Top Trail bike hire and tours are based in the Bay of Islands providing guided and self guided cycle tours of sections of the Twin Coast Cycle Trail. This is the perfect day trip for those wanting to enjoy the rich nature and history of the Far North at a leisurely pace, taking from 2 hours to two days.
The Twin Coast Cycle Trail starts in Opua in the Bay of Islands and runs all the way to Horeke in the Hokianga harbour and the Bay of Islands, a region steeped in early Maori and European history.
Top Trails most popular cycle hire and transfer option is the Kaikohe – Okahau section of the Twin Coast Cycle trail, a self guided bike ride of 20 km cycling over good terrain and gentle gradients passing through rich farm land and interesting points of interest along the way. Features of this section of the trail include:
The Twin Coast Cycle Trail is suitable for all ages and reasonable fitness levels.
Twin Coast cycle trail.The Eastern half of the trail between Opua and Kaikohe. Almost all on old rail corridor.
Price: Adult$100 per person – Child $50 pp
Duration: 4 Hours approx
Distance: 40 Kms (Opua to Kawakawa 11Kms)
From Opua Marina to Kaikohe as a one day 40km ride. A fairly easy ride along historic coal railway, to Kawakawa with its vintage railway and famous Hundertwasser Toilets.
The 11 km trail follows the old rail line between Opua and Kawakawa and is an easy flat ride making it perfect for families. The trail runs right beside the Opua Harbour and follows the Waikare estuary providing views of the estuary as it connects to the Kawakawa River. The cycle trail runs over fourteen bridges, through a tunnel and alongside the mangroves on the shores of the upper reaches of the Kawakawa River. Departing Opua the first 7 kilometers is a cycle trail and for the remaining 4 kilometres you have the option of a ride on the Gabriel Vintage Steam Train from the Taumarere Station across Long Bridge to Kawakawa Railway Station.
A must visit and the main tourist attraction in Kawakawa is the most colourful and certainly most famous Hundertwasser Toilets that feature inset glass and tiles, sculptures, a living tree, and a grass roof, which was built in 1988 with the help of the community.
Kawakawa to Kaikohe provides more rail history along with great rural and bush scenery. Almost all on old rail corridor with easy gradient.
Cycle 40kms Kaikohe to Historic Horeke on the West coast of Northland. Follow ancient pathways Maori traveled from coast to coast. Trail meanders from central high ground down to sea level. Tunnel, lake farm and bush land.
Price: Adult $100 per person – Child $50 pp
Duration: 5 Hours approx
Distance: 44 Kms
Includes return shuttle from Horeke back to Kaikohe. This grade 1-3 ride passes through an old rail tunnel, skirts lake Omapere and takes you through the town of Okaihau before heading on down to Horeke. You will see farmland, rivers and native bush before arriving at Horeke home to the oldest hotel in New Zealand and the historic Maungunu Mission house.
We sort you out with bike and helmet as well as information and all you need to get started riding from our base in Kaikohe along the old rail corridor to Okaihau where a number of refreshment stops are available. You then ride on out of town, down into the Utakura valley and alongside the river through some fabulous native bush and early settled farmland to Horeke where you can enjoy another well earned refreshment at the Horeke Tavern, New Zealand oldest pub built on the edges of the inland Hokianga harbour. We then provide a shuttle ride back to Kaikohe scheduled or by arrangement.
Price: Adult $200 per person – Child $100 pp
Duration: 2 Days
Distance: 84 Kms
This is the ultimate tour of the Twin Coast Cycle Trail. Meet at our base 39 Rankin Street Kaikohe where we Include transport from Kaikohe to Opua on day one and from Horeke back to Kaikohe at the end of day two
A total of 84 kms from the Bay of Islands ( Opua) in the east to the Hokianga harbour 0n the west coast ( Horeke ). Moderate fitness as the section from Okaihau to Maungunu Mission is a grade 3 trail.
The cycle trail follows both historic rail and walking pathways through estuary, bush, towns and rural settings and includes a boardwalk over wetlands.
As this is a self guided tour you can ride at your own pace from Opua through Kawakawa and on to Kaikohe (45 kms) where you will stay the night. You can enjoy a dip at local Ngawha springs to sooth any tender muscles before dinner at a local eatery.
On day two the ride will take you to Okaihau and on through the beautiful Utakura Valley to Horeke and Maungunu Mission House before being returned by Shuttle to Kaikohe.
The Twin Coast Cycle Trail lends itself perfectly to a fun and a great day out for all ages and abilities. Top Trails can organise cycling tours, transfers, customised itineraries, shuttle buses and activities for up to 30 cyclists.
Theme your group activity around nature, heritage, food or adventure – Tours range from two hours and only 7kms of cycling to two days and 35kms of easy to medium gradients. Minimum numbers apply.
Phone: 64 274 535 176 Freephone: (NZ only) 0800 867 872
Email: ray@toptrail.co.nz Visit Top Trail Website: https://toptrail.co.nz/
Spacious Three Bedroom Apartment Views over the bay Two Bedroom Cottage