South Island trip in May

**awa355** · 4th February 2012, 19:05

Will be travelling down to see my grandchildren in May. I intend to get off the ferry about 6am, Blenheim for breakfast then a ride up to either Murchison or onto Reefton for my 1st night. An option could be Queen Charlotte drive- Renwick- Murchison.

Anyone know of a biker friendly motel / hotel/ campground cabin in either place? ( Murch or Reefton) I'm looking for somewhere to park the bike out of sight of the street.

2nd day will be a run through Lewis pass , Rangiora, Oxford to Mt Hutt. or maybe Reefton - Stilwater-Arthurs pass-Mt Hutt. I haven't been over any of these roads before ( always Kaikoura SH1).

Which route would you suggest? Cheers,

**FJRider** · 4th February 2012, 19:19

Picton to Murch is about 2 hours ... with stops. Reefton about another hour. Why so slow ... ???

For the best route ... wait untill closer to the date for a better weather forecast. And go whichever way isn't wet.

Kaikoura-Waiau (inland route) Lewis pass ... is good too ...

**BMWST?** · 4th February 2012, 19:27

if the motor camps still have cabins its a cheapish way ....

**Gremlin** · 4th February 2012, 19:28

Originally Posted by FJRider

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Picton to Murch is about 2 hours ... with stops. Reefton about another hour. Why so slow ... ???

190km Picton to Murchison... so a bit more than 2 hours (he's on a cruiser ... cruising, I imagine) with no stops. If he does Queen Charlotte, then add another half hour ish...

As for roads... know where you need to be in however many days and as FJRider says, go the route that isn't raining, if you want. I'd use the West Coast a bit if you can, it's really gorgeous.

As for accommodation I normally find something on bbh.co.nz

**FJRider** · 4th February 2012, 19:32

Originally Posted by Gremlin

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190km Picton to Murchison... so a bit more than 2 hours (he's on a cruiser ... cruising, I imagine) with no stops. If he does Queen Charlotte, then add another half hour ish...

I was going by MY last run through there ...

But breakfast in Blenheim ... and through to Murch ... even on a cruiser ... wont take all day, or stretch the body much ...

**FJRider** · 4th February 2012, 19:35

Through the sounds to Havelock for brekkie is good. The via-Nelson route is good too ...

**Taz** · 4th February 2012, 21:42

Queen Charlotte has all these weird speed limits now. Would be easy to be doing twice the speed limit in places and still only be doing 60kph

Reefton is a cool town and well worth staying in. Check out the Fairlie engine on display, and the miners hut in the main street, Heck even the skate park is one of the best I've seen.

**FJRider** · 4th February 2012, 21:50

Originally Posted by Taz

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Reefton is a cool town and well worth staying in. Check out the Fairlie engine on display, and the miners hut in the main street, Heck even the skate park is one of the best I've seen.

The camp ground down below the main street is good ... nice cabins. With either the Lewis or Arthurs, (via Moana ???) weather dependant options. But the lower Buller and the coast road to Greymouth ... on a fine day

**jimichelle** · 4th February 2012, 22:43

i would go to havlock via queen charlotte for breakky over to nelson and out to motueka for lunch going through the tapawera rd to westport stay there the night and head down the coastal road to grey mouth and over arthurs pass to christchurch going back chch to culverden inland road to kaikoura and back to picton

**awa355** · 5th February 2012, 06:27

Originally Posted by FJRider

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Picton to Murch is about 2 hours ... with stops. Reefton about another hour. Why so slow ... ???

For the best route ... wait untill closer to the date for a better weather forecast. And go whichever way isn't wet.

Kaikoura-Waiau (inland route) Lewis pass ... is good too ...

"Why so slow".. I like riding at night. I intend to do a night ride from Te A to wellington to get the 2.30am ferry. Riding away from Picton about 6am, breakfast somewhere, I figured riding till lunchtime, having a good look at things on the way. After the previous nights ride, then 2-300 or so k's, I'll be ready for a kip, then a good look around the place.

Which way will depend on the weather. Reefton seems to have a good campground with cabins. From there, I'll have the option next morning of Lewis or Arthurs pass. Mt Hutt/famiy is my destination for a few nights. Then I intend to wander down Fairlie / Tekapo way, never having seen that country, then depending on the weather, I'd like to do Haast pass and back up the westcoast.

**FJRider** · 5th February 2012, 12:57

Originally Posted by awa355

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"Why so slow".. I like riding at night. I intend to do a night ride from Te A to wellington to get the 2.30am ferry. Riding away from Picton about 6am, breakfast somewhere, I figured riding till lunchtime, having a good look at things on the way. After the previous nights ride, then 2-300 or so k's, I'll be ready for a kip, then a good look around the place.

Which way will depend on the weather. Reefton seems to have a good campground with cabins. From there, I'll have the option next morning of Lewis or Arthurs pass. Mt Hutt/famiy is my destination for a few nights. Then I intend to wander down Fairlie / Tekapo way, never having seen that country, then depending on the weather, I'd like to do Haast pass and back up the westcoast.

Putting it like that ... sounds like a good plan. The whole west coast ... on a fine day ... is pure magic.

**Jantar** · 5th February 2012, 13:25

Originally Posted by awa355

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"Why so slow".. I like riding at night. I intend to do a night ride from Te A to wellington to get the 2.30am ferry. Riding away from Picton about 6am, breakfast somewhere, I figured riding till lunchtime, having a good look at things on the way. After the previous nights ride, then 2-300 or so k's, I'll be ready for a kip, then a good look around the place.

Which way will depend on the weather. Reefton seems to have a good campground with cabins. From there, I'll have the option next morning of Lewis or Arthurs pass. Mt Hutt/famiy is my destination for a few nights. Then I intend to wander down Fairlie / Tekapo way, never having seen that country, then depending on the weather, I'd like to do Haast pass and back up the westcoast.

Leaving Picton at 6:00 am you'll be lucky to find anything open for brekky untill Nelson. There is a very Biker Friendly Backpackers in Westport if you'd like something a bit different.

**FJRider** · 5th February 2012, 13:32

Originally Posted by Jantar

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Leaving Picton at 6:00 am you'll be lucky to find anything open for brekky untill Nelson. There is a very Biker Friendly Backpackers in Westport if you'd like something a bit different.

There should be something open in Blenheim. Or even in Picton. The ferries ARE their bread and butter afterall ...