A weekend itinerary for the Pou Herenga Tai Twin Coast Cycle Trail
The Pou Herenga Tai Twin Coast Cycle Trail is one of Northland’s most unforgettable adventures, stretching from the stunning Bay of Islands on the east coast to the picturesque Hokianga Harbour on the west. Whether you’re an avid cyclist or just looking for an active escape, this itinerary helps you plan to tackle the trail over a weekend, enjoying local cafés and trail highlights.
Friday
Head north to the Bay of Islands, Kaikohe or the Hokianga, all of which are serviced by trail operator shuttles, and have a range of places to stay from hotels to motels and quirky BnBs. Enjoy a delicious meal at a local restaurant before tucking in for a good night’s sleep!
Bonus: If you have time to meander along the way, check out the Northland Journeys for self-guided itineraries complete with maps to help you explore more of Northland. You can take The Welcoming Coast between Auckland and Whangārei, traverse the Ancient Kauri Trail up the west coast of Northland to the Hokianga Harbour, or wander along the Secret Coast Route to Russell.
Saturday
Make your way to Kaikohe, the perfect launchpoint for the trail - the town marks the centre of the cycle trail, is home to a couple of trail operators, and from here the trail heads downhill in both directions!
Pick up your bike, check the Bay of Islands Vintage Railway schedule for your connection between Taumarere and Whangae, and confirm your pick up time with your shuttle operator for collection at Opua.
Then either get straight on the trail, or briefly stop at the Pioneer Village Café to fuel up before starting the first leg between Kaikohe and Kawakawa. This first leg takes approximately 3-4 hours.
If you arrive in Kawakawa ready for lunch, head straight to the Kawakawa Rail Station Café - they whip up superb meals and great coffee all day long!
Board the train here and enjoy the novelty of being aboard as it heads down the middle of State Highway 1, or head to Taumarere for the cycle connection there.
Finally ride, the last section from Whangae to Opua before joining your shuttle back to Kaikohe.
Sunday
After confirming your shuttle pick up from Horeke, head off west from Kaikohe, aiming for Ōkaihau as your first stop. Here you’ll find Sapphire Café, which is known for its delicious homemade pies! This first section only takes 1-2 hours.
After you’ve refueled, tackle the final section between Ōkaihau and Horeke. Snow’s Farm is a beautiful place for a rest on this 2-3 hour section, and if you make it to the western terminus at Māngungu Mission in time, you’ll be able to grab a coffee and bite to eat from the recently opened (Autumn 2025) Te Patiki Cafe!
Transfer back to your accommodation and continue on your journey, or if you have time to explore more of Northland, check out the Northland Food and Beverage itineraries to indulge in the flavours of Northland.