I'm coming to NZ with a 23mth visa this July. I'll likely be spending a fair bit of time in Queenstown, but plan to travel around as much as possible. One ride that I would love to do is the Heaphy Track. There was an excellent feature in Dirt magazine a few months back.
Hi BrokenZ. I have not done the Heaphy myself, but have enough friends that have done it and rave about it. So well worth it, I would say.
As for general riding, you are going to the right area. Queenstown (and Central Otago) has a lot. From epic rides to gondola assisted riding in QT, you will be well sorted.
I am based in Dunedin, but am often in Central. Let me know when you are here and I might be able to show you around a bit.
Thanks for you reply. I'll certainly drop you a message when I'm out there, I know a few people dotted around, one in Dunedin in fact, but most are more acquaintances than best friends. As I'm heading out alone It'll definitely be a case of meeting as many people as possible!
I've done a fair bit of research on NZ, but I still have loads of questions. Can you recommend any other NZ MTB forums?
Not a problem. It is always good to catch up and ride with someone from MTBR! As I said, I am also often up in central (we have a house in Roxburgh too).
Hi,
I have done the Heaphy it's an amazing ride and very varied terrain and scenery. I posted up my experience and some helpful (or not things to consider) here Hanging out on the Heaphy - MTB Heaphy Track NZ - Silent Revolution MTB
We rode it both directions to avoid the logistics of a point to point and would highly recommend this approach if you have time. The track has been upgraded as well as some of the huts since I went through and this is the last year of the trial so forget the groomed MTB parks and go do it. There are tons of great multi-day rides in NZ check out Nga Haerenga, The New Zealand Cycle Trail for some other options.
I walked/hiked the Heaphy 10 years ago. Beautiful trail with diverse scenery from native rainforest to mountain tussock to rugged coastal bush. I would jump at the opportunity to mountain bike the trail. Hiking it was a bit of a logistical nightmare as it is a long way from the start in Collingwood to the finish in Karamea. But biking you could always cycle both ways as tahic mentioned. Sounds brilliant.
Definitely recommend from my hiking experience. :thumbsup:
Thanks for your replies and sorry for my slow reply!
I'm sold on the trip then. I didn't realise it was only on trial until September 30th!! I'd better get something booked up.
I'm still trying to get my head around the seasons and the weather changes, I hear it rains quite a bit in that area through winter, do you think it would be fairly dry in September? Living in the UK I'm used to rain, but would prefer to ride it in fair conditions.
Thanks for all the links and the blog post. I do appreciate that Queenstown is fairly built up and definitely want to experience the rural side of NZ, so this is all helping a confused Brit!!!
If you are coming from the UK Queenstown is a tiny little village really. In NZ you''ll find you can get out into the country very quickly. Especially in the South Island. Don't be put off by the built up aspect. Maybe it is compared to 15-20 years ago but Queenstown is still absolutely beautiful and there is a lot of great mountain bike trails among many other great outdoor activities. September is early spring in NZ but it can still be pretty cold and/or wet. But the Heaphy is a lot further north than Queenstown and it's mostly at sea level so temperatures should be reasonably moderate.
Everything you've said is very reassuring. There's not many places in the U.K you can truly get lost nowadays. Having lived in London for the last few years I'm excited by the prospect of tents, sleeping bags, fresh air and actually seeing stars in the sky, let alone biking! I can't wait.
Everything you've said is very reassuring. There's not many places in the U.K you can truly get lost nowadays. Having lived in London for the last few years I'm excited by the prospect of tents, sleeping bags, fresh air and actually seeing stars in the sky, let alone biking! I can't wait.
I lived in London in the mid nineties then came back to NZ and travelled around with my then British girlfriend for a couple of months living out of a car with a small tent. We had a ball! Hiked several of the 'Great Walks' and free camped all over the South Island. You'll love it. Just watch out for the sand flies!
Haha, happy to be of assistance! Let me know when you are here, and I would be more than happy to show you around (if you make it to Dunedin or other parts of Central Otago).
I thought Anka spent NZ winters in Europe guiding?
This company is another great alternative Mountain Bike Shuttles & Tours Nelson, NZ | Bike Shuttles Ltd Well worth checking out other top tracks in the area (Queen Charlotte, Nydia Bay, Wakamarina etc etc) that require shuttling
I live in golden bay. If you get a chance, ride the rameka from canaan downs all the way down to takaka. Fantastic ride. An you will have a BALL in NZ. There's nobody here! There are 4 million people in an area the same size as the UK......
If you spend any time at the top of the Sth Island, get in touch (I'm in Blenheim). Might be able to organise a couple of rides in area that are worth doing, but best done in a small group so you can shuttle.
Thanks Kavika, I will be in touch, it'll probably be the tail end of summer 2014 when I've settled in a bit, but I'm definitely heading over that way. cheers
I've both walked and ridden the Heaphy, all be it quite a few years ago. Imho it's much better walking trail. The only good bit was the downhill on the west coast side . The rest was , well a walking track. Riding walking tracks is like the riding trails 15 years.
The best way to do the Heaphy is to bike south and get the plane back.
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