Natural High

cycling — Bishopdale · Christchurch

About Natural High

Natural High is a 100% New Zealand owned and operated adventure biking company, established in Nelson in 1996 before relocating to Christchurch in 2005. The Christchurch branch, on Harewood Road, is one of several depots the company runs across New Zealand, alongside locations in Auckland, Wellington, Nelson, Queenstown, Dunedin and Invercargill.

The business is run by owners Steve and Cecileah, who live in Christchurch with their family. Steve, Natural High's Team Captain, has been a keen mountain biker since buying his first bike in 1996 and has competed in events including the Rainbow Rage, the Pass to Pub, the Caveman, the Hanmer Hammerhead, the Run 79 Lake Tekapo MTB Pursuit and the Motatapu. Cecileah manages reservations for the business.

From the Christchurch branch, Natural High offers bike hire across touring, hybrid, mountain and performance road bikes, plus children's bikes and cycling accessories, using leading brands including Specialized, Surly and Avanti. The branch also offers guided and self-guided cycle tours across the North and South Islands, one-day cycle tours around Christchurch, custom tours for groups and families, campervan hire, a Christchurch shuttle service (useful for Little River Rail Trail transfers), and bike servicing.

Natural High is Qualmark Silver endorsed, New Zealand tourism's official mark of quality, and is a member of the Tourism Industry Aotearoa and an official partner of the NZ Cycle Trail.

Natural High Christchurch: Bike Hire, Cycle Tours and Campervan Hire Since 1996

Natural High has been helping people explore New Zealand under their own steam since 1996, when the business was established in Nelson. It relocated to Christchurch in 2005, and the Harewood Road branch has been part of the company's growth ever since, alongside depots that now stretch from Auckland in the north to Invercargill in the south.

From Nelson to a Nationwide Network

After its Christchurch move, Natural High expanded to the North Island in 2011 with an Auckland branch, later adding depots in Wellington, Nelson, Queenstown, Dunedin and Invercargill. That network now gives Natural High what it describes as the largest and best selection of bike rental in New Zealand, alongside a growing range of self-guided and guided cycle tours and campervan rental.

Run by Cyclists, for Cyclists

Natural High is owned by Steve and Cecileah, who live in Christchurch with their family. Steve, the company's Team Captain, bought his first mountain bike in 1996 — the same year Natural High was founded — and has since competed in events including the Rainbow Rage, the Pass to Pub, the Caveman, the Hanmer Hammerhead, the Run 79 Lake Tekapo MTB Pursuit and the Motatapu. Cecileah manages reservations for the business. That hands-on cycling background feeds into how the Christchurch branch operates, with staff drawing on genuine touring and off-road experience when advising customers.

What's Available from the Christchurch Branch

The Harewood Road branch offers bike hire across touring and hybrid bikes, mountain bikes, performance road bikes, and children's bikes, using leading brands including Specialized, Surly and Avanti, alongside cycling accessories and car bike racks. For those wanting a full holiday built around cycling, Natural High offers all-inclusive guided cycle tours across both islands, self-guided cycle tours where the company supplies the bike, itinerary and route while the customer sets their own schedule, and custom tours designed for groups and families. Closer to home, the branch also runs one-day cycle tours around Christchurch.

Beyond bikes and tours, the Christchurch branch offers campervan hire for those wanting to combine cycling with a road trip, a local shuttle service — useful for transfers on the Little River Rail Trail — and bike servicing for customers who need their own bike looked after. The branch also sells second-hand bikes, offers a bike purchase and buy-back option, and stocks cycling books and maps through the Natural High Store.

Quality You Can Check

Natural High is 100% New Zealand owned and operated, and is Qualmark Silver endorsed — New Zealand tourism's official mark of quality, awarded following independent assessment by a tourism expert. The company is also a member of Tourism Industry Aotearoa and an official partner of the NZ Cycle Trail.

Planning Your Visit

Natural High recommends booking well in advance, noting that walk-ins and late requests can't always be accommodated, particularly during the busy summer holiday season. For customers whose plans don't fit neatly into opening hours, the branch offers a bike drop-off or pick-up service, subject to staff availability and with fees and conditions applying.

Signature items

  • Guided Cycle Tours
  • Self-Guided Cycle Tours
  • One-Day Christchurch Tours
  • Mountain Bike Hire
  • Campervan Hire
  • Bike Servicing

Menu

Bike Hire

  • Touring & Hybrid Bike Hire — Touring and hybrid bikes for road and multi-day trips
  • Mountain Bike Hire — Mountain bikes for off-road riding
  • Performance Road Bike Hire — Road bikes for performance riding
  • Children's Bike Hire — Bikes and trailers for children
  • Bike Accessories — Cycling accessories including BOB trailer rentals
  • Car Bike Racks — Bike racks available for vehicles

Cycle Tours

  • Guided Cycle Tours — All-inclusive bike tours across the North and South Islands
  • Self-Guided Cycle Tours — Bike, itinerary and route details supplied for independent exploring at your own pace
  • One-Day Tours — One-day cycle tours around Christchurch
  • Custom Tours — Customised cycle tours for groups and families

Other Services

  • Campervan Hire — Campervan rental across both islands
  • Shuttle Service — Shuttle service in Christchurch, including Little River Rail Trail transfers
  • Bike Servicing — Bike servicing available at the Christchurch branch
  • Second Hand Bikes for Sale — Used bikes available for purchase
  • Bike Purchase and Buy Back — Bike purchase and buy-back option
  • Natural High Store — Cycling books and maps available in-store

Frequently asked questions

Do opening hours change with the season?
Yes. From April to September, hours are Monday to Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm unless by prior arrangement. From October to March, the branch is also open Monday to Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm, with Saturday by arrangement; it's closed Sundays and public holidays year-round.
Do I need to book in advance?
Yes, booking well in advance is recommended, as walk-ins and late requests can't always be accommodated, especially during the summer holiday season.
What bike brands does Natural High use?
Leading brands including Specialized, Surly and Avanti.
Does Natural High offer campervan hire?
Yes, campervan hire is available across both the North and South Islands.
Is there a shuttle service in Christchurch?
Yes, including transfers for the Little River Rail Trail.
Can I get my own bike serviced here?
Yes, bike servicing is available at the Christchurch branch.
Is Natural High officially recognised for quality?
Yes, it's Qualmark Silver endorsed, New Zealand tourism's official mark of quality, and is a member of Tourism Industry Aotearoa.

Tips

  • {"body":"Natural High recommends booking in advance as walk-ins and late requests can't always be accommodated during the busy season.","title":"Book well ahead, especially in summer"}
  • {"body":"A bike drop-off or pick-up service is available subject to staff availability, with fees and conditions applying.","title":"Ask about drop-off or pick-up service if hours don't suit"}
  • {"body":"Self-guided tours supply the bike, itinerary and route while you set your own schedule.","title":"Consider a self-guided tour for flexibility"}
  • {"body":"Natural High's Christchurch shuttle service is useful for Little River Rail Trail transfers.","title":"Ask about the Little River Rail Trail shuttle"}

Good to know

  • {"family":"Children's bike hire and trailers available"}