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I'm planning a trip to New Zealand next winter probably for a month with Partner and Mother in law. I'm definitely going to have a week to my self purely for riding and I was thinking Rotorua or Queenstown. If you only had had a week there where would you go and do you have any recommendations for guided/packages (Trail addiction or bearback style). #enduro/trail riding with a spot of bikepark.
I had one week...
Spent a couple of days in Rotorua, hired bikes but rode them out of the forest and up to some of the geothermal places.
We then drove the car south to Tongariro National park with the intention of doing the famous trail there but we hired bikes from the village and did some riding out that way.
I preferred hiding myself with pointers from locals.
You're going to get completely different answers to this.
We spent 6 weeks in NZ travelling both islands. The South Island is simply stunning, and I would personally head there.
Queenstown has a very alpine feel to it, and there is plenty to do/throw yourself off.
No idea about biking or guiding, but I'd be surprised if the NZ tourist places can't point you in the right direction.
Also have a look at [url= http://www.newzealand.com ][/url] . We did most of our trip planning using that website and Lonely Planet/Rough Guides.
If you do get to Tongariro, definitely tramp the Tongariro Crossing, but don't stop in the Samurai Lodge. It was the only accommodation that we didn't like.
Very jealous.
i would suggest where you go depends on the other three weeks and what you hope to see generally, there is plenty to see and New Zealand is quite a big place! I spent four weeks out there a few years back and went from Cape Reinga to Dunedin and out of what you could hope to see i didn't see a great deal and spent another month more recently and spent that just on the north island and still didn't really see much!
If you're already on South Island then Queenstown and Wanaka have the most variety of riding in easy reach. Lots of bike hire places and guys to chat to for routes in those areas as well.
If you're on N Island then Rotorua is cool and there's a load of stuff by Taupo as well.
Be prepared to be flexible in your riding plans with the weather as some trails are really discouraged in the wet.
If I had to pick between Roto and Queenstown then I'd go Queenstown, but I wouldn't fly there especially if I was already on N Island.
hey, a curve ball for you here. This is "Mr trailAddiction" by the way, so I know what you like!
Ive spent the last 3 winters doing time in NZ. Lovely place. Agree with the other comments - if you have a month, don't try to do it all You'l miss the best stuff and spend most of your time on the road.
Anyway to cut to the chase, Nelson NZ is the best place to be overall. Amazing riding on your doorstep and mega friendly. Its also the sunniest, fact! Has awesome beaches too (yes its by the sea) so an easy place to keep your partner happy whilst you go out riding, perhaps?
In particular the backcountry trails here are the best in NZ by far. (There are not actually that many in NZ, nowhere near like what you find in proper trailAddiction country, e.g. the French Alps).
don't just take my word for it either. its number 1 on sven martin's list too:
Look up nelson MTB club for trail tips. Also look up the NZ enduro which takes place around here, for more pics and videos of the local riding. If you want more info email me (via trailaddiction) and I can try and hook you up with local guides etc.
To expand on freeride_addict's suggestion, I'd suggest basing yourself in either
Rotorua or
North South Island or
South South Island
Rotovegas for endless bike park with a natural feel in parts
Nelson for the Hira MTB park (supplejack, R&R, heaps) er, the other bike park (with Broken Axe, Maitai Face), Codgers for lots of blue trails, Coppermine, backcountry (Starveal (sp ??), Fishtail, and then epic backcountry in Marlborough (Nydia ?Bay, Whites Bay, Wakamarina*). The best bike park in NZ is nearby but is privately owned so unless you have an entry to the DME you won't be able to ride there!
QT for bike parks in Queenstown, Coronet Peak, Wanaka and you could push up towards the Backcountry riding in Canterbury (Mt Oxford, Mt Thomas & Richardson (Blowhard)).
I'm getting a bit misty eyed actually 😐