This self-supporting tour will take you on 3 days of riding and sightseeing from the Papakura suburbs of Auckland through scenic farmlands and coastal areas of the Firth of Thames, and then on through the spectacular Coromandel Peninsula where the tour will conclude with a ferry ride back to Auckland.

The tour begins at the Papakura train station from where you will ride through dairy farmland to the coast. Shortly after reaching the coast the road will turn inland and...  More...

This self-supporting tour will take you on 3 days of riding and sightseeing from the Papakura suburbs of Auckland through scenic farmlands and coastal areas of the Firth of Thames, and then on through the spectacular Coromandel Peninsula where the tour will conclude with a ferry ride back to Auckland.

The tour begins at the Papakura train station from where you will ride through dairy farmland to the coast. Shortly after reaching the coast the road will turn inland and will climb over the Hunua Range, which is the first significant climb of the tour. After cresting the Hunua Range you will arrive at the coastline of Firth of Thames, one of the primary bird-watching areas of migratory birds on the North Island. Here the first day of the tour concludes at the small township of Kaiaua.

On the second day the route will hug the Seabird Coast. This is the easiest day of the tour with mostly flat terrain. The route will circumnavigate the Firth of Thames coastline before arriving at Thames, known as the gateway town to Coromandel Peninsula. From Thames the route will take you north along Coromandel Peninsula coastline to a small township of Tapu, where day two of this tour ends.

The third day is probably the most spectacular, but also the most challenging ride of the tour. It covers a beautiful section of pristine Coromandel Peninsula coastline before it turns inland to crest the coastal mountains, affording expansive views of the sea below. The day’s ride will end with a nice descent to Coromandel Harbour, where you will pick up the ferry service back to Auckland.  Less...

These directions assume you have already arrived in Auckland, New Zealand by the transportation of your choice. If you have not yet figured out your travel plan to Auckland, New Zealand, you can check Air New Zealand and other major airlines for their schedules. For North American cyclists Air New Zealand has direct/non-stop flights operating several times a week from Los Angeles and San Francisco to Auckland. Otherwise, if you are traveling domestically Air New Zealand and other New Zealand regional airlines operate daily flights from within New Zealand to Auckland.

The starting destination of this tour is the town of Papakura, essentially a southern suburb of Auckland. Take the local train transit (MAXX) http://www.maxx.co.nz/ Southern Line to Papakura. The tour begins just outside of the Papakura train station. A bicycle ticket must be purchased for each train trip at the cost of NZ$1 (as of February 2007). Carrying of bicycles onboard trains is dependent on space and at the discretion of onboard staff. Avoid travelling with bicycles at peak times, as space will be limited.

If you are traveling by car, take the Southern Motorway (SH 1) until you reach the exit for Papakura. From SH 1 take the Papakura exit to Beach Road (east) then turn north onto Great South Road and then turn east on Broadway. Follow Broadway to Clevedon Road. Papakura train station will be on your right. Parking is available at the train station or on the streets along the railroad tracks. Make sure you remove all valuables from your car and lock the car before setting out on the tour. To return to your car at the end of the tour, after taking the ferry service from Coromandel to Auckland, you will take the Southern Line train from Britomart Train Station to Papakura. (Britomart Transportation Center is located just across the street from the Auckland Passenger Ferry Terminal).

At the end of the tour (at Coromandel) your best option is a ferry service from Coromandel back to Auckland. This round-trip service runs several times a week between Auckland and Hannaford's Point Wharf at Te Kouma, just a 20-minute bicycle ride south of the town of Coromandel. The ferry service is run by 360 Discovery Tours from the Auckland's Passenger Ferry Terminal at Pier 3 and it departs every Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday and Public Holiday (check their web site for schedule and fare prices). The trip lasts around 2 hours. Be aware that inclement weather can impact the service as it crosses open waters. The crossing can be quite rough (if you suffer from sea sickness be prepared). As a result of rough weather, the service can be cancelled without prior notice. Reservations, especially during the high summer season, are strongly recommended and the ferry does take bicycles and tandems.

If you wish to extend the tour, you can ask the captain to drop you off on Waiheke Island at Orapiu Bay on the return trip from Coromandel and ride across Waiheke Island and then board the larger Fuller's Waiheke Island ferry for Auckland. The ride across Waiheke Island is very hilly but beautiful and well worth the effort. See TrekByBike's Ride Across Waiheke Island for details on this beautiful one-day ride.

Either ferry service will drop you off at the Auckland Fullers' Ferry Terminal which is located across the street from the Britomart Transportation Station.  Less...

Besides the standard touring gear & spare parts, it is recommended that you bring at least two extra foldable tires with strong Kevlar casing. Clothing layers and cycling rain gear is absolutely essential for this tour. Additionally, if you like to use rearview mirrors, whether they are helmet mounted or bicycle mounted, make sure you bring one that can be switched for riding on the left hand side of the road. As previously mentioned, a cycling helmet is required by law in New Zealand and if you ride after sunset, your bicycle must be equipped with rear reflective lights and front headlight.  Less...