Pit Stop: Goldfields Railway

If legs are protesting and bottoms feeling rather sore, there's a sneaky trick that can be played during the Karangahake section of the rail trail. Don't tell too many people – especially if friends (or rivals) are also riding, but the Waikino Historic Railway happily takes bikes into one of their train carriages. Is it cheating or simply taking advantage of an opportunity?

The 6km train track between Waihi and Waikino is all that remains of what was the East Coast Main Trunk Line. The railway crosses three historic bridges and along SH2, so travelers have plenty of opportunities to tip their hat to drivers in modern-day cars, or riders who have hitched a lift with their bike on board can smugly wave to cyclists still rolling along the riverside trail. The trip takes 30 minutes and the timetable varies depending on the season – weekends during summer have multiple trips per day. 38 Wrigley Street, Waihi. (07) 863 9020, waihirail.co.nz

From Waihi, the tracks ends at the historic and pretty Waikino Station, which resided in Paeroa before being moved to Waikino and restored in the 1990s. It's now a much loved tourist attraction, and home to the Waikino Station Café (33 Cadman Street, Waikino, (07) 863 8640), which offers hearty food and treats perfect for refuelling weary cyclists.