My North Island tour

[Jeremie]

Hi everyone,
Great news, my vacation has been approved, so unless something crappy happens to me, this time is THE time!
I'm super excited, especially since I had to give up the first time (in 2009) and one thing I don't like is regrets.
I'm planning (still waiting for the plane ticket and the bike rental) to start my tour mid-February.
I'm going to put some stuff here, that might be useful for some other people. I'll update it after my trip, to add the "to do" and the "nope, shouldn't have done that after all".
If you have suggestions, especially in terms of where to eat or the good cheap motels/B&B, you're more than welcome.

First, the itinerary
2097km + more or less 200km since I intend to get lost and will not bring a GPS
http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Auckland,+Nouvelle-Z%C3%A9lande&daddr=-36.98657,175.20159+to:Coromandel,+Waikato,+New+Zea land+to:-36.77014,175.72594+to:-37.33297,175.89583+to:-37.83537,176.40181+to:Rotorua,+Bay+Of+Plenty,+Nouv elle-Z%C3%A9lande+to:-38.9359055,177.3200532+to:Napier,+Hawke's+Bay,+Nou velle-Z%C3%A9lande+to:-40.90857,175.66604+to:Wellington,+Nouvelle-Z%C3%A9lande+to:-41.12797,174.84538+to:-41.04691,174.87991+to:Stratford,+New+Zealand+to:To ngariro,+Manawatu-Wanganui,+New+Zealand+to:-38.69669,176.08081+to:Waitomo,+Waikato,+New+Zealan d+to:Auckland,+Nouvelle-Z%C3%A9lande&hl=fr&ie=UTF8&ll=-39.172659,176.704102&spn=7.314959,14.27124&sll=-41.174519,174.875565&sspn=0.221985,0.445976&geocode=FbS8zf0dRK1qCin75pxa-0cNbTEXmaJDYe8ABQ%3BFTahy_0dNl1xCilzCE-3gLxybTFxoN0GYe8AEw%3BFTkRz_0dkON1CikJtWI8pvFybTHQ vaJDYe8ABQ%3BFaTuzv0ddF15CinRUC8dCltybTGBnwgHYe8AE w%3BFRZYxv0dFvV7CimpbsZggIxtbTFAOAoHYe8AEw%3BFZatv v0dkq2DCikdAo2lW3tubTEh0ZcGYe8AEw%3BFfATuv0dkluBCi krsvaCPZhubTExmaNDYe8ABQ%3BFZ_irf0ddbCRCinNx7Ea4b1 obTEB0p4GYe8AEw%3BFRRjpf0dknaLCimZyrFP1slpbTFQ6KJD Ye8ABQ%3BFebIj_0deHN4Cinbo92_lyFBbTGhnxkHYe8AEw%3B FcQEiv0drN9qCinLdOlJ_LE4bTFwtBOiY-8ACg%3BFd5vjP0dxO1rCilP0405d1M_bTHgVe0GYe8AEw%3BFY Ksjf0dpnRsCikzZdeJ4FY_bTFQtxkHYe8AEw%3BFYrDp_0dMFx jCinBXpYntwcVbTEgBqNDYe8ABQ%3BFVtnrP0dX_x3Cil1PwC0 Q6drbTHQD6NDYe8ABQ%3BFQ6Jsf0dqsd-CinFIAi0kPBrbTFgGBUHYe8AEw%3BFT6buP0dIvZuCin5TS4XM 7psbTGd4vPmYGcFDA%3BFbS8zf0dRK1qCin75pxa-0cNbTEXmaJDYe8ABQ&oq=Strat&vpsrc=6&mra=ls&via=1,3,4,5,7,9,11,12,15&t=m&z=7

http://img843.imageshack.us/img843/3781/capturehz.jpg


Second, the schedule
Day 1 leaving Paris
Day 2 flight
Day 3 arrival Auckland
Day 4 putting my brain back together/Auckland visit
Day 5 Auckland visit + Auckland bridge bungy
Day 6 Getting the bike + trip to Coromandel 181 km
Day 7 trip to Rotorua 289 km
Day 8 touristics stuff around Rotorua
Day 9 trip to Napier 337 km
Day 10 trip to Wellington 328 km
Day 11 Wellington visit
Day 12 trip to Stratford 312 km
Day 13 trip to Tongariro 220 km (lost highway)
Day 14 touristics stuff around Tongariro, trip to Taupo 91km
Day 15 trip to Waitomo 147 km
Day 16 trip to Auckland 202 km + returning the bike
Day 17 leaving Auckland
Day 18 arrival Paris
Day 19 through...?: crying everyday because I had to go back

For the rental of the bike, I'm thinking one of those 2 guys (I'd like a Triumph Tiger 800, I'm a fan of the triple):
http://www.motorcycle-hire.co.nz
http://www.bikeroundnz.com/motorbike_hire_auckland.asp


Third, places to stay/eat/drink
Well, haven't gotten too far on this one besides staying at some friends in Auckland. I'll work on this ASAP. If you know of any biker-friendly places, feel free!
I'll try to find a couple of motels/B&B/backpackers on the internet and will choose the day before I get there.

Auckland
with some friends and some family I haven't seen since my last trip to NZ... 26 years ago
Coromandel

Rotorua (2 nights)

Napier

Wellington (2 nights)

Stratford or around

Tongariro

Taupo

Waitomo




Fourth, stuff to visit

Around Coromandel

Around Rotorua (1 full day)
Geysers?
Around Napier
I've heard there's wine here...
Wellington (1 full day)

Stratford or around

Tongariro (1 full day with Taupo)

Taupo

Waitomo

[Jeremie]

Slight issue: both rental places that had the Tiger 800 don't have any available for my dates.
I've inquired some others but that would be probably for a BMW F650 then.

[TrentNz]

Good luck!

[Gremlin]

Be aware the Waikaremoana Rd (Rotorua to Wairoa) is absolutely gravel, about 100-150km I think. Can be a dangerous road, with boaties etc thinking the whole road is for themselves.

Would also suggest the Napier-Taihape Rd. It's recently been sealed all the way through, and it's a really nice ride.

[Jeremie]

Be aware the Waikaremoana Rd (Rotorua to Wairoa) is absolutely gravel, about 100-150km I think. Can be a dangerous road, with boaties etc thinking the whole road is for themselves.

Would also suggest the Napier-Taihape Rd. It's recently been sealed all the way through, and it's a really nice ride.

Thanks. Looking at the width of the road on the map, I was starting to wonder too...
Regarding the Napier-Taihape road (Gentle Annie), Oneofsix was also advising it and I have read about it in another forum and but am not seeing it on the map. Isn't it gravel as well?
I might actually end up renting a VFR 800 so I'm not sure it would be adequate.

[Jeremie]

Oops, my bad, it does show on Google maps when you do an itinerary:
http://en.zimagez.com/miniature/capturedc64311e1baafb31a60504ad8cada97b.jpg (http://en.zimagez.com/zimage/capturedc64311e1baafb31a60504ad8cada97b.php)
I guess I have to redo quite a bit if my itinerary :Oops:

[Jeremie]

First, the itinerary
2011km + more or less 200km since I intend to get lost and will not bring a GPS
http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Auckland,+Nouvelle-Z%C3%A9lande&daddr=-36.98657,175.20159+to:Coromandel,+Waikato,+New+Zea land+to:-36.77014,175.72594+to:-37.33297,175.89583+to:-37.83537,176.40181+to:Rotorua,+Bay+Of+Plenty,+Nouv elle-Z%C3%A9lande+to:-38.71902,175.65584+to:Taupo,+New+Zealand+to:Napier ,+Hawke's+Bay,+Nouvelle-Z%C3%A9lande+to:Taihape,+Nouvelle-Z%C3%A9lande+to:-40.41507,175.86348+to:Wellington,+Nouvelle-Z%C3%A9lande+to:-41.12797,174.84538+to:-41.04691,174.87991+to:Stratford,+New+Zealand+to:-38.89545,174.97647+to:Waitomo,+Waikato,+New+Zealan d+to:Auckland,+Nouvelle-Z%C3%A9lande&hl=fr&ie=UTF8&sll=-39.812756,175.935059&sspn=3.582308,7.13562&geocode=FbS8zf0dRK1qCin75pxa-0cNbTEXmaJDYe8ABQ%3BFTahy_0dNl1xCilzCE-3gLxybTFxoN0GYe8AEw%3BFTkRz_0dkON1CikJtWI8pvFybTHQ vaJDYe8ABQ%3BFaTuzv0ddF15CinRUC8dCltybTGBnwgHYe8AE w%3BFRZYxv0dFvV7CimpbsZggIxtbTFAOAoHYe8AEw%3BFZatv v0dkq2DCikdAo2lW3tubTEh0ZcGYe8AEw%3BFfATuv0dkluBCi krsvaCPZhubTExmaNDYe8ABQ%3BFdQxsf0doEt4CimNVa1UaYN rbTFRCQwHYe8AEw%3BFQS0sf0dQp5-CilbFksUd-9rbTHgCaNDYe8ABQ%3BFRRjpf0dknaLCimZyrFP1slpbTFQ6KJ DYe8ABQ%3BFduQov0dFnp6CinvCth-LmRqbTGAB6NDYe8ABQ%3BFaJQl_0duHZ7Cim7o0j9Q6NBbTEAU agGYe8AEw%3BFcQEiv0drN9qCinLdOlJ_LE4bTFwtBOiY-8ACg%3BFd5vjP0dxO1rCilP0405d1M_bTHgVe0GYe8AEw%3BFY Ksjf0dpnRsCikzZdeJ4FY_bTFQtxkHYe8AEw%3BFYrDp_0dMFx jCinBXpYntwcVbTEgBqNDYe8ABQ%3BFaaArv0d1u1tCikjQ-Q8azVrbTHBCQgHYe8AEw%3BFT6buP0dIvZuCin5TS4XM7psbTG d4vPmYGcFDA%3BFbS8zf0dRK1qCin75pxa-0cNbTEXmaJDYe8ABQ&oq=Taihape+&vpsrc=0&mra=dpe&mrsp=11&sz=8&via=1,3,4,5,7,11,13,14,16&t=m&z=8

http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/589/capturebha.jpg




Second, the schedule

1. leaving Paris
2. flight
3. arrival Auckland
4. sleep/Auckland visit
5. Auckland + Auckland bridge bungy
6. trip to Coromandel 181 km
7. trip to Rotorua 289 km
8. Rotorua visit
9. trip to Taupo 197 km
10. trip to Napier 141 km
11. trip to Taihape (Gentle Annie) 152 km
12. trip to Wellington 295 km
13. Wellington visit
14. trip to Stratford 312 km
15. trip to Waitomo (forgotten highway) 240 km
16. trip to Auckland 202 km
17. départ d'Auckland
18. arrivée Paris


For the rental of the bike, probably a VFR 800 (couldn't find a Triumph Tiger 800 unfortunately)


Third, places to stay/eat/drink
Well, haven't gotten too far on this one besides staying at some friends in Auckland. I'll work on this ASAP. If you know of any biker-friendly places, feel free!
I'll try to find a couple of motels/B&B/backpackers on the internet and will choose the day before I get there.

Auckland
with some friends and some family I haven't seen since my last trip to NZ... 26 years ago
Coromandel

Rotorua (2 nights)

Taupo

Napier

Taihape

Wellington (2 nights)

Stratford or around

Waitomo




Fourth, stuff to visit

Around Coromandel

Around Rotorua (1 full day)
Geysers?
Around Taupo
There seems to be a nice lake
Around Napier
I've heard there's wine here...
Around Tahiape

Wellington (1 full day)

Stratford or around

Waitomo

[Jeremie]

Just booked my plane ticket and bike rental

[HEMA]

Hi Jeremie

If you want to take a break for a pie &/or a drink in Palmerston North on your way to Wellington, let me know...

:drinkup:

[MSTRS]

...version 2...

Good call. If I may make 2 suggestions tho...
When you get to the southern end of Lake Taupo, turn right just past Tokaanu, head for National Park, Ohakune and Waiouru, then turn left and do the Desert Road back to Turangi to rejoin your planned map. That way you get to see our majestic volcanos properly.
Also, when you cross over from Palmerston North to the Wairararpa region, instead of taking the main road (State Highway 2) some kind local could guide you down Route 52 instead. It takes you through much more interesting country and is not a boring road (bring tissues...)

[DangerMice]

Travelled the forgotten highway a couple of weeks ago. Beautiful but fairly slow so leave yourself plenty of time. Small gravel section. Might be worth your while going up to Dawson Falls (http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-visit/taranaki/taranaki/dawson-falls-roadend/) etc on Mt Taranaki beforehand. Nice views of the surrounding area. I stayed in New Plymouth, Stratford is a bit of a nothing town, but if you're only there for a bed is probably ok.

[MSTRS]

PS - great to see you already have Vinegar Hill planned...

[Gremlin]

Rotorua, you must go luging (or google luge). It's a kiwi thing, but you should find it a lot of fun, and Rotorua has the best tracks.

You're missing Northland, East Cape and the South Island, but when travelling, you should always leave stuff out for your next visit :D

When going through the Forgotten Highway, don't forget to stop at the Whangamomona Hotel (even for lunch). They like to call themselves a republic etc, lots of fun.

You'll find 14-15 reasonably long. 14 because it's pretty straight and main highways (no real easy alternative), 15 because the Forgotten Highway is slow going, not sure if you're visiting the Waitomo Caves in the same day, or the next. 9 should be very easy.

[Jeremie]

Holy mother ****** ****** ******** ********. :angry::angry::angry::angry::angry::angry::angry:: angry:
I just lost my driving license this morning. One of my guys calls me at 7:50AM, telling me he won't make it to the office, while there's an important conference set at 8AM. I rush my ass like crazy and boom, those damn cops were here on this damn day, just waiting for me.
I'm freakin doomed

[Berries]

Pas probleme.

Go and get an international licence today, tout suite like.

[haydes55]

Holy mother ****** ****** ******** ********. :angry::angry::angry::angry::angry::angry::angry:: angry:
I just lost my driving license this morning. One of my guys calls me at 7:50AM, telling me he won't make it to the office, while there's an important conference set at 8AM. I rush my ass like crazy and boom, those damn cops were here on this damn day, just waiting for me.
I'm freakin doomed

FUCK that is shit =( :angry:

how long you lost your licence for?

[Ender EnZed]

Holy mother ****** ****** ******** ********. :angry::angry::angry::angry::angry::angry::angry:: angry:
I just lost my driving license this morning. One of my guys calls me at 7:50AM, telling me he won't make it to the office, while there's an important conference set at 8AM. I rush my ass like crazy and boom, those damn cops were here on this damn day, just waiting for me.
I'm freakin doomed

Shit. Do you already have your International Driving Permit (or similar) sorted and in your hand? Do you still have your (physical) French Driver's licence on you? Just get on the plane and sort out the details when you get home. No one here is going to check with your embassy if your licence current. As long as you have a couple of pieces of official looking paper you should be sweet.

[Ender EnZed]

If you already have your International Driving Permit then I'd bet my left nut you'll be 100% fine here provided you never break a rule. If I'd paid for flights and such I'd definitely get on the plane. If you have an IDP and a passport then the bike rental agency will be confident you're going to bring their bike back or pay up. You're sweet, you'll get a bike. If you happen to run into an alcohol checkpoint at night then the cop will see that you have the vast majority of your details in order, you should be fine. If you get caught doing 150km/h then you may well be utterly fucked for the rest of your trip. Don't get caught.

[MSTRS]

You got excited when I mentioned 'tissues', eh?

[Jeremie]

Thanks for the messages guys.
I might have found a solution (it's about time I find one advantage of working for a law firm. But after all, it was for them that I had to rush my ass to the office): one lawyer is saying there's a possibility that instead of waiting for passing in front of a judge, get the sentence and remove the time between now and the sentencing from the suspension time; that I get my license back and that the term of the suspension would only start AFTER I see the judge and he makes his decision. That would be a solution. I really have no priors, that might help.
I should know monday.

[Jeremie]

I'M BAAAACK!!!
The solution with the lawyer worked, so I'm back on track!
And if I'm very lucky, he'll find a technicality and I'll get out of trouble completely but that's another story and frankly, I almost don't care now. At least I can pursue my trip.

[MSTRS]

Whoppee...see you soon then

[Red39]

If you already have your International Driving Permit then I'd bet my left nut you'll be 100% fine here provided you never break a rule. If I'd paid for flights and such I'd definitely get on the plane. If you have an IDP and a passport then the bike rental agency will be confident you're going to bring their bike back or pay up. You're sweet, you'll get a bike. If you happen to run into an alcohol checkpoint at night then the cop will see that you have the vast majority of your details in order, you should be fine. If you get caught doing 150km/h then you may well be utterly fucked for the rest of your trip. Don't get caught.

And if you do run into the police just say this:

Je t'emmerde, espece de porc a la manque. On se reverra en enfer!

Good luck with that:laugh:

[Jeremie]

Hi Jeremie

If you want to take a break for a pie &/or a drink in Palmerston North on your way to Wellington, let me know...

:drinkup:
Thanks for the offer. I will probably need a break on this leg of the itinerary!



Good call. If I may make 2 suggestions tho...
When you get to the southern end of Lake Taupo, turn right just past Tokaanu, head for National Park, Ohakune and Waiouru, then turn left and do the Desert Road back to Turangi to rejoin your planned map. That way you get to see our majestic volcanos properly.
Also, when you cross over from Palmerston North to the Wairararpa region, instead of taking the main road (State Highway 2) some kind local could guide you down Route 52 instead. It takes you through much more interesting country and is not a boring road (bring tissues...)

Itinerary version 3:
I've followed your advice but that lengthens the trip quite a bit. I think I'll see after the first couple of days if ~400kms per day is too much or not
<a href="http://www.zimagez.com/zimage/capture5c6c691d0f9cd2ada7283a17c08bb56b.php" target="_blank" title="a"><img src="http://www.zimagez.com/miniature/capture5c6c691d0f9cd2ada7283a17c08bb56b.jpg" alt="a" /></a>

[MSTRS]

The loop around the central plateau will add about 200kms. Doing Route 52 instead of SH2 through the Wairarapa will add some, not sure how much, but I reckon it'd be under 100kms.

[nosail]

Maybe we'll see you on the road. My mate is leaving Vancouver today (he has to see the vintage races at Pukekohe). I'll be arriving Feb. 6. We are going to head south on the 7th and ride the south island for a few days, then come back and ride the north island until Feb 18. We'll watch the battle of the streets in Paeroa and then ride the north with a group of Harleys :shit: some more until we depart on Feb. 26. If you see 2 old guys on BMWs give us a wave. One is a newer GS1150 and I'll be on an older K1000RT.

[Jeremie]

Maybe we'll see you on the road. My mate is leaving Vancouver today (he has to see the vintage races at Pukekohe). I'll be arriving Feb. 6. We are going to head south on the 7th and ride the south island for a few days, then come back and ride the north island until Feb 18. We'll watch the battle of the streets in Paeroa and then ride the north with a group of Harleys :shit: some more until we depart on Feb. 26. If you see 2 old guys on BMWs give us a wave. One is a newer GS1150 and I'll be on an older K1000RT.

Will do!
Another hurdle in my trip: now f***** Air France is (yes, I know, you're gonna say 'as usual') on strike Feb 6th through the 9th. And since the connection in HK with the Air New Zealand flight is only 1h and a half, it's going to be a nightmare of a trip, that's for sure.
Damn, my first beer is New Zealand will feel sweet and well deserved!!!!

One more thing, if someone could help: I've looked at the Gentle Annie road on Google street view and I'm not sure it's suitable for the bike I'll be riding (VFR 800). Anyone that has ridden it could advise?

[Quasi]

hey jeremie,
I am in Martinborough, approx 1 hour north of Wellington, on your route, can offer accommodation if you need.

cheers carla

[MSTRS]

One more thing, if someone could help: I've looked at the Gentle Annie road on Google street view and I'm not sure it's suitable for the bike I'll be riding (VFR 800). Anyone that has ridden it could advise?

YES - IT IS.
Google is behind the times. No gravel any more. Thought you'd read this... http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/146276-Gentle-Annie-New-Year-2012?p=1130246773#post1130246773
You want a guide?

[Jeremie]

hey jeremie,
I am in Martinborough, approx 1 hour north of Wellington, on your route, can offer accommodation if you need.

cheers carla
Thanks Carla, much appreciated. I was actually thinking in passing by this area but since I already have about 400km on this leg of my trip... But a stop in Martinborough would be a solution.


YES - IT IS.
Google is behind the times. No gravel any more. Thought you'd read this... http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/146276-Gentle-Annie-New-Year-2012?p=1130246773#post1130246773
You want a guide?

Oops, sorry, I hadn't seen that someone had replied. That's great news. It's funny, we complain about the same in France about road works. Come here in the summer and it's just road work after road work. Back to gentle Annie, I guess I might see some people since I'll be riding it on a Saturday (assuming no more crap will stand in my way between now and then - I'm almost expecting it now).

P.S: it's -9°C in Paris today. Can't wait to get there! :cold:

[Jeremie]

Now I really feel like shooting someone in the head!
Air France just cancelled my flight (they're on strike... because the government want to force them to declare strikes 48 hours in advance. Welcome to France) and they don't know if they'll be able to put me on another one for the next 3 days.
If that weren't for the bike rental (I have to pay in full if I cancel less than 2 weeks prior), I wouldn't mind but now...

Some days I feel like there's a dark cloud over my head!

[MSTRS]

Are the Fates testing your determination? Or trying to tell you something?

[Jeremie]

Well, since I'm a bit strong headed, I packed my stuff quickly, went to the airport and told Air France I didn't care how, but I had to come over here.
So now, I'm in South Korea, waiting for my connecting flight to Auckland!
So unless North Korea starts another war within a few hours, I should be drinking a well deserved kiwi beer tomorrow!
:niceone:

[MSTRS]

Avoid the meat dishes while you are there...

[Jeremie]

Well, I Finally made it and am enjoying every second of it. I picked up the VFR this morning and am now having a beer in Waitomo.
I'm doing my trip in reverse because of the weather forecast. I got drenched a couple of times earlier but the weather got great in the afternoon.
I also saw my first Kiwi (bird) today!

[Gremlin]

I also saw my first Kiwi (bird) today!
Congrats. No eating the kiwi. You're welcome to kiwifruit. :)

[BoristheBiter]

Congrats. No eating the kiwi. You're welcome to kiwifruit. :)

Alan might not take to kindly to that.

[Jeremie]

Hi guys,
I'm back to France, having covered over 3000kms during my NZ trip. Thanks everyone for all their help and especially Carla.
I started to put pictures (and comments) on a blog: http://jnz2012en.blogspot.com

[Jeremie]

French version, a bit more detailed: https://sites.google.com/site/roadtripnouvellezelandeilenord/

I just have to come back at the end of the year to do the South island, I guess.
I'll keep my international driving license in a safe, just in case :msn-wink:

[Jeremie]

I almost forgot: shipping costs are pretty high ($NZ130), but for expensive stuff this site could prove useful to Triumph fans http://www.triumphfactoryoutlet.com/
Example: full Alpinestars leathers are $NZ700 instead of $NZ1934.
Being an outlet, all sizes are not available.

Cheers,
Jérémie