Tips for Wellington to Wanaka?

[Burger]

Hi Everyone,

It looks like I'll be spending my New Years celebrations in Wanaka with a few friends. Flights were looking pretty horrendous to Queenstown, and it costs a fortune to take your car on the ferry. So I though, why not ride down!?

Unfortunately I know very little about our southern island. My boss suggested I ride down the west coast as opposed to the east coast, and that's about it. I think I'll have to do it in 2 stages, with an overnight stay somewhere (Greymouth?). Otherwise my arse gets too sore from being on my thin seat for more than 4 hours.

So I've booked my bike in for a service, and I'll sort out the ferry in the next few days (it's still $50 for bikes right?) but other than that, I'm pretty clueless about what route to take, where to stay, what to watch out for...

So if anyone has some tips on any of the above (including ways to stop my arse from suffering too much) then I'd appreciate the advice.

Planned dates are depart 27/28th, return 2nd/3rd.

Cheers!

[Gone Burger]

Hi Everyone,

It looks like I'll be spending my New Years celebrations in Wanaka with a few friends. Flights were looking pretty horrendous to Queenstown, and it costs a fortune to take your car on the ferry. So I though, why not ride down!?

Unfortunately I know very little about our southern island. My boss suggested I ride down the west coast as opposed to the east coast, and that's about it. I think I'll have to do it in 2 stages, with an overnight stay somewhere (Greymouth?). Otherwise my arse gets too sore from being on my thin seat for more than 4 hours.

So I've booked my bike in for a service, and I'll sort out the ferry in the next few days (it's still $50 for bikes right?) but other than that, I'm pretty clueless about what route to take, where to stay, what to watch out for...

So if anyone has some tips on any of the above (including ways to stop my arse from suffering too much) then I'd appreciate the advice.

Planned dates are depart 27/28th, return 2nd/3rd.

Cheers!

Oooooo goodie! I just did this ride just over a week ago - there and back!

So, I would highly recommend heading down or back up via the West Coast. I arrived at midday on the ferry in picton, and continued through to Franz Joseph via the Buller Gorge that afternoon, arriving about 8pm. I was a full days riding but I found it just fine! Stopped a few times along the way for photos etc. Just make sure you head straight out to the Coast towards Wesport and through to Gerymouth. I took the wrong turn and missed this. Having done that coast stretch a few weeks earlier, I would definitely suggest it. STUNNING scenery and fun roads.

Franz Josheph was a great place to stay. Lots of bars / restaurants to grab a nice meal and drink at the end of a days riding, and plenty of holiday parks etc with cabins to stay in.

From there, you would love the Hasst pass. What an amazing road to ride. I was buzzing after heading through there. Stopped quite a few times playing tourist with the Glaciers etc, but think it was about a 3-4 hour ride max through to Wanaka from Franz Joshpeh.

As for a different route back, well I actually went back the same way for the most part. But The lewis pass is also fantastic riding with glorious sweeping corners and picturesque outlook once again.

You'll have a ball! Great decision to take the bike. i took did it on my own, but ended up meeting many people along the way (was Burt Monro Rally week).

Check out my blog for a read of how exciting I found it down there...

Have fun! I just want to go back!

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/entry.php/1858-A-stray-(Katiepie)-her-motorbike-and-a-South-Island-adventure.

[Gone Burger]

P.S. If you do want to stay the night in Greymouth I stayed at this place:

Noah’s Ark Backpackers. 16 Chaple Street. 03-7684868

The guy that owns it is great, and if you get a room on your own its lovely. Big old building just up the road from the town centre.

The "Cat" room is lovely :yes:

Ferry prices are quite a bit higher than $50 each way - I payed $82.50 each way but that was tagging along on a group booking for the ralley. Over labour weekend in cost me $260 return. Ouch!

Oh - jealous much!!!!

[imdying]

You're well in for a treat :yes:

Picton -> Havelock -> Rai Valley -> Nelson -> Motueka -> Takaka Hill -> Takaka -> Takaka Hill -> Motueka -> Motupiko -> Murchison -> 65 and 7 to Hanmer -> 7 to Reefton -> Greymouth -> Westport -> Follow the 6 to Wanaka

You'd do it in a day, but take two. Hell take three and do your favourite bits twice.

[Gone Burger]

You're well in for a treat :yes:

Picton -> Havelock -> Rai Valley -> Nelson -> Motueka -> Takaka Hill -> Takaka -> Takaka Hill -> Motueka -> Motupiko -> Murchison -> 65 and 7 to Hanmer -> 7 to Reefton -> Greymouth -> Westport -> Follow the 6 to Wanaka

You'd do it in a day, but take two. Hell take three and do your favourite bits twice.

Hell yes! Those details are much better, and all of that route is brilliant! ESPECIALLY Takaka Hill. It just has to be done - would be rude not to. Also, a great place to stay in Motueka is Hat Trick Lodge Backpackers. 25 Wallace Street. 03-5285353. Awesome owners and decent rooms and rates

[imdying]

There's a few others that are worth the trouble, but I didn't want to send them backtracking toooo much :innocent:

[Gremlin]

Left, right, right, left, No wait, left right, left, left, right. You're there :yes:

Yeah, wot the others said... west coast. Can't go wrong (unless you miss one of my turn instructions).

[ukusa]

Flights were looking pretty horrendous to Queenstown, and it costs a fortune to take your car on the ferry. So I though, why not ride down!? Cheers!

you are right, but just remember a couple of tickets could make the other two options seem like the cheaper ones. But for fun & enjoyment, you're travelling by the right method.

I would go the coast way too.

[Oakie]

I've done the Coast a couple of times and if you have time, take your time. Trying to do it quickly is like pulling a beautiful woman and then having a quicky and going to sleep. (Not that I'd know ... but it's what I'd imagine). The route that takes you through the MacKenzie Basin is also rewarding. Did that route to Wanaka and back 5 weeks ago and it was great. Whichever way you approach it from, the ride to Wanaka is a good'un.

[Burger]

Wow thanks for all the advice everyone! Certainly sounds like I'll enjoy myself. I figure it's about time I visited the lower part of the country I've lived in for my whole life.

I have a little idea of what sort of scenery to expect but for the most part it's going to be a surprise. I'll be taking the camera for sure.

Thanks again!

[cbfb]

I would recommend West coast, much more interesting trip.

If you're looking for accomodation in Wanaka, book now. I used to live there and it gets packed out over NYs. Should be fun, enjoy.

[James Deuce]

Major Tip: Make sure you get a ferry before you try the route from Picton.