New Zealand

[maxwolfie]

Planning to go back to New Zealand within the year for a more casual trip (I did the south island last year on a contiki, which was fantastic)

Where are the best spots for MTB? Specifically XC with some views and scenery if possible. Not *too* difficult as I'll probably be dragging the girlfriend along too

North or South, we'll be doing both most likely

[stoff]

My mate and my sister (both first time downhillers) hit one of the parks near Queenstown last year and both were able to ride it okay. I'll find out which one for you.

[Moggio]

I posted my thoughts on a few rides I did in January there.. search under "my Rides in New Zealand" or something.

Anyway you need to get a book called "Classic New Zealand Mountain Bike Rides" by the Kennett brothers which covers rides in detail over the whole country. Its very common in NZ, don't know whether you can find it here easily... may need to get it posted over.

My main recommendation is Whakarewarewa Forest in Rotura www.redwood.co.nz. It is great, has stuff for all levels and is real nice and flowing and endless. You could spend several days riding new tracks there everyday. Also they are colour graded so you can hop on an intermediate track if thats your level (was mine) and be comfortable or try something harder and expect a bit of walking. Downside it means you have to spend some time in Rotorua though, which is kinda awful nowdays though there are enough tourist things to entertain for a while.

Near Auckland is Woodhill Bike Park www.bikeparks.co.nz which is also great for XC.

Still all over NZ there is no shortage of nice single track XC rides... local councils will even sign post them nicely.

[stoff]

Turn's out it they were actually riding cross country - couldn't really see my sister downhilling. Anyway it was Coronet Peak. Link here. http://www.nzski.com/guides/08/coronetpeak/mountainBiking.jsp

[jo_]

Definitely get a copy of the Kennett Book if you're spending any time road tripping around looking for rides. Ground effect sells them http://www.groundeffect.co.nz/product-detail-CLA-ACC.htm and will send them over.

Rotorua/redwoods http://www.riderotorua.com/ is great, with mainly XC for all levels of riding. You can get a trail map from the info centre.
Woodhill in Auckland http://www.bikeparks.co.nz/ is a sand based park in west Auckland. Mostly flat, though there are short climbs/descents. Heaps of fun. Quite a few structures and the like.
Makara Peak in Wellington http://www.mountainbike.co.nz/places/makarapeak/ Mostly XC but a range of skill levels catered for. Awesome views on a nice day.
There are some great rides around the Port Hills in Christchurch, around Nelson, Taupo, Queenstown, and Dunedin. Check out the Kennett book for full details.

[shnizza]

i dont no any good riding spots but a good scenic trip is the cream tour in
the far north of the north island you go on a boat around to all the
individual islands i did it about 3 years ago and it was awesum!!

[siz]

Found this (http://www.bikenz.org.nz/Article.aspx?ID=997) today whilst looking around for NZ trails. Relevant info for those interested i guess.

[Huph]

You'll find XC rding anywhere you go in NZ. Get that Krnnetts book.

Post on www.vorb.co.nz when you come over and you should be able to find locals that will show you around.

As mentioned, Rotorua is worth a few days.

I'm local in Wellington, so rate what we have. So many trails, so few week-ends.

Queen Charlotte Track is nice - two or three days, and a water taxi to deliver your bags to where-ever you stay each night so you need only carry a day pack.
http://www.vorb.org.nz/ftopic-63251-0.html

Nelson and the surrounding areas are another fav of mine.

Hanmer Springs is a mini Rotorua

Christchurch is good in summer - many of their trails get too soft and are closed in winter.

Central Otago (Alexandra, Queenstown, Wanaka). I'm not rushing to do the Otago Rail Trail - too much like riding a well graded dirt road for me.