This article was published in Tararua Tramper in February 2026
Central Hawke’s Bay cycling trip
10 – 12 December
Thirteen cyclists drove to Waipukurau for three days’ cycling, stopping on the way at Woodville for lunch. Following our plan we then explored the new Manawatū to Tararua pathway.
This new shared pathway was the highlight of the trip, giving insight into modern infrastructure and facilities with magnificent views. The cycleway is 23 km return, climbs and descends 300 metres each way, and follows a similar route to the highway, although veering away and passing through many landscaped planted areas and viewpoints. Work commenced in January 2021 and the highway and pathway opened in June 2025 costing $824 million.
We stopped at the various viewing spots, of which some were equipped with tables and seats along with information panels. The windmill-filled views included the Manawatū Gorge area, the Saddle Road (still in use), Wharite Peak, the Wairarapa, Manawatū plains.
There are five windfarms in the area, the first one built being the Te Apiti Wind Farm for Meridian Energy. Situated north of the Manawatū Gorge, it became fully operational in 2004 with 55 turbines generating 90.75 megawatts, enough power for approximately 30,000 average homes.
After the ride we loaded our bikes onto our vehicles and headed to Waipukurau for an evening meal in the local Leopard Hotel.
Next morning we headed out via Tukituki River trails and quiet country roads to Ongaonga for lunch, stopping on the way at Lindsay Bush Reserve for a break. The adjacent bush walks are through a small remnant of the lowland podocarp forest that used to cover the vast area of Hawke’s Bay. Many of the trees are an impressive size, some estimated to be between 250 and 500 years’ old.
Further on we explored the entrance of Lindsay’s water race tunnel.
On arriving at Ongaonga we had lunch at the Ongaonga Historic Village. The local facilities were open except for the museum, but the general store had sold out of ice-creams!
The outdoor museum displays still attracted attention. Looking through the window of the ex-Forest Service ‘Broom Hut’, removed from the Ruahine Range some time ago, there appeared to be someone asleep on a bunk, but closer examination indicated it was a manikin.
The return to Waipukurau was via a different route, allowing more opportunities for those who are usually city folk time to take in the rural areas and livestock.
Next day we checked out of our accommodation and rode to Waipawa via cycleways and then onto Ōtāne for morning tea. Returning via a different route, on the separated two-way cycleway beside State Highway 2, our eyes were opened to the sheer volume of traffic and associated noise. It was pleasant to have lunch sitting in a small park close to Waipukurau Shopping Centre in relative quiet before returning home.
Apart from a light wind now and then the weather was typically perfect for the Central Hawkes Bay region, providing some excellent cycling conditions.
Robyn and Frank Usmar (leaders), Denise Barnett, Christine Ben-Tovim, Michele Dickson, Paul Haines, Helen Lukes, Geoff Norton, Jenny Olsen, Michael Priest, Cathy Priest, Jennifer Roberts and Christine Whiteford