2 Day - Ultimate Coast to Coast - Self Guided

2 days full bike hire and shuttle transfers. Start at Kaikohe base ride downhill towards each coast – 1 day each way.   Shuttles transfer you and your bike back from the end of trail to Kaikohe.

SHUTTLES

  • Pick up – 3 pm – West coast
  • EAST COAST FROM OPUA MARINA CAFE CARPARK  Fri/Sat/Sun and  at 3.30 pm 12th Feb – 1st April 2024.
  • all other days  EAST COAST FROM KAWAKAWA TE HONONGA CENTRE CARPARK at 3pm.
Self guided
  • Standard Bikes + Shuttle -$225 / adult and $165 / child
  • Ebikes + Shuttle – $355/person
  • Includes helmets

The Ultimate 2 day cycling package for the Twin Coast Cycle Trail

A total of 87 kms the Pou Herenga Tai Twin Coast cycle trail stretches from Bay of Islands in the east to the Hokianga harbour on the west coast.

At the start of both days we suggest that you park your vehicle safely with us at base in Kaikohe which is also the highest point of the trail!  Tipene will get you sorted on one of our new fleet of bikes for ultimate riding comfort, as well provide information and all you need to get started. Leaving Kaikohe between 9 am and 10 am to enable you enough time on the trail to be in time for afternoon pick up at either end.

  • EAST COAST FROM OPUA MARINA CAFE CARPARK  FRI/SAT/SUN 12th Feb – 1st April at 3.30 pm
  • all other days  EAST COAST FROM KAWAKAWA TE HONONGA CENTRE CARPARK at 3pm.

Please refer to details below FOR MORE INFORMATION ON EAST COAST RIDING

  • WEST COAST MANGUNGU – Shuttle pick up – 3 pm.

 Moderate fitness is required. When heading west, there is a short section 1.2 kms from Okaihau dropping down into the Utakura Valley which is grade 3, with the majority of the trail grade 1 and 2.

The trail follows both historic rail and walking pathways through estuary, bush, towns and rural settings and includes a boardwalk over wetlands.

Kaikohe to Opua or Kawakawa (dependent on dates of ride)

Riding the Eastern half of the trail between Kaikohe and Kawakawa/ Taumarere is mainly on old rail corridor 45 kms of easy riding.

Trail details –  As you drop down from the highest point at Kaikohe you will pass Kaikohe Aerodrome built in 1942 as a US Marines bomber base, still in use by general aviation. This ride passes through rural Northland, the stunning Orauta Stream suspension bridges, waterfalls, cycle past Marae.

12TH FEB – 1ST APRIL – THE EASTERN END FROM KAWAKAWA THROUGH TO OPUA IS ONLY ACCESSIBLE ON  Fri/Sat/Sun.

THE TRAIN IS BEING USED TO “JOIN THE 3KM GAP” IN THE  TWIN COAST CYCLE TRAIL. 

  • MEET AT TAUMARERE AT 2.20 PM FOR  TRANSFER TO AKE AKE (LONE COW) STATION – you ride your bike to the station and then put it on the train enjoy a scenic train journey along the Waikare esturary – hop off and ride the last 4 kms to Opua to meet the shuttle! 

YOU BOOK YOUR TRAIN –  Please click the link below, to make your bookings for the day you are cycling East.  We suggest you book on the 2.25pm train from Taumarere Station which sits East of Kawakawa 4.5kms from Kawakawa, to time it right for your Top Trail shuttle pick up at 3.30pm. BOOK HERE

If you do not pre book the train piece there is no guaranteed space for you, (it is very quick and easy to complete just click on the link).  If you have any issues with booking the train contact the Bay of Islands Vintage Railway direct.

ON THESE DAYS STANDARD SHUTTLE PICK UP WILL BE THEN BE 3.30 pm  IN OPUA MARINA CAFE CARPARK.

MON/TUES/WED/THUS – PICK UP IS IN KAWAKAWA AT TE HONONGA CENTRE AT 3PM.  As the trail between Taumarere to Opua is closed and the train does not run. 

This gives you 34kms of riding from Kaikohe downhill to kawakawa. We do suggest you ride through to Taumarere Railway Station (4.5kms further past kawakawa) and then turn around and ride back to kawakawa (Te Hononga Centre car park) for your pick up. The scheduled time for the standard shuttle will be 3.00 pm. Ride through the fabulous town of Kawakawa that has so much to offer, culturally, and historically – excellent eateries and a good place to stop for a while.

Accommodation options

We are happy to recommend accommodation for your time on the trail please ask info@toptrail.co.nz if you are in need of suggestions.

Kaikohe to Horeke – Mangungu Mission

Riding the western section of the trail you will cycle  along the old rail corridor to Okaihau where a few refreshment stops are available, will depend on season as to how many are open – if you have special food requirements we recommend bringing your own or pre buying in Kaikohe.

You then ride on out of town, down into the Utakura valley and alongside the river through some fabulous native bush, time for a picnic and a stop at Snow’s farm,  a perfect place to have your lunch and have a there is a comfort stop there.

Riding on through early settled farmland and on to the boardwalk which takes you over the mangroves at the top edge of the Hokianga Harbour to Horeke where a short ride on gets you to the historic Mangungu Mission House and your 3pm shuttle pick up point!

Accommodation options –Base yourselves in Kaikohe overnight and ride downhill to each coast. Or base yourselves elsewhere and drive to Kaikohe and park up for the day. We are happy to recommend accommodation for your time on the trail please ask info@toptrail.co.nz if you are in need of suggestions.

 WANT US TO BOOK YOUR ACCOMMODATION FOR YOU?  CHECK OUT OUR 3 DAY PACKAGE 

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