Calling all South Islanders?

[Gezza]

Hi all
Looking for some great south Is pubs to get a meal and bed on my south island tour in Feb.Will be over nighting in the following areas. Murchison,Hanmer,Oxford,Geraldine,Twizel or Omarama,Cromwell,Wanaka Haast,Franz Joseph,Hokitika,Greymouth,Westport,Karamea,Blackba ll and Kaikoura.Have heard that the hospitality is legendary and want to mingle with the locals at biker friendly establishments.Any recommendations appreciated.
Gazza

[98tls]

Railway hotel in Greymouth,cheap and friendly + ask the owner and he will let you put the bikes in the lock-up.If your going through Oamaru theres a bed/beer and garage for the bike.l

[Gezza]

Thanks 98tls.Appreciate it.

[scumdog]

Luckily you ain't goin' anywhere near my place!!:nya:

[Hitcher]

You should find that the FJR knows its way around quite well down there.

[98tls]

Thanks 98tls.Appreciate it. No worrys,if you end up planning on passing through pm beforehand to let me know,if not have a great trip.

[Gezza]

Got my bed sorted in Wellington haven't we Brett????.Sure you and the good lady don't want to come along for the ride??

[Dcati]

Enjoy the SI mate. All the pubs are pretty good, especially in the smaller towns.

Hanmer is a top place with the hot pools and forest so you might want to spend a day or so there. The inland road through to Kaikoura is generally a pretty good ride.
:scooter:

[JimO]

Railway hotel in Greymouth,cheap and friendly + ask the owner and he will let you put the bikes in the lock-up.If your going through Oamaru theres a bed/beer and garage for the bike.l

you will find mikes place in ommers easy as just look out for a albino kid on a verandah with a banjo:yes:

[98tls]

you will find mikes place in ommers easy as just look out for a albino kid on a verandah with a banjo:yes: There or out the shed messin with a real TL,:gob:By the way mate theres a real collectors piece on Egay,one of the 10,000 leftover unsold Cagivas from way back when they hammered home the last nail in the real Ducatis coffin.Happily i pluck away.:woohoo:

[Smiffy]

We are doing the SI also in Feb next year. I have a question for those of you that might know. Just booked some accomodation in Arthurs Pass and the motel guy mentioned that we would need to cover our bikes up cause of Kea's.:angry:

Anyone else done this before? Is it completely necessary?

TIA

[martybabe]

We are doing the SI also in Feb next year. I have a question for those of you that might know. Just booked some accomodation in Arthurs Pass and the motel guy mentioned that we would need to cover our bikes up cause of Kea's.:angry:

Anyone else done this before? Is it completely necessary?

TIA

If you can't get them under cover then Yes, they'll have at your bike just for the hell of it. Fascinating birds but by buggery they're destructive.

The Cardona and the Vulcan are interesting pubs that I've dallied with, not sure if they're on your route, one of the knowledgeable ones will tell you but well worth a looksee.


http://www.cardronahotel.co.nz/

http://www.otagorailtrail.co.nz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=27

[Broomrider]

Hi Gezza,
We (HondaSTrider and myself) are in Oxford and have a bed or two, beer in the fridge and food for the table...you're welcome to stay just let me know dates...

[Guzza]

We are doing the SI also in Feb next year. I have a question for those of you that might know. Just booked some accomodation in Arthurs Pass and the motel guy mentioned that we would need to cover our bikes up cause of Kea's.:angry:

Anyone else done this before? Is it completely necessary?

TIA

Fear the Kea! Be prepared to own a trashed bike cover but it might keep their interestet away from your bike

[Broomrider]

Fear the Kea! Be prepared to own a trashed bike cover but it might keep their interestet away from your bike

I'd take the bike inside the motel :blink: or as Guzza says Fear the Kea...
they are amazing funny birds but shits when it comes to treasure... :shit:
and treasure is shinny metal parts and stretchy rubber bits.
We extend the same offer we gave Gezza, beer, food and beds here in Oxford.

[Ocean1]

I'd take the bike inside the motel :blink: or as Guzza says Fear the Kea...
they are amazing funny birds but shits when it comes to treasure... :shit:
and treasure is shinny metal parts and stretchy rubber bits.

When the Homer tunnel was being built the wee bastards caused havoc with the gear. They'd completely trash the seats, windscreen wiper rubbers and anything else on the dozers and graders not actually steel. Fuel lines, hydraulic hoses, bearing seals. Rocker cover gaskets for fuck's sake...

So yeah, get the bike under cover up in Kea country.

[Shadows]

We are doing the SI also in Feb next year. I have a question for those of you that might know. Just booked some accomodation in Arthurs Pass and the motel guy mentioned that we would need to cover our bikes up cause of Kea's.:angry:

Anyone else done this before? Is it completely necessary?

TIA

Yep, the little fuckers are thieves and vandals.

You can get close enough to be able to wring their necks if need be though. Just stay away from their beaks.

[gonzo_akl]

Hi,

Not a southislander but just returned from the Burt Munro. We stayed at 2 hotels on the way around - would've liked to stay in more but they are hard to find.

The first was the Springfield Hotel - we followed the inland scenic route south - it is located on the Arthur's Pass rd about 9kms up the road from sheffield - the gas station is still open unlike the one in sheffield. Owners are friendly, locals were friendly, rooms ok we went for single rooms @ $45, meals are hearty and there is plantly of it. We could park the bikes in their shed around the back.
Biggest problem was getting back on the road, as we hadn't paid we couldn't just leave, we ended up having to phone the hotel to attract their attention. I think they had quite a big night.
www.springfieldhotel.co.nz

The other hotel we used was the Dunston Hotel in Clyde. Really nice, $35 for a single room. Food was good and staff friendly. Bike parking was a bit of a problem and we left ours on the main road, not ideal but it seems a quiet town. There was another group there and they had arranged some secure off-road parking.

http://www.dunstanhouse.co.nz/default.asp

When you get into the tourist towns/routes the traditional hotels are harder to find.

[Gezza]

Thanks Broomrider.Might take you up on that.Will keep you in mind.
Gezza

[Broomrider]

Email me would be best as I can't see how or if mobile number shows up on profie...

[clint640]

The Blackball Hilton is real good.

We've also had a few good nights in the Royal in Naseby.

Cheers
Clint

[countryguy]

No pubs as such in Hanmer to stay in but heaps of options. It would pay to book in advance (try hanmer i site) or one of the holiday home outfits as it goes ballistic over the summer here but should be a little quieter in Feb. If you want something specific message me for contact details :-)

[newbould]

wee bastard.

SEE AVATAR:woohoo:

[newbould]

Dunsandle OK -
The Highwayman Dunback - at the start of the pig route - one of NZ's finest roads
Omakau at the other end of the same road but perhaps Poolburn hotel would be nicer - certainly more isolated. Never stayed there as such
Beaumont if still open - when I satyed I was shown where the kitchen was so I could make my own breakfast before leaving early. The hens provided breakfast.
Ohau lodge when its time for some luxuriating - highly recommended but Kea country