Featured Image: Rosemary riding her Moustache ebike on the Arrow River trail near Queenstown, NZ

Ebiking is the new must-do in New Zealand

by Rosemary Neave

To find the best biking trails in New Zealand, it helps to know a local. I love the freedom of cycling – for me, it is contemplative. Mind you, I am not an extreme cyclist – my road less travelled is more likely a 3 metre wide well-surfaced pathway. Slow enough to enjoy the scenery, but fast enough to make progress to the next stop – hopefully with a coffee along the way.

The rest is history – Covid and Climate Change helped the project along, as well as increased government funding for cycleways.  Now almost every city and town in NZ is working on a cycleway.

My Recommendation: #Lovemymoustache 

For those who want to discover the best biking trails in New Zealand, I recommend Moustache ebikes, which are made in France. I am on my second electric bike, having worn out the first.  

Moustache is named after the iconic “moustache” handlebar design. The bars are a point of pride for the company, which the owners say can be considered a modern take on the famous moustache handlebars of the past.  #lovemymoustache 

I commute on the bike on our separated cycleways in Christchurch, and enjoy cycleways when travelling – last year, I did over 5,000 kms. Whenever we go on a NZ holiday, we take our bikes.

So if you are planning a trip to NZ – include some cycling! 

The Best Biking Trails in New Zealand

South Island Biking Trails

Otago Rail Trail: This was our first, and remains one of our most popular biking trails.  It follows an old rail trail, so very easy riding.  152 kms – 1-5 days Easy Grade all the way, ebike friendly. Linking up to some memorable small gold mining settlements, basically, you ride pub to pub – what is hard about that.  A perfect trail to try out an ebike for the first time.

Alps to Ocean Cycle Trail: 322 kms over 1-7 days  – this is our longest trail starting in our Southern Alps and ending at the sea. I have done it once and would do it again.  

The Clutha Gold Trail and Roxburgh Gorge Trail:  this follows the mighty Clutha river and the old gold workings – and includes a jet boat trip.

The Queenstown Trails:  still being developed, with more added all the time, and eventually will link all the way to Dunedin.  My recommendation is forget Queenstown and stay in Arrowtown  – much more beautiful and less touristy with heaps of history and lots of trails from there.  There are more trails opening all the time – last month the Lake Dunstan Trail opened near Cromwell. It looks amazing, and I can not wait to ride it all.

West Coast Wilderness Trail: There’s no better way to get up close to the West Coast’s lush rainforest, pristine rivers, tranquil lakes and rugged beaches, with the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps a truly sublime backdrop – especially in winter, a fabulous time to ride.

At the top of the South Island – explore the Nelson area on the Great Taste Trail through Nelson’s food growing regions, or if you are an intrepid and experienced rider head for The Old Ghost Road.

Resources

Nga Haerenga – New Zealand Cycle Trails: This is where you will find the list of multi day trips.  They have an app you can download.  There are 22 multi day rides, and many other shorter heartland rides.

The Kennett Brothers – New Zealand’s leading publisher of cycling history and guide books.

Tour Aotearoa – If you are really keen you can ride the 3000 kilometre Tour Aotearoa route from Cape Reinga to Bluff.  Ride it with others once a year, or in your own time. It includes nine Great Rides and 11 Heartland Rides

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