Customer Reviews
What Our Clients Say
The Northern Spirit - Cape Reinga
From some cyclists who have done many many tours! We had a great time on our Coast to Coast tour with Northland Experience on the North Island. The E bikes were comfortable and reliable and easy to use, safe to ride. The scenery was wonderful and the cultural side tours were unexpected and excellent, particularly the big trees. The ferry rides were a great diversion and the subsequent ride across the bay one of the best. The tour was good value for money.
We hope to get a chance to ride with Northland Experiences again.
Sid and Louise Henderson
March 2024
Worry Free!
We had completed the Cook to Kupe tour two years ago and were really keen to do The Northern Spirit – they are both some of the very best tours in NZ with the mix of cycling, local history and places of interest, plus seamless organisation – worry free for us all.
March 2024
Excellent balance
Several wonderful experiences are waiting for guests on the ‘Cook to Kupe’ tour; my own personal highlight was our ’Twilight Encounter’ with the oldest and largest Kauri trees in the world – it was indeed ‘as billed’ spine-tingling and will not be forgotten. This tour was our first time on e-bikes, so we weren’t sure what to expect; at 55 and 60, we were happily surprised at how easy we found using the high-quality bikes provided. The tour is an excellent balance of cycling, history and culture that we now recommend to friends and family as a fun way to see some lovely parts of Northern New Zealand.”
Rhonda and Jeff, Melbourne Australia.
March 2024
All the way from OZ!
A fantastic introduction to the majesty of the Northlands environment, custom and history. Led by a fantastic Māori tour guide whose bling and flamboyance put Liberace to shame this tour not to be missed.
Travelling with a small group of friendly and like minded travellers and cyclists made it all the better and fun. The food, accommodation and experience are five star and we would recommend this tour to anyone with a love of cycling, laughter and the great outdoors!
Laurie and Lance, Sydney Australia.
Oct 2023
Stunner of a trip
We recently completed the Cook To Kupe ride. The 6 of us can’t speak highly enough of the service, scenery, trail, food etc.
Ropata who was driver, lunch source and a mine of knowledge really made the trip extraordinary. His Dad jokes were next level , too!
The add ons , were really interesting , and we wouldn’t have known about them if we hadn’t been with Northland experiences. Value for money trip that was throughly enjoyed by our group. Thanks so much, and we have been telling our biking friends to sign up.
Feb 2023
A Must Do Cycle Trip!
The Cook to Kupe cycle trip with the amazing Ropata Hardiman as our guide was, without doubt, one of the best holidays we have had.
The communication before we started the trip was excellent. The bikes were in excellent condition, we had plenty of support( my husband and I had never ridden electric bikes before).
I loved that we had optional trips- if we felt like taking a break from a cycling outing and instead spend the morning swimming in the sea we could join the rest of the group at lunchtime . Besides the beautiful scenery, we got to explore the heartland of Northland and meet the wonderful local people there.
The accommodation was most comfortable throughout and our hosts at each place were so warm and welcoming.
Ropata had so much knowledge of the history and legends of the area and narrated it with such passion and humour. I never expected the trip would feel so spiritual – but hearing about the first landings of the wakas, experiencing the cultural trip to Manaia, taking a moonlight walk through the mystical tropical Rimu forests and standing in front of Tane Mahuta while waiatas were sung by our guides added so much to the entire experience. It ended with a delicious dinner at Kerikeri .
Highly recommended!!
Feb 2023
Northland Revisited!
A unique experience made better by our terrific guide Shane who provided for all our needs and shared his wonderful knowledge .
A fabulous mix of cycling and cultural experiences
March 2023
World Class!
Having completed two Cycling trips with Northern Experiences, can’t speak more highly of this company. Definitely world-class experiences. Attention to every detail is superb and if its not right they aim to fix it.
Exploring a part of NZ that this company knows like the back of their hands means you are immersed in the history of the area, the locals, the environment and then the cycling. It’s a joy to have a guide to look after the bikes at the end of the day.
Absolutely the best things – 2 cycle tours around Northland – I have done in the past couple of years and if another tour appears on my screen I am sure I would sign up for it.
November 2022
Cycling Tour!
What an amazing experience! Northland Experiences more than delivered on their promise of a week like no other – history, culture, so much laughter and the opportunity to spend a week in the most gorgeous part of New Zealand. Thank you so much to our incredible guide, Ropata, who really should have his own YouTube channel; to Mike and Lynn and Britta who run the operation, to my fellow travellers for putting up with my nonsense and to the wonderful, wonderful people of the Hokianga – most of them youngsters – who made us feel so welcome and valued. Highly, highly recommended. (I should add, given my wardrobe in most shots, it was an e-bike tour of the region – so, so wonderful.). Also, this is not an ad or gifted – the experience was bought and paid for with a group of mates and worth every cent.
Jan 2022 - Kerre McIvor - Host of Kerre McIvor Mornings on Newstalk ZB, New Zealand Woman's Weekly columnist
Bringing history to life!
We had a fantastic guided tour from coast to coast. It was our first time using e-bikes – now we’re converts! A big thanks to the whole team for the way they took such good care of us – and especially, of course, to our guide Ropata, who brings history to life.
November 2022
New Adventures!
The 5 day cycling tour, Cook to Kupe was an incredible experience with Northland Experiences .Everything was so well organized. Our tour guide Ropata made the entire experience even more memorable, sharing Maori stories, lots of history and teaching us some of the language. The trails were well maintained and every day was a new adventure.
May 2022
Cook to Kupe
This trip was superb. Our cycling extended to an interesting blend of culture, history, meeting of local people and all whilst absorbing the beauty of the Hokianga and beyond. A unique experience from which we have come away from richer and wiser.
Ropata, our guide, was extraordinary in the way he entertained, imparted his local knowledge and experience and that with a huge amount of humour. We had fun and delightful surprises on the way.
June 2021
Fantastic
October 2023
A Marvellous trip
The trip, the Cook to Kupe tour, starting on 5th April 2021 was really great. Our guide, Shane, made the five days flow so well and the cycling was fantastic. There was plenty of time to enjoy the inspiring scenery; relaxing on the patio of our accommodation at Horeke and soaking in the serene atmosphere of the Hokianga will be unforgettable. One of us, aged 84, was not able to do all the side activities but there was always a ride available on the van when necessary. Accommodation places were great. Lunch at the Omata Estate was brilliant.
May 2021
Worth the investment
5 days of gentle cycling, beautiful scenery, and interesting people and places.
Our guide Shane always made sure we were safe, happy, entertained and never hungry!! The support crew were awesome too Tipene (mechanic) and Brita.
As a solo traveler I was a little apprehensive about spending a week with 4 couples, but I shouldn’t have worried, despite me being the youngest in the group, everyone was friendly and easy to get on with. We shared some great stories and laughed alot!
The accommodation we stayed in was good quality in some stunning locations. Food was plentiful and mostly good quality although the variety for vegetarians was a bit limited. We got the opportunity to provide feedback to the owner though and they plan to act on the feedback they’ve received.
April 2021
Fantastic
5 day trip with 6 others whom we had never met – we all gelled, similar age late 60s early 70s and had such a fun time.
The cultural aspect of the tour was fantastic and our guide Ropata was a guide extraordinaire. He was so knowledgeable and imparted his knowledge so effectively not to mention his entertainment skills.
The tour/trip is a highlight in my twilight years
April 2021
So much more than a cycling tour
Six of us in our late sixties and early seventies have just completed the Cook to Kupe cycling tour. From the moment we met our colourful guide, Ropata, we knew this tour was going to be something special. It was extremely well organised with first class accommodation and meals. The variety of experiences makes this particular cycling tour a standout. It enables people to appreciate the uniqueness and beauty of the far north and in particular the Hokianga. Nothing was left to chance under our wonderful guide who displayed his passion and knowledge of the area and its people. The whole Northland Experiences team we’re welcoming and passionate and made us feel special. We highly recommended this tour.
March 2021
A cycling tour with culture, history, scenery, accommodation and food
The Cook2Kupe Tour is much more than a cycle tour. The Twin Coast Cycle Path could be cycled in two days, each day less than 50km, but Northern Experiences have a full five day tour packed with cultural experiences, sightseeing and history. Ropata, our guide, was from the local iwi and was incredibly knowledgeable about the history of the region, which he shared with us. He was able to introduce us to the people and culture of the Hokianga and showed us manaakitanga. It made the tour very special. Accommodation was of a high standard, and each place was special in its own way – from a house over the water to rooms overlooking the beachfront. All meals were included and were tasty, fresh and generous.
December 2020
Visit Northland and have a great look around while biking
We were a group of 4 and did a two day bike experience which was fantastic. Great way to see the countryside and a spectacular part of our country.
Biking was nice and relaxed and our guide Shane was great company and super knowledgable.
Would absolutely recommend this to anyone who has not been in this area.
November 2020
A wonderful experience riding in the Hokianga
We were a group of 6 and we had the most fabulous time with Northland Experiences- the guides were EXCELLENT- many thanks to Ropata and Shane who made the experience amazing. We were looked after superbly – Ropata was a fantastic guide – full of lots of local knowledge and Shane – wow what a musician- both lovely people and we all loved the 4 days we were with them . Many thanks for making this a wonderful experience.
October 2020
More than a bike tour
Was a great experience travelling Northland with friends in luxurious accommodations with great food. The experience was made even better with our local guides Ropata and Shane who shared their knowledge of the area from a local perspective giving explanations on local Maori lore. Would highly recommend this trip to both locals and overseas tourists. Excellent value for money.
September 2020
Extraordinary Northland Experience, Superb
The Cook to Kupe tour with Northland Experiences seemed attractive on paper with promises of natural beauty and cultural and historical insights enjoyed in comfort at the leisurely pace of an E bike. Thats like saying Monet’s waterlilies is a nice picture of flowers. You need to add joy, colour, music, story-telling, empathy, laughter , light and wonder.
My wife, daughter and I had a superb experience bought to life by our guides Ropata, Shane and Mark. It is Northland, and you can take the natural beauty of the landscape and the sheer presence of giant Kauri and weather events as a given. You may or may not have an inkling of the Maori world and New Zealand history, but our experience through our guides was one of personal richness and living connection to this amazing place and its people.
It is one of the best things we have ever done. Anywhere.
September 2020
Fantastic cultural experience by E bike
As a lone traveler I was quickly included as a member of the group of 6 and after the first hour we were all a happy family.
For me the cultural stories and experiences were just as fascinating as the E bike riding.
March 2020
Excellent eBike Experience
My wife & I spent an absolutely wonderful week on the Cook to Kupe eBike Tour. Our Tour Guide, Ropata was unbelievable. His caring, friendly nature made the experience a once in a lifetime event. He made sure we were safe and comfortable at all times. He is truly an outstanding human being. We were also very impressed with Mike, one of the owners of Northland Experiences. He also went out of his way to look after us. Luckily, we had good companions who shared our trip….4 people we had never met before but who instantly became good friends. The bike riding, the sights, the hiking, the accommodation, the meals were all top shelf. What can I say but THANK YOU!
March 2020
Cook to Kupe eBike Tour
Amazing week spent in Northland. Cycling was great, exciting and just challenging enough. Accommodation and food were exceptional. Stories told of some of the history of the area were enthralling. Thanks so much for a magical week.
March 2020
What a wonderful & active family holiday!
We had such a wonderful experience with the Cook to Kupe 5 night e-bike cycle tour. As a family with 2 teenagers we all felt this was an absolutely perfect & active holiday. We loved the e-bikes and the great cycling trail, the fantastic company of Ropata and Steve, meeting locals along the way and the endless amazing experiences. Our accommodations were first class and so were the many delicious meals. Every aspect of the journey was thought through and we felt treated like royals! An absolute highlight for the children was Jet Skiing on the Hokiangi Harbour with Lenny! We also loved the Wairere boulder walk, it’s enchanting.
Highly recommended for anyone who likes an active holiday combined with first class experiences in beautiful nature away from the crowds. It’s a journey you need to experience!
December 2019
A Wonderful Experience on Northlands C2K Tour
We were a group of 10, mostly Golden Oldies on e-bikes. Steve and Ropata (Rob), our Tour Guides, were professional, knowlegeable and patient. We loved Robs stories and flute. Steve was our go to man, who knew everything, including Northland weather patterns, kindly ensuring we didn’t get drenched.
This was not just a bike ride, it was an educational adventure. Meeting and listening to stories from many local identities over a meal, during a ferry ride or with Billy Boy in the Waipoua Forest. The trip also took us to the Wairere Boulders, across the harbour to Kohukohu and walking along the beach to the Koutu Boulders.
Accommodation, meals and lunches were top class!
Our last night at AkeAke Winery with Mike and Lyn, the Company’s inspirational Founders was a special treat.
This 5 day/night trip was great value for money.
We have no hesitation recommending their tours to others.
November 2019
A great trip
We just completed the Coast to Coast walk to Cape Brett, with a great boat trip back
to start a two day ride on the Twin Coast Cycleway. Cape Brett is an astoundingly beautiful place and a great reward after a stretching walk. The cycleway passes through lovely countryside. All the accommodation was terrific as was the food. And the guides Steve and William were great. Northland Experiences operations run by Steve were professional and effective and William’s knowledge of flora and fauna and local Northland goings on was exceptional.
September 2019
Great biking with a great crowd
An amazing trip with Northland Experiences, everything ran like clockwork and nothing was any trouble. The coast-to-coast bike trail is a great way to get away from it all while riding through some remote and beautiful parts of the country that you would otherwise never get to see. The winterless north is also a great place to escape NZ’s colder parts and to get a bit of fresh air and exercise at the same time. Full marks to these guys, they run a great operation. Go do it!
June 2019
Not just the Biking !!
A wonderful week with Northland Experiences, great riding weather, awesome accommodation, good food and great company. The trip managed to cater for everyone’s abilities both riding and hiking.
The cultural element to the trip sets it apart. An outstanding journey. Thanks to all.
May 2019
Fantastic Tour
I’ve just completed a five day tour combining biking and hiking around the Northland/Bay of Islands area which was very successfully organised by Northland Experiences. What a fantastic time we had – from outstanding accommodation, top quality food and great company. Steve’s organisational skills were exceptional and the local people he had organised to meet up with us each day gave us a real understanding of the history and culture of the area. Five Star plus, I would definitely recommend a “Northland Experience”.
May 2019
C2K - Cook to Kupe: Beyond expectations!
It takes a very professional tour leader to manage a small group for five days with each group member having different levels of fitness and cycling skills – Steve did this every day! – and did so in a way that allowed the group to stay together as a group – he also gently encouraged each group member to develop new skills – the five-night tour included a variety of diverse cultural and historical experiences including very knowledgeable and interesting locals, HNZ staff and professional guides – stunning locations and sections of the cycle trail every day, quality accommodation and meals, and wonderful Autumn weather for cycling in Northland – the group atmosphere provided wonderful memories of a very well organised and high quality tour by Northland Experiences .
May 2019
Northland Experience - Cook to Kupe
Despite previous living, in the North, I discovered so much more about the history, geography and culture, of the area, thanks to having a Tour Leader as well as all the characters, we met along the way! Steve you were the BEST!
The biking, hiking, food and accommodation surpassed all my expectations! Even Winter, in the Far North, didn’t stop us cycling in T-shirts!! We, truly, had a great ‘Northland Experience’!!!!