Gravel Races in New Zealand

Iconic circumnavigation of Lake Taupo with gravel options. Source: gravelgodcycling.com 2026 calendar (mid-month approximation).

300km gravel ride from Aoraki/Mount Cook to Oamaru following the Alps 2 Ocean Trail. Turquoise lakes, tussock lands, and Southern Alps views.

Multi-day stage gravel race in the Southern Alps.

Multi-day gravel stage race through the high country and braided rivers of New Zealand's Southern Alps. Epic backcountry station tracks and alpine passes.

Six-day stage race through the Southern Alps of Otago — high-country gravel stations, alpine singletrack, glacial valleys. Two-rider team format, supported race village, finish in Queenstown.

Multi-day gravel stage race from Canterbury to Queenstown through the Southern Alps.

Epic gravel riding through New Zealand's Southern Alps. Stunning scenery and challenging terrain on the edge of the world.

A point-to-point gravel race across remote high-country roads through Molesworth Station. The course is almost entirely gravel, with only a short sealed section near the finish in Hanmer Springs.

A Central Otago gravel circuit starting near the former Galloway Station hut and climbing the Raggedy Range. The route crosses the Moa Creek plateau and returns over fast rural gravel roads.

A coastal North Canterbury gravel race starting and finishing in Cheviot. The route runs through Gore Bay, the Hurunui River mouth, and Motunau on undulating roads with about 56 percent gravel.

A short-lap gravel and sealed-road circuit around Puketapu, with repeated technical gravel sections and punchy climbs. The long course uses four laps from Horse Range Road to Fleming Road.

A fast Central Otago gravel circuit from Omakau through Matakanui, Drybread, and Lauder. The long course is two laps of a mostly flat 50 km loop at the base of the Dunstan Range.

A North Otago gravel race starting at Enfield Domain and using rolling roads around Elderslie Estate. The course features Waitaki and Kakanui mountain views, downhill sections, tunnels, and technical gravel.

A stunning gravel race through the Canterbury Plains and Banks Peninsula. Ride through tussock-covered high country, past braided rivers, with views of the Southern Alps.

National gravel championships celebrating the NZ gravel community. Routes based from Raglan through Te Mata and Te Uku.

New Zealand's premier gravel event showcasing the best Kiwi gravel riding.

South Island gravel through the Crown Range and around Lake Wanaka — epic mountain scenery.

New Zealand's signature gravel race through the Manawatū back-country.

Gravel/MTB bikepacking brevet starting from scenic Wanaka in the Southern Alps.

Self-supported 3,000-km bikepacking brevet down the length of New Zealand from Cape Reinga to Bluff. Mostly gravel forestry roads, rail trail, and beach. Strict 30-day max, single brevet window each year. Bucket-list lite-touring event.

Epic South Island bikepacking adventure. 1,331km gravel/MTB ultra through New Zealand's stunning landscapes.

Cape to Cape traverse of New Zealand's North Island. 1,060km with 16,000m climbing on remote gravel roads and cycle trails.