The Winemaker's Lost Journal: A Winery Treasure Hunt Adventure

Cycle, Sip, and Find the Treasure.

Somewhere in the Hawke's Bay wine districts, a winemaker's journal has gone missing. Elias Thorne left clues. Whether he meant to is another question.

Your mission? Follow his cryptic clues through the Gimblett Gravels and Bridge Pa Triangle wine districts. Along the way, solve puzzles, uncover local secrets, and taste local wines. The Winemaker’s Lost Journal is a self-guided outdoor treasure hunt: part cycling tour, part mystery, and nothing like a usual day out.

What to expect

This is an immersive winery treasure hunt set amongst the vineyards of Hawke's Bay. Follow the trail and uncover the secrets hidden in Elias Thorne's lost journal.

Visit cellar doors, solve puzzles, and piece together clues hidden across the Bridge Pa Triangle and Gimblett Gravels wine districts.

No special wine knowledge is needed. Just logic, curiosity, and teamwork. And some time to taste the wines along the way.

You'll be guided step-by-step via your phone, using QR codes, riddles, and cryptic notes left behind by Elias Thorne, the fabled master winemaker.

Our Treasure Hunt unfolds across four partner wineries. While these are our host partners, wine tasting is entirely optional. You’re welcome to roll up, find your clues, soak in the views, and head off to the next location whenever you're ready.

What’s Included in your game package?

We’ve got everything you need for a fun and comfortable biking experience in Hawke’s Bay. When you hire a bike from us, you’ll receive:

• Well-maintained bikes: Every bike in our fleet is serviced and ready to go, baskets included.
• Helmets and a proper briefing: We fit every rider before you leave and run through the route so you know exactly where you're going.
• Roadside Assistance: In the unlikely event of a flat tyre or mechanical issue, we offer on-call roadside assistance to get you back on the road quickly.
• Wine collection: Buy at any cellar door before 3pm and leave it there. We collect it and have it waiting at base when you return. Your bottles come home safely, whatever you buy.
• Game Access: The game is best played with 2–6 players. You play with access on up to 2 mobile devices per team. Got a larger group? Split into two competing teams of up to 2–6 players per team and race each other to the finish. Each team plays on their own device.
• Itinerary & Winery Bookings: We’ll send your itinerary from the chosen game through to the wineries and help coordinate your stops so you can focus on the investigation.

Not Included

• Transport: to and from On Yer Bike — drive or arrange via local taxi or Uber.
• Tasting Fees: paid directly to each winery you visit ($15–30 per person, per venue).
• Food & Lunch: all meals are extra, but you’ll pass some great spots along the way.

You are welcome to join a group with your own bikes. We will cover the following:

• Game Access: The game is best played with 2–6 players. You play with access on up to 2 mobile devices per team. Got a larger group? Split into two competing teams of up to 2–6 players per team and race each other to the finish. Each team plays on their own device.
• Route Map & Briefing: We provide you with a detailed map of the area and suggestions for the best stops along your route.
• Itinerary & Winery Bookings: We’ll send your itinerary from the chosen game through to the wineries and help coordinate your stops so you can focus on the investigation.

What we do not include:

• Transport to and from On Yer Bike — drive or arrange via local taxi or Uber.
• Tasting Fees - paid directly to each winery you visit ($15–30 per person, per venue).
• Food & Lunch - all meals are extra, but you’ll pass some great spots along the way.
• Roadside service - not available to private bikes.
• Wine collection - not available to private bikes.