Tour Aotearoa for Non-Planners
September 26, 2024 8:26 AM Subscribe
A friend and I are planning to bikepack the Tour Aotearoa in January-February 2025. We are in general non-planners and find we are in need of help resolving a few Logistical challenges that we see coming up be fore and during the Tour. Hope some MeFis in NZ can help us.
The first problem is whether to bring bikes on the plane or buy a used bike when we get there, via a used bike shop or facebook marketplace. The reason for not bringing the bikes is I've read that bikes and tires have to be completely spotless when importing them or they will be quarantined for an unspecified period of time. Shall we take a chance and ship our bikes?
I've also read that bikes are not permitted on buses in NZ. This present problems along the way. The first being how to get from Aukland to Cape Reinga to start the tour. There are some expensive shuttles but they have to be booked way in advance. We could also fly to Kerikeri but that leaves 100 miles biking on busy roads. Any other options?
Lastly, we have been warned that January is a bad time to do the tour due to an abundance of tourists. Can we successfully plan for accommodations, restaurants, etc at the last minute or does everything need to be planned in advance?
The first problem is whether to bring bikes on the plane or buy a used bike when we get there, via a used bike shop or facebook marketplace. The reason for not bringing the bikes is I've read that bikes and tires have to be completely spotless when importing them or they will be quarantined for an unspecified period of time. Shall we take a chance and ship our bikes?
I've also read that bikes are not permitted on buses in NZ. This present problems along the way. The first being how to get from Aukland to Cape Reinga to start the tour. There are some expensive shuttles but they have to be booked way in advance. We could also fly to Kerikeri but that leaves 100 miles biking on busy roads. Any other options?
Lastly, we have been warned that January is a bad time to do the tour due to an abundance of tourists. Can we successfully plan for accommodations, restaurants, etc at the last minute or does everything need to be planned in advance?
The good news is that there are flights to Kataia, the most northerly town and point for Cape Reinga - about 1hr or 100km away. It's definitely an edge on Kerikeri. I read there's a new provider too - not just Air New Zealand. The roads are not going to be great (Ha! I remember when we got upgraded roads in my far north village!) but it's all part of the experience.
Book in advance for peace of mind - you can change it later.
Echoing: do not mess with MAF in terms of biosecurity.
posted by socky_puppy at 11:49 AM on September 26
Book in advance for peace of mind - you can change it later.
Echoing: do not mess with MAF in terms of biosecurity.
posted by socky_puppy at 11:49 AM on September 26
February will be a lot better than January, as you want to avoid school holidays. Travel drops way off after Waitangi Day (+ weekend).
posted by inexorably_forward at 1:13 PM on September 26
posted by inexorably_forward at 1:13 PM on September 26
New Zealander here. Yes many accommodation places will already be booked out for Jan. Now is the time to lock in some Feb options if you can. Your options will be much more limited if you leave it until December! Restaurants will not be a problem though.
February weather will likely be warmer and sunnier.
You could get a sense of the second-hand bike market by checking out Trademe (our Ebay equivalent) or Facebook Marketplace (pretty sketchy here). I'm sorry but being very far away from anywhere with a small population means everything is far more expensive than you expect.
posted by i_am_joe's_spleen at 1:41 PM on September 26
February weather will likely be warmer and sunnier.
You could get a sense of the second-hand bike market by checking out Trademe (our Ebay equivalent) or Facebook Marketplace (pretty sketchy here). I'm sorry but being very far away from anywhere with a small population means everything is far more expensive than you expect.
posted by i_am_joe's_spleen at 1:41 PM on September 26
Re: flights to Kaitaia, it's Barrier Air - here's their policy on taking bikes. If you were interested in taking the bus it looks like Intercity bus services takes them (Auckland Central to Kaitaia).
posted by socky_puppy at 1:54 PM on September 26
posted by socky_puppy at 1:54 PM on September 26
You can definitely take a bike on an Intercity bus if it's packaged correctly and paid for in an advanced booking.
I wouldn't do last-minute planning for accommodation. You'd be surprised how booked out hotels etc. get here. Tourists are often caught out when they get here and realise they can't just book as they go like you can in larger European cities. Something as simple as a local concert or event will mean every hotel room and Airbnb nearby is snapped up. Restaurants will be fine though in some small towns, your only dinner options could be a McDonalds that shuts at 7pm or a corner dairy so be prepared for that.
I work for Biosecurity NZ. Yes, this stuff is taken very seriously (as it should be). But as long as your bike has no dirt or organic debris, you should be fine. I have always found the border staff to be really easy to deal with as long as you aren't taking the piss.
I agree with waiting until after Waitangi Day. The weather is better, kids are back at school, people are back at work and most cafes/restaurants will be back open.
posted by BeeJiddy at 11:23 PM on September 26 [2 favorites]
I wouldn't do last-minute planning for accommodation. You'd be surprised how booked out hotels etc. get here. Tourists are often caught out when they get here and realise they can't just book as they go like you can in larger European cities. Something as simple as a local concert or event will mean every hotel room and Airbnb nearby is snapped up. Restaurants will be fine though in some small towns, your only dinner options could be a McDonalds that shuts at 7pm or a corner dairy so be prepared for that.
I work for Biosecurity NZ. Yes, this stuff is taken very seriously (as it should be). But as long as your bike has no dirt or organic debris, you should be fine. I have always found the border staff to be really easy to deal with as long as you aren't taking the piss.
I agree with waiting until after Waitangi Day. The weather is better, kids are back at school, people are back at work and most cafes/restaurants will be back open.
posted by BeeJiddy at 11:23 PM on September 26 [2 favorites]
The Tour looks a reasonable route but if your use part of the loop in the map on this page, and your bikes and selves are up to that, you can spend a number of days completely away from roads and settlements. You also get to spend a while in Karamea which is so far off the trail for most people as (for the driver) its a 160k dead end road. With an amazing climate.
Bring your bikes, I wouldn't dream of going to another country and not taking my bike, and yes the much smaller market means the range of everything is that much smaller, and >>> $.
Visiting NZ without going to Golden Bay, Tākaka and Karamea should be a crime.
And February onwards is the time, will be cooling ff a bit in Norhland, and humidity a bit lower.
If you have time, here's an alternative - cycle to the cape as a shakedown for your main trip: bus from Auckland to Whangārei, then cycle West and go up the the Waipoua Kauri Forest, then onto Kaitaia and up to Cape Reinga. That route is mainly farm country so reasonably quiet.
posted by unearthed at 11:43 AM on September 27 [1 favorite]
Bring your bikes, I wouldn't dream of going to another country and not taking my bike, and yes the much smaller market means the range of everything is that much smaller, and >>> $.
Visiting NZ without going to Golden Bay, Tākaka and Karamea should be a crime.
And February onwards is the time, will be cooling ff a bit in Norhland, and humidity a bit lower.
If you have time, here's an alternative - cycle to the cape as a shakedown for your main trip: bus from Auckland to Whangārei, then cycle West and go up the the Waipoua Kauri Forest, then onto Kaitaia and up to Cape Reinga. That route is mainly farm country so reasonably quiet.
posted by unearthed at 11:43 AM on September 27 [1 favorite]
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The stories about NZ biosecurity are generally true, do not underestimate them. But honestly, cleaning your bike to spotless status should be about the easiest part of your undertaking here. I can't imagine doing something like this with unfamiliar and untested equipment.
Definitely fly as close to the cape as you can first, then try to arrange a shuttle. Have you called the shuttle operator listed on that website, under transportation? For small town NZ services like this, calling is often going to be your only useful option, even if they list a contact form or email address.
posted by Jobst at 9:07 AM on September 26