commission’s Public Access Areas map to find areas with legal public access).

Day 1 – Camping available at Waipiata Domain , cabins/motel/B&B available in Ranfurly

Day 2 – Camping/hotels/cabins available in Middlemarch and Lawrence

Day 3 – Camping/hotels available in Beaumont and Millers Flat

Read more: Remember to leave no trace !

Paddock camping

Nearby Accommodation

Skill level, distance covered / elevation gain / duration.

Total: 328km / 4 days

Day 1: Alexandra to Waipiata – 94km / 640m elevation / 8 hours (including stops)

Day 2: Waipiata to Lee Flat – 94km / 880m elevation / 9 hours (including stops)

Day 3: Lee Flat to Beaumont – 65km / 910m elevation / 9 hours (including stops)

Day 4: Beaumont to Alexandra – 75km / 800m elevation / 8 hours (including stops and jet boat)

The Roxburgh Gorge trail

Essential Gear

• Cycling clothing
• Warm layers
• Food and water
• Camping gear
• Bike repair kit
• First aid kit

What It’s Like Bikepacking in Central Otago

Like many other outdoor lovers, I spent most of the Covid-19 lockdown looking at maps and planning future adventures. One of the things on my wishlist was to do a multi-day bikepacking trip.

I’d done a few overnight bikepacking trips, but was keen to experience a longer trip on the bike.

Living in Central Otago, I’m lucky to have a number of New Zealand’s Great Rides on my doorstep. Over the years, I’ve done bits and pieces of these trails, but never from start to finish.

First night campsite

Looking at maps of the Otago Rail Trail, the Clutha Gold Trail, and the Roxburgh Gorge Trail, I realised these three trails almost form a loop. There’s just a short stretch of road riding needed to create a nice long route which would be perfect for a multiday bikepacking adventure.

It was January 2021 when I found myself cycling another stretch of these trails, telling my friend Cecile about my plotted route combining all three cycle trails back-to-back. She was so excited about the trip that we committed to it right there and then: during the Easter weekend, we’d bike the whole loop over four days.

April rolled around a lot quicker than expected, and having just moved house the weekend prior, I didn’t feel quite as prepared as I would have liked for my first four-day bikepacking trip.

I suddenly remembered that the Roxburgh Gorge Trail includes a jet boat tour which has to be booked in advance. Calling the jet boat operator, I was gutted to find out they were fully booked, but luckily we were allowed to catch a ride when the boat would make its way back after the tour.

Day 1 – Alexandra to Waipiata

Distance: 94km Duration: 8 hours

And then it was time to start riding. I’d made a rough plan of the distances we’d try to cover each day, with 109km planned for the first day. But as we drove into Alexandra – the start and end point of our trip – it promptly started raining, so the first thing we did was find a cafe and order coffee.

It was 10.30am by the time we were on our way. Luckily, we were starting out with the relatively flat Otago Rail Trail , so we could smash out some easy kilometres. By the time we had made it to the Wedderburn Tavern, we were ready for a hot chocolate.

The Wedderburn Tavern makes for a great refreshment stop

At this point, it became clear we weren’t going to make our planned destination, so instead we headed for the tiny town of Waipiata. With 94km done, we pitched the tent, made dinner, and went to bed early, a bit weary with the idea that we had another three days of cycling ahead of us.

Day 2 – Waipiata to Lee Flat

Distance: 94km Duration: 9 hours

Feeling like we were already behind on schedule, we decided to get up before sunrise and bike for an hour or two before stopping to have breakfast in the sun.

It was really hard getting out of our sleeping bags when we woke up to frost on our tent, and in trying to travel light, I’d skimped on bringing bulky warm layers. We jumped on our bikes, thinking we’d warm up once we got going, but the icy wind only made us feel colder.

A very cold start to day two

At one point, I was painfully cold. All I could do was focus on keeping going, hoping that we’d soon find a cafe along the way to warm up.

When we stopped to take a photo, my body went into protest and I started feeling dizzy and nearly fainted. We realised that instead of powering through, we needed to look after our bodies, so we stopped alongside the road and made hot tea and porridge.

Feeling much better and warmer, we continued on. And once the sun had finally come up and we found a coffee cart in Hyde, we were able to enjoy being on the bike again. We celebrated the milestone of our first trail done and dusted with an extravagant cafe lunch in Middlemarch.

We now had a 40km stretch on the highway before we’d turn off onto rural gravel roads. We were expecting this section to be the worst, but it turned out to be really enjoyable.

The landscape along S87 is stunning, with lots of interesting rock formations along the way. With the end of the day in sight, we stopped at a farm to fill up our water bottles so we’d have enough water for dinner and breakfast.

Once we got off the highway, we looked for a campsite and decided on an empty field on top of a hill. As we enjoyed the sunset, we relished in the fact that we’d successfully tackled another 94km day.

As soon as we were in bed, the wind picked up. At first we were listening to the gusts coming and going, but as they got stronger we started to worry about the tent.

Cecile went out to scout the area and came back saying there was an open barn where we’d be a bit more sheltered. We squeezed our tent in between the farm machinery and tried to get some shut eye, but I was too worried about how we would bike in this wind tomorrow to get much sleep.

Our tent pitched in a barn to shelter from the wind

Day 3 – Lee Flat to Beaumont

Distance: 65km Duration: 9 hours

Sure enough, it was still bloody windy the next day. As this was our most exposed day, up and down gravel roads over some significant hills, we regularly got blown off our bikes.

We enjoyed the views of Lake Mahinerangi, but didn’t linger as all we could focus on was making it to the next town for lunch.

Beautiful but undulating gravel roads on day three

After a massive downhill (not nearly as much fun when the wind is trying to blow you back up the hill), we finally made it to Lawrence.

We were tired and sore, but we had to bike at least another 20km to be able to find a remote camp spot. Luckily, we were now back on a bike path and the Clutha Gold Trail made for an easy ride to Beaumont, where we camped beside the Clutha River.

Day 4 – Beaumont to Alexandra

Distance: 75km Duration: 8 hours

And then we woke up on our final day. And it turned out to be an amazing day. The wind had died down, we were on cycle trails all day, and the views along the way were outstanding.

Despite having a deadline of making it to the jet boat jetty by 2pm, we felt like we were cruising along. We detoured into the town of Roxburgh to pick up some delicious treats for a scenic picnic.

The jet boat ride was great fun (especially when the driver conceded to Cecile’s request to perform a 360 degree turn on the water) and added something special to our final day on the bikes.

After the jet boat had dropped us off at Doctors Point, all that was left was a 10km ride back to Alexandra. And even though these last kilometres were probably the hardest (my butt was very sore at this point), it was a great way to finish the ride and end up where we had started out four days ago.

Loading the bikes onto the jet boat

Tips for Bikepacking Central Otago

Pick the best time of year to do this loop wisely, Central Otago is the coldest and driest part of New Zealand . The summers are hot with very little shade, while winter brings misty mornings, cloudless days, and freezing nights.

Regardless of which season it is, make sure to pack warm layers, rain jacket, and sun protection before setting off, look at the forecasted wind direction, it might pay to do this loop in the opposite direction. Make sure to book the jet boat ahead of time, as it gets fully booked out during some weekends and holidays.

Riding under the rainbow towards Beaumont

Bikepacking Central Otago FAQs

Can i take my own bike on the otago rail trail.

You sure can! If need be you can hire a bike but you’re more than welcome to use your own

Can cyclists ride side by side in NZ?

Yes! Cyclists can ride two abreast in New Zealand

How much weight should I carry backpacking?

Depending on your trip length and fitness, you can carry anywhere between 25-50kg.

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BIKEPACKING NOMADS

New zealand.

Official name: New Zealand Capital: Wellington Population: 4 035 550 Area: 270 530 km² Currency:  New Zealand Dollar (NZD) = 100 cents Official language:  English, Maori Entering New Zealand:  Immigration office of New Zealand Climate:  Conditions vary sharply across regions, from very wet and very dry to subtropical Good seasons for travelling (cycling):  Spring to Fall (October – April)

Interesting websites: Tour Aotearoa – bike event Kennet Brothers – Pioneers of NZ Cycling BIKEPACKING.com – Tour Aotearoa The New Zealand Cycle Trail

When we were there: 13.10. – 14.11. 2017 Total distance and altitude gain: 1464 km / 15970 m Budget:  will be updated Highlights: Queen Charlotte Trail, plavba po řece Whanganui, Timber Trail

New Zealand Stories

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Where to Begin

We have over 300 original and curated bikepacking routes in our global network spanning nearly 50 countries.

Start at our worldwide routes map to dig into our detailed guides with GPS maps and inspiring photography.

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The Local Overnighters Project is a unified effort to document and map one-night bikepacking routes all over the world—by locals, in their own backyards.

The Bikepacking Journal is our biannual printed publication. Each issue features a collection of inspiring writing and beautiful photography. Find details on the three most recent issues below, join the Bikepacking Collective to get it in the mail (anywhere in the world), or click here to find a collection of selected stories in digital format.

The special edition 10th issue of The Bikepacking Journal is one you won’t want to miss! It features 25% more pages with extra stories, bonus art and maps, and much more...

Issue 09 takes readers on trips through time—one to the early days of bicycles—and offers several reminders to be grateful for supportive friends and family, and strangers we meet along the way...

For Issue 08, we invited several contributors to return and pick up where earlier trips and ideas left off and also feature a handful of first-timers whose perspectives we’ve long been eager to share...

Bikepacking New Zealand & the Tour Aotearoa 2016

In Feb 2016, the Tour Aotearoa, a self-supported ride (‘brevet’), will follow a 3,000 KM bikepacking route from Cape Reinga at the tip of New Zealand’s North Island, to Bluff at the toe of the South Island, otherwise known as Te Waipounamu.

We first heard about the Tour Aoteoroa at Interbike. Ears perked at the thought of a top-to-bottom New Zealand route that’s mostly off-tarmac, so we started digging. Our search led us to the Kennett brothers. Paul Kennett, Simon Kennett, and Jonathan Kennett have been heavily involved in New Zealand’s mountain biking scene since 1984. Their combined resumé includes organizing the first national mountain bike race in New Zealand in 1986, the Karapoti Classic, playing a major role in several large trail building and preservation projects, and publishing books about New Zealand cycling and cyclists.

After riding the Tour Divide in 2008, Simon attempted to replicate the experience in New Zealand by creating the Kiwi Brevet. It follows a 1,100 KM route around the northern end of South Island, including as much off road riding as Simon found possible. The first annual Kiwi Brevet was held in 2010 and has proven to be wildly popular year after year. Fast forward a few years and Simon’s brother, Jonathan, had the itch to find a new off-road route across the entire length of the country. The Tour Aotearoa, which derived its name from the Māori word for New Zealand, was born.

Still in the final tweaking stages, the Tour Aotearoa is an open course route which can be ridden at any time. It will be officially launched at the Tour Aotearoa event in Feb 2016, but there are individuals who are already organizing their own trips. The route is stitched together from a wealth of cycle trails that have been built in the last five years, and some that are actually still being built.

We had the opportunity to ask Jonathan a few questions about the route, the event, and the Kiwi bikepacking scene; here’s what he had to say:

What’s your role in the Tour Aoteoroa?

I’m just organising a route and a start point, and a few other things really. The whole event is being organised by an anarchic collection of volunteers from the NZ bikepacking community. Jeff Lyall has done the blog and a bunch of useful articles. My brothers are helping with maps and organising advice (and I really borrowing Simon’s whole ‘Kiwi Brevet’ ethos and rules). There are two Facebook pages by two different guys. A logo by another guy, a T-shirt by someone else, then Jessie’s artwork [above]. Another guy is developing an awesome tracking website with ability to do several new things for bikepackers, etc, etc. There are several ‘open homes’ being volunteered for the riders and I’ve done a lot of research with riders from around the country and am sent suggestions every other week. I don’t know what’s going to happen next. It’s cool!

How and why was the Tour Aotearoa created?

A bunch of ideas came together to create Tour Aotearoa. My brother, Simon Kennett, did the Tour Divide brevet in 2008 and had a blast. He bought the concept back to New Zealand and started organising the 1,100 km Kiwi Brevet in 2010 (we’ve got a big background in organising mountain biking races). It was much more popular than expected, so other Kiwis also started organising brevets. During this time I was working for the goverment, managing the construction of off-road cycle trails throughout the country. I kept on getting asked, “How do you ride from one end of the country to the other.” So I decided to organise a 3,000 km brevet from one end to the other, largely because I wanted to do the ride myself. When I threw out the idea on Facebook, I had 100 entries within 24 hours.

Have there been any big challenges in creating the route? If so, what are they and why?

Well, me and my brothers have been mountain biking and cycle touring since the mid 1980s, and writing biking guidebooks since 1991. We know the country like the back of our hands. All the same, working out the perfect brevet course has been a challenge, expecially getting a course that is open to the public all year round. There is millions of dollars worth of trail trail construction happening in New Zealand right now, so pinning the best course down is like aiming for a moving target and has involved a lot of research time.

How many people are registered and how many folks are you expecting to show up?

There are 300 registered riders, with another 25 people on a reserve list. We expect close to 300 will show up.

What are your favorite sections of the route?

That’s a tough question! I love The Timber Trail. It’s 80 km of remote single track riding, through magificent stands of forest. But the Bridge to Nowhere, through Whanganui National Park, is also fantastic. In the South Island my favourite trail is the 135 km West Coast Wilderness Trail, although there are several other sections that I just can’t wait to ride again as well.

How does the route break down in terms of surface percentages?

We think time is a more important reality for bikers. 27% tarmac; 22% gravel road; 31% gravel or limesand cycle trail (1-2 metres wide), 10% tarmac cycle trail, 6% dirt single track, 4% hard beach sand. There are five ferry trips on top of that.

What would you consider the best type of bike/setup for the route?

Bike choice is the big debate at the moment! Personally, I will ride a 29er hardtail. But a lot of people are setting up 29+ bikes and some will take cyclocross bikes. Surly is probably the most common bike brand, and the majority of riders will use Revelate bags.

Are there any unpredictable factors when riding New Zealand backcountry?

New Zealand weather is unpredictable. It will be a miracle if we don’t get hit by a storm or two during the event – but they usually blow through in one or two days. That said, Feb and March are the best months of the year for riding. There are two river crossings which would be dodgy after heavy rainfall. No bears, mountain lions, snakes, poisonous spiders or alligators.

What do you expect to be the fastest time for completion of the route? Any predicted favorites?

To be honest, I really don’t care. The person who comes last is as important to me as the person who comes first. I’ve set a time bracket of 10 days to 30 days. There will be no prizes, no medals, no speeches. However, everyone will have a spot tracker, and can be watched on the event website, so no doubt people like Olly Walley, who won the Tour Divide a couple of years back, will blaze the whole 3,000 km.

Is bikepacking popular in New Zealand?

Bikepacking is growing fast in New Zealand and is already much more popular than traditional cycle touring. As traffic volumes grow in New Zealand our country is becoming worse and worse for touring on traditional road touring bikes. At the same time, there is a boom in trail building, and cycle tourism, and so it’s becoming really great for those with bikepacking bikes, who can now avoid the main highways and explore the country on quiet roads and a growing network of cycling paths and trails.

Tell us a little about your forthcoming book and how bikepacking shaped the content.

We wrote Classic New Zealand Cycle Trails to guide people to the 2,600 kilometres of off-road trails that have been built in the last five years, and also included 5,000 kilometres of the safest and most enjoyable back country roads. Together, that makes a network that can be used to explore most of New Zealand by bike. The book includes maps, elevation charts, lists of businesses along the trails, etc. There are 46 separate trips, and at the end of the book we have a chapter on how to link them together to do the 3000 km Tour Aotearoa.

• Tour Aotearoa Event Website
• Tracking and Tour Aotearoa Route Map
• The Kiwi Brevet
• Classic New Zealand Cycle Trails Book
• Tour Aotearoa Facebook page

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• Self-Guided Cycle Tours

New Zealand's leading adventure biking company since 1996

Experience new zealand by bike, self-guided cycle tours that let you roam at your own pace.

If you’re an independent adventurer who enjoys the freedom of taking each day as it comes, a self-guided cycle tour could be just the ticket.

These tours combine the essential elements of any Natural High adventure – detailed local knowledge and high performance bike gear – with the flexibility of organising each day exactly as you please.

Stop for a coffee, to admire a view or discover the delights of a rural township. With no time pressures you’re free to fashion the experience you desire.

What’s included:

• Top quality bike hire to suit your journey and body shape, including pannier and storage options. All our bike rentals come with a lock, multi tool, tyre levers, spare tube and repair kit, and are fully serviced before hitting the road. Because it’s compulsory to wear a helmet in New Zealand we can also provide a helmet, but if you prefer a new one you can purchase one at the discounted rate from $50.
• Route maps and itinerary suggestions to make exploring as easy as possible. At Natural High we’re passionate cyclists and have a wealth of knowledge about where to go and what to see. If you need help deciding on a tour or route, please get in touch . We’d love to share our recommendations.
• Accommodation suggestions.  We provide you with a list of recommended motels, backpackers, B&B’s and campsites to allow you to book your own roadside lodging.
• Bike transfer. Planning a one way tour? Not a problem. We’ll make sure your bike is waiting at your chosen start point or get it back to our Christchurch depot at the end.

What’s not included:

• Support vehicle and luggage transfer
• Train or bus tickets
• Accommodation
• Meals and food

Find a self-guided cycle tour

Whether you’re looking to explore the diverse landscape of the North Island or the stunning scenery and quiet backcountry roads of the South Island (or both!) we’re sure to have a self-guided tour for you…

The self-guided tour notes and itineraries are a general guide and you may need to consult other resources.

Natural High is not certifying or providing any advice either as to your own level of fitness or physical health to undertake the route or itinerary.  You need to make your own enquiries as to the suitability of the route you intend to follow and rely entirely on your own judgement in relation to that.

For some self guided road tours you will be cycling on road with traffic.  Please obey NZ road rules and do keep left and visible to motorists at all times.  Please be aware some NZ roads / highways can be busy (during peak holiday season periods e.g. December – February) and some areas may be narrow with little shoulder to cycle on.

The remote nature of some self guided tours means you will need to be self-sufficient by carrying food and water as there is often significant distance between towns.  You will need basic bike maintenance skills to repair your own punctures.  Self guided tours are not recommended for novice / beginner cyclists.

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More From Forbes

American sportsmen discover new zealand’s hunting and fishing paradise.

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The world's largest red deer stags are the prized attraction for international hunters visiting New ... [+] Zealand.

Long before Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy put New Zealand on everyone’s travel list, hunters and anglers long coveted the island nation’s riches of fish and game. It is a sportsman’s Jurassic Park, where beasts grow to near-mythic dimensions and the stunning landscape inspired the fictitious land of Middle-earth.

New Zealand’s temperate climate, rich volcanic soils, lack of apex predators, and lush pasturelands proved the perfect habitat on which to introduce all manner of the Old World’s famous game—especially red deer.

New Zealand's many mountain-framed lakes provide stunning backdrops for many adventures.

In the early 1900s, the red deer, chamois from the Alps, fallow deer, the large-bodied sambar deer, reclusive rusa stags, Himalayan tahr (a mountain goat-like animal), elk from North America, and wild boar were all brought to New Zealand, a country that originally had but one species of mammal—a bat.

Essentially, game keepers and biologists saw New Zealand as a blank canvas on which to create a wild game masterpiece, so they did. Without natural predators nor severe winters to slow the population growth of the country’s new cast of horned and antlered creatures populations of many of the introduced species exploded. So prolific were the red deer, for instance, that a few decades ago game managers were forced to conduct extensive culling operations to bring the deer numbers back to levels the habitat could support.

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John Scurr poses with a pair of pukeko or swamphens, one of several indigenous game birds found in ... [+] New Zealand.

Today, these same red deer have become a popular draw for hunters from across the world—especially Americans. Thousands of U.S. hunters travel to New Zealand annually to partake in big game hunting.

“Most hunters know of New Zealand as the home of the world’s biggest stags,” says John Scurr , a Kiwi native and veteran hunting operator who specializes in arranging custom hunting and fishing experiences for all manner of the nation’s fish and game. “But we have many game species that are thriving here on both the North and South islands.”

Wine tours are just one of many diversions available to visiting sportsmen.

For Scurr, however, it’s about customizing diverse New Zealand tour packages that allow visiting hunters and anglers to immerse themselves in a wide range of attractions and activities that complement rod and gun adventures.

“New Zealand is a his and her (and family) destination, so if a hunter wants to bring a non-hunting spouse or friend here,” says Scurr, “we can arrange a wide assortment of activities from helicopter junkets to volcanos and glaciers, lake excursions, wine tours, glacier climbing, jet boating, hiking and biking, bungy jumping, parasailing, or drives through the countryside to explore any number of our inviting communities.”

New Zealand's wealth of breathtaking scenery is reason enough to visit.

Sportsmen’s dollars, then, are helping support the entire tourism economy, the nation’s second largest industry behind agriculture. In addition, hunting provides the financial incentive to keep lands wild, supporting myriad non-game species that depend on the same cover as deer and other game.

“Rather than sitting in a lodge for a week and then returning home,” says Scurr, “many of our sporting clients want to experience more of New Zealand before they go. And most of our hunting areas are conveniently located near other great attractions.”

The bustling and beautiful town of Wanaka with a population of some 12,000 is located on the shores of stunning Lake Wanaka, a 74-square-mile body of water, and is home base for Scurr’s South Island adventures.

Scurr poses with accomplished Oklahoma hunter Suzie Brewster and her giant stag.

“We put some of our hunters up in well-appointed lakeside condos,” he says, “and we dine in restaurants that are all within easy walking distance. And our hunting areas are located just a ten-minute drive from town. This has been a very popular package for us as non-hunting spouses can enjoy a wide range of amenities offered in Wanaka (spas, shops, restaurants, tours, art, and cultural opportunities) and then come together with their husbands after the hunt to share an evening on the town.”

Nearly as famous as its stag hunting, New Zealand is a celebrated fly-fishing destination for outsized rainbow and brown trout. The plethora of gin-clear rivers and lakes along with a handful of famous lodges, put the country high on most trout anglers’ must-visit list.

The inviting and bustling community of Wanaka is home base for Scurr's South Island offerings.

Adding some bird hunting to the menu is a simple proposition as well, for New Zealand has a mix of endemic and introduced game bird species including the highly prized (and striking) paradise duck.

For hunters who don’t want the hassle of flying with their own firearms, Scurr has a wide assortment of rifles and shotguns for rent. “We find that most hunters choose to use our guns because it saves a lot of headaches dealing with gun licensing and customs. But if a hunter would rather bring his favorite rifle, we’ll assist with the permit process as well.”

For Scurr, sharing the best of New Zealand is his life's passion.

For Scurr, it’s about sharing the wealth of sporting and recreational opportunities that his native New Zealand has to offer. “We have a unique landscape and with that comes special opportunities for visiting sportsmen and others,” he says. “And when someone books with us we want them to go home and share the experience with their friends as they plan their next adventure to New Zealand.”

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