Trans New Zealand Ride - Coast to Coast North Island New Zealand Seven days of exploring coast to coast! Ride through some of New Zealand's most beautiful coastal scenery - sandy surf beaches, dunes, Pohutukawa glades and native bush.  Then explore the rainforests filled with their tall tree cover and exquisite ferns and mosses.  The North Island, coast to coast, boasts an exceptional subtropical climate and many hot pools that have been created by the volcanic activity over the centuries.  This epic riding adventure follows the mighty Hoteo River, beginning at the calm white sands and blue waters of the Pacific Ocean in the east onward to the west coast with its black sands and the wild waters of the Tasman Sea. The distinct and unique contrast of the coasts coupled with the spectacular and rugged high country hills and rainforest in between make for a stunning expedition.  The North Island Tread is the trails of the region’s ancestors, both native Maori warriors and then early settlers who carved a living from a land covered in forest. Their descendents have developed New Zealand into the country it is today. Enjoy intermitting farmland and bush and the Carter Holt Harvey pine forests whose products are exported all over the world. Your hosts Sharley and Laly Haddon, descendants of the great Ngati Wai Chief Te Kiri, have farmed in this area for the greater part of their lives and between them have many years of experience in all equestrian disciplines. Progressive Ride (no camping) Meeting: Pakiri Beach Airport: Auckland Transfer: Warkworth or Wellsford Inter City bus station Riders: Min 4 riders Max 8 riders Trip Brochure (PDF) Trip Rating

Packages and Options

Click here for updated current rates.

 

Transfer and Other Options:

Pick up ifrom Wellsford. Take the Skycity bus from Auckland

Itinerary:

Day 1:   Pick up from Auckland and travel by shuttle bus to Pakiri Beach. Approximate arrival in Pakiri is 1:30pm. Next is an introductory ride along the beach to get to know your horse. Dinner with your hosts Sharley and Laly Haddon follows. Then, overnight in the beach house.  Approx 2 – 3 hours riding

Day 2:  After a hearty breakfast we depart for a full day riding the rolling surf of the South Pacific Ocean, breaks on the unpopulated white sand beach. We ride through the dunes with breath taking views to the islands of Hauturu (Little Barrier) Aotea (Great Barrier) and Taranga (the Hen and Chickens) and in the distance Motuhinau Island and Hawea (Goat Island) Marine Reserve. These you will see as you ride high above the sea over Te Arai Point which is known as the mythical floats on the nets of Toi--the discoverer of Aotearoa NZ. We may stop for lunch by the fresh water Tomarata lakes in the pine forest or at the Te Arai beach. You will ride through ancient Pohutukawa groves where in Summer the pohutukawa trees or New Zealand Christmas tree are ablaze with red flowers. And along a native bush track where you can see the southern most palm the Nikau. This ride shares with you the lands of the Ngati Wai an ancient seafaring Maori tribe who first discovered this land after following the call of the whales through the Pacific. Your hosts are descendents of the paramount chief Te Kiri whose Pa sites over looks the entire area. Approx. 6 hours riding. Overnight in beach house.

Day 3:  Today you will ride over green farmland through New Zealand native rain forest. You will follow an old kauri logging track through Whangaripo Valley to the top of the Matakana Hill. You will then pass through beef cattle and sheep farms. Te Whio sheep farm is owned by an old farming family. Overnight in home stay “on top of the world” high above the valley with a warm friendly, alternative lifestyle New Zealand family, who live on the edge of the State Forest and the source of the Hoteo River. You will need to share a bunk room here or we may stay at a motel in Matakana. We may change this route if conditions are unfavorable (Approx. 6 hours riding).

Day 4:  Sometimes in the early morning we are able to visit the Matakana Farmers Market before setting off on our ride. You may need to bring pocket money to try some of the yummy things for sale here. We then go for a more leisurely ride through the Carter Holt Harvey Dome State Forest-a pine forest and some native bush-following logging roads to Spring Hill Stud Farm, where we will ride over some very picturesque farmland.

After we have settled the horses we may visit a small town bar El Tapora in Wellsford for dinner at your expense and return to our accommodation with Jeannie and her dog “Pocket” at her lovely little home in Wellsford or we will dine with Jeannie and enjoy her company. If the group is too large for Jeannie to host we will stay at a motel or if the group prefer we can camp in a real working wool shed, sheepy smells and all!  (Approx. 5 hrs riding).
** If weather conditions or logging activities are unfavorable and render this ride unsafe we may have to do an alternative route.

Day 5:   Depart Spring Hill Farm passing under State Highway One following the Hoteo River. We travel over the Whisky Hill farm, along the tree-lined edge of the Hoteo River to enter the Carter Holt Harvey Kaipara State Forest, where we follow logging tracks through the pines. Stopping for lunch by the pretty Awarere waterfall where those who want to can swim in the clear water pool under the falls and then continuing on through pine forest we may call and meet some local people on the way .We over night at Kaipara Flats once an important small village with Colin and Vicki at Willow lodge. Here we enjoy a meal with our hosts. (Approx 5 – 6 hours riding)  ** As For Day 4 if the guides deem the ride unsafe we may have to take an alternative route.

Day 6:  We will need an early start today. We ride over 4 beautiful hill country sheep and beef cattle farms enjoying spectacular views over both coasts. On our way you will pass an old “wim” used in the pioneer days to haul logs. We stop for lunch at a beautiful secret waterfall, here those who wish can swim in the pool beneath the falling water. We follow the Hoteo River as it continues its path to its mouth in the West. Then we ride over Mt. Taranaki the Sister Mountain to Mt. Auckland or Atuanui, along a remote dirt road through rugged and spectacular hill country with views to the West Coast over the Kaipara Harbour. This is New Zealand’s largest water mass and also boasts the most treacherous bar to its entry. From the top of the ridge on a clear day you may be able to see the Sky tower of Auckland city. You are now in Ngati Whatua territory. We ride down steep hillside paths OR due to the difficulties caused by recent logging we may divert through rolling farm country owned by one of the original settler families and ride to the west coast road and then load the horses and truck to the main road. We will then finish the day dining and overnight with Carol Forsyth at her charming little farmlet on the Makarau River. Carol is a skipper and has many tales to tell about her seafaring adventures on the Waitemata. Makarau means to catch with a net and the early Maoris caught much of their food by netting fish in tidal rivers such as this. The rooms here are twin. The early settlers used the Makarau River to float kauri logs down from the forests inland to the harbour where they were picked up by sailing boats and taken to Europe to be used as spars and later they were milled at Helensville.
(Approx 7 – 8 hrs riding).

Day 7:  After breakfast we load the horses on to the truck and drive a short distance to Rimmer Rd Helensville. Maybe stopping at the Arts Café in Helensville for an espresso for those who are hanging out for a coffee hit!
Today we ride through the Woodhill Forest where you may see fallow deer or wild pig as you ride to the sea… Muriwai beach…the WEST coast with its black sand and wild seas so different from the East coast we have come from! A gallop down the beach (if the tides out) and lunch in the forest and ride back through the pines along forest tracks to the truck and say goodbye to your horse and then transfer on to Auckland by shuttle.  (Approx 4 – 5 hours ride).

--Subject to change.

New Zealand does not have a large temperature range, lacking the extremes found in most continental climates. However, New Zealand weather can change unexpectedly—as cold fronts or tropical cyclones quickly blow in. Because of this, you should be prepared for sudden changes in weather and temperature if you're going hiking or doing other outdoor activities.

Spring - September, October, November
Summer - December, January, February
Autumn - March, April, May
Winter - June, July, August
New Zealand Temperatures

New Zealand has a largely temperate climate. While the far north has subtropical weather during summer, and inland alpine areas of the South Island can be as cold as -10 C in winter, most of the country lies close to the coast, which means mild temperatures, moderate rainfall, and abundant sunshine.

Because New Zealand lies in the Southern Hemisphere, the average temperature decreases as you travel south. The north of New Zealand is subtropical and the south temperate. The warmest months are December, January and February, and the coldest June, July and August. In summer, the average maximum temperature ranges between 20 - 30ºC and in winter between 10 - 15ºC.

New Zealand Regional Temperatures
The following temperatures are mean daily maximum and minimum temperatures in Celsius and Fahrenheit for New Zealand. Rainfall is indicated as the average rainfall days per season. 

	Spring Sep, Oct, Nov		Summer Dec, Jan, Feb		Autumn Mar, Apr, May		Winter Jun, Jul, Aug
Bay of Islands	High	Low	High	Low	High	Low	High	Low
Temperature (C)	19	9	25	14	21	11	16	7
Temperature (F)	67	48	76	56	70	52	61	45
Rain Days/Season	11		7		11		16
Auckland
Temperature (C)	18	11	24	12	20	13	15	9
Temperature (F)	65	52	75	54	68	55	59	48
Rain Days/Season	12		8		11		15
Rotorua
Temperature (C)	17	7	24	12	18	9	13	4
Temperature (F)	63	45	75	54	68	55	59	48
Rain Days/Season	11		9		9		13
Wellington
Temperature (C)	15	9	20	13	17	11	12	6
Temperature (F)	59	48	68	55	63	52	54	43
Rain Days/Season	11		7		10		13
Christchurch
Temperature (C)	17	7	22	12	18	8	12	3
Temperature (F)	63	45	72	54	65	46	54	37
Rain Days/Season	7		7		7		7
Queenstown
Temperature (C)	16	5	22	10	16	6	10	1
Temperature (F)	61	41	72	50	61	43	50	34
Rain Days/Season	9		8		8		7

New Zealand Sunshine

Most places in New Zealand receive over 2,000 hours of sunshine a year, with the sunniest areas—Bay of Plenty, Hawke's Bay, Nelson and Marlborough—receiving over 2,350 hours.

As New Zealand observes daylight saving, during summer months daylight can last up until 9.00 pm.

New Zealand experiences relatively little air pollution compared to many other countries, which makes the UV rays in our sunlight very strong during the summer months. In order to avoid sunburn, visitors should wear sunscreen, sunglasses, and hats when they are in direct summer sunlight, especially in the heat of the day (11 am - 4 pm).

While summer is sunnier than the other seasons, most regions in New Zealand have a relatively high proportion of sunlight during the winter months.

New Zealand Rainfall
New Zealand's average rainfall is high—between 640 milemetres and 1500 milemetres—and evenly spread throughout the year. As well as producing areas of stunning native forest, this high rainfall makes New Zealand an ideal place for farming and horticulture (see above chart for the average days of rainfall).

What we supply:
Oilskin raincoat, Saddlebags, Riding helmets

Avoiding aches and pains:
Wear panty hose, tights or lycra bike pants under your riding pants to help reduce chafing.
Avoid wearing new or freshly starched jeans; those seams can be a killer.
Lengthen stirrup leathers a notch or two to reduce stress on knee joints.
Protect all exposed skin from the sun.
Take the opportunity to walk when possible.
Do some simple stretching exercises before mounting.
Bring some Vaseline or similar for chafed bits
A small cotton neckerchief can helf keep sunburn at bay when you have an open neck shirt.
We recommend half chaps.

Safety helmets are mandatory and will be provided.

This list is only a guideline for you

Travel documents and Voucher

Flight tickets

Passport

Visa (check with your consulate)

RIDING GEAR

Comfortable trousers for riding in.(jodhpurs,riding jeans, trackpants, men may like to wear lycra cycle shorts under their pants.)

Sturdy boots or shoes comfortable for walking

Warm woolen socks

Safety helmets are mandatory and will be provided

Riding gloves

Waterproof hat / sunhat

Lightweight Rain coat or parka

PERSONAL CLOTHING

A warm change of clothes, if you feel the cold polyprop / thermal underwear is a good idea on Spring and Autumn rides

Comfortable T-Shirts/Shirts

Jeans/waterproof trousers

Shorts

Underwear and socks

Pyjama

Bag for dirty clothes

Swimsuit

Sunblock

For Camping trips:

Sleeping Bag and Pillow (can be rented if necessary)

ADDITIONAL THINGS TO BRING

Personal toiletries, face cloth and towel

Insect protection

Personal medications

Sore cream (for an emergency) or vaseline petroleum jelly for rubs and chafes (thoroughly recommended)

Camera and enough extra films and batteries

Belt pack

Address book and pen (for postcards!)

Sun glasses with strap

Sun tan lotion and lip balm

Water bottle

Small torch and batteries

Average ratings from 6 tour feedbacks (see details below) Horses: (5) Excellent (4) Very Good (3) Good (2) Satisfactory (1) Not Satisfactory Saddle/Tack: Accommodations: Meals: Host/Guide: other Riders: Name Date earlyne johnson 1/4/2010 roberta marion 12/29/2009 sandra patterson 5/23/2002 jeannette katzir 3/31/2002 petra steinbuchel 6/10/2001 sandra zarcades 5/11/2001

During the ride you will be staying in home stay, bunkhouses, a bush hut, nice beach house. Alternative arrangements can be made stay in motel or lodge accommodation instead of the farm stay, bush hut and shearing shed (extra cost).  Meals are country style and BBQ, some wine is included.



Day 1 and 2:   Pakiri Beach House.  Pakiri is only a 1½-hour drive from Auckland through farmland and native bush with extraordinary coastal views. Experience authentic farm life with your friendly hosts - descendants of the area's first Maori rangitira (chief). Their farm is on lands that have been handed down for generations. Pakiri Beach is a 15 km long private white sandy beach.  Rooms have private bathroom.

Day 3:  Overnight in home stay “on top of the world” high above the valley with a warm friendly, alternative lifestyle New Zealand family, who live on the edge of the State Forest and the source of the Hoteo River. You will need to share a bunk room here or we may stay at a motel in Matakana. 

Day 4:   Castle Court Motel in Wellsford. If  the group prefers, we can camp in a real working wool shed.  Upgrade to personal unit with private bathroom possible for additional charge. 

Day 5:  We overnight at Kaipara Flats with Colin and Vicki at Willow lodge.  Each room has its own bathroom. 

Day 6:  Dining and overnight with Carol Forsyth at her charming little farmlet on the Makarau River. You will feel welcomed at this private little lodge, with just our group overnighting.  The rooms here are twin, with two bathrooms to share within the group. 
 

Tack:		English some western and stock saddles
Horses:		Appaloosa, Arabian, Thoroughbred, Clydesdale Cross
Pace:		5-7 hours in the saddle - moderate lot of hills - some canters on the beach | Walk | Trot | Canter |
Level:		(3 to 3 out of 5)    Intermediate
Age:		Min 12	Max 70
Weight:		Max 210 lbs
Riders:		Min 4 riders	Max 8 riders

Passports
Passport valid for at least one month beyond the intended period of stay required by all nationals referred to in the chart.

Visas
Not required by nationals referred to in the chart above for stays of up to three months except:
1. nationals of the UK who may stay for up to six months;
2. nationals of Australia who may stay indefinitely.
Visa Note
Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact their nearest New Zealand Immigration Service to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).
3. Visa waiver does not apply to people travelling on alien (non-citizen) passports issued by Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia.

Passport Required?
British	Yes
Australian	Yes
Canadian	Yes
USA	Yes
Other EU	Yes
Visa Required?
British	No/1
Australian	No/2
Canadian	No
USA	No
Other EU	No/3
Return Ticket Required?
British	Yes
Australian	No
Canadian	Yes
USA	Yes
Other EU	Yes

This information is not being updated on a regular basis. Hidden Trails does not take any responsibility for the accuracy of the above information. Please, consult the embassy or consulate for updated info.