5 places to ride your bike in Whangārei

Published on 28 January 2026

 

Whether you’re a seasoned cycle commuter or just getting started, here are five of our favourite places to ride your bike in Whangārei.

1) Pohe Island Bike Park

Pohe Island Bike Park has something for everyone, from toddlers on balance bikes to mountain bikers, e-bikers wanting to get their confidence up, and BMX and freestyle riders. It is also suitable for other small wheels: skateboards, scooters, and skaters.

Car parking is available at the park off Dave Culham Drive. There is additional car parking just a few minutes away off Riverside Drive or along Dave Culham Drive and across the Te Matau a Pohe Bridge.

What to expect:

  • A pump track built and designed by international pump track specialists Velosolutions. Two tracks in one! A standard Velosolutions Pump Track, and the first oversized track built in NZ, 2.5m wide, 1.5m high berms.
  • A super smooth 800m circuit track, perfect for all wheels big and small. Gain your confidence, get fit or race your mates around this track free from traffic.
  • A beginner skills track for practising your balance and turning skills with obstacles such as slalom poles, see-saws, ramps and bridges.
  • An open-sided building providing shelter from the sun and rain. The smooth asphalt surface is the perfect place for little ones to learn to ride on a smooth flat surface.
  • Toilets, a drinking fountain and cycle repair stand.

2) Waipū Cove Trail

The Waipū Cove Trail is a shared, mostly off-road trail from Waipū Village to Waipū Cove approximately 7.5 km in length.

The trail is mostly flat and wide, so definitely rideable with the kids.

What to expect:

  • A good surface over most of the trail and easy gradients suitable for all levels of cyclists and walkers.
  • The trail passes through farmland, with views of Mt Manaia at Whangārei Heads when traveling towards the village and glimpses of the estuary and Bream Bay.
  • Toilet facilities in Waipū and Waipū Cove.
  • Take your togs and go for a dip at Waipū Cove before cycling back to town!

3) Whananaki Coastal Trail

Suitable for mountain bikes, eBikes and walkers, this is a gravel track with some grass and clay surfacing at the northern end. It can be ridden one way or as a return trip (8km each way). There are stunning views, but the shade is limited. In warm weather, bring your swimwear for a cool plunge en route or at either end.

If riding from south to north, you will start at Sandy Bay. Either drive to the end of the gravel road or park at the beach and ride up the short climb to the gate.

At low tide, you can ride around the coast to the footbridge. If you would rather avoid the sand and salt water, turn left on the gravel road at the fork before you hit the estuary and ride along that road for a short detour over the rise, turn right, and the road ends at the entrance to the iconic Whananaki footbridge, the longest in the Southern Hemisphere. The bridge is very narrow. You can ride if you are careful, but passing is only possible at the two passing bays located partway along the bridge. It is not suitable for tandems or trikes.

From here you can cross to the local store and return by road or back the way you came (the more pleasant riding option).

What to expect:

  • Gravel road, grass track, mud and slippery in the wet.
  • The trail includes several climbs following the contour around some farmland, and up through regenerating manuka. Cows are regularly on the track, so stay in control and watch your speed.
  • This route forms part of the Te Araroa Trail, so look out for walkers, especially from October to February.
  • The trail now has three gates with squeeze bars for bikes, but there are still a couple of gates where you have to lift your bike over. This can be very difficult on your own, especially if you have an eBike, so please make sure you have a biking companion with you.

4) Whangarei Shared Paths

Plan your own adventure using the Whangarei shared path network – it’s great for bikes, adaptive bikes, kids, scooters, prams, mobility scooters and wheelchairs! The shared paths connect Te Kamo, Raumanga and Onerahi with the city centre, and will eventually be expanded to other residential areas.

Ride down from Te Kamo to the city on a Saturday morning and take in the grower’s market, visit the central library, or ride all the way to the new playground in Raumanga. Or continue on from the Hatea Loop along Riverside Drive and the Waimahanga Track to Onerahi!

These are shared user paths meaning there are people walking, scooting and on mobility scooters as well as bikes. Please watch your speed, keep left and ring your bell when passing others.

What to expect:

  • Smooth, wide concrete paths with safe (signalised) crossing points.
  • Riding distances of anywhere from 1–20km depending on where you ride to/from.
  • Depending on your chosen route, you will pass sportsgrounds, schools, playgrounds and toilets.

5) Parihaka Mountain Bike Park

Just a five-minute drive from the central city (or a 20-minute bike ride), Parihaka is possibly the closest mountain bike park to a city in New Zealand.

Parihaka is in continual development and has many purpose-built single track mountain bike trails that are managed and maintained by the Whangarei Mountain Bike Club. The park also includes a few gravel roads and 4WD tracks.

Main access to the park is off Abbey Caves Road where there is an asphalt carpark, map board and toilets.

What to expect:

  • A good mix of downhill flow trails and hand-cut single track, along with one main uphill trail (White Tail). Map boards are located at the Abbey Caves Road Carpark and within the park at major intersections.
  • Riders should treat gravel roads as open and keep to the left. Regular users are encouraged to join the club and help out with working bees where possible.

The Aotearoa Bike Challenge is on again this February, offering up points and prize draws to everyone who logs a bike ride at Aotearoa.Bike throughout the month.

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