Please review my route

[skeelo221]

Hello Everyone!

First post here..woo hoo :Punk:

Last week I bought my airfare over to NZ where I will hire a bike for 15 days and tour the south island. After that I will fly to Cairns and tour the gold coast on down to Sydney in a campervan. Enough about that part though I'm looking forward to the riding!

My trip won't be until the end of November but I have been doing quite a bit of reading about the sights and just picked up a NZ Motorcycle Atlas with some routes put together by Peter Mitchell. Can you guys please take a look at my route and let me know if I'm missing any "must sees?"

I was deciding between going north or south first from Christchurch but I decided to go south since my only reservations will be in Queenstown where I will do the Awesome Foresome and in Doubtful Sound where I will do an overnight sea kayak trip. That and lodging might be scarce in that area so I might make one or two hostel reservations. After I "get that out of the way" I'd like to have an open schedule to tour the rest of NZ at my leisure.

By the way, does anyone have any input on TE WAIPOUNAMU motorcycle rentals in CHC? I was going to hire a SV650. http://www.motorcycle-hire.co.nz/

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Christchurch,+New+Zealand&daddr=akaroa+to:Aylesbury+Rd+to:methven+to:lake+te kapo+to:mount+cook+to:Dunedin,+Otago,+New+Zealand+ to:Milford+Sound+Hwy+to:Queenstown,+New+Zealand+to :coronet+peak+ski+field+to:wanaka+to:haast,nz+to:S ullivan+Rd,+Fox+Glacier+7601,+New+Zealand+(Fox+Gla cier+Lodge)+to:Franz+Josef+Glacier+School,+New+Zea land+to:greymouth+to:rangiora,nz+to:hanmer+springs +to:picton+to:pelorus+bridge+to:nelson+to:Totaranu i+to:Punakaiki+to:26+Hart+Street,+Blackball+7804,+ New+Zealand+(The+Blackball+Hilton)+to:SH+7+to:Chri stchurch,+New+Zealand&geocode=FYvCZ_0d5TlKCimBC3YDPooxbTG_g5lNp_4isA%3BF bGSY_0dqEJPCimRPFtQ1cszbTFpJxU11g-wGQ%3BFaUMZ_0dR_FECg%3BFYo3Zv0dKiA7CinxzQzIXc4tbTE H33IqzLAMdA%3BFT6AYP0ds14pCinDb7Opdr0rbTEkQsV168Gc 6g%3BFUimZP0dG4kjCinBA81-q7QrbTHypejzlgtknA%3BFdgxRP0dLMMpCinxz-vjh6suqDH0lO5OdNWw2w%3BFaBrVv0dVF4CCg%3BFSXqUP0dvo oNCim1bYNmhB3VqTHgR5p5X-HkQQ%3BFTakUv0dosMOCinfx6BuIxrVqTH-9PDkJxXXmw%3BFdXzVf0dXMMUCinD3lVNpEjVqTEt5ifaBcFLQ A%3BFSNtYv0dNWETCik7ZE1V_4LVbDFdZ8OwtF_oNw%3BFTzHa P0duEgiCiG6KQQ0fZNomQ%3BFWMoav0dKb8kCimRF2XA-9UrbTFrmI0f3BXzJw%3BFfEleP0dO2U0CimZoHJqM2ovbTEA2e YlyP9vSw%3BFZo7a_0d4IVJCinfZimAYpMxbTGhgXs2EnsZow% 3BFV4pd_0d1yxNCil_4IZAYHEwbTHi9B9ESfjERA%3BFbPrif0 dLh5fCikh1ZAu-Dk5bTEzMpPRzPsTOA%3BFeHQif0dLoNYCimJR66-beM7bTFBwBhkmuf5xw%3BFf5Biv0doBpUCinZgua4D-07bTFfQyBe-gz5Lw%3BFfgUkf0d09dPCiljZf4WpmY8bTFPKOcN3pnJQg%3BF dF5ff0drGE2Cinlp-ma8oUlbTF6vK-dgTkRXQ%3BFVuSef0duI43CiGKNa8gLsbeoindGCaxPXovbTHH pb4RprKLPg%3BFcRkev0dIENCCg%3BFYvCZ_0d5TlKCimBC3YD PooxbTG_g5lNp_4isA&hl=en&mra=dpe&via=2,23&sll=-42.579377,171.432037&sspn=0.401957,0.891953&ie=UTF8&ll=-42.609706,171.485596&spn=6.428059,14.27124&z=7

Edit: Let me know if you have any issues with the Google Maps link. It works for me but there's a bloody mess of destinations on there!

[NighthawkNZ]

Looks us up when in Dunedin we may go for a ride have coffee of what ever...
You want to take the route a little but further south and do the Catlins... its brillient that time of year and is a good motorcycle heave of a road... :)

[neels]

Looks like a good trip, only a couple of suggestions...

To get to methven take the long way around through darfield and rakaia gorge, much more fun than SH1 and thompsons track.

Oxford to Rangiora via ashley gorge rather than the pretty straight boring road direct.

[skeelo221]

Looks like a good trip, only a couple of suggestions...

To get to methven take the long way around through darfield and rakaia gorge, much more fun than SH1 and thompsons track.

Oxford to Rangiora via ashley gorge rather than the pretty straight boring road direct.

Thanks, I've updated my route to take the long way to Methven through rakaia gorge. You're right, looks a lot more fun!
I don't see any other roads to get from Oxford to Rangiora, however.

[skeelo221]

Looks us up when in Dunedin we may go for a ride have coffee of what ever...
You want to take the route a little but further south and do the Catlins... its brillient that time of year and is a good motorcycle heave of a road... :)

Will do!

I was planning on posting back up when I'm getting closer to departure. I would love to meet and ride with as many Kiwis as possible...that's all part of what makes a trip worth it! Hopefully the trend will start as soon as I land in Auckland. I'd like to grab a beer and check out Deus Ex Machina.

[neels]

You might need to zoom in a bit to see ashley gorge road going north from oxford, around through loburn to rangiora. From rangiora to hanmer springs you could also take the road through ashley/sefton/balcairn to amberley to avoid the other traffic stupidity that always seems to exist on that part of the main road.

[Jantar]

I would suggest that for the Hanmer Springs - Picton leg that you go via the inland Kaikoura route and Kaikoura coast. That is a great piece of road and the coastal scenery is very worthwhile. It also save you repeating the Murchisaon section on your way back to Punakaiki.

[Warr]

......
You want to take the route a little but further south and do the Catlins... its brillient that time of year and is a good motorcycle heave of a road... :)

If you make the addition of heading through the Catlins (very well worth it too) .... Also get onto SH99 around through Riverton , Tuatapere, Manapouri, TeAnau.

I can recommend the accommodation at Riverton too. We stayed on the road out to The Rocks. Lovely Cafe / Resturant out there as well.
globebackpackers@xtra.co.nz 0800 843456

PS and the only other omission you seem to have made is to make it 2 the that other bit of land further north commonly referred to as North Island !

[clint640]

Looks Good. If you have some extra time at Westport & the weather is nice I strongly recommend the side trip up to Karamea & back. Since you are going through Motueka you would be mad to miss the Takaka Hill road over to Golden Bay, another out & back route - even if you only zoom over to Takaka for a coffee & straight back it's well worth it just for the ride.

Cheers
Clint

[dave_ali@xtra.co.nz]

Youll love it. I'm planning a trip from Tauranga south to Dunedin soon myself, Leaving here on the 14th June for 10 days. Really looking forward to the space and not too ready for the cold. Bit of preparation required yet.

[skeelo221]

Looks Good. If you have some extra time at Westport & the weather is nice I strongly recommend the side trip up to Karamea & back. Since you are going through Motueka you would be mad to miss the Takaka Hill road over to Golden Bay, another out & back route - even if you only zoom over to Takaka for a coffee & straight back it's well worth it just for the ride.

Cheers
Clint

Thanks! That does look good. I would like to take the road all the way out to Totaranui but it looks like it turns to a dirt road in Anatimo as seen on Google Street view:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Takaka,nz&sll=-40.709011,172.695808&sspn=0.206899,0.445976&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Takaka,+Tasman,+New+Zealand&ll=-40.831021,172.947378&spn=0.05163,0.111494&z=14&layer=c&cbll=-40.83094,172.947266&panoid=EkdWfUMFJpgMsUTCmIcmnw&cbp=12,127.65,,0,3.05

Hah, technology!

Anyways has anyone ridden this road? I will be on a loaded SV650 which is not supposed to go off road. Tisk tisk! I have no problem putting out there if it's very packed (as is looks on street view) I just don't want to run into really deep gravel and bin it.

Route in original post has been updated.

[skeelo221]

I would suggest that for the Hanmer Springs - Picton leg that you go via the inland Kaikoura route and Kaikoura coast. That is a great piece of road and the coastal scenery is very worthwhile. It also save you repeating the Murchisaon section on your way back to Punakaiki.

Not exactly sure I follow you. I am going through Kaikoura on the way to Picton. I also have no duplicate routes going through Murchisaon.

[Jantar]

My apologies. Google maps didn't load correctly for me the first time and it didn't show your route through Kaikora. The way you have planned it is the best route.

[skeelo221]

My apologies. Google maps didn't load correctly for me the first time and it didn't show your route through Kaikora. The way you have planned it is the best route.

No worries. I think I basically have google maps maxed out right now. It won't let me add any additional routes or change any of the routes. Oh well that's plenty enough planning it seems! I have a road atlas that's all I really need I suppose.

[jim.cox]

Anyways has anyone ridden this road? I will be on a loaded SV650 which is not supposed to go off road. Tisk tisk! I have no problem putting out there if it's very packed (as is looks on street view) I just don't want to run into really deep gravel and bin it.


The gravel is the least of your worries - just watch out for campervans (and other idiiot cagers) on the wrong side iof the road

[skeelo221]

I got a recommendation to take Glenorchy-Queenstown Rd that looks like fun.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Queenstown,+New+Zealand&daddr=Glenorchy,+New+Zealand&hl=en&geocode=%3BCdcstu8flw0DFaCkU_0daGUJCil7uU0bQKPVqTH Cqtb3bOotHQ&mra=ls&sll=-44.907441,168.495941&sspn=0.362307,0.891953&ie=UTF8&ll=-44.958482,168.603745&spn=0.361985,0.891953&z=11

As well as to peel off SH6 to take Ronga Rd. up to okiwi bay.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=carluke&daddr=okiwi+bay&hl=en&geocode=&mra=ls&sll=-41.135486,173.651962&sspn=0.09632,0.222988&ie=UTF8&ll=-41.178912,173.62587&spn=0.192512,0.445976&z=12

[skeelo221]

Hey guys, stupid tourist question for you. I am planning a Doubtful Sound overnight sea kayak trip. Do you still thing it's worth doing the cruise on Milford Sound the next day or should I get my fill during the Doubtful Sound trip?

[Jantar]

I've done the milford cruise a couple of times and it is absolutely great. The best boats to book are the smaller ones as they don't get the large bus tours on them. However if you are doing the overnight kayak trip (take plenty of insect repellent) then you should see just as much marine life as you would on the Milford cruise.

[Warr]

The ride to Milford would still be on my to-do list ...weather dependant ! Getting through the Homer Tunnel and down to Milford is real sweet.

Where are you staying at Akaroa ?
Plug for
Chez La Mer Backpackers
03 3047024
info@chezlamer.co.nz
At the end of '06 when we went through, the owner of the back packers also owned the sailing boat Edwin Fox II where we got a specail deal for the sailing trip to Akaroa Heads. Very well worth it :)
http://www.chezlamer.co.nz/
http://www.akaroafoxsail.co.nz/

& skeelo221 you still havent added the more southern loop taking in the Catlins + SH 99 :)

[MIXONE]

A great route with some excellent roads and fantastic sights.
If you can time it to visit Punikaiki on the West Coast Road towards full tide the blow holes are amazing.
You will also find out why we call NZ "Godzone" as God rides a bike and the South Island is his personal play ground.

[peasea]

Thanks, I've updated my route to take the long way to Methven through rakaia gorge. You're right, looks a lot more fun!
I don't see any other roads to get from Oxford to Rangiora, however.

When in Methven drink at the Blue pub.

[blackdog]

i'm stil waiting for you to post a picture of your root for me to review :shifty:

[skeelo221]

The ride to Milford would still be on my to-do list ...weather dependant ! Getting through the Homer Tunnel and down to Milford is real sweet.

Where are you staying at Akaroa ?
Plug for
Chez La Mer Backpackers
03 3047024
info@chezlamer.co.nz
At the end of '06 when we went through, the owner of the back packers also owned the sailing boat Edwin Fox II where we got a specail deal for the sailing trip to Akaroa Heads. Very well worth it :)
http://www.chezlamer.co.nz/
http://www.akaroafoxsail.co.nz/

& skeelo221 you still havent added the more southern loop taking in the Catlins + SH 99 :)

I'm not going to be staying in Akaroa. That's just gonna be a quick trip out and back once I pick up my bike in Christchurch. I hear it's nice out there and that should be a nice little first trip to get a few km's under my cold tires!

I haven't forgotten about the Catlins + SH 99 route... I just have google maps maxed out I can't add any additional destinations!

[skeelo221]

i'm stil waiting for you to post a picture of your root for me to review :shifty:

In my original post I have a google maps link :)

[blackdog]

In my original post I have a google maps link :)

ah sorry, you misunderstood. it wasn't a spelling mistake.

[sinned]

ah sorry, you misunderstood. it wasn't a spelling mistake.
Too subtle - he should find a few at some of those stop overs.

[skeelo221]

Too subtle - he should find a few at some of those stop overs.

Ha, right on! Yea I had to look that one up I've definitely never heard that one before. Thanks for teaching me all the important stuff though!

[sinned]

Ha, right on! Yea I had to look that one up I've definitely never heard that one before. Thanks for teaching me all the important stuff though!
Just looked it up myself in Wikipedia; - I didn't know it was only used in New Zealand and Australia. You can learn something new every day. Enjoy your trip.

[skeelo221]

So at the end of November is it still possible to get hardcore rain on the west coast? I've heard to 100% plan on rain but I'm trying to decide between an Aerostich over-the-glove rain cover or just a decent pair of rain gloves.

http://www.aerostich.com/review/product/list/id/3623/category/5/?p=2

[neels]

So at the end of November is it still possible to get hardcore rain on the west coast?You should plan for rain on the west coast in November.

In fact you should plan for rain on the west coast pretty much any time between January and December. :yes: Not cold, just wet. A nice day on the coast is a really nice day, hopefully you get some of them, nothing better than riding in the sunshine on a winding coast road through native bush.

[skeelo221]

Thanks again everyone for the advise. I think I got the route pretty fuckin' dialed in:

http://goo.gl/maps/L6Ro

I had to change the direction of travel to accommodate the Doubtful Sound kayak tour but no worries.

NighthawkNZ: I'll send you an IM a day or two before I get into Dunedin to see if you have any interest to go on a ride. I'll be headed to Lake Tekapo via Mt. Cook the next day if you have any desire to head up that way.

Here's where I should be staying each night, if anyone will be in the area chime in if you want to go on a ride or grab a beer.


24-Nov Christchurch
25-Nov Anakiwa
26-Nov Nelson
27-Nov Punakaiki
28-Nov Hanmer Springs
29-Nov Greymouth
30-Nov Glaciers
1-Dec Glaciers
2-Dec Wanaka
3-Dec Queenstown
4-Dec Queenstown
5-Dec Te Anau
6-Dec Doubtful Sound Kayak Trip
7-Dec Te Anau
8-Dec Dunedin
9-Dec Lake Tekapo
10-Dec Christchurch

Hell yea :scooter:

[neels]

If you'll have your bike on your first day in christchurch on 24 Nov, there's a regular wednesday night ride (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/128852-Wednesday-Night-Ride)you could come along to and meet the local rabble. If you were thinking of a trip to Akaroa and wanted someone to show you the way, it probably wouldn't take much persuasion to make that the destination for the night.

[skeelo221]

Ah, damn no I won't have it. Picking the bike up the next morning. I'll be staying at the Around the World Backpackers joint off Barbadoes St & Gloucester St which looks to be a 20 min walk. I'll try to walk down if I'm able to come say hi and shoot the shit.

I liked this line from the post about the night ride, gave me a good laugh:

This is not a race from point A to point B. If you want to "see how fast you can go" then please just fuck off.

[Grubber]

Looks like a good trip, only a couple of suggestions...

To get to methven take the long way around through darfield and rakaia gorge, much more fun than SH1 and thompsons track.

Oxford to Rangiora via ashley gorge rather than the pretty straight boring road direct.


I would suggest that for the Hanmer Springs - Picton leg that you go via the inland Kaikoura route and Kaikoura coast. That is a great piece of road and the coastal scenery is very worthwhile. It also save you repeating the Murchisaon section on your way back to Punakaiki.


If you make the addition of heading through the Catlins (very well worth it too) .... Also get onto SH99 around through Riverton , Tuatapere, Manapouri, TeAnau.

I can recommend the accommodation at Riverton too. We stayed on the road out to The Rocks. Lovely Cafe / Resturant out there as well.
globebackpackers@xtra.co.nz 0800 843456

PS and the only other omission you seem to have made is to make it 2 the that other bit of land further north commonly referred to as North Island !


Looks Good. If you have some extra time at Westport & the weather is nice I strongly recommend the side trip up to Karamea & back. Since you are going through Motueka you would be mad to miss the Takaka Hill road over to Golden Bay, another out & back route - even if you only zoom over to Takaka for a coffee & straight back it's well worth it just for the ride.

Cheers
Clint

Ok so these guys have got all you need. there is more but i suggest you go with all the above. Just done 4 weeks down there in March and it is an awesome riding island for sure.
ENJOY!

[skeelo221]

Man that came up quick, leaving tomorrow for my trip! If anyone would like to meet up please let me know. Here's the post with which town I'm hoping to stay in each night:

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/124045-Please-review-my-route?p=1129871324#post1129871324

[Winston001]

The only additional suggestion is that you should take your time. The South Island is big but its possible to travel its length in a day. The trouble is you wouldn't see much except roads.

Naturally bikers recommend twisty interesting routes but IMHO you should also experience the empty open spaces of the Mackenzie Country and Central Otago. These are quite different to British landscapes as are our alpine mountains. Sort of like Switzerland with bits of New Mexico tossed in. :D

Don't spend all of your time on the bike. You'll enjoy Doubtful Sound.

[FJRider]

The gravel is the least of your worries - just watch out for campervans (and other idiiot cagers) on the wrong side iof the road

And remember to keep left yourself ... will be easy to forget ...

[skeelo221]

Thanks again everyone for the recommendations. I had the fucking time of my life! Ya'll have a beautiful country and the people were great as well.

If you have a couple minutes click through some pics on my blog I wrote while I was over in NZ. As for the NZ/OZ debacle, I will be siding with the Kiwis during the next "taking of the piss" session! :)

http://jkeiner.posterous.com/

[tri boy]

Nice blog skeelo.
Happy trails dude.