Martinborough Bike Hire: What I Recommend for Exploring the Wineries
Want to visit the Martinborough wineries without anyone having to be the sober driver? Hiring a bike is the easiest (and most fun) way to do it.
I explored the vineyards with Green Jersey Cycle Tours, and I grew up 20 minutes from Martinborough, so I know these quiet country roads well.
The catch is that some wineries are further out than they look on a map, and the roads outside the village are 100k zones.
So here’s where I’d hire a bike in Martinborough, what it costs, what to bring, and which wineries to ride to.
Quick Answer: My Top Martinborough Bike Picks
⭐⭐⭐ Where should you stay? One Panama, a holiday home in Martinborough that comes with free bikes. Check prices & availability →
⭐⭐ Best thing to book? A self-guided bike day with Green Jersey, the company I recommend below. Check availability →
If you’re staying in Martinborough, one of the best and safest ways to see the area is by a good old fashioned bike ride.
Travelling between wineries in a car often means that you don’t get full enjoyment of New Zealand’s awe-inspiring scenery.
About the Vineyards in Martinborough
Wine tasting in Martinborough is a great way to experience New Zealand’s famous wine culture.
This region delivers some of the best wines in the world, it’s very famous for its pinot noirs! However, less than 2% of New Zealand’s wine production is made in this district.
There are more than 20 boutique wineries in Martinborough, and heading to them to sample their wares is one of the best things to do in Martinborough.
Fortunately, at most of them, you are able to enjoy some delicious Martinborough wine tasting, and each Martinborough winery has its own unique twist to its vintages.
The Martinborough wine trail is becoming increasingly popular for visitors, and with good reason.
Many people visiting New Zealand take part in Martinborough wine tours from Wellington, especially because Wellington is a must-do on many people’s itineraries.
Because combining top-quality wines with the picturesque Martinborough cycle trails is surely a recipe for success!
Where to hire a bike in Martinborough
My #1 recommendation is Green Jersey Cycle Tours. I have done a tour with them and they also hire out their bikes per day too if you want more freedom to be on your own schedule.
They will provide you with a helmet and a sturdy bike to help you get around.
They have a huge range of different kinds of bikes you can rent too ranging from 1 person all the way to 6+ people.
If there are multiple of you and you don’t trust EVERYONE in your group to cycle safely, you could always hire a multi-person bike and take turns being the driver.
This adds an element of fun to your day and allows everyone to have a turn but also have a break. Just make sure the lightweight of the group cycles first 🤣
Green Jersey Cycle Tours was founded by Stuart and his wife Lucia in 2011. Then later in 2014, Joe and Pam joined their successful business.
They have a number of different tours in the region and a popular cycle tour, which starts in Wellington and goes through the Remutaka Rail trail until you get to the Wairarapa.
They also do tours visiting notable sites like Cape Palliser (on the road out there you’ll also pass the Putangirua Pinnacles Track).
They don’t just do Martinborough Bike Hire but they also have a bunch of different tours in the region that you can pick from too.
How much does it cost to hire a bike in Martinborough?
Green Jersey has a bunch of different options available so you’ll have no problem finding your perfect bike.
Their standard bike for the day costs $40. This comes with their reliable roadside assistance so if you get into trouble you can give them a call and they will come help.
Also, it includes their free wine collection service so you don’t need to worry about carrying your wine with you whilst biking to other wineries!
Day hire runs from 9.30am until closing time, and you can pick up your bike any time after they open, so staying in the village the night before (see my Martinborough accommodation picks) makes for an easy start.
Where I’d Stay for a Martinborough Bike Day
(⭐⭐⭐ = my top pick)
⭐⭐⭐ One Panama: Pick this one if you want to save on bike hire. This two-bedroom holiday home comes with free bikes, plus a garden, a BBQ and a fireplace, and it has a 9.3 rating. Check prices & availability →
⭐⭐ Pinot Villas: Pick this one if you want to be right in the village. It’s 50 metres from Memorial Square, so you can ride straight out to the vineyards, and it has a 9.1 rating from over 300 reviews. Check prices & availability →
⭐ The Wine Shed: Pick this one if you want something a little unique. It’s a cosy little stay set among the vines, so you start the day in wine country. Check prices & availability →
What to bring with you on your Martinborough bike hire
A water bottle
If you don’t have one, pick one up at the Four Square in town which is the main supermarket. You’ll want to make sure you keep hydrated whilst going from winery to winery.
Snacks
I don’t know about you, but when I’m doing any sort of exercise for anything over 15 minutes I need snacks on hand, whether it’s a bike ride or one of the Wairarapa walks.
There are plenty of places to stop for a bite to eat, of course. Most wineries offer some sort of lunch or platters but it’s always good to bring some chips or fruit with you in case you get peckish!
Sunscreen
Slip, slop, slap as we say in New Zealand.
Wearing sunscreen is a must in New Zealand since we have harsh UV rays and you’re more likely to get burnt faster than anywhere else in the world.
Backpack
Even if you don’t have many things to take with you if you plan to buy wine at some of the wineries, you’ll want to make sure you have an easy way to transport your bottles of wine so bring an empty backpack.
If you do hire through Green Jersey, they have their free wine collection service so you don’t need to worry about it!
Your ID
You’ll need to make sure you always have ID with you, especially if you visit the wineries because if you look a day under 30, they will ask for your ID.
I don’t mean to brag but I’m in my 30s and still get asked for ID. And if you want my skincare routine, I just wear sunscreen every single day 🤣
The legal age for drinking in New Zealand is 18.
Which wineries should you bike to?
You can read this post, on the best wineries in Martinborough to visit but if you want a quick answer my top 5 are Poppies, Margrain, Tirohana Estate, Te Kairanga and Ata Rangi.
You can easily bike to these wineries and do wine tastings at their incredible cellar doors. Make sure when you’re picking which ones that you’re aware of the distance before committing to it!
3 Cycling Experiences I’d Book Right Away
🍇 Green Jersey Self-Guided Cycle Tour: Pick this one if you want to ride between the cellar doors at your own pace. It’s a self-guided bike day with Green Jersey, the company I explored the vineyards with. Check availability →
🚲 Remutaka Rail Trail eBike Explorer: Pick this one if you want something a little unique. You ride the old railway line over the Remutaka Range on an e-bike, through tunnels and over bridges, and it has a 5-star rating. Check availability →
🍷 Martinborough Winery Tour: Pick this one if biking between wineries sounds like too much effort. You get driven between the cellar doors instead, and it has a 4.9 rating from over 200 reviews. Check availability →
How safe is it to bike around Martinborough?
The locals are very aware of cyclists since this is a popular mode of transport around the town. Most of the places you’ll visit are down quiet country roads so the vibe is very chill.
If you’re going down some of the narrow country roads in the 100k zone to see wineries outside the centre, just be aware that cars get fast so make sure you’re visible whilst sticking to the side of the road.
Make sure you wear something visible or at least take a bright piece of clothing with you so people can see you.
And if you’re biking at night, make sure you have a flickering light on your bike.
If you stick to common sense, you’ll be fine biking around Martinborough as it’s quite a small place.
What about hiring a car?
If you’re thinking that bike riding is just too much for you, then you can hire a car instead.
Hiring a car can be a fab idea because you’ll get to visit some of the other places around Martinborough and wineries that are off the beaten track, or even a cooking class at Lavenders Green in Featherston.
My Number One Tip: Hire a Car for Full Flexibility
If you’re staying a few nights, Martinborough is much easier if you have your own wheels. Use the bike for your wine day, then take the car out to Cape Palliser and the wineries further afield.
Check here for the best car rental companies and prices for your Martinborough trip →
A big thank you to the team at Green Jersey Cycle Tours for having me and letting me experience a great day out in the Wairarapa region on their Green Jersey explorer tours.
If you’re looking for a Martinborough bike hire then come here so you can also hire bikes for the day and do your own sort of tour!
Another big thank you to Wairarapa Tourism for making it happen.
If you have any questions about the Martinborough bike hire or tour, then leave them down below!
What a great idea to do it by bike. You can’t drink and drive so you can drink and bike your way round 😉 I can’t believe you managed to visit so many in one go, what a champ haha! This looks like so much fun, I’ve not been on a wine tour or New Zealand yet so this may be a match made in travel heaven for me! 🙂
This sound an interesting experience. I’ve visited vineyards (though in Europe), it’s curious to know more how grapes grow and what happens to them before transforming to the finest wines)) The landscapes of Martinborough look stunning! Thank you for sharing your experience, Anita)
Gorgeous photos! Really makes me miss New Zealand. Never got to do a biking wine tour, but would love to give it a go, someday. Looks like plenty else is included in the experience to keep it from being too heavily focused on the wine tasting part (and then bike riding!) part.
Looks like a great way to explore the area. Love to stop and the sweet shop on top of the wine.
Hi Anita! I am glad you got some trip idea for the wine lovers:) In combination with bicycle, this is genious trip idea!
We love biking around to the wineries. Done it in a few different countries. It’s fun every time!
Riding a bike through the vineyards actually makes sense. The air must be so fresh.
I don’t drink but I still love visiting vineyards because of the sprawling green valleys. This one, with a lake, looks & sounds even better!
Yes, even if you don’t drink the locations are amazing. There are some other things you can do in the area not related to wine as well. The food is incredible and there’s even a olive farm where you can taste their products too.
Hi Guys
Have 3 couples interested in coming to martinborough to do a bike tour through the wineries with wine tasting etc… is there any time of year that you would recommend please. And also are there electric bikes available?