Maria R.'s
Mountain biking tracks
- 11Jacks and Jollies PassesHanmer SpringsA ridiculously good mountain bike track, this 25km loop trail is great for beginners and will give you the opportunity to explore the spectacular Hamner Springs area. And the best bit is it only takes 3 hours!
- 21St James Cycle TrailHanmer SpringsA very challenging one to two day bike ride, St James Cycle Trail isn’t for the faint hearted. You’ll experience amazing high country scenery throughout this 64km course.
- 31Molesworth StationHanmer SpringsGet ready for a challenge with this mountain bike track. Starting off in Blenheim, you’ll end up in Hanmer Springs after a 207km ride. The advanced level track is simply stunning and a great way to see NZ over a few days.
- 41Okiwi Bay to Half Moon BayKaikouraThis bike track starts in North Canterbury and ends up in Kaikoura. It’s an intermediate ride which will take 4-5 hours to complete the 20km loop track. Look out for the wildlife including baby seals!
- 55McLeans Island Mountain Bike ParkMcLeans IslandA great family day out and easy to get to in Christchurch, McLeans Island is an easy 10km loop track which is great for all ages. It’s loads of fun and there is heaps of other amazing stuff to do in the area too!
Maria R.'s
Mountain Bike Trails
- 12Otago Central Rail TrailDunedin CentralA 152km bike trail which will take you up to two days to complete, the Otago Central Rail Trail starts in Clyde, heads to Middlemarch and to Dunedin. Experience beautiful scenery along with the region’s gold mining history. A real treat!
- 22Roxburgh Gorge TrailRoxburghAn intermediate bike track, the Roxburgh Gorge Trail is a goodie. It will take you four to six hours to complete and you’ll see the beautiful sights of Otago including stunning rock formations and historic stone cottages.
- 31Clutha Gold TrailBalcluthaA super easy two day bike ride, the 75km Clutha Gold Trail offers an amazing heritage experience. You’ll experience the region’s farming, mining and rail history, whilst burning loads of calories!
- 41Dunedin Signal HillDunedin CentralIf you want a fun and fast mountain bike ride without having to leave Dunedin, then the Signal Hill track is perfect! It’s a mere 15km long track and will get your heart pumping and blood flowing in no time!
Maria R.'s
Mountain Biking Trails
- 11Welcome Rock TrailsInvercargillOne of the best mountain bike tracks in the country, Welcome Rock trails is a 27km loop trails and is super easy, so anyone can do it! Starting and finishing at the Historic Southland Ski Hut, it’s $40 to do but well worth every penny spent!
- 22Sandy PointInvercargillAn Invercargill City Council mountain bike track, you can expect Sandy Point to be well looked after. The single track cross country trail is a pretty easy ride so great for all levels and abilities.
- 34Bluff HillBluffA great day out, the Bluff Hill mountain bike track is great for beginners. The cross-country trail has a lot of downhill bits which always make for a great time especially when it is raining!
- 41Around the MountainsTe AnauA very easy bike trail with a small gradiant, Around the Mountains is a great family-friendly track. There are water taps and shops along the way so you’ll never go thirsty or hungry!
Maria R.'s
Mountain Biking Trails
- 11Big River Road TrackGreymouthA 50km return mountain bike ride, expect to be challenged on this track. The Big River Road Track is on a bumpy 4WD road and includes a range of surfaces including gravel, mud and rock. It’s a certainly a fun ride if you’re up for the challenge!
- 22West Coast Wilderness TrailHokitikaA super easy 120km bike ride which will take you between three and four days. The trails runs north to south from Greymouth to Ross and is a great trip. You’ll see a lot of the West Coast and meet a lot of cool people along the way.
- 31The Old Ghost RoadWestportAn iconic two to three day cycle track, The Old Ghost Road is a great long weekend trip. There are several back country huts to spend the night in too!
- 41A nice and easy mountain bike track, the Zig-Zag will take you around Blacks Point in Reefton. The undulating forestry road is not at all challenging, so if you’re a beginner, you’ll find this track very enjoyable.
- 51Two super challenging tracks, you’ll need to be an expert rider to conquer Kirwans and Waitahu Valley Tracks! Even though they’re only 24km return, the tracks will take you 2-3 hours to complete!
Maria R.'s
Best markets
- 11The Coast Farm MarketKumaraA weekly Saturday event at The Junction Honey Cafe in Kumara, The Coast Farm Market is superb place for picking up everything you need for your breakfast, lunch and dinner. There’s live music and hot organic coffee to enjoy too!
- 22Greymouth Sunday MarketsGreymouthAn awesome place to hang on Sundays is the Greymouth Sunday Markets. There’s a lot to buy and look at this famous community market, including coffee, cake and Thai food, as well as clothes, shoes and bric-a-brac!
- 32Westport Farmers MarketWestportIf you’re heading to Westport this summer, make sure you take a trip to the Saturday farmers market. It’s full of amazing stallholders selling everything from coffee and fresh produce to hot meals and deli goods. It’s superb!
- 42Hokitika MarketHokitikaThe Hokitika Market is pretty cool. Hosting a whole diverse range of stallholders, this market is certainly unique. I particularly like picking up fresh bread, chutneys and locally reared meats for a delicious, West Coast sandwich.
Maria R.'s
Best markets
- 13Southern Farmers MarketInvercargillThis farmers market is truly delightful. Whenever I’m in Invercargill I bypass the supermarkets and head straight to the Southern Farmers Market for truly local and fresh produce. Try the Chinese pancakes if your tummy is rumbling - they’re so good!
- 22Only open during the summer, the Gore Farmers Market is a neat spot to go for local produce and delicious goodies like pies, sandwiches and chutneys. There’s a real community feel with this market, and I love it!
- 32Te Anau Community MarketTe AnauA favourite with Te Anau locals, the Community Market is the place to catch up and sell your deliciously made pickles, sushi, chutneys, jams and cakes. This place is local to the core!
- 41The first Saturday of the month is always a favourite time for me in Bluff because that’s when the community market is on! The market has everything you need for the home from fabrics and knitted items to fruit and vegetables.