Biking
Hauraki Rail Trail
Take the opportunity to enjoy the various sections of the trail and take our shuttle to avoid having to retrace your route.
This trail weaves through the Hauraki & Matamata-Piako Districts. With a wide variety of scenery to see on the way. With shorebirds of Kaiaua, Hotpools of Miranda, The impressive Kopu Bridge, Great Coffee and Gold Mining Heritage of Thames, Large L&P bottle with “worldwide fame” in Paeroa, Outstanding scenery and Gold Mining Relics of the Karangahake Gorge, Natural mineral hot pools and Spa of Te Aroha, Experience the magic of the famous Hobbiton of Matamata.
Hauraki Rail Trail is broken up into 5 different sections;
Kaiaua - Thames
55km, 5 to 6 hours
Location
Start at the Oystercatcher Sculpture in Kaiaua
Finish at Thames Wharf.
To shorten your day, Kopu and Miranda provide alternate start and/or finish points.
Can be cycled in either direction.
Difficulty
Terrain
Easiest.
Sections after Kaiaua give you a true example of the shelly Estuary. A short section of the track hasn’t been completed and you will find yourself pushing along approximately 200m of shelly beach, unless you take the road for this part which runs parallel to the beach.
Route finding, is well sign posted throughout the ride.
Description
Starting the ride in the quaint Kiwi Settlement of Kaiaua with a great fish n chip shop. You start the cycleway along the stunning Miranda Shoreline with its wide range of flora and fauna. Miranda forshore is internationally recognised for 40 migratory wading bird species which is a real highlight to see. The cycleway then takes you through several reserves covered in forests of Mangroves which then changes into farmland & stockbanks before crossing over the Waihou River at Kopu Bridge. The ride navigates through the entrance way into Thames Township finishing at the wharf. This section has diverse scenery and some great cafes to stop along the way to refuel and rest.
Thames – Paeroa
34km, 3 to 4 hours
Location
Start Thames Wharf
Finish at the World famous L&P Bottle in Paeroa
(note the first 7km between Thames wharf and Kopu repeats the final 7km of the Kaiaua to Thames section)
Cycling in either direction
Difficulty
Terrain
Easiest.
Route finding, well sign posted throughout the ride. Lots of opportunities for stops
Description
Starting this section of the ride, you begin at Thames Wharf, where there is parking available. From here you cycle through housing estates and paddocks then quickly come to the small township of Kopu where you get great views of the Bridges which traverse over the Waihou River. You soon head out into the peaceful countryside to follow the old railway now the cycleway. The track is well formed with many bridges and farm race crossings. There are two public toilet facilities on this section, one at Kopu (7km from Thames Wharf) and at Hikutaia (approximately 23km from Thames, 11km before Paeroa). There are also cafes and pubs at Puriri and Hikutaia. This is a section of the trail which has extra interest with the opportunity to visit the Cheese Barn, approximately 11km south of Thames, which has a tasty cheese themed cafe and lovely outdoor seating. The Historical Maritime Park and Museum just north of Paeroa is well worth the short detour - there is a wealth of surprising information about the historical maritime importance of this area. It is also a lovely setting for a leisurely picnic, and if you want to complete this section in a restful fashion, you can hop on a boat with your bike and enjoy a relaxing trip into Paeroa. (Booking required directly with the Museum).
Paeroa – Waihi (via Karangahake Gorge)
24km, 3 hours one way.
Location
Start Paeroa near the L&P Bottle
Finish at Waihi Station.
Cycling in this direction is slightly up hill so why not take a shuttle to Waihi and enjoy a slightly easier cycle back to Paeroa.
To add a bit of adventure to your day, it is also possible to take your bike, in either direction, on the Historic Goldfields Railway (which runs between Waikino and Waihi)
Difficulty
Terrain
Easiest to Easy
Route finding, well signposted throughout the ride. Lights needed for the tunnel section
Description
This section of the ride is spectacular with your trail leading through tall rocky outcrops, the big powerful Ohinemuri River with swim holes on the way. Incredible 1km tunnel to cycle through, plus opportunities to lock up your bike and do some of the short walks, , including the well-known Windows Trail which shows you examples of the history of mining in the area. Continue on your ride up the gorge, passing Owharoa Falls whilst the Waikino Pub and Waikino Station provide a good selection of food and refreshments to satisfy all your requirements. On the trail is Victoria Battery which is worth a stop and look through the old remains. Once you reach Waihi Station, there are numerous cafes to enjoy before heading back on the fun return downhill ride back to the start (if you choose not to take a shuttle).
Paeroa – Te Aroha
23km, 2 to 3 hours.
Location
Start at the L&P bottle in Paeroa.
Finish at Te Aroha i-SITE.
Can cycle in either direction
Difficulty
Terrain
Easiest
Route finding, well sign posted throughout the ride.
Good surface, flat, gateways and cattle gates upgraded in 2022 making it a straightforward section to ride - with great views of Mount Te Aroha.
Description
Starting the ride at the L&P Bottle, you cross the Ohinemuri River before continuing the ride leaving Paeroa behind you. This section takes you through rural farms with open views of the plains and Mt Te Aroha 953m looming with its large telecommunications tower in the distance, but it does gradually get closer! There are two toilet stops with information boards along this section, the first is at Tirohia, approximately 7km from Paeroa, and the second is at Mangaiti, 6km before reaching the iconic Te Aroha Railway Station. From there the cycleway leads you on to Te Aroha iSITE, where you can stop off for the night, soak your body in the mineral hotpools and enjoy the local cafes and pubs. If you wish to stay longer there are a variety of beautiful walks in the area to explore. Waiorongomai Valley which is approximately 20 minutes cycle or 10 minute shuttle out of town, is a significant gold mining area and still today has lots of historic mining relics on the walks. There are trails for everyone with varied lengths to suit all abilities. If you want a real challenge you can hike up Mt Te Aroha which has 360 degree views - on a clear day you can see Mount Ruapehu to the South, Mount Pirongia to the West and the Bay of Plenty to the East. You can either return the same way from the Domain in the centre of town or make it into a longer trail by walking back down through Waiorongomai valley to take in some of the mining history. We can then shuttle you back to Te Aroha Township.
Te Aroha - Matamata
37km, 2 to 4 hours
Location
Start Te Aroha iSITE
Finish Matamata iSITE.
Cycling in either direction.
Difficulty
Terrain
Easiest
Route finding, well sign posted throughout this section of the ride. Good surface, flat & great riding.
Description
Starting this section from Te Aroha iSITE, you quickly leave Te Aroha behind and get onto the open cycleway again taking you through flat, lush pastureland and with the magnificent Kaimai Range off to the Eastern side of the trail.
You are spoilt for choice on the section from Te Aroha to Manawaru with 2 great cafes to stop at and enjoy. There is nothing after Manawaru for eateries until you reach Firth Tower Museum where there is a café located in a lovely setting. After Firth Tower, you ride into Matamata & onto the iSITE which looks like a little Hobbit home.
There are 3 toilet facilities between Manawaru to Matamata
• Options/Variations
Detour along Old Te Aroha Road to Wairere Falls which has a 153m drop making it the highest waterfall in the North Island. To cycle this route you would turn left off the cycleway at the junction of Armadale Road & Tower Road, then turn right onto Old Te Aroha Road. When cycling this route, you will take in the Kaimai DC-3 air crash memorial site, which remains the worst air crash within New Zealand. The memorial is situated at Gordon, approximately 4km below where the crash happened. To get back onto the cycleway after Wairere Falls, continue along Old Te Aroha Road to Okauia Springs Road, turn right and cycle to the end of this road and then you will pick up the cycleway to Matamata. Along this section, is Opal Springs, where you can enjoy a lovely soak in the hot pools before pedalling into Matamata.
Wairere Falls Track - Hiking
Lower Lookout 45min Top Lookout 1hr 30mins one way (3-4hr, 5km return)
Great Rides App
