Travel & Stay
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Your guide to the perfect autumn singletrack weekend away with Highlander MTB Challenge
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Everything you need to know about getting here, staying here, and making a weekend of it - whether you’re riding or cheering from the sidelines.
Event location: Rotorua, New Zealand
Event location: Rotorua, New Zealand
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✈️ Flying in?
Direct flights from Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch. |
🚗 Driving?
Easy access via SH5 and SH30 |
🏡 Where to stay?
From budget-friendly motels to lakeside lodges. |
📅 Weekend itineraries
From all out MTB, chill & culture, to family fun. |
Check the schedule
Getting to Rotorua
By Car
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By Air
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Where to stay
The perfect pad for your Highlander weekend is just a few clicks away. If you're thinking of riding to your start line, remember to check your event page for its location.
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🏨Hotels & Motels
Wide range of options to suit budget, group size and location. Many hotels are bike friendly, with secure storage or allowing clean bikes in rooms. |
⛺ Holiday Parks & Camping
From lakeside camping and cabins, to thermal parks perfect for self-contained campers. Perfect for adventures on a budget. |
🏠 Short-let rentals
Homes to suit just you, or the whole ride crew - from luxury pads on the doorstep to the forest, to city-centre options. |
Start your accommodation search
at Rotorua NZ
at Rotorua NZ
Note: we're not currently affiliated with any suggested accommodation providers.
Weekend Itineraries
Need inspiration for what you could do around your Highlander MTB Challenge visit? Check out our three, themed itineraries designed for a Friday arrival, Saturday event day, and Sunday departure.
All MTB Weekend
For riders coming shred all weekend.
For riders coming shred all weekend.
Friday
- Arrive in Rotorua
- Check in to accommodation
- Pick up your Highlander registration
- Warm-up ride in the Redwoods
- Dinner at Pig & Whistle Historic Pub
- Breakfast in town
- Ride the Highlander MTB Challenge
- Post-race chill and banter
- Soak at Secret Spot to loosen the legs
- Rivers Catch for post-race feed.
- Morning at Skyline MTB Park – gondola laps
- Afternoon MBR Shuttles in the forest
- Depart Rotorua late arvo or early evening
Chill & Culture Weekend
For taking it all in.
For taking it all in.
Friday
- Arrive in Rotorua & check in
- Pick up your Highlander registration
- Dinner at Poco Tapas & Wine
- Visit Te Puia's Geyser By Night experience
- Delicious hotel breakfast
- Ride the Highlander MTB Challenge
- Lunch at Eastwood
- Unique thermal bathing experience at Wai Ariki Hot Springs & Spa
- Brunch at Okere Falls Store + Craft Beer Garden
- Explore the Redwoods
- Depart Rotorua late afternoon
FAMILY Fun Weekend
For families making a proper Rotorua trip out of it.
For families making a proper Rotorua trip out of it.
Friday
- Head to participant check in, then to accommodation
- Take the kids to Mini Golf Rotorua with bunnies
- Dinner down Eat Street with ice-creams
- Skyline Rotorua luge races under the lights
- Quick breakfast at accommodation
- Ride the Highlander MTB Challenge
- Lunch at the finish line with tasty food vendors
- Head to Motion Entertainment (bowling, trampoline park, VR)
- Take away pizzas at the Rotorua lakefront playground
- Breakfast at The Fat Dog
- Explore the geothermals of Kuirau Park
- Take on the heights at Redwoods Treewalk
- Head home mid-arvo
Rental bikes
If you are travelling with supporters, friends and family, we recommend booking a rental bikes with Mountain Bike Rotorua, Planet Bike, Electric Bike Rotorua or one of the many offerings in the city. As well as many cycle lanes throughout the city, the Whakarewarewa Forest has many accessible and varied trails for all abilities.
Planning done?
With the trip all planned out, only one thing left to do - enter!
