New Zealand videos
As I cycled through the stunning scenery of South Island New Zealand on my world cycle tour I recorded videos of anything that I saw that caught my eye. I hope that these will give you a snapshot of the stunning landscape that I have been privileged enough to cycle through.
Please scroll down to watch individual videos or visit my Youtube channel where you will find all of the videos from my cycle around the world.
NORTH ISLAND
The Velodrome (LONG), New Zealand (4 minutes)
I joined a local bike club for their christmas treat – a cycle session at the local velodrome which was led by Jess who is hoping to make the 2020 New Zealand Olympic Team. If you have never tried it then definitely have a go – it will put a smile on your face for sure.
All of the videos from my cycle around the world are available on my YouTube channel by clicking here
The Velodrome (SHORT), New Zealand (1 minute)
Guess what I did today? If you have never tried it then definitley have a go – it will put a smile on your face for sure (from the start I’m the third rider on the track).
All of the videos from my cycle around the world are available on my YouTube channel by clicking here
The Angels, New Zealand (1 minute)
I went to watch the Christmas parade in Te Kauwhata. The award for weirdest float of the day has to be reserved for the local church.
All of the videos from my cycle around the world are available on my YouTube channel by clicking here
Waikato River Trail, New Zealand (10 minutes)
At over 400km in length Waikato River is New Zealand’s longest river and for 103km of it there is a Mountain bike trail. The 80km section from Mangakino to Arapuni is a grade 5 track which is for extreme mountain bikers. Its manin features are steep inclines, switchbacks and mud trails.Let’s see how I got on with it on a fully loaded touring bike.
All of the videos from my cycle around the world are available on my YouTube channel by clicking here
Timber Trail Day 2, New Zealand (7 minutes)
My second day on the Timber trail turned into an uphill mudfest as it had rained for 6 hours solid and I must have come off at least 10 times as my tyres struggled for grip. An amazing day on the bike though on what is probably the North Island of New Zealand’s premier off road mountain bike track. It is down hill if you do it from north to south but I did it from South to North so it was 82km off uphill riding. Plus, I did it on a fully loaded touring bike. See how I got on….
All of the videos from my cycle around the world are available on my YouTube channel by clicking here
Timber Trail Day 1, New Zealand (9 minutes)
The Timber trail is probably the North Island of New Zealand’s premier off road mountain bike track. It is down hill if you do it from north to south but I did it from South to North so it was 82km off uphill riding. Plus, I did it on a fully loaded touring bike. See how I got on….
All of the videos from my cycle around the world are available on my YouTube channel by clicking here
Tongariro Crossing, New Zealand (10 minutes)
Often described as New Zealand’s best one day alpine trek. This 19.4 km walk is simply breath-taking and covers some of the most dramatic landscapes you’ll ever see as you pass over varied and spectacular volcanic terrain. You will hike up lava flows and over a crater rim and stand on pancake flat crater surface.
On the descent are steam vents, emerald coloured lakes and magnificent views which combine to make this a must do trek within the national park.
All of the videos from my cycle around the world are available on my YouTube channel by clicking here
The Old Coach Road, New Zealand (8 minutes)
t is much harder to find off road trails in the North Island and this was my first experience of a National Cycle off road trail and what a little gem the Old Coach Road is.
Whanganui River Road, New Zealand (12 minutes)
This road is the end of the Mountains to Ocean bike trail. Only problem was that I was going in the wrong direction having started the ride at the ocean. The river road is probably one of the most stunning rides that I have done so far, that is apart from the last 27km which are all uphill.
All of the videos from my cycle around the world are available on my YouTube channel by clicking here
Scorchorama (Wellington), New Zealand (1 minute)
Wellington, the capital of New Zealand, is set on a stunning coastline and here is a flavour of what to expect if you visit the city.
All of the videos from my cycle around the world are available on my YouTube channel by clicking here
Zealandia (Wellington), New Zealand (7 minutes)
Most of New Zealand’s ecosystems have been severely modified by the introduction of land mammals that were not present during the evolution of its ecosystems, and have had a devastating impact on both native flora and fauna. Zealandia, surrounded by a pest-exclusion fence, is an example of an ecological island, which allows the natural ecosystems to thrive by excluding non-native species.
All of the videos from my cycle around the world are available on my YouTube channel by clicking here
SOUTH ISLAND
The Ferry, New Zealand (2 minutes)
It was now time to say goodbye to the South Island and hello to Wellington on the North Island.
All of the videos from my cycle around the world are available on my YouTube channel by clicking here
Rabbit Island, New Zealand (4 minutes)
It was time to finish my journey through the South Island of New Zealand and I had planned to finish my journey off road. The plan started well when I caught a ferry to Rabbit Island but the driving rain the next day pushed me back onto tar sealed roads.
All of the videos from my cycle around the world are available on my YouTube channel by clicking here
Pancake Rocks, New Zealand (4 minutes)
For the first time in New Zealand I would have company on the road as I cycled with Bernard and Marina along the west coast to see Pancake Rocks.
All of the videos from my cycle around the world are available on my YouTube channel by clicking here
Fox Glacier, New Zealand (3 minutes)
There are only a few places in the world that you can see a glacier surrounded by a temperate rainforest and New Zealand is one of those places – welcome to Fox Glacier.
All of the videos from my cycle around the world are available on my YouTube channel by clicking here
The road to Fox Glacier, New Zealand (9 minutes)
I thought that my off road adventures had finished but got bored of the main road and found a farm track that looked more appealing. I had no idea where it went but still took it.
All of the videos from my cycle around the world are available on my YouTube channel by clicking here
The road to Wanaka, New Zealand (12 minutes)
I thought that my off road adventures had finished but got bored of the main road and found a farm track that looked more appealing. I had no idea where it went but still took it.
All of the videos from my cycle around the world are available on my YouTube channel by clicking here
Sheep Roadblock, New Zealand (4 minutes)
For the first time in New Zealand I came across a road block that I could not get past – the difference was that this was a rolling flock of sheep.
All of the videos from my cycle around the world are available on my YouTube channel by clicking here
Cow Rustling, New Zealand (2 minutes)
If you have new been chased by a field of cows on a bicycle then watch this video to see what happens.
All of the videos from my cycle around the world are available on my YouTube channel by clicking here
Mount Cook, New Zealand (4 minutes)
After nearly 1 week off cycling over mountains I had finally arrived at Lake Pukaki at the foot of Mount Cook.
All of the videos from my cycle around the world are available on my YouTube channel by clicking here
The road to Mount Cook, New Zealand (9 minutes)
After camping overnight on Hakataramea Pass my plan was to go in search of Mount Cook. The weather would beat me and I would spend the night in a mountain hut sheltering from the storm outside.
All of the videos from my cycle around the world are available on my YouTube channel by clicking here
Hakataramea Pass, New Zealand (8 minutes)
Hakataramea Pass did its best to put me off riding over it – it threw torrential rain, hail stones, rocky roads and freezing temperatures at me. Still I pushed on and over the top.
All of the videos from my cycle around the world are available on my YouTube channel by clicking here
Kurow Winery, New Zealand (4 minutes)
The driving rain had sidelined me for the day so there was only one thing to do – go try the local Waitaki Valley wines. Jackie was brilliant and really knew her stuff as she walked me through the different options.
All of the videos from my cycle around the world are available on my YouTube channel by clicking here
Dansey’s Pass, New Zealand (10 minutes)
After camping for the night just below the pass it was time to attack it and get over to the next valley. This pass would be the most frustrating so far as it went continually up and down. Then once over the pass it threw wild weather at me and I needed to take shelter to dry out.
All of the videos from my cycle around the world are available on my YouTube channel by clicking here
The road to Dansey’s Pass, New Zealand (7 minutes)
After cyvling over Mount Teviot the night before today was to be an easy 35km ride until I went to the pub and decided to head for head for Dansey’s pass.
All of the videos from my cycle around the world are available on my YouTube channel by clicking here
Mount Teviot and Lake Onslow, New Zealand (7 minutes)
My cycle ride over Mount Teviot would see the start of my off road adventures through the mountains of New Zealand. I would climb nearly 2000m this day visiting Lake Onslow en-route.
All of the videos from my cycle around the world are available on my YouTube channel by clicking here
Moa Flat, New Zealand (10 minutes)
Don’t be fooled by the name of a place as I had climbed nearly 900m to get to the top of this hill but it was beautiful once I got there.
All of the videos from my cycle around the world are available on my YouTube channel by clicking here
Sea Lions, New Zealand (10 minutes)
One of the items on my bucket list was seeing Sea Lions and so I headed to Purakauanui Bay where there was a colony who lived within the area.
All of the videos from my cycle around the world are available on my YouTube channel by clicking here
The Catlins Heritage Trail, New Zealand (13 minutes)
The Catlins Heritage Trail is a 70km track that visits deserted beaches and I was hoping to find Penguins and Sea Lions along the way.
All of the videos from my cycle around the world are available on my YouTube channel by clicking here
Maclean Waterfalls, New Zealand (6 minutes)
We all love a good waterfall and Maclean Waterfall was the most impressive that I had seen for a while
All of the videos from my cycle around the world are available on my YouTube channel by clicking here
Cathedral Cave, New Zealand (6 minutes)
Cathedral Cave is a perfect example of an 180 million year old Jurassic period fault cave.
All of the videos from my cycle around the world are available on my YouTube channel by clicking here
Cycling the south coast, New Zealand (9 minutes)
Deserted beaches and classic cars are what I found as I cycled hte south coast of New Zealand
All of the videos from my cycle around the world are available on my YouTube channel by clicking here
Kayaking Doubtless Sound, New Zealand (2 minutes)
There is something slightly magical about kayaking down a Fjord.
All of the videos from my cycle around the world are available on my YouTube channel by clicking here
Into the mountains, South Island New Zealand (9 minutes)
I had arrived in Queenstown a few days before to a wintry blast straight from Antarctica and had spent a couple of days getting the cold weather gear that I would need to be able to camp safely in the mountains.
All of the videos from my cycle around the world are available on my YouTube channel by clicking here
Thanks for watching and I hope that these videos will give you a snapshot of life within New Zealand that I was privileged enough to cycle through. If you do not wish to miss any future updates just pop your email address in the form at the foot of this page to receive an email notification every time I update my blog. We can then virtually ‘share’ breakfast or lunch together as my blog updates get sent direct to your inbox.
Take care and if you are out cycling – ride safe.
Cheers
Stewart