New Zealand cycleway offers off-road appeal
Environmentally-aware tourists interested in off-the-beaten-track travel are monitoring progress on New Zealand’s national cycleway, an ambitious project that’s due to begin development in November.
The cycleway, described as "a patchwork of trails", will link existing tracks and new pathways taking meandering peddlers through some of New Zealand’s most scenic and scarcely exposed countryside.
And, if existing models like the Central Otago Rail Trail in the South Island are anything to go by, the National Cycleway Project is set to become New Zealand’s next world-class tourist attraction.
Great Rides
Just as New Zealand’s ‘Great Walks’ are considered unique, the new network of ‘Great Rides’ will put international visitors in direct touch with New Zealand’s unspoilt wilderness areas and spectacular scenery.
Initially seven tracks in seven regions will be upgraded or created in phase one of the cycleway project.
The new trails will cross diverse countryside from tropical coast in the north, through rolling farmland, along riverside paths and native forest, national parks, old rail corridors, and areas of historic, geological and ecological significance, to the dramatic alpine and lake scenery of the south.
The seven trails and the new sections due to begin development this summer (north to south) are:
- Hokianga to Opua Trail - this 90km trail from the Hokianga harbour in New Zealand's Far North follows the west coast to Opua / Russell in the Bay of Islands, passing through 11 towns and settlements.
The first section - a 12km historic rail corridor between Kaikohe and Okaihau - will travel ancient Māori trails, and via some of New Zealand's earliest European settlements.
- Hauraki Plains Trail - from Paeroa to Waihi, via the rocky Karangahake Gorge, this trail travels through historic gold-mining areas, follows the river down to Waikino and the vintage railway leading into Waihi.
Paeroa to Thames will follow a disused railway line, offering access to sites of ecological and historical significance.
- Waikato River Trail - this 100km trail, on the banks of the Waikato river and five hydro-lakes between Atiamuri and Horahora, will incorporate 53km of existing trail, 6km already under construction, and 41km of new trail.
The final sections - Waipapa dam to Lake Karapiro, and Whakamaru to Mangakino - will span areas rich in ancient geological, volcanic and cultural history. With a moderate mountain-biking grade of 2-3, this trail is destined to target the family market.
- Central North Island Rail Trail - the proposed 60km / two-day ride through the central North Island runs southwards from Pureora Forest Park through the Hauhungaroa range to Ongarue and Taumarunui, mostly through Department of Conservation (DOC) lands.
The cycleway will incorporate the Ongarue tramway and rail spiral, and historic logging relics including New Zealand’s most comprehensive historic timber mill and logging village (Eadan's mill). The gentle grade, smooth surface, and halfway access point should appeal to beginner and intermediate cyclists.
- Mountain to the Sea / Mt Ruapehu to Wanganui - the mountain to sea route will include the Mangapurua - Kaiwhakauka Track in Whanganui national park, and Old Coach Road from Ohakune to Horopito in Tongariro national park. The 245km 4 - 6-day ride is mostly through DOC administered lands.
Much of the trail network is already in place. From the slopes of Mt Ruapehu, the route traverses the 294-metre Hapuawhenua viaduct, Whanganui national park and the iconic ‘Bridge to Nowhere’. After a jet boat ride down the Whanganui River to Pipiriki, the cycle route continues on the Whanganui river road to Wanganui.
- St James Great Trail - the St James project will develop a 50km mountain biking trail through iconic mountain scenery, beech forest and grassland valleys, offering family and adventure rides. Cyclists will be able to traverse the St James mountain range with vehicle support, and explore the upper reaches of the Waiau valley.
From Hanmer Springs, a well-formed road links to the trail's setting off point. This project includes an existing track from St Arnaud to Hanmer, and through Molesworth Station to the Awatere valley, near Blenheim.
- Around the Mountain Rail Trail - the Queenstown to Southland trail will be an easy 175km cycle ride, departing by boat from Queenstown across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak. The cycle track will head through Walter Peak and Mount Nicholas stations, along the Von valley to Lake Mavora, follow the Oreti river, and the old railway line from Mossburn to Lumsden.
Around the Mountain is viewed as the beginning of a network of easy-to-ride cycle trails linking tourism infrastructure. Future cycle trails could include Lake Mavora to Te Anau, Lumsden to Invercargill / Bluff, and Lumsden to Gore / Catlins coast.
Cycle tourism
The New Zealand Cycleway Project is a government initiative designed to generate economic, social and environmental benefits.
While Tourism Ministry figures show fewer than 2% of visitors take part in cycling, cyclists stay more than twice as long as the average tourist and spend 1.6 times as much.
NZ Ministry of Tourism figures for the year to September 2008 show 45,000 of the 2,469,064 international visitors took part in a cycling sport.
Cycling tourists spent NZ$199 million on their trips - excluding international airfares - an average of NZ$4386 each. The average spending of all international tourists is NZ$2692.
Cycling tourists on average stayed in New Zealand for 49.2 nights, more than twice the average length of stay of 20.9 nights.
Britons make up the biggest number of cyclists at 19%, followed by Australians at 17% and Americans at 9%.
Cycling is the new golf
Tourism New Zealand chief executive George Hickton says a national network of ''iconic rides'' has huge potential.
''Cycling is a growing sport; it is the new golf in one sense.''
Touring cyclists were no longer backpackers who could not afford a car, but in many cases were healthy wealthy tourists with plenty of money to spend. That sat well with Tourism New Zealand's ideal tourist and cycling fitted the country's image, he said.
''It certainly sits within the ‘100% PURE’ thing very well. It is consistent with the sort of experience we give people.
''If we have a network of great rides, it becomes a reason for coming to New Zealand,'' said Hickton.
Background: Otago Central Rail Trail
The Otago Central Rail Trail, in the southern South Island, is New Zealand's longest and most successful cycling trail.
The rail trail attracts between 10,000 and 12,000 people every year, and up to 80,000 people are thought to use some part of it on a regular basis.
A recent economic study showed that nearly half the businesses surveyed along the rail trail gained 20% of revenue from tourists associated with it.
The trail is a 150km walking, cycling and horse-riding track which runs in an arc between Middlemarch and Clyde, along the route of the former Otago Central Railway.
It takes between five and seven days to walk the rail trail, and three to five days to cycle it.
The track starts at 201m above sea level in Middlemarch, and rises to 618m between Ranfurly and Oturehua. The route passes through three tunnels and over several large viaducts.
More information:
Quick start for national cycleway
Otago Central Rail Trail
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