The 15 Best Cycling Tours in New Zealand

1.Otago Central Rail Trail One Day Wonder Cycle tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 300 reviews · from $99Our pick

Start in historic Clyde, get fitted with a Merida bike, helmet, pannier, map, and drink bottle, then ride from Auripo at your own pace. See Poolburn Viaduct and tunnels, stop at Omakau and Chatto Creek, and finish in Clyde or arrange pickup at 2:30pm.

“Lots of fun riding the old rail trail. The country side can be a bit bleak in parts and in others the view across the mountains is spectacular. We had electric bikes which I would recommend , not for hills but your on holiday right ! A few nice cafe and a great pub along the way. We rode the one day from Auripo to Clyde. Great fun”

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2.Bike & Wine Tour: Arrowtown to Valley of the Vines

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 207 reviews · from $73

Ride from gold-rush-era Arrowtown through river trails, bridges, and alpine scenery to Gibbston’s wineries. Going Blue provides the shuttle, Trek bikes, helmet, map, lock, and repair kit. Choose your own stops, then enjoy a 4:00 pm pickup from a Gibbston winery or brewery.

“Great day of biking, and enjoying some lovely wines! The pizza at Kinross was terrific! We enjoyed being able to go at our own pace and take in the incredible views. Definitely do the e-bike!”

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3.Half-Day Self-Guided Mountain Bike Journey through Whakarewarewa Redwood Forest

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 124 reviews · from $34Best value

You’ll collect a Giant mountain bike and helmet near Rotorua’s Whakarewarewa Forest, then choose a route from about 160 km of marked trails. Staff help match your ride to your ability and offer route advice. Plan for roughly four hours, with a café and mechanical support onsite.

“Great experience but the company did a poor job of directions to the place. They dropped the pin in the forest along a private road. They definitely need to fix this problem.”

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4.Self-Guided Bike Ride on the Arrow Bridges Trail

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 96 reviews · 4 hours · from $56

Start with a 25-minute shuttle from Queenstown, then ride 15 km downstream from Arrowtown along the Arrow and Kawarau rivers. Cross six bridges, including three suspension bridges, pass the Kawarau Bungy Bridge, and finish near Gibbston wine country. Choose a standard bike or e-bike and ride without a guide.

“It was well organized and the bike ride was amazing!”

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5.Bike The Wineries (Full-Day) – Bike & Wine Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 90 reviews · from $68

Ride from Queenstown to Arrowtown, then follow the Arrow River and Gibbston trails to wineries, breweries, and taverns. You get a bike or e-bike, helmet, maps, a safety briefing, and shuttle transport. Staff such as Steve and Hamish are praised for clear guidance, while the route still requires careful navigation.

“Bikes + wine = perfection. We had so much fun on the trail and at the vineyards. The team was so easy to work with and very friendly. Thank you for a great day!!”

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6.Arrowtown to Queenstown Full-Day Bike Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 87 reviews · from $58

Take a 25-minute shuttle from Queenstown to Arrowtown, then ride a marked 36-kilometre trail beside rivers and Lake Wakatipu. You choose the pace, stops, and bike type. The route includes hills, gravel, bridges, cafés, and an optional brewery stop before finishing in central Queenstown.

“When we had trouble on the trail, the bike company picked us up which we appreciated. Wonderful day and beautiful trails.”

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7.Great Escape Self-Guided Scenic Cycle Winery Tour from Napier

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 75 reviews · from $49

Start at Napier City Bike Hire, follow a mostly flat coastal and river trail to Ātea a Rangi wetlands and up to four wineries. You set the pace, carry a route map, and return by shuttle from Black Barn at 4pm. Tastings, lunch, and wine purchases cost extra.

“Staff were great and the e bike was top notch with suspension and a bag on the back rack to stow things. All but one of the wineries was closed. If you really want to visit wineries then call each one first about its hours.”

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8.Nelson to Mapua: Full-Day Self-Guided Cycling Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 63 reviews · from $80

Start at Kiwi Journeys in Nelson with a trail bike, helmet, repair kit, pannier, odometer, map, and minivan transport. Ride at your own pace toward Mapua, stopping at breweries, wineries, cafés, and Pic’s Peanut Butter World before taking the ferry and returning by shuttle.

“A group of us rented bikes for the ride to Mapua that is billed as a flat easy ride with stops along the way for wine tasting and breweries. The advertisement also said we would be taken to the beginning of the trail by the tour provider but we wRead more”

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9.Cape Winery Cycle Tour – 6 wineries, self-guided

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 62 reviews · from $96

Start with a 10am shuttle from Napier, collect your bike, and follow a marked 16-kilometer route from Cape Kidnappers to Black Barn. Choose a standard bike or e-bike, stop at wineries such as Clearview, Elephant Hill, Askerne, and Te Mata, then return by shuttle at 4pm.

“Highly recommend: Gorgeous route, clearly marked signs, protected path (away from cars) the entire route, and good communication from the company. We booked the E-bikes and it made this a breeze for multiple fitness levels! If you’re Read more”

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10.Remutaka Rail Trail Mountain Bike Explorer Cycle Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 49 reviews · from $124

Cycle 28km of the Remutaka Rail Trail from Kaitoke to Cross Creek on a standard mountain bike, with lunch, safety gear, and return shuttles included. Staff such as Isaac provide a clear briefing, then you ride independently through forest, tunnels, bridges, and open country.

“file:///var/mobile/Library/SMS/Attachments/7a/10/3770E91D-2F80-481E-8C88-F364F3025824/IMG_1552.MOV.3gp If the day would not have been as tretchoeus, it would have been great. The rain was pouring sideways when we started. I askRead more”

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11.Arrowtown to Gibbston – Iconic Arrow River Bridges Bike Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 41 reviews · from $58

You’ll shuttle from Queenstown to Arrowtown, collect a hardtail bike or e-bike, then follow a marked trail beside the Arrow River to Gibbston. Expect about two hours of riding, the Kawarau Bungy Bridge, mountain scenery, and a stop at Gibbston Valley Winery. Staff provide maps, trail advice, helmets, and phone support.

“Beautiful scenery. Would’ve been good to know ‘parts’ of the track that we should be aware of that’s curved and next to a cliff, especially with a 6 year old. Only recommended for younger kids who are used to riding 14km in a span of 2.5 hrs, as no electric bikes available.”

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12.Arrowtown Mountain Bike Hire

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 36 reviews · from $52

Pick up a bike at 4 Buckingham Street and explore Arrowtown on your own schedule. Choose an easy ride such as the Arrow River Bridges Trail or spend the day on mountain bike paths. Helmets, maps, panniers, drink bottles, snacks, and trail support are available.

“The bike hire was great, the store front was located conveniently near the trails and the team were super helpful! We hired plain old mountain bikes and did the arrow rivers bridges trail which was an easy bike ride with picturesque views. Read more”

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13.Lava Loop- Guided electric mountain bike tour in Akaroa

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 34 reviews · from $192

Join Greville and the Akaroa Ebike Safaris team for a guided ride up the slopes of an extinct volcano. The Lava Loop uses Scott pedal-assist mountain bikes on mostly sealed roads, with harbour views, crater-rim riding, safety gear, and a small group of no more than seven.

“The tour was great. We were met by Greville and he set us up for the ride through the hills. The E-bikes made the ride very enjoyable. I highly recommend it.”

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14.Hawke’s Bay: Self Guided Coast to Vineyards Cycle Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 29 reviews · 6 hours · from $47

Pick up an electric or regular bike in Napier, follow the coast past Cape Kidnappers and Atea A Rangi, then ride inland along the Tukituki River to Hawke’s Bay wineries. Your map, helmet, pannier or front bag, mechanical help, and 4:00 PM return shuttle are included.

“So much fun! Lots of cycling and we didn’t prepare for it to be as cold as it was, but we made the most of it once we got to each winery.”

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15.Self-guided E-bike cycle tour with private wine tasting

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 26 reviews · from $121

Ride a comfort e-bike from Nelson along the off-road Great Taste Trail to Seifried Winery, 22 km away. Chris and Bernie provide a personal briefing, map, helmet, and wine tasting. Add lunch, Rabbit Island, or Mapua, but plan carefully for the long return ride.

“Stunning views of the Nelson coastline/estuary and local farmland on this all day excursion to the winery and back. But cycling was easy safe, and energizing. Chris and Bernie couldn't have been better hosts. All and all, a peek experience!”

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