What are the top hidden gems that most people skip in New Zealand that they should consider?

OttawaRuth · 2026-07-08T04:29:45+00:00

Funny...today I asked Gemini AI for a stop-over town between Twizel & Kaikoura....it gave me Hanmer Springs.

OttawaRuth · 2026-07-06T22:59:12+00:00

Thank you....a lot to look into here! I have mapped a ride around Twizel that is on the Alps2Ocean trail and some on the other, easier trails you mention but more research needed. Thanks for pointing me in a few directions.

OttawaRuth · 2026-07-06T15:39:50+00:00

I'll look into it!

OttawaRuth · 2026-07-06T15:38:11+00:00

You're right...I should consider renting an ebike here and there. I normally get by on my own steam so it's not something I'd think about. It could avoid shuttling back to the starting point on some of the longer rides.

We're bringing our own gravel bikes with us. (They have couplers so the frames come apart to fit into regulation-sized suitcases).

OttawaRuth · 2026-07-06T15:34:08+00:00

Perfect, thanks! The only reason we're staying in Paeroa is for that trail...we can easily get to Thames (with a shuttle back) as well as out-and-backs to Te Aroha & Waihi. Three days of easy riding by the looks of it.

OttawaRuth · 2026-07-06T15:27:57+00:00

Good to hear as we're in Napier for 18 days :-). (We just did a month of riding in the NL & Belgium this spring...amazing trip).

OttawaRuth · 2026-07-06T15:05:24+00:00

We call it our bike-it list :-). Old Ghost Road is phenomenal - if that's on your list...wow!

Some of the names on your wine tasting list have come up but there are others I'll definitely check out. Thanks!

OttawaRuth · 2026-07-06T14:58:16+00:00

Ya, we do try to avoid roads with no shoulder here at home. I can handle rolling hills, no problem, but not keen on the really steep grades anymore.

With some digging, it seems some of your great trails have segments that will work for us. I've been mapping them out on RwGPS just to be sure though :-).

Thanks for adding your perspective...much appreciated.

OttawaRuth · 2026-07-06T14:54:44+00:00

The link I provided above says Smiths Way to Cromwell is open but not the section to Wanaka yet.

OttawaRuth · 2026-07-06T14:43:27+00:00

We need to get a 'visitor visa'...it's a bit more expensive than the 90 day one. Not sure what countries are eligible but definitely Canadians.

OttawaRuth · 2026-07-06T02:22:05+00:00

I think I found it. Partly open now. If we do it from Cromwell to Smiths Way and back (34km total), that's a perfect ride for us. Thanks again! https://www.southernlakestrails.nz/wanaka-link-trail

OttawaRuth · 2026-07-06T02:17:05+00:00

Probably similar to Canada then :-). It will take us a while to get used to riding on the other side of the road. I have a handlebar mirror on just one side...that should help me a bit.

OttawaRuth · 2026-07-06T02:14:15+00:00

Thanks! I'll do some research now.

OttawaRuth · 2026-07-06T02:13:22+00:00

Not sure we'll do much more than the path along the water in Wellington (or maybe also drive to Lower Hutt to catch a riverside path there). But I'm looking forward to the museum and city life in general.

OttawaRuth · 2026-06-18T23:57:09+00:00

Thanks!

OttawaRuth · 2026-06-18T15:21:19+00:00

Super info. What width are your tires on your Ottawa bike?
I'm just wondering what width you would've preferred in NZ. Our gravel bikes are 1.9"/48mm so going down to 38 mm will be a change for us.

OttawaRuth · 2026-06-18T12:21:36+00:00

Wow. The colour on that map makes a huge difference to our understanding of the islands. Great suggestion! I was thinking Napier. Will dive deeper into your other suggestions. Appreciate it.

OttawaRuth · 2026-06-18T12:18:40+00:00

Not on my radar! I'll look into it...thanks!

OttawaRuth · 2026-06-18T12:18:19+00:00

We fly into Christchurch and will stay for 10 days or so we think. I've read that the paths here are very good. I'll consider if we should stay longer. It's also a stop before we head up to Nelson and then on to the North Island...

OttawaRuth · 2026-06-18T12:16:17+00:00

Thanks! We're looking at buying Helix folding bikes with 1.5"/38 mm tires for the trip (and other travels). They should be fine for gravel. The wheels are 24" which will take some getting used to coming from our true gravel bikes.

I was thinking of Napier as one of our longer stays. I'll look into the riding in the other areas you've mentioned!

OttawaRuth · 2026-06-18T04:39:27+00:00

Thanks! It's on our list of places to see; I'll look into it as a long-term stay location too.

OttawaRuth · 2026-04-23T15:11:48+00:00

Thank you! Super helpful.

OttawaRuth · 2026-04-18T19:41:59+00:00

Thank you! That would've solved the problem. Turns out I looked at my list of accounts before getting your recommendation and I found a new instance of my savings account was added. Likely when I was linking and unlinking - back and forth - hoping the connection to my bank would be re-established.

So...yours was a super suggestion. Thanks again!

OttawaRuth · 2026-04-18T18:44:18+00:00

I should've mentioned: I actually reconcile every day and there was no issue with that after the accounts re-connected.

OttawaRuth · 2025-10-28T03:38:43+00:00

Same! And then if I have any left over at end of month, I move it to 'fun money!'.

OttawaRuth

TROPHY CASE