Open all year round
The Tour Aotearoa route is open to the public all year round, however, the best time to ride is in the late summer and early autumn. Keep in mind that the later you embark the less daylight you will have, but that there will also be less traffic on the roads and more options when it comes to accommodation. Do not ride Tour Aotearoa during winter, because the off-road tracks will be too muddy, or during the summer holidays (24 December to late January-ish) because the roads will be too busy.
IMPORTANT: Timing your start at Cape Reinga
Use this start time/date tool to pick the best time to avoid the soft sand at low tide.
You should aim to start riding on the beach three hours before low tide - that will give you about 7 hours of firm sand to reach: camping at The Bluff (42.7 km), Hukatere Lodge (72 km), Ngapae Holiday Park (89. 5km), or Ahipara (103 km).
