Plans to make Kaipara a "must visit" cycling destination have been boosted by glowing reviews in a book which is expected to become a "bible" for pedal-powered tourists.
An eight-page section in Classic NZ Cycle Trails, a guide to 46 fantastic holidays features two of Kaipara's on-road cycling opportunities. Kaipara District Council has been working to incorporating two "spectacular" rides into the national cycleway project - New Zealand Cycle Trails - which incorporate 20 offroad "Great Rides"and a connecting network of "Heartland Rides", mostly on scenic low volume roads, as a way of increasing visitors and thereby economic benefits to the district.
"Kauri Coast Cycleway" and "Kaipara Missing Link Cycleway" are Heartland Rides, designed to showcase Kaipara while connecting Aucklanders with the (Great Ride) Rawene to Kawakawa Twin Coast Cycle Trail.
The cycling publication by the Kennett Brothers says the Kaipara's Kauri Coast's "... sparsely populated, dramatic landscape is a dream come true for cyclists." and that the Kauri Coast Cycleway from Dargaville to Rawene via Trounson Park and Waipoua Forest "... serves up a fantastic variety of natural and cultural heritage."
It also details the Kaipara Missing Link, which offers road or beach alternatives from Dargaville to Pouto then boat transport to Parakai near Helensville before finishing in Auckland.
The district council's economic development facilitator, Chris Donahoe, said: "Cycling, along with walking, are huge growth areas globally and Kaipara with its scenery and relatively low traffic volumes is ideally placed to capitalise on this and provide benefits for the small towns and communities along the route."
