Arguably the most well-known bike packing route in NZ, originally created by the Kennet brothers, if you’re looking for an adventure this one should be top of your bucket list. (It will leave you with a tall tale or two to recount to riding buddies back home.) We have created a fully supported version of the Tour Aotearoa so that you can ride the full length of New Zealand knowing that we have got your back!
You will be immersed in the diverse and beautiful scenery that makes up the ‘land of the long white cloud’. From wild coastlines to giant stands of ancient Kauri forest. Cycle through volcanic North Island landscapes and in the shadow of the mighty Southern Alps. Connect with locals and get the full ‘kiwi’ experience. You’ll be donning a swandri and jandals in no time…
Our incredible network of cycle trails and rural gravel roads keep you ‘off road’ most of the way. Navigating point to point each day gives you a true bikepacking feel, but with the luxury of knowing lunch will be set up for you, snacks are never far away, and a comfy bed has been arranged for you each night. Relax and take the days at your own pace!
This is a fully supported cycle tour, one crew will ride with the group whilst the other goes ahead to set up snack, water and lunch breaks. The support vehicle will have all your luggage* and supplies for each day and is also available if you would like to take a break from the saddle.
*Please note if coming from overseas and bringing your own bike, we are not able to carry empty bike bags or boxes. You can either courier them from Auckland to Invercargill or package your bike to travel in a cardboard box that you can recycle on your arrival.
Meeting Point: Pukenui (or optional transfer from Auckland)
Ride Start: Cape Reinga
Ride Finish: Bluff
Tour Finish: Invercargill
Tour Aotearoa with Escape Adventures certianly exceeded expectations, very well organised and supported by our tour leaders Theresa and Tim.
Commencing the trip not long after cyclone Gabrelle had passed through Aotearoa, we were amazed how quickly roads and tracks had been reistated, but the scope for full restoration of damage will be a massive project.
What a great way to experience many parts of NZ you would not see other than on these trails and backroads.
The growth in camaraderie for those on the tour continues with both Kiwi and Overseas bikers.
I highly recommend Escape Adventures from a mature biker who has booked another tour with Escape Adventures in 2024
Tony McPherson
Escape Adventures have exceeded my expectations across the board. I just need to ride, enjoy scrummy breakfast and lunch spreads and know the accommodation was sorted. Enthusiastic leaders, manageable but challenging days followed by cruisey. I’m 75, on an e-bike and now 1500kms cycled. Just come and do it!! No regrets!!
First and foremost the trip was awesome thank you. The crew were fantastic and we enjoyed every single one of them!! They all worked extremely hard to provide a fantastic experience and did manage to do this so credit to them all! You have an absolutely awesome team and they obviously are very happy to be working with you. This is one of the best things Bruce and I have ever done as a couple in NZ…..and at our ripe old age we have done quite a bit!! So thank you for the opportunity to do this and especially with e-bikes as we could never have even considered doing something like this in NZ with ordinary bikes.
Riding the entire Tour Aotearoa was fast looming on my bucket list and when I saw that Escape Adventures were putting this trip together, I was on for it! Having had 3 most amazing overseas adventures with Escape Adventures I knew that they would provide the most fantastic experience. All I had to do was get to the start, get on my bike and pedal while Escape took care transporting our stuff, organizing food and accommodation. Escape’s support crew were brilliant, so willing to help and support everyone, prepared and provided outstanding meals and snacks in abundance. All in all a absolutely fantastic way of riding some of our fabulous trails, seeing remote and beautiful New Zealand with like minded Kiwis and to achieve a personal goal at the same time. I just loved it! Riding the length of our country – Aotearoa.
