Background and Introduction
Following the Japan Honshu Horseshoe route, we’re already looking ahead to the next adventure — keen to get back on the bikes within the next six months. The experience in Japan reminded us how rewarding it is to move through a country at cycling pace, and it didn’t take long before we began thinking about where to go next.
Looking toward Easter 2026, we wanted to find a route that would fit neatly into a two-week window, giving us around 14 days on the road and roughly 700–800 kilometres of riding — a distance that strikes the right balance between challenge, rhythm, and recovery.
Several ideas made it onto a shortlist:
– Phnom Penh to Saigon, a cross-border ride through Cambodia and Vietnam
– A Northern Vietnam loop, weaving through the hills and beaches around Hanoi, including the beautiful Ha Long bay
– Hanoi to Da Nang, rice paddies, beaches and the challenging Hai Van Pass, with a return leg by train
Each of these options remains on the backlog, but New Zealand ultimately rose to the top of the list.
The Auckland to Wellington route appealed for several practical and personal reasons.
First, it’s a direct three-hour flight from Melbourne, making it simple and stress-free — especially with bikes in tow. Secondly, the timing works beautifully: no multi-stops or overnight flights, no jet lag, and we can land and ride the next day. Finally, the distance and duration fit perfectly into the Easter holiday period, allowing us to maximise riding time while minimising annual leave.
So, the choice was made: New Zealand. Another 800 kilometres of riding, from the city of sails to the windy capital at the bottom of the North Island — and another two weeks of discovery, one pedal stroke at a time.
Trip Overview
- Route: Auckland to Wellington, North Island, New Zealand
- Duration: 14 days (Easter 2026)
- Total Distance: Approximately 800 km
- Terrain: Mixed — rolling farmland, coastal roads, beautiful lakes, river gorges and roads, volcanic plateaus, and forested hills
- Trip Style: Self-supported, lightweight touring (bikepacking and camping setup)
- Bikes: Touring travel bikes set up with panniers and camping gear, as we expect to be camping en route
- Accommodation: Combination of campgrounds, motels, and guesthouses booked ahead where needed (it is Easter!)
- Daily Distance Target: 50–70 km average, with a few longer days topping out at about 90 km
- Theme: Exploring New Zealand’s natural diversity — from cityscapes to coastal stretches, river gorges and roads, geothermal regions, beautiful lakes, and the rural heartland
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