Spring deals and news from our National Partners
Published 2022-09-14
Plan and book your Spring and Summer Great Ride adventures with special deals, new tours and other tempting offers from Ngā Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails' awesome national partners.
It's full steam ahead with Great Journeys New Zealand this Spring!
Choo-choo! All of Great Journeys New Zealand scenic trains will be running again by the end of September, with the addition of exciting new travel tours and packages.
In the spirit of super-scenic ‘slow travel’ and low-carbon footprints, why not combine your Great Rides adventures with one – or more – of the world's best train trips? Hop on the Northern Explorer (restarting September 25th) and roll up to the central volcanic plateau and the Mountains to Sea Ngā Ara Tūhono Cycle Trail. Or, wind beside the ocean on the Coastal Pacific (restarting September 29th) from Christchurch to Picton, to get to yourself on the Queen Charlotte Track – a New Zealand mountain biking classic.
Looking for scenery that will blow your mind? The world-famous TranzAlpine scenic train journey, between Christchurch and Greymouth, and a ride along the wonderful West Coast Wilderness Trail, is a combo that's difficult to beat!
NZ SuperGold members Australian Seniors Card holders are eligible for a 10% discount on train journeys – just check the appropriate box when you book online (more info here).
Crossing the Waimakariri River on the TranzAlpine with spring snow on the mountains (Great Journeys of New Zealand).
Note: there is limited space for bikes on these scenic train rides, so you'll need to pre-book this if you want to take your own bike. You can, of course, hire a bike from one of the Great Rides official partners – easy!
Awesome NZ cycling holidays made easy
Keen to get out on the Great Rides but not sure where to start, or want to leave the logistics to someone else? Once Upon A Trip's tailor-made itineraries make for memorable New Zealand cycling holidays whatever your interests and budget – no hassles just fun times with transport, accommodation, activities and some meals taken care of.
Check out their Central Otago/Queenstown itinerary taking in the Lake Dunstan and Queenstown Trail Great Rides, where you can immerse yourself in some of Aotearoa New Zealand's best scenery with fine wines to match, and the bonus of a trip across Lake Wakatipu on the venerable steamship TSS Earnslaw.
Include 3-nights accommodation at the Ramada in Queenstown ($995 pp): Find out more.
Pit-stopping in the Gibbston Valley of vines on the Queenstown Trail (Destination Queenstown).
Personality packed accommodation and a 10% discount
Enjoy New Zealand’s best cycling destinations with Heritage Hotels. Heritage has a range of personality-packed, cycle-friendly properties on or near our Great Rides – they're the perfect places to prepare or wind down after some pedal-powered exploration.
Heritage are offering a 10% discount for newsletter readers at these awesome properties – Paihia, Auckland, Gisborne, New Plymouth, Wellington, Nelson, Kaikōura, Cromwell and Queenstown. Just use the 'NZCYCLE' promo code when you book!
Find out more here.
Heritage's swanky Sea Spray Suites in Paihia – a great base for riding the Pou Herenga Tai Twin Coast Cycle Trail.
Save on cycling tours, accommodation & more!
AA Members can save 20% on selected accommodation, plus an additional 10% off by using the code AASAVE10 (T&Cs apply; find out more).
Members can also save 10% on selected guided cycling and hiking tours with Adventure South NZ. From cycle trails, e-biking and road cycling to mountain biking and hiking, these adventures are not to be missed (T&Cs apply; find out more).
E-biking AA members now have peace of mind if they find themselves in trouble on their rides. The AA have extended their Roadside Service and will come and rescue you! Find out more.
Looking for inspiration for activities on and off the Great Rides? Check out the AA Traveller's 2022 Must-Do's Cycling guide. It's available at over 500 outlets nationwide, including AA centres, i-SITEs and visitor information centres, and can also be ordered online from the AA Shop (it's free, you just have to pay postage). There's a brand-new guide coming out in November too!
Stay at cycle-friendly holiday parks
Holiday parks are the perfect accommodation choice for bike-lovers and holidaymakers looking to hit the trails. They're close to most of the Great Rides and have heaps of practice space for new cyclists.
Holiday Park Association Cycle Hub member parks make your biking holiday even easier by providing excellent advice on local rides as well as bike-cleaning facilities and secure parking, contacts for local mechanics, shuttles and tour operators. Some also have on-site bike hire.
To find a Cycle Hub holiday park, download the free Holiday Parks App or visit their website.
Creeksyde Queenstown Holiday Park – charming and cycle friendly.
Fully upgraded and FREE to download!
The only mobile app designed for our Great Rides has been completely upgraded with some fab new features such as bird calls, tree/plant IDs, and links to great trail stories. Find out more about the new version of the Great Rides App, and how it's created in this fascinating article.
Download the Great Rides App from:
The new-and-improved Great Rides App – easy to use and free to download!
