COAST TO COAST - NEW ZEALAND
more photos | enquiry | availability check | ride reviews
An epic horse riding adventure following the mighty Hoteo River to the black sands and wild seas of the Tasman Sea in the west - over spectacular rugged high country hills and forest from the calm white sands and blue waters of the Pacific Ocean in the east of the northern North Island or vice versa. Your hosts are descendants of the great Ngati Wai Chief Te Kiri and have farmed in this area for the greater part of their lives.
SAMPLE ITINERARY - COAST TO COAST
Day 1
Pick up from Auckland City in morning and travel by shuttle bus to meeting point. Approximate arrival time 1.30pm. Time for an introductory ride along the beach to get to know your horse. Dinner with your hosts then overnight in the beach house. Approx 2 - 3 hours riding.
Day 2
After a hearty breakfast depart for a full days riding. The rolling surf of the South Pacific Ocean breaks on the unpopulated white sand beach. We ride through the dunes with breath taking views to the islands of Hauturu (Little Barrier) Aotea (Great Barrier) and Taranga (the Hen and Chickens) and in the distance Motuhinau Island and Hawea (Goat Island) Marine Reserve. These you will see as you ride high above the sea over Te Arai Point these are known as the mythical floats on the nets of Toi the discoverer of Aotearoa NZ. We may stop for lunch by the fresh water Tomarata lakes in the pine forest or at the Te Arai beach. You will ride through ancient Pohutukawa groves where in Summer the pohutukawa trees or New Zealand Christmas tree are ablaze with red flowers. This ride shares with you the lands of the Ngati Wai an ancient seafaring Maori tribe who first discovered this land after following the call of the whales through the Pacific. Overnight in beach house at Parkiri. (Approx. 6 hours riding )
Day 3
Today you will ride over green farmland through New Zealand native rain forest. You will follow an old kauri logging track through Whangaripo Valley to the top of the Matakana Hill. You will then pass through beef cattle and sheep farms. Te Whio sheep farm owned by an old farming family. Overnight in home stay "on top of the world" high above the valley with a warm friendly, alternative lifestyle New Zealand family, who live on the edge of the State Forest and the source of the Hoteo River. You will need to share a bunk room here or we may stay at a motel in Matakana. We may change this route if conditions are unfavorable (Approx. 6 hours riding).
Day 4
Sometime in the early morning we are able to visit the Matakana Farmers Market before setting off on our ride. You may need to bring pocket money to try some of the yummy things for sale here. A more leisurely ride through the Carter Holt Harvey Dome State Forest-a pine forest and some native bush, following logging roads to Spring Hill Stud Farm, where we will ride over some very picturesque farmland. After we have settled the horses we may visit a small town bar El Tapora in Wellsford for dinner at your expense and return to our accommodation with Jeannie and her dog "Pocket" at her lovely little home in Wellsford or we will dine with Jeannie and enjoy her company. If the group is too large for Jeannie to host we will stay at a motel or if the group prefer we can camp in a real working wool shed, sheepy smells and all! (Approx. 5 hrs riding) ** If weather conditions or logging activities are unfavorable and render this ride unsafe we may have to do an alternative route.
Day 5
Depart Spring Hill Farm passing under State Highway One following the Hoteo River. We travel over the Whisky Hill farm, along the tree-lined edge of the Hoteo River to enter the Carter Holt Harvey Kaipara State Forest, where we follow logging tracks through the pines. Stopping for lunch by the pretty Awarere waterfall where those who want to can swim in the clear water pool under the falls and then continuing on through pine forest we may call and meet some local people on the way .We over night at Kaipara Flats with Colin and Vicki at Willow lodge. Here we enjoy a meal with our hosts. Approx 5 - 6 hours riding) ** As For Day 4 if the guides deem the ride unsafe we may have to take an alternative route.
Day 6
We will need an early start today, we ride over 4 beautiful hill country sheep and beef cattle farms enjoying spectacular views over to both coasts. On our way you will pass an old "wim" used in the pioneer days to haul logs. We stop for lunch at a beautiful secret waterfall, here those who wish can swim in the pool beneath the falling water. We follow the Hoteo River as it continues its path to its mouth in the West. Then we ride over Mt. Taranaki the Sister Mountain to Mt. Auckland or Atuanui, along a remote dirt road through rugged and spectacular hill country with views to the West Coast over the Kaipara Harbour. This is New Zealand's largest water mass and also boasts the most treacherous bar to its entry. From the top of the ridge on a clear day you may be able to see the Sky tower of Auckland city. You are now in Ngati Whatua territory. We ride down steep hillside paths OR due to the difficulties caused by recent logging we may divert through rolling farm country owned by one of the original settler families and ride to the west coast road and then load the horses and truck to the main road. We will then finish the day dining and overnight at a charming little farmlet on the Makarau river. (Approx 7 - 8 hrs riding)
Day 7
After breakfast we load the horses on to the truck and drive a short distance to Rimmer Rd Helensville. Maybe stopping at the Arts Café in Helensville for an espresso for those who are hanging out for a coffee hit! Today we ride through the Woodhill Forest where you may see fallow deer or wild pig as you ride to the sea. Muriwai beach…the WEST coast with its black sand and wild seas so different from the East coast we have come from! A gallop down the beach (if the tide's out), lunch in the forest and ride back through the pines along forest tracks to the truck and say goodbye to your horse. Your riding holiday ends as you are transfered on to Auckland by shuttle, OR if you prefer to return with the horse truck to the West Coast, stopping on the way for a quick beer at the Kaukapakapa Pub and at Wellsford, and then enjoy a last dinner with your hosts. (Approx 4 - 5 hours ride).
NOTES - COAST TO COAST
For this horse riding holiday, riders must be able to mount and dismount unassisted. There will be some walking on foot over rough terrain.
GETTING TO AUCKLAND
As a fully ATOL bonded and registered agency we would be delighted to book you flights for you. Should you wish to book your own flights please see our flights page for some options.
The weight limit for this ride is 13 st/176 lb/80 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.
WHAT IS INCLUDED
All accommodation in homestay, bunkhouses, beach house cabins etc, all meals, some wine, all activities including riding as described, transfers from and to Auckland by shuttle bus, English speaking guide. Riding helmets are available.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
Extra wine or drinks, items of a personal nature.
more photos | enquiry | availability check | ride reviews
