Day one

Fly into Auckland International Airport, the gateway to the rest of New Zealand.

From there you can opt to drive south to Taupō, which sits on the edge of Australasia’s largest lake in the middle of the North Island. Prepare to tackle a day ride on the Great Lakes Trail (pictured above, photo credit Ryan Brawley).

Optional add-ons if time allows:  From Auckland you could head north and experience the scenically spectacular Pou Herenga Tai Twin Coast Cycle Trail, Aotearoa’s most northern trail. Or journey along one of New Zealand's oldest railway corridors, Hauraki Rail Trail.

Day two

Hire a bike from FourB. Jump on your bike and enjoy a day ride on the Great Lakes Trail. The Waihaha section is the most remote, with flowing corners, fun downhills, and some short switchback climbs to keep you honest, but your efforts will be rewarded with postcard-worthy lookouts along the way. Towering volcanic rock cliffs, spectacular views and a waterfall hidden deep in the Waihaha Valley are among the highlights.

Afterwards relax and soak your muscles in the Wairakei Terraces & Thermal Health Spa. Surrounded in native bush and nestled in the Wairakei geothermal valley, embrace the healing benefits of geothermal and mineral rich water.

Day three 

Drop in to the spectacular Huka Falls, New Zealand’s most visited natural attraction. Witness the phenomenon of natural hydro power with more than 220,000 litres of water per second barreling over 11 metre-high waterfall.

From there embark on a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Taupō to the sunny Hawke’s Bay region, known for its wine and art deco architecture. 

Stretch the legs on a two-hour art deco walk around Napier, which was rebuilt in the architectural styles of the time following the devastating 1931 earthquake. 

Optional add-ons if time allows: Other Great Rides in the central North Island include the Waikato River Trails,  Mountains to Sea Ngā Ara Tūhono, with its magical wilderness, volcanic grandeur and coastline, and the Timber Trail, which winds through native and exotic forest and suspension bridges. In Rotorua, get among the mighty redwood forest on the Whakarewarewa Forest Loop, or venture across to the East Coast and enjoy the Motu Trails.

Day four

Start early from the cycle operator Tākaro Trails base and take a ride along Napier’s waterfront pathway, which is part of the Hawke's Bay Trails (pictured above, photo credit Tākaro Trails). Soak up spectacular views across the Pacific to Cape Kidnappers, home to the world’s largest mainland colony of gannets.

You'll come to Ātea a Rangi - Celestial Star Compass at Waitangi Regional Park, a great place to stop and look at this fantastic installation. Learn about how Māori navigators used the stars to sail their wakas (canoes) to New Zealand. 

Cycle on through the wetlands, home to numerous black swans to the village of Clive, a great place for refreshments. 

You’ll meander through two quaint coastal communities to get to the winery Clearview Estate. Elephant Hill and Te Awanga vineyards are also worth a visit if you have time.

You can fly out rom Napier Airport to the South Island’s largest city, Christchurch, and prepare for a West Coast Wilderness Trail experience. 

However, if you have more time there are plenty of other day rides to explore the Hawke’s Bay region.

Optional add-ons: Head south to New Zealand's capital Wellington. Bike the Remutaka Cycle Trail, which features native bush, coastal views, historic sites and old rail tunnels, and catch the Interislander ferry to the South Island for the next leg of your adventure. The ferry arrives in Picton.

Nearby Great Rides include the stunning Queen Charlotte Track and Tasman's Great Taste Trail, full of scenic and culinary delights. There's also the more challenging Coppermine Trail.

Day five

Ōtautahi Christchurch is the gateway to the South Island and home to spectacular experiences.

You can board the TranzAlpine train, one of the world’s great train journeys which travels from coast to coast. It takes in the vast Canterbury Plains, spectacular Southern Alps and wild West Coast on its 223km journey from Christchurch to Greymouth.

Stretching from Greymouth’s historic port to the neat old gold town of Ross, is the West Coast Wilderness Trail, which takes riders on a journey through incredible natural landscapes and back in time, with tales of Māori pounamu (greenstone) and the glittering gold rush era.

Please check the West Coast Wilderness Trail website or Facebook page for the most up-to-date trail conditions.  A small section of the trail has been impacted with a bridge closure which impacts 10km of day one of riding.  The trail is a three-night, four-day ride so there is still plenty of awesome riding to be had.   

Adventure South NZ offers guided tours. Embark on the 33km leg from Ross to Hokitika. There’s no better way to get up close to the West Coast’s lush rainforest, pristine rivers, tranquil lakes and rugged beaches, with the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps a truly sublime backdrop – especially in winter, a fabulous time to ride.

Along the way it’s worth the detour to West Coast Treetop Walkway (pictured below, photo credit BareKiwi). It’s an exhilarating tree top adventure among temperate rainforest giants. Experience life with the birds high in the ancient rimu and kamahi tree canopy. It’s also a great place for refreshments.

Day six

Ride from Hokitika to Lake Kaniere, one of New Zealand's most beautiful lakes. It’s a 21km easy cruise jam-packed with jaw-dropping scenery and ample opportunities to soak it all in and take photographs. The ride takes in the bush, an historic water race and tramway. 

A short walkway crossing two impressive swing bridges offers a chance to see its granite boulders and swirling, surreal turquoise waters from many angles.

Day seven

Riding the West Coast Wilderness Trail resumes on a 50km leg from Lake Kaniere to the gold mining town of Kumara. It takes in some amazing bush trails, crosses swing bridges, treks uphill and then descends to Kumara following water races, bush tracks and reservoir roads while also offering up spectacular views.

Day eight

The final leg takes about three hours, and treks along an old tramway out of Kumara and north to Greymouth on a combination of riverside and coastal pathways. The views of the Southern Alps back down the coast can be impressive on a clear day. 

About 15km from Greymouth a side trip to Shantytown is worthwhile. One of the coast's must-see attractions and a great way to learn about the region's colourful history, Shantytown is a replica gold-rush era town.

Heading into Greymouth you’ll come across features and relics of the town’s industry history and the famous flood wall.

From there you can make your way back to Christchurch to fly out to Australia, but if you have time there is plenty more to see on the West Coast and in and around Christchurch too. Feel free to explore.

Optional add-ons: The Old Ghost Road is another trail on the west coast. In Canterbury there's the St James Cycle Trail. Or venture further south of Christchurch and you'll find more Great Rides, including Lake Dunstan, with its historic and scenic beauty, Roxburgh Gorge, Clutha Gold, Otago Central Rail Trail and Around the Mountains.

Then there's Queenstown Trails (pictured below) surrounded by sheer mountain ranges, and Alps 2 Ocean,  which journeys through glacier-carved valleys, turquoise hydro-lakes and golden tussock.