The KTM New Zealand Adventure Rallye: Eastern Bays 2026 has a new date. According to KTM Australia, the event will run from Monday 7 December to Saturday 12 December 2026. It was originally scheduled for March 2026. KTM says it took the “difficult decision” to postpone because of severe storms in the region earlier in the year (translated from English).
The Eastern Bays is not a timed competition. It is a five-day guided adventure ride organised by the manufacturer for owners of its own adventure-touring bikes. KTM describes it as the ninth edition of the annual New Zealand rally.
Back on the North Island
The start is in the coastal town of Papamoa. According to the organiser, the rally thereby returns to the North Island, where it was first held in 2016. The route runs through the eastern Bay of Plenty, to the coast near Gisborne, to Lake Taupo and on to Rotorua with its geothermal areas. KTM promises a mix of coastal tracks, forestry roads and high country. The total distance and the individual daily stages are not listed in the extract of the organiser’s page that was available.
Two routes each day
Each day offers two variants, which participants ride at their own pace:
- Main Route: gravel roads and open backcountry tracks, technically less demanding.
- Breakout Routes: for experienced riders, with singletrack, forest trails, slippery private land and some stream crossings. KTM rates the difficulty using its own “chilli” system.
Navigation is by GPS, with directional arrows to help along the way. KTM recommends at least two years of off-road experience.
Eligibility and price
According to the event listing, only riders on certain KTM adventure models may take part. The extract of the page that was available does not say which models these are. KTM gives the entry fee as 2,195 New Zealand dollars (NZD) per rider. What is included and how many places remain is not documented. Those interested should ask the organiser directly about both.
Sources and image credits
- Text source: KTM Australia, “KTM Adventure Rallye New Zealand 2026”, ktm.com/en-au/ktm-world/ktm-adventure-rally/new-zealand-2026.html (no date given)
- Image: Official event logo of the KTM Adventure Rallye Eastern Bays New Zealand 2026 (graphic); rights holder: KTM; original source: KTM Australia; date not given