My North Island tour

**Jeremie** · 19th January 2012, 07:36

Hi everyone,
Great news, my vacation has been approved, so unless something crappy happens to me, this time is THE time!
I'm super excited, especially since I had to give up the first time (in 2009) and one thing I don't like is regrets.
I'm planning (still waiting for the plane ticket and the bike rental) to start my tour mid-February.
I'm going to put some stuff here, that might be useful for some other people. I'll update it after my trip, to add the "to do" and the "nope, shouldn't have done that after all".
If you have suggestions, especially in terms of where to eat or the good cheap motels/B&B, you're more than welcome.

First, the itinerary
2097km + more or less 200km since I intend to get lost and will not bring a GPS
http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Au...,12,15&t=m&z=7

Second, the schedule
Day 1 leaving Paris
Day 2 flight
Day 3 arrival Auckland
Day 4 putting my brain back together/Auckland visit
Day 5 Auckland visit + Auckland bridge bungy
Day 6 Getting the bike + trip to Coromandel 181 km
Day 7 trip to Rotorua 289 km
Day 8 touristics stuff around Rotorua
Day 9 trip to Napier 337 km
Day 10 trip to Wellington 328 km
Day 11 Wellington visit
Day 12 trip to Stratford 312 km
Day 13 trip to Tongariro 220 km (lost highway)
Day 14 touristics stuff around Tongariro, trip to Taupo 91km
Day 15 trip to Waitomo 147 km
Day 16 trip to Auckland 202 km + returning the bike
Day 17 leaving Auckland
Day 18 arrival Paris
Day 19 through...?: crying everyday because I had to go back

For the rental of the bike, I'm thinking one of those 2 guys (I'd like a Triumph Tiger 800, I'm a fan of the triple):
http://www.motorcycle-hire.co.nz
http://www.bikeroundnz.com/motorbike_hire_auckland.asp

Third, places to stay/eat/drink
Well, haven't gotten too far on this one besides staying at some friends in Auckland. I'll work on this ASAP. If you know of any biker-friendly places, feel free!
I'll try to find a couple of motels/B&B/backpackers on the internet and will choose the day before I get there.

Auckland
with some friends and some family I haven't seen since my last trip to NZ... 26 years ago
Coromandel
Rotorua (2 nights)
Napier
Wellington (2 nights)
Stratford or around
Tongariro
Taupo
Waitomo

Fourth, stuff to visit

Around Coromandel
Around Rotorua (1 full day)
Geysers?
Around Napier
I've heard there's wine here...
Wellington (1 full day)
Stratford or around
Tongariro (1 full day with Taupo)
Taupo
Waitomo

**Jeremie** · 19th January 2012, 23:44

Slight issue: both rental places that had the Tiger 800 don't have any available for my dates.
I've inquired some others but that would be probably for a BMW F650 then.

**TrentNz** · 20th January 2012, 00:09

Good luck!

**Gremlin** · 20th January 2012, 00:56

Be aware the Waikaremoana Rd (Rotorua to Wairoa) is absolutely gravel, about 100-150km I think. Can be a dangerous road, with boaties etc thinking the whole road is for themselves.

Would also suggest the Napier-Taihape Rd. It's recently been sealed all the way through, and it's a really nice ride.

**Jeremie** · 20th January 2012, 01:34

Originally Posted by Gremlin

Be aware the Waikaremoana Rd (Rotorua to Wairoa) is absolutely gravel, about 100-150km I think. Can be a dangerous road, with boaties etc thinking the whole road is for themselves.

Would also suggest the Napier-Taihape Rd. It's recently been sealed all the way through, and it's a really nice ride.

Thanks. Looking at the width of the road on the map, I was starting to wonder too...
Regarding the Napier-Taihape road (Gentle Annie), Oneofsix was also advising it and I have read about it in another forum and but am not seeing it on the map. Isn't it gravel as well?
I might actually end up renting a VFR 800 so I'm not sure it would be adequate.

**Jeremie** · 20th January 2012, 03:58

Oops, my bad, it does show on Google maps when you do an itinerary:

I guess I have to redo quite a bit if my itinerary

**Jeremie** · 20th January 2012, 09:03

First, the itinerary
2011km + more or less 200km since I intend to get lost and will not bring a GPS
http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Au...,14,16&t=m&z=8

Second, the schedule

1. leaving Paris
2. flight
3. arrival Auckland
4. sleep/Auckland visit
5. Auckland + Auckland bridge bungy
6. trip to Coromandel 181 km
7. trip to Rotorua 289 km
8. Rotorua visit
9. trip to Taupo 197 km
10. trip to Napier 141 km
11. trip to Taihape (Gentle Annie) 152 km
12. trip to Wellington 295 km
13. Wellington visit
14. trip to Stratford 312 km
15. trip to Waitomo (forgotten highway) 240 km
16. trip to Auckland 202 km
17. départ d'Auckland
18. arrivée Paris

For the rental of the bike, probably a VFR 800 (couldn't find a Triumph Tiger 800 unfortunately)

Third, places to stay/eat/drink
Well, haven't gotten too far on this one besides staying at some friends in Auckland. I'll work on this ASAP. If you know of any biker-friendly places, feel free!
I'll try to find a couple of motels/B&B/backpackers on the internet and will choose the day before I get there.

Auckland
with some friends and some family I haven't seen since my last trip to NZ... 26 years ago
Coromandel
Rotorua (2 nights)
Taupo
Napier
Taihape
Wellington (2 nights)
Stratford or around
Waitomo

Fourth, stuff to visit

Around Coromandel
Around Rotorua (1 full day)
Geysers?
Around Taupo
There seems to be a nice lake
Around Napier
I've heard there's wine here...
Around Tahiape
Wellington (1 full day)
Stratford or around
Waitomo

**Jeremie** · 20th January 2012, 09:43

Just booked my plane ticket and bike rental

**HEMA** · 20th January 2012, 10:40

Hi Jeremie

If you want to take a break for a pie &/or a drink in Palmerston North on your way to Wellington, let me know...

**MSTRS:Me** · 20th January 2012, 11:10

Originally Posted by Jeremie

...version 2...

Good call. If I may make 2 suggestions tho...
When you get to the southern end of Lake Taupo, turn right just past Tokaanu, head for National Park, Ohakune and Waiouru, then turn left and do the Desert Road back to Turangi to rejoin your planned map. That way you get to see our majestic volcanos properly.
Also, when you cross over from Palmerston North to the Wairararpa region, instead of taking the main road (State Highway 2) some kind local could guide you down Route 52 instead. It takes you through much more interesting country and is not a boring road (bring tissues...)

**DangerMice** · 20th January 2012, 11:55

Travelled the forgotten highway a couple of weeks ago. Beautiful but fairly slow so leave yourself plenty of time. Small gravel section. Might be worth your while going up to Dawson Falls etc on Mt Taranaki beforehand. Nice views of the surrounding area. I stayed in New Plymouth, Stratford is a bit of a nothing town, but if you're only there for a bed is probably ok.

**MSTRS:Me** · 20th January 2012, 11:58

PS - great to see you already have Vinegar Hill planned...

**Gremlin** · 20th January 2012, 15:08

Rotorua, you must go luging (or google luge). It's a kiwi thing, but you should find it a lot of fun, and Rotorua has the best tracks.

You're missing Northland, East Cape and the South Island, but when travelling, you should always leave stuff out for your next visit

When going through the Forgotten Highway, don't forget to stop at the Whangamomona Hotel (even for lunch). They like to call themselves a republic etc, lots of fun.

You'll find 14-15 reasonably long. 14 because it's pretty straight and main highways (no real easy alternative), 15 because the Forgotten Highway is slow going, not sure if you're visiting the Waitomo Caves in the same day, or the next. 9 should be very easy.

**Jeremie** · 20th January 2012, 20:53

Holy mother ****** ****** ******** ********.

I just lost my driving license this morning. One of my guys calls me at 7:50AM, telling me he won't make it to the office, while there's an important conference set at 8AM. I rush my ass like crazy and boom, those damn cops were here on this damn day, just waiting for me.
I'm freakin doomed