KAURI COAST Cycleway
RĀWENE to DARGAVILLE 113km
1-2 days
HEARTLAND HEARTLAND RIDE RIDE •• KAURI KAURI COAST COAST CYCLEWAY CYCLEWAY
Egypt has ancient pyramids; Cambodia has Angkor Wat and New Zealand has kauri trees. With birth dates preceding AD22, these naturemade marvels are a wonder of the world.
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tart out in Rāwene, an historic town clutching to the coastline of Hokianga Harbour and then pedal inland to Nature’s great green kingdom: Waipōua Kauri Forest. Caretakers of New Zealand’s oldest if not mightiest residents, gigantic kauri trees tower over 50m above the forest floor. Home to both Tāne Mahuta, our largest kauri tree and Te Matua Ngāhere which is estimated to be almost 3000 years old, these elderly grandfathers enjoy a celebrity-like status. This ancient green world is also home to North Island kōkako and the shy brown kiwi. The terrain soon switches to farmland and ventures past bucolic fields to Dargaville before meeting the mouth of Kaipara Harbour where it concludes. This route comprises 90 percent sealed roads and 10 percent gravel roads with some steep inclines that are best suited to fit riders with experience. With a year-round mild climate, you can enjoy this adventure throughout the year but with rain a common occurrence in Waipōua Forest, pack your raincoat!
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