the Hauraki Rail trail & rotorua
Inside the Episode
The Coromandel, a dramatic peninsula that girts the sea frames the next Trail Towns adventure… The Hauraki Rail Trail! Meandering along, in the shadow of this majestic range, Vandy and Deetz discover why it’s one of the Great Rides of New Zealand. Stopping by the many funky little towns with mining etched into their history, the boys cross the divide into the mighty Waikato region. After a soak in Te Aroha, they pay a visit to Hobbiton, after which the GM commented “We’ve never had anyone here like you two!” Then it's onto the MTB capital of the world... Rotorua - a premiere MTB destination with primo trails, hospitality, culture and an overall fun factor which meant Vandy and Deetz literally had to be prised out of here!
Meet the Locals
Tak Mutu, Mountain Bike Rotorua
Noah Croucher, local rider
Jo Tilsley, Paeroa local
Kahu Hapi, Te Puia
Di Drummond, Hauraki Rail Trail
Debbie Guptill, Rotorua local
Ash Tanner, Te Aroha Mayor
Eddie Morrow, Waihī Bicycle Hire
Ric Balfour, Thames local
Louis Hamilton, MTB rider & Rotorua local
Shayne Forrest, Hobbiton Movie Set Tours
EAT
EAT
THE REFINERY
This converted old National Bank Gold Refinery in Paeroa is a funky and charming venue with great food, atmosphere and the loveliest owners!
EAT
air stream cafe
Just off the Whakarewarewa Forest Loop Trail, right on the Blue Lake sits this pop-up food truck with burgers, wraps and pizzas ready to refuel you.
EAT
the old forge kitchen
Make sure you stop in here for breakfast on your ride out of Te Aroha. It’s seriously delicious coffee and food.
play
PLAY
te puia
New Zealand's geothermal wonderland, featuring dramatic geysers, bubbling mud, native bush, & kiwi conservation centre.
PLAY
hobbiton
At the end of the Hauraki Rail Trail, just outside of Matamata, you can visit the Hobbiton Movie Set for a guided tour. We recommend dressing up!
PLAY
TE AROHA MINERAL SPAS
Nestled in the beautiful Domain at the bottom of Mount Te Aroha, renowned for their healing properties since the 1800s.
ride
RIDE
Whakarewarewa forest loop
Also known as The Redwoods, this loop is just over 30km and the perfect half-day ride on an e-bike with some seriously spectacular scenery.
RIDE
Skyline mountain bike park
A chairlift assisted bike park in the heart of Rotorua is a progressive network of trails with jumps for days.
RIDE
Hauraki Rail trail
They say if you end up on a hill, you’re no longer on the Hauraki Rail Trail. This cruisy ride has a great variety of scenery and passes through lots of beautiful towns.
Check out our interactive map to learn more about where we went in this episode of Trail Towns.
Make sure to let us know if you replicate this adventure via social media!
this episode SUPPORTED BY
Explore Other Episodes
Episode Three: Lake Taupō
Episode One: The Beginning
Episode Two: The Hauraki Rail Trail and Rotorua
Episode Five: Timaru and the Alps 2 Ocean
Episode Four: Christchurch & the West Coast
Episode Six: Queenstown & Wānaka