You can choose to travel independently by buying or renting a road bike - generally in one of the bigger cities like Auckland or Christchurch. Some cycle shops even offer attractive buy-back options for those doing longer journeys.

Alternatively, you can join a fully supported Group Cycle Tour which allows you to have all the accommodation and gear transport arrangements taken care of for you.

Many New Zealand Towns and Cities are also easy to explore by bike, with short-term hires available virtually everywhere.

Popular scenic routes include Auckland to Wellington, via the Coromandel, Bay of Plenty, Gisborne and Napier - in the North Island. A circuit from Christchurch via the West Coast, Franz Joseph and Fox Glaciers, Wanaka, Queenstown, Te Anau and Dunedin the South Island.

Touring in the prime Wine Growing districts of West Auckland, Hawkes Bay, Marlborough, Nelson and Canterbury is also becoming increasingly popular.