Join Track & Trail’s Waikato weekend trip and get out in the fresh air. We spend the first day on the Te Awa River Ride and the Hamilton Gardens, overnight at Podium Lodge in Cambridge, start the second day at Wairere Falls then onto whatever section/s you choose of the Hauraki Rail Trail. Trip numbers are small – less than 12 riders. The grade is an easy 1-2. There are loads of points of interest and hot pools along the route… so sign up now.

At a Glance…

Te Awa River Ride & Hauraki Rail Trail
1 day on the Te Awa River Ride (northern half of the Waikato River Trail), followed by 1 day on the Hauraki Rail Trail.

Price: NZD $690 inc GST. Add $230 inc GST for 2 days if e-bike hire is required.
Time commitment: 2 days
Dates: Your group can choose their own dates. Minimum of four people required.
SuperGold Card discount of 10% applies to mid-week days.
Accommodation style: studio accommodation with bike lockup.
Who is it for: grade 1 & 2 cyclists, capable of riding 35-45 kms on well-formed and dedicated cycle paths
Shuttle Pickup: Podium Lodge, Cambridge.
Total kilometres: it’s over to you… anywhere from 35-65 kms, see map below
Most suitable bike: this ride will suit almost all bike styles except road bikes
BYOB or Hire: BYO bike or hire a Sinch e-bike from Track n Trail.

This Te Awa River Ride–Hauraki Rail Trail trip starts in Cambridge on a Saturday morning and ends in the same place Sunday early evening. It is all grade 1 to 2 riding. Track & Trail shuttles you between trails and points of interest, provides accommodation, mechanical support, first aid if needed and most meals. See the daily breakdown below.

Itinerary:

Day 1
  • You drive to Cambridge, arriving before 9am on Saturday morning. TnT loads your bike and overnight bag on our purpose-built trailer.
  • We drive you (75 mins) to Ngāruwāhia and the Breaking Bread Café. You have a coffee and cake before heading off south towards Hamilton.
  • You ride the Te Awa River Ride to Hamilton Gardens where we stop for a picnic lunch (provided) and spend an hour in the fabulous Hamilton Gardens and themed pavilions. Or you can ride on to Cambridge and look around the stores and cafés, visit the Grassroot Velodrome and be picked up there.
  • Our accommodation is just across the road from the Velodrome. Evening and morning meals will be served here and are included in the trip tariff.
Day 2
  • The next morning at 9am we drive to Wairere Falls (30 mins) and do a short walk up to the base of the falls. Or optionally, if the group prefers, we go in the other direction to Hobbiton (entrance not included) or Firth Tower & Museum.
  • The riding starts on the Hauraki Rail Trail at noon from the old Waihi Train Station. You ride to Paeroa, then onto Te Aroha and a general admission to the hot springs.
  • This is all grade 1 riding. If you opt to ride down from Waihi Train Station, you can stop and walk through the Karangahake Gorge Tunnel, stop at either the Waikino train station or the Refinery Cafe in Paeroa for lunch.
big breakfast at the Bugger Cafe
The breakfast at Bugger Cafe
Under road pass
Drinking LnP in front of the big LnP bottle in Paeroa, rude not to
Karangahake Gorge
Foot bridge near Ohinemuri
Historic Kopu Bridge
Paeroa War Memorial
War Memorial, Paeroa
jockey statue in Matamata
Statue of Sir Gordon Richard riding “Sovereign”
Te Aroha, "the love", main street
Te Aroha
line of trees near Thames, wind breaks
Thames windbreaks at sunset

What Track & Trail provides…

  • shuttle service. The van will be near the riders at all times.
  • hotel accommodation (twin share basis)
  • 2 morning teas, 1 lunch, 1 dinner and 1 breakfast. Riding snacks.
  • suncream and first aid
  • basic bike mechanical
  • optional extra: e-bike
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Route Map – showing both trails, points of interest and accommodation

Mad Hatter’s tea party
Egyptian Garden
Indian Garden
Velodrome, Cambridge
Monarch
Tudor Gardens
Rennaisance Garden, Hamilton

Bikes & Safety

    BYO Bike

    Are you BYO you own bike? Hardtail mountain bikes, e-bike or gravel bikes are all good for this trip. Road bikes not so much. You are responsible for the fitness and security of your bike. Please get it serviced before you join the trip. There will not be service options over the weekend. The bikes will be secured overnight. Your bike should be able to carry 1 litre of water, your rain jacket, snacks, phone, spare inner tube and multitool.

    Bike Hire

    Track & Trail has a fleet of NZ-designed Sinch e-bikes available for hire in small, medium and large frame sizes. The cost is $110 incl GST per day to hire an e-bike for the weekend. If we do not have your size we will hire it for you. Contact Peter if you plan on hiring any type of bike. Read the Bike Hire Agreement.

    Safety

    Though much of the riding is on dedicated paths, some sections are shared with pedestrians and at times you will have to cross main roads. Care is required by you in both cases.
    The surface of cycle paths also varies considerably and can include gravel, debris/overhang from vegetation or uneven concrete surfaces.

    Trip Price

    NZD $690 inc GST plus bike hire of $230 inc GST for 2 days if required.

    10% discount applies for Gold Card Holders on mid-week trip.
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    Exclusions

    The tour price does NOT include:

    • getting to the start
    • optional activities
    • personal equipment
    • bike repairs
    • alcoholic drinks & café stops
    • emergencies. Ambulance