Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Companies will take you up to the summit of Mt Ruapehu, so you can hurtle down
without the grunt-work of getting to the top first. Rotorua's Redwoods Whakarewarewa
Forest offers famously good mountain biking, as does the 42 Traverse near the township
of National Park (close to Tongariro National Park). Other North Island options include
Woodhill Forest, Waihi, Te Aroha, Te Mata Peak and Makara Peak in Wellington.
Some traditional tramping tracks are open to mountain bikes, but DOC has restricted
access in many cases due to track damage and the inconvenience to walkers, especially at
busy times. Never cycle on walking tracks in national parks unless it's permissible (check
with DOC), or you risk heavy fines and the unfathomable ire of hikers.
»
Classic New Zealand Mountain Bike Rides
(
www.kennett.co.nz
)
Details short and long rides all over NZ.
»
New Zealand Mountain Biker
(
www.nzmtbr.co.nz
)
A magazine which comes out every two months.
Rock Climbing
Time to chalk up your fingers and don some natty little rubber shoes. On the North Island,
popular rock-climbing areas include Auckland's Mt Eden Quarry; Whanganui Bay, Kin-
loch, Kawakawa Bay and Motuoapa near Lake Taupo; Mangatepopo Valley and
Whakapapa Gorge on the Central Plateau; Humphries Castle and Warwick Castle on Mt
Taranaki; and Piarere and Wharepapa South in the Waikato.
Climb New Zealand
(
www.climb.co.nz
)
has the low-down on the gnarliest overhangs around
NZ, plus access and instruction info.
