TOKOROA INFORMATION
Getting to Tokoroa:
If you are flying internationally to New Zealand you can fly into Auckland from anywhere and drive to Tokoroa in 2 hours 20 mins. You can also catch a bus 4hrs from Auckland to Tokoroa with Intercity. The bus take bikes - boxed or bagged.
Eating Out in Tokoroa:
There are a few cafes, takeaways and restaurants. Our favourite lunch spot is the Rumbly Tum on Rosebery Street, or if you’re heading south there’ a Robert Harris café on the way out of town. For dinner the Nexus Wine Bar is good. To eat in there is the Countdown supermarket on OSullivan drive.
Bike Shops:
Tokoroa has just one bike shop – South Waikato Cycles .
Suspension Service & Tuning:
There are two specialist suspension tuning workshops in nearby Rotorua, The Suspension Lab is run by Jono Church, located on Pukuatua Street.
Suspension Tech is run by Norm Cobb based at Lake Okareka.
Mountain Bike Hire:
The nearest bike Hire is in Rotorua: Planet Bike are located in Waipa State Mill Bypass Road and hire Commencal & Scott full-suspension bikes.
Electric Bike Rotorua have Focus Full-suspension e-bikes for hire.
Mountain Bike Tours:
Jamie Garrod and Phil Bowman from New Zealand Mountain Biking offer single and multi day guiding around the Tokoroa trails..
Skills Courses:
The Tokoroa MTB Club utilises talented local riders to run after school rides for members
Bike Trail Map:
The Trailforks App has the most up to date info on the Cougar Park Trail network.
Car Hire:
If you’re staying in Tokoroa, and only riding in the Cougar Park, you won’t need a car. However if you want to venture further afield to Rotorua, Whirinaki or Taupo, you can hire a car from a dozen or so companies in Auckland or Rotorua.
Other Activities:
The Timber Town Tokoroa Cinema screens movies or head for a swim at the South Waikato indoor pool. Looking for more activities – head to Rotorua!
If you are flying internationally to New Zealand you can fly into Auckland from anywhere and drive to Tokoroa in 2 hours 20 mins. You can also catch a bus 4hrs from Auckland to Tokoroa with Intercity. The bus take bikes - boxed or bagged.
Eating Out in Tokoroa:
There are a few cafes, takeaways and restaurants. Our favourite lunch spot is the Rumbly Tum on Rosebery Street, or if you’re heading south there’ a Robert Harris café on the way out of town. For dinner the Nexus Wine Bar is good. To eat in there is the Countdown supermarket on OSullivan drive.
Bike Shops:
Tokoroa has just one bike shop – South Waikato Cycles .
Suspension Service & Tuning:
There are two specialist suspension tuning workshops in nearby Rotorua, The Suspension Lab is run by Jono Church, located on Pukuatua Street.
Suspension Tech is run by Norm Cobb based at Lake Okareka.
Mountain Bike Hire:
The nearest bike Hire is in Rotorua: Planet Bike are located in Waipa State Mill Bypass Road and hire Commencal & Scott full-suspension bikes.
Electric Bike Rotorua have Focus Full-suspension e-bikes for hire.
Mountain Bike Tours:
Jamie Garrod and Phil Bowman from New Zealand Mountain Biking offer single and multi day guiding around the Tokoroa trails..
Skills Courses:
The Tokoroa MTB Club utilises talented local riders to run after school rides for members
Bike Trail Map:
The Trailforks App has the most up to date info on the Cougar Park Trail network.
Car Hire:
If you’re staying in Tokoroa, and only riding in the Cougar Park, you won’t need a car. However if you want to venture further afield to Rotorua, Whirinaki or Taupo, you can hire a car from a dozen or so companies in Auckland or Rotorua.
Other Activities:
The Timber Town Tokoroa Cinema screens movies or head for a swim at the South Waikato indoor pool. Looking for more activities – head to Rotorua!
ROTORUA INFORMATION
Getting to Rotorua:
If you are flying internationally to NZ you can fly into Auckland from anywhere and catch a domestic flight to Rotorua. From Auckland it is a 40 minute domestic flight to Rotorua with Air New Zealand (part of the Star Alliance). You can also catch a bus 4hrs from Auckland to Rotorua with Intercity. Both options take bikes - boxed or bagged.
Eating Out:
There are loads of cafes, takeaways and restaurants. Our favourite lunch spot is the Ciabatta Cafe on White Street. A lot of riders hang out at Zippy Cafe on Pukuatua St, also check out Abracadabra for great burittos, Capers for the best salad and cake selections, Lovely India for wicked Indian, Burger Fuel for top notch burgers and kumara (sweet potato) fries. For an authentic Maori culture night book into the Tamaki Maori Village or Mitai Beauty by Night. To eat in there are four big supermarkets to pick from.
Bars and Clubs:
There are plenty of options to keep you busy in the evening. Check out the Pig N Whistle for an English style pub, Brew for Rotorua micro-brewed beers.
Bike Shops:
There are 7 full service bikes shops in Rotorua, Cyclezone are the Specialized dealer and have a range of full suspension demo bikes, Bike Culture is stocked with Santa Cruz and Transition bikes. Bike Barn stocks Merida and Lapierre, Kiwibikes makes custom frames and does steel and alloy welding repairs onsite, Ride Central are the Trek and Yeti dealers, as well as stocking the full range of Rotorua designed NZO Clothing, and The Outdoorsman are a premium outdoor clothing, parts and accessories shop.
Suspension Service & Tuning:
There are two specialist suspension tuning workshops, The Suspension Lab is run by Jono Church, located on Pukuatua Street.
Suspension Tech is run by Norm Cobb based at Lake Okareka, specializing in Push Shocks.
Mountain Bike Hire:
Planet Bike are located in Waipa State Mill Bypass Road and hire Commencal & Scott full-suspension bikes.
Electric Bike Rotorua have Focus Full-suspension e-bikes for hire.
Mountain Bike Tours:
Jamie Garrod and Phil Bowman from New Zealand Mountain Biking offer single and multi day guiding around the Rotorua trails.
Scott Kuegler and Rod Bardsley from Just MTB, are offering some fantastic guided trips around both the North and South Islands. They pull together the best accommodation, riding and restaurants into a seamless package.
Skills Courses:
Tuned Rotorua offer skill development courses coaches are ex downhillers Louis Hamilton and Ashley Bond
Joyride offer the Diamonds in the Rough ladies camps, and The Good Times Society mixed gender camps. These include food and accommodation at Southstar on Selwyn as well as guiding and skills instruction from Russ Garlick & Rod Bardsley (Good Times) and Ashley Peters and Leigh Halkett (Diamonds).
Annika Smail runs Lets Ride Skills courses, beware Annika doesn't like to shuttle, loves pedaling cross country, and is not an e-bike fan.
The Mud Maidens is two local riders Amanda and Catie Pearson, they run ladies skills courses
The Rotorua MTB Club utilises the talents of the local racers to run skills and development clinics for members
Bike Trail Map:
There is a Phone App that uses the phones GPS to show you were you are, search for Trailmapps Rotorua in the Apple or Google Play app stores. Cost $12.99. The App includes suggested loops that will allow you to get comfortable with the forest layout and you can mix and match from there.
Car Hire:
If you’re staying in town, and only riding in the Whaka forest, you won’t need a car. However if you want to venture further afield to Whirinaki, Taupo or to the surf beaches at the Mount or Papamoa, you can hire a car from a dozen or so companies.
Other Activities:
There are 4 companies running white water rafting trips on the Kaituna River and while you’re out there check out the Okere Falls Store. Skyline Gondola has luge tracks. There is great trout fishing on the Rotorua lakes. If you’re into history check out the Rotorua Museum and The Buried Village - a Maori village partially buried by the 1886 Mt Tarawera volcanic eruption. It’s also worth checking out the geothermal mud pools and geysers at Te Puia or Waiotapu. For a hot swim check out the Polynesian Spa or Waikiti Valley Hot Pools. There is Indoor Rock Climbing & a Movie Theatre at The Wall.
If you are flying internationally to NZ you can fly into Auckland from anywhere and catch a domestic flight to Rotorua. From Auckland it is a 40 minute domestic flight to Rotorua with Air New Zealand (part of the Star Alliance). You can also catch a bus 4hrs from Auckland to Rotorua with Intercity. Both options take bikes - boxed or bagged.
Eating Out:
There are loads of cafes, takeaways and restaurants. Our favourite lunch spot is the Ciabatta Cafe on White Street. A lot of riders hang out at Zippy Cafe on Pukuatua St, also check out Abracadabra for great burittos, Capers for the best salad and cake selections, Lovely India for wicked Indian, Burger Fuel for top notch burgers and kumara (sweet potato) fries. For an authentic Maori culture night book into the Tamaki Maori Village or Mitai Beauty by Night. To eat in there are four big supermarkets to pick from.
Bars and Clubs:
There are plenty of options to keep you busy in the evening. Check out the Pig N Whistle for an English style pub, Brew for Rotorua micro-brewed beers.
Bike Shops:
There are 7 full service bikes shops in Rotorua, Cyclezone are the Specialized dealer and have a range of full suspension demo bikes, Bike Culture is stocked with Santa Cruz and Transition bikes. Bike Barn stocks Merida and Lapierre, Kiwibikes makes custom frames and does steel and alloy welding repairs onsite, Ride Central are the Trek and Yeti dealers, as well as stocking the full range of Rotorua designed NZO Clothing, and The Outdoorsman are a premium outdoor clothing, parts and accessories shop.
Suspension Service & Tuning:
There are two specialist suspension tuning workshops, The Suspension Lab is run by Jono Church, located on Pukuatua Street.
Suspension Tech is run by Norm Cobb based at Lake Okareka, specializing in Push Shocks.
Mountain Bike Hire:
Planet Bike are located in Waipa State Mill Bypass Road and hire Commencal & Scott full-suspension bikes.
Electric Bike Rotorua have Focus Full-suspension e-bikes for hire.
Mountain Bike Tours:
Jamie Garrod and Phil Bowman from New Zealand Mountain Biking offer single and multi day guiding around the Rotorua trails.
Scott Kuegler and Rod Bardsley from Just MTB, are offering some fantastic guided trips around both the North and South Islands. They pull together the best accommodation, riding and restaurants into a seamless package.
Skills Courses:
Tuned Rotorua offer skill development courses coaches are ex downhillers Louis Hamilton and Ashley Bond
Joyride offer the Diamonds in the Rough ladies camps, and The Good Times Society mixed gender camps. These include food and accommodation at Southstar on Selwyn as well as guiding and skills instruction from Russ Garlick & Rod Bardsley (Good Times) and Ashley Peters and Leigh Halkett (Diamonds).
Annika Smail runs Lets Ride Skills courses, beware Annika doesn't like to shuttle, loves pedaling cross country, and is not an e-bike fan.
The Mud Maidens is two local riders Amanda and Catie Pearson, they run ladies skills courses
The Rotorua MTB Club utilises the talents of the local racers to run skills and development clinics for members
Bike Trail Map:
There is a Phone App that uses the phones GPS to show you were you are, search for Trailmapps Rotorua in the Apple or Google Play app stores. Cost $12.99. The App includes suggested loops that will allow you to get comfortable with the forest layout and you can mix and match from there.
Car Hire:
If you’re staying in town, and only riding in the Whaka forest, you won’t need a car. However if you want to venture further afield to Whirinaki, Taupo or to the surf beaches at the Mount or Papamoa, you can hire a car from a dozen or so companies.
Other Activities:
There are 4 companies running white water rafting trips on the Kaituna River and while you’re out there check out the Okere Falls Store. Skyline Gondola has luge tracks. There is great trout fishing on the Rotorua lakes. If you’re into history check out the Rotorua Museum and The Buried Village - a Maori village partially buried by the 1886 Mt Tarawera volcanic eruption. It’s also worth checking out the geothermal mud pools and geysers at Te Puia or Waiotapu. For a hot swim check out the Polynesian Spa or Waikiti Valley Hot Pools. There is Indoor Rock Climbing & a Movie Theatre at The Wall.