11 Nature Bike Tours in New Zealand to Build a Day Around

1.Otago Central Rail Trail One Day Wonder Cycle tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 300 reviews · from $99Our pick

Meet Bike It Now! in Clyde at 9am, get fitted with a Merida bike, helmet, pannier, map, and bottle, then ride from Auripo through Poolburn Gorge to Omakau, Chatto Creek, and possibly Clyde. Your driver handles the transfer and offers trail commentary, while you set the pace on this mostly independent six-hour ride.

“No better way to see and experience the Central Otago region - the team at BikeItNow were brilliant, the bikes were all set up perfectly and ready to go. Couldn’t ask for a better day. Thanks to Lisa and all the crew.”

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2.Lake Dunstan Cycleway Bike Rental With Return Luxury Shuttle

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 140 reviews · from $93

Start at The Junction Lookout in Cromwell at 9:30am, collect a Sinch e-bike, helmet, trunk bag, lock, repair kit, and pump, then ride the Grade 1 to 3 Lake Dunstan Cycleway to Clyde. Stop at places such as Carrick Winery or Burger and Coffee Afloat before an executive shuttle returns you to your car.

“The ride was beautiful and the scenery was amazing the entire way. The trail was well set out, perfect for all levels. The bikes were super comfortable, with great space for water and gear and the e-bike assist made the hills easy. The star of Read more”

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3.Half-Day Self-Guided Mountain Bike Journey through Whakarewarewa Redwood Forest

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 124 reviews · from $34Best value

Start near Rotorua’s Redwood Forest visitor center, where Mountain Bike Rotorua staff fit you with a Giant mountain bike and helmet, then suggest a route for your ability. You get about four hours to explore 160 km of marked forest trails on your own. Bring water and gloves, and confirm the meeting point before setting out.

“Pickup procedure was super easy and directions were clear. The folks who fitted us for our bike even gave some recommendations on paths to take. Overall the mountain biking was scenic/good, but we did have one issue as the chain of one of our bikes fell off about halfRead more”

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4.Self-Guided Bike Ride on the Arrow Bridges Trail

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 96 reviews · 4 hours · from $56

Take a 25-minute shuttle from Queenstown to Arrowtown, then ride 15 km downstream along the Arrow and Kawarau rivers. Cross six bridges, including three suspension bridges, pass the Kawarau Bungy Bridge, and finish near Gibbston wine country. Choose a standard bike or e-bike, ride at your own pace, and return by shuttle.

“The bikes were very good quality, comfortable to ride & the sights along the way were fantastic! Very well organised & the introductory session was very good. We had a group of 4, 2x e-bikes & 2x standard bikes. We had lots of fun on the e-bikes & those with standard bikes had a workout !! Recommend you definitely do this activity.”

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5.From Wellington: Remutaka Rail Trail eBike Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 54 reviews · 6 hours · from $131

Ride 28km of the Remutaka Rail Trail from Kaitoke to Featherston on a comfortable eBike. You’ll pedal through old railway tunnels, cross bridges, read about the Fell railway, and stop for lunch on the summit. The trip is self-guided on the trail, with clear instructions, maps, safety equipment, and shuttle transport from Wellington.

“Loved the day. and I don't even like cycling 🤣. We hadn't ridden a bike for at least 5 years and not as fit as we could be but were still able to enjoy the experience fully , the e-bike option helped and I wouldn't want to cycle up the trail. Sam our shuttle driver was excellent- very friendly, inclusive and informative . All the equipment provided, including the bike worked very well. The packed lunch was nice and filling. The Rail Trail itself is interesting, parts of it were quite beautiful and definitely worth the visit. My only complaint, that is out of control of the tour operator, is…”

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6.Remutaka Rail Trail Mountain Bike Explorer Cycle Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 49 reviews · from $124

Ride 28 km from Kaitoke through Pakuratahi Forest and across the Remutaka Range to Cross Creek. You get a pedal mountain bike, helmet, lights, pannier, lunch, water, and return transport from Wellington. Staff brief you before setting off, but you ride without an on-trail guide. Isaac is often part of the helpful support team.

“This was one of my favorite excursions I did on the north island. The trail was absolutely beautiful! Even though it is recommended for all, there are a few more challenging portions of the trail, so keep in mind. Would highly recommend this trip!”

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7.Cromwell: Lake Dunstan Trail Bike Rental and Luxury Shuttle

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 44 reviews · 5 hours · from $107

Ride the 42km Lake Dunstan Trail from Cromwell to Clyde on a standard bike, e-bike, or gravel bike. You’ll receive a safety briefing, helmet, rack bag, repair kit, and shuttle transport back to Cromwell. Expect two major climbs, a suspension bridge, cliffside trail sections, and time for stops at Carrick Winery and Burger Afloat.

“The whole experience was very rewarding. Luke was very good at explaining how to operate the bike to challenge all the different parts of the track. The scenery was amazing and I found the track quite challenging at times definitely needing to be 100% focus when going up the hill on parts of the track and the winding down hill .. My Husband enjoyed the track immensely and would definitely do it again..”

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8.Wanaka: Self-Guided Regular MTB – Lake Hawea to Lake Wanaka

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 40 reviews · 150 minutes - 3 hours · from $71

Meet the Wanaka Bike Tours team in central Wanaka, collect a modern mountain bike, and take a 30-minute shuttle to Lake Hawea. Ride 30km at your own pace via the Hawea River, Albert Town, the Clutha River, and Lake Wanaka. Staff provide maps, photos, safety advice, and technical support, with Stu known for helpful check-ins.

“A very enjoyable experience.Our guide was very friendly,accomodating,professional and has a wealth of knowlege about the area and history.We recommend it to all.Thanks heaps.”

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9.Te Anau: River Jet Boat and Bike Ride Tour with Local Guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 21 reviews · 4 hours · from $143

Join Fiordland Jet for a four-hour outing combining 75 minutes of jet boating on the Waiau River, a short Fiordland forest walk, and an 11-kilometre bike ride. Local guides such as Alex and John add stories and humor. Standard bikes and e-bikes are available, but the cycling section is unguided.

“What a great experience! Not the jet boat I was expecting after doing the Shotover years ago and that was a good thing. While there were spins, there was also more cruising, pausing to tell stories about the area, the opportunity to get off in Shallow Bay to explore and appreciate the area more. Alex was a great guide, great energy, storytelling and was just fun. We had planned to bike back but the rain poured down just as we were about to hop on the bikes. The team happily gave us a ride back to Te Anau and were happy for us to take the bikes out later. We…”

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10.E-bike Hire on the Queenstown Trail

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 17 reviews · 1 day - 4 hours · from $53

Pick up a Merida E-Big e-bike at Around The Basin’s central Queenstown shop, then follow the Queenstown Trail beside Lake Whakatipu to Frankton. Ride toward Kelvin Peninsula and Jack’s Point, or take the Twin Rivers Trail to Old Shotover Bridge. Staff explain the bike, provide a map, and let you set the pace.

“We really enjoyed our ride up to the Shotover bridge and back thru the Botanical Gardens. Highly recommended! Joe & Maria Gold Coast”

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11.Guided Scenic E-bike Tour – Ride to the Lake

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 12 reviews · 3 hours · from $134

You’ll ride a full-suspension pedal-assisted e-bike from Frankton along quiet trails beside two local rivers, stopping at historical sites, outdoor sculptures, and lake viewpoints. Your English-speaking guide, including Jordan on some departures, handles bike help and local stories. The small group is limited to eight riders.

“Tour was great! Wasn’t sure how I’d go fitness wise but it was fine! Our tour guides were great and made us feel at ease.”

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