Twin Coast Bike, Hike and Splash – TTB

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enquire now 4 Days From NZD $1,995 pp twinshare
Small group
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Cycle the easy Twin Coast Trail and dip your wheel into both the Pacific and Tasman seas!

Highlights

Dip your wheel in the Pacific and Tasman Seas on the Twin Coast Trail
Explore wetlands, native forest, rolling farmland & historic townships
Discover the glittering Bay of Islands by boat or kayak
Take a ferry to Russell and enjoy a walk up Flagstaff Hill
Visit Te Rito Marae and learn about NZ’s Maori culture from the local Hapu
Kayak, paddle board, sail or jet ski in the Paihia & Hokianga harbours
Visit Tane Mahuta, New Zealand’s largest remaining kauri tree
Dine at the famous Duke of Marlborough Hotel

Itinerary

Day 1 Auckland to Paihia

Your Twin Coast Cycle adventure begins with a short tour briefing in Auckland before driving north to the Bay of Islands. On arrival there’s some free time to explore Paihia, including a bite to eat at one of the many cafes overlooking the glittering harbour. Then it’s time to check into our accommodation and dress for your pre-chosen afternoon activity exploring the Bay of Islands. You may have opted for a kayak adventure or to join a sailing trip on a catamaran, replica 100 year old tall ship or more intimate small boat excursion – whatever option will be a wonderful way to see the delights this stunning coastline has to offer. Tonight, we’ll be staying at a lovely waterfront accommodation close to the centre of town and dining at one of the local restaurants. (D)

Day 2 Paihia to Kaikohe – return Paihia via Russell – 45km Cycle

After breakfast, a short drive takes us to Opua and the start of the Twin Coast Cycle. The trail heads off along an estuary edged with mangroves. The gentle trail continues alongside the tracks of a vintage steam railway and crosses a beautifully restored bridge before ending in the small rural town of Kawakawa. Here we’ll find the Huntervasser toilets adorned with mosaic tiles, sculptures, cobblestone floors and a grassy roof. Next, we cycle through the town of Moerewa before climbing gently for the next 25km through rolling farmland and forest with waterfalls and suspension bridges along the way. We finish our riding for the day at Kaikohe and enjoy lunch at the Mint Café, housed in what was the ground floor banking chamber of a neo-classical building built for the Bank of New Zealand in 1910. Returning to Paihia, we’ll catch the mid-afternoon ferry across to Russell, New Zealand’s first permanent European settlement. There’ll be time to explore this delightful small town and learn about its colourful history, with the option to walk up the nearby Flagstaff Hill, before dinner at the historic Duke of Marlborough Hotel. (B, D)

Day 3 Moerewa to Omapere via Horeke – 42km Cycle

This morning we’ll head back to Moerewa, where we’ll spend the first part of the morning at the Te Rito Marae. After a traditional powhiri welcome onto the marae and some traditional story telling over morning tea we’ll drive through to Kaikohe to pick up the next section of the trail. We start by climbing gently along an old railway corridor to reach a viewpoint 280m above sea level. After passing through a spooky, curved 80m tunnel constructed in 1915, the trail descends to Lake Omapere. After lunch, we tackle the last part of the ride through farmland before descending into the valley following a series of switchbacks. A 1200m-long boardwalk section then snakes through the mangrove estuary connecting us to the Hokianga Harbour. The trail ends in the quaint historical settlement of Horeke. After loading up we’ll drive round to the small coastal town of Omapere where we’ll spend our final night. (B, D)

Day 4 Omapere to Auckland

We’ll spend this morning exploring the beautiful Hokianga Harbour, steeped in fascinating history. Here, we’ll have the option to kayak, paddle board or jet ski in the harbour, or explore the sand dunes at Rangi Point which are a natural wonder and spiritually significant to local Maori. After a well-earned lunch we’ll start our journey back to Auckland. We make a visit to Tane Mahuta, also known as ‘God of the Forest’ estimated to be between 1,250 and 2,500 years old and is the largest known living kauri tree. We continue to drive through the beautiful Waipoua Forest and arrive back in the city in the early evening. (B)

Inclusions

3 breakfasts, 3 evening meals
3 nights hotel/motel accommodation with ensuite facilities on a twin share basis
Professional qualified guide/driver
Private vehicle transport
Visit to Te Rito Marae
Kayaking or paddle boarding in Hokianga Harbour
Water and snacks while cycling
Access and concession fees paid to the Department of Conservation

AdventureSouth-TTB

Images courtesy of AdventureSouth

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Twin Coast Bike, Hike and Splash – TTB

Cycle the easy Twin Coast Trail and dip your wheel into both the Pacific and Tasman seas!

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