blurry placeholderNZ MTB RALLY DAY 5 ©Mikhail Huggins (44)

NZ MTB Rally

A proper Kiwi enduro adventure

Wakamarina Track

NZ MTB Rally — world-class racing at the edge of the world

A multi-day enduro adventure weaving heli-drops, boat access and handcrafted trails through Te Tauihu’s wild backcountry and golden coastline.

Photo epic: 2025 NZ MTB Rally

blurry placeholderNZ MTB RALLY DAY 5 ©Mikhail Huggins (77)
blurry placeholderNZ MTB RALLY DAY 3    ©Mikhail Huggins @macca. h  (67)
blurry placeholderNZ MTB RALLY DAY 2    ©Mikhail Huggins   @macca (12)
blurry placeholderNZ MTB RALLY DAY 2    ©Mikhail Huggins   @macca (15)
blurry placeholderNZ MTB RALLY DAY 5 ©Mikhail Huggins (103)

This isn’t your average trail ride — we’re talking heli-drops, boat access, and 4x4 shuttles

Tucked between three national parks and a coastline that looks like it’s straight out of a postcard, the NZ MTB Rally brings world-class riding to the wild backcountry. This isn’t your average trail ride — we’re talking heli-drops, boat access, and 4x4 shuttles stitched together with a mix of historic gold-rush tracks and buttery-smooth singletrack. It’s a proper adventure, a little off the beaten path on a small island at the edge of the world — and yet, somehow, still super easy to get to.

Welcome to the Top of the South — Te Tauihu — where you’ll find golden beaches, alpine peaks, and sunshine for days. The region’s rich mining history left behind a web of trails that feel like they were made for full-suspension fun. Add in a passionate crew of locals and a council that backs the biking scene, and you've got hundreds of handcrafted trails woven into this stunning landscape.

Nelson’s long been the spot Kiwis whisper about when it comes to mountain biking — low-key legendary, with a reputation for gnarly descents and good vibes. The NZ MTB Rally takes that energy and dials it up, serving a fresh, uniquely Kiwi take on the multi-day Enduro. One that’s all about top-notch riding, great people, and soaking up everything this unreal place has to offer.

NZ MTB Rally 2025 Highlights

From loamy steeps to wide-open alpine senders, the good times were rolling as fast as the post-stage beers.

Crank the volume and relive the ride. And if you missed it this year, don’t muck it up again—the Rally is back 14–21 March 2026. Lock it in.

The inside line

blurry placeholderNZ MTB Rally 2025 recap: big vert, backcountry trails & epic vibes

NZ MTB Rally 2025 recap: big vert, backcountry trails & epic vibes

Australian Mountain Bike (AMB) | 14 April 2025

From Wairoa Gorge to Nelson, the 2025 NZ MTB Rally delivered six days of huge vert, tech trails, and unforgettable backcountry adventure.

blurry placeholderHeli-rides, boat cruise shuttles and 20,000m of descending

Heli-rides, boat cruise shuttles and 20,000m of descending

Mountain Bike Rider UK | 21 Feb 2025

The NZ MTB Rally clocks up over 2,000m of descending on primo New Zealand trails... no wonder if draws in riders like Kilian Bron. Just get there before the £1,195 self-supported rider tickets run out.

blurry placeholderKiwi teenager completes ‘insane, impossible’ cycling feat

Kiwi teenager completes ‘insane, impossible’ cycling feat

The Post | 24 March 2024

Nineteen-year-old Christchurch mountain biker Matt Fairbrother has just done something nobody can get their head around. Mike White reports on his unbelievable achievement, which featured dolphins, nearly freezing to death, and being attacked by a wild animal. And that was just on one day.

Word on the trail

"Absolutely one of the best weeks of my life and definitely the best week of bike's I've ever had. Do yourself a favour and sign up next time; the trails were great, the variety of terrain was great, the food/support was great, and the Nelson region is spectacular." Chris, Australia

"Awesome time doing some of the best trails around Nelson, including heli-lifts, boat rides and lots of shuttles. Still enough challenge to do the extended race to be super fun yet engaging. Great crew and participants, a really memorable and rewarding experience!" Paul, Australia

Photo epic: 2024 NZ MTB Rally

blurry placeholderNZMTB Rally   Cam Mackenzie   2376 (1)
blurry placeholderNZMTB Rally   Cam Mackenzie   5711 (1)
blurry placeholder"Nelson Tasman is home to over 400km of some of the best mountain bike trails on the planet." - UCI Mountain Bike World Series
"Nelson Tasman is home to over 400km of some of the best mountain bike trails on the planet." - UCI Mountain Bike World Series
blurry placeholderNZMTB Rally Sharlands Trails credit Todd Couper
blurry placeholderMatt Fairbrother on course during the 2024 NZ MTB Rally.
Matt Fairbrother on course during the 2024 NZ MTB Rally.
blurry placeholderEnjoying the vibe at Marchfest in Founders Park.

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