Visiting New Zealand for a bike trip, need some recommendations

[maddad]

And hello from the other side of the world..... Here in Canada, it's below zero and a couple of feet of snow on the ground. But another 2 1/2 months and we'll be headed your way.

3 of us are coming to the South Island, 1st two weeks of April and rent bikes for 8 days. Starting and Ending in ChristChurch, I'm looking for any recommendations people would have on places to see, roads to ride, places to stay, etc.

Our overall plan is to head South from ChristChurch and then cross over to the West Coast, head North and then back to ChristChurch.

Really Appreciate any information you can send us.

Thanks,
Doug

[xgnr]

http://www.hemamaps.com/Products/tabid/146/Default.aspx?page01=category&category01=02238.0000006166

Best money you will spend I reckon. Enjoy the trip and dont forget to pack gear for 4 seasons.

Cheers

Stu

[HappyGOriding]

http://www.hemamaps.com/Products/tabid/146/Default.aspx?page01=category&category01=02238.0000006166

Best money you will spend I reckon. Enjoy the trip and dont forget to pack gear for 4 seasons.

Cheers

Stu

Yep bloody good book that will cost you about $30 NZ they actually have a 10 day recommended Sth Island trip

[scumdog]

And hello from the other side of the world..... Here in Canada, it's below zero and a couple of feet of snow on the ground. But another 2 1/2 months and we'll be headed your way.

3 of us are coming to the South Island, 1st two weeks of April and rent bikes for 8 days. Starting and Ending in ChristChurch, I'm looking for any recommendations people would have on places to see, roads to ride, places to stay, etc.

Our overall plan is to head South from ChristChurch and then cross over to the West Coast, head North and then back to ChristChurch.

Really Appreciate any information you can send us.

Thanks,
Doug

Got relations here and there in Canada, where do you guys come from and what do you ride??

[release_the_bees]

I agree with the other suggestions regarding the New Zealand Motorcycle Atlas. If you follow the roads and suggested routes, you really can't go wrong.

[maddad]

I'll pick up the Atlas. Saw another thread where someone spent a couple of weeks so I'm going to review their trip carefully.

We are from the East Coast (New Brunswick) between the 3 of us ride FJR, ZX-14, ZX-11, K12RT and some big frigging $30,000 Harley that we keep diggin at the old guy about.

We'll be settling for the BMW GS650 Twins for the time in NZ. I suspect we'll be looking more at the sites than trying to blast through the twisties.

[Oakie]

I suspect we'll be looking more at the sites than trying to blast through the twisties.

Good plan. Take your time up the West Coast. It's beautiful country.

[skippa1]

Can I suggest the following,
Head South to Waimate, then through Otematata, Omarama, Cromwell and on to Queenstown
Head Queenstown to Wanaka, through to Haast.
Head up the Coast and check out Hokitika, Greymouth and Westport, then pop up to Karamea.
From there, back to Westport, over to Nelson.
then head either back down Lewis Pass, or through Blenheim to Kaikoura and back to Christchurch.
A great ride all the way with great scenery, magic roads, takes in the main tourist points and completes the goal.
I just did this trip last year and it was GREAT. Doing it again this year in March, taking in the March hare rally.

[Winston001]

Saw another thread where someone spent a couple of weeks so I'm going to review their trip carefully.



Probably this one http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/124045-Please-review-my-route and the guy wrote a terrific blog as well. :D

[Clivoris]

Have just done 5 days down there myself. Went from Picton to Haast down the West Coast. From Haast to Stewart Island. From Stewart Island to the Kawarau river gorge (via Milford Sound). From Kawarau to Christchurch. Christchurch to Picton via the Lindis Pass. All around the West Coast is phenomenal riding. The Pub at Stewart Island is very hospitable and the ferry crossing was like motox in a boat. The absolute highlight was Milford Sound. The road is fantastic but the scenery is something else. I would strongly recommend Milford. My 2c.
Hope you have a ball.

[kit]

Can I suggest the following,
Head South to Waimate, then through Otematata, Omarama, Cromwell and on to Queenstown
Head Queenstown to Wanaka, through to Haast.
Head up the Coast and check out Hokitika, Greymouth and Westport, then pop up to Karamea.
From there, back to Westport, over to Nelson.
then head either back down Lewis Pass, or through Blenheim to Kaikoura and back to Christchurch.
A great ride all the way with great scenery, magic roads, takes in the main tourist points and completes the goal.
I just did this trip last year and it was GREAT. Doing it again this year in March, taking in the March hare rally.

Haha Didn't know that the southisland stopped at queenstown? What about the nice ride through the catlins thay would be missing, not the mention the southern scenic route through to TeAnau to go to milford sound....

[Muppet]

And hello from the other side of the world..... Here in Canada, it's below zero and a couple of feet of snow on the ground. But another 2 1/2 months and we'll be headed your way.

3 of us are coming to the South Island, 1st two weeks of April and rent bikes for 8 days. Starting and Ending in ChristChurch, I'm looking for any recommendations people would have on places to see, roads to ride, places to stay, etc.

Our overall plan is to head South from ChristChurch and then cross over to the West Coast, head North and then back to ChristChurch.

Really Appreciate any information you can send us.

Thanks,
Doug

You plan sounds fine to me in that, it is simple. My advice is take your time and stop and look at the scenery. The West Coast is the best of the lot. Ride carefully as the roads can catch you out.

[kit]

hmmmm, I made a suggestion, thats all. Instead of making :tugger: comments about what I suggested and acting like a troll(one who makes wanky comments for attention), just throw out your own suggestions for them to pick and choose what they want to do. After all, they are having a holiday, not taking part in a race around the South Island.

Soo suggesting the catlins and milford sound, via the southern scenic route aren't suggestions? All I said is that the southisland doesn't stop at queenstown like most people suggest, and there are a lot more places to explore. Obviously your sense of humour and light hearted banter is missing today.

[Big Dave]

Sometimes I have to stick to an itinerary touring on the South Island but I prefer not to.

The best bet is to make it up as you go. Pick a few targets sure, but it's 'usually' raining on one side of the alps. The west more often than the east.

Best bet is to check the weather forecast the day before and head to the dry side of the island. Then when it changes head back over the Alps

The whole place is very touring and tourist friendly and I've never had any issues finding a room.

Buller Gorge, Arthur's Pass, The West Coast Hwy, Queenstown and Milford Sound are good starters.