South Island trip in May

[awa355]

Will be travelling down to see my grandchildren in May. I intend to get off the ferry about 6am, Blenheim for breakfast then a ride up to either Murchison or onto Reefton for my 1st night. An option could be Queen Charlotte drive- Renwick- Murchison.

Anyone know of a biker friendly motel / hotel/ campground cabin in either place? ( Murch or Reefton) I'm looking for somewhere to park the bike out of sight of the street.

2nd day will be a run through Lewis pass , Rangiora, Oxford to Mt Hutt. or maybe Reefton - Stilwater-Arthurs pass-Mt Hutt. I haven't been over any of these roads before ( always Kaikoura SH1).

Which route would you suggest? Cheers,

[FJRider]

Picton to Murch is about 2 hours ... with stops. Reefton about another hour. Why so slow ... ???

For the best route ... wait untill closer to the date for a better weather forecast. And go whichever way isn't wet.

Kaikoura-Waiau (inland route) Lewis pass ... is good too ...

[BMWST?]

if the motor camps still have cabins its a cheapish way ....

[Gremlin]

Picton to Murch is about 2 hours ... with stops. Reefton about another hour. Why so slow ... ???
190km Picton to Murchison... so a bit more than 2 hours (he's on a cruiser ... cruising, I imagine) with no stops. If he does Queen Charlotte, then add another half hour ish...

As for roads... know where you need to be in however many days and as FJRider says, go the route that isn't raining, if you want. I'd use the West Coast a bit if you can, it's really gorgeous.

As for accommodation I normally find something on bbh.co.nz

[FJRider]

190km Picton to Murchison... so a bit more than 2 hours (he's on a cruiser ... cruising, I imagine) with no stops. If he does Queen Charlotte, then add another half hour ish...

I was going by MY last run through there ... :innocent:

But breakfast in Blenheim ... and through to Murch ... even on a cruiser ... wont take all day, or stretch the body much ...

[FJRider]

Through the sounds to Havelock for brekkie is good. The via-Nelson route is good too ...

[Taz]

Queen Charlotte has all these weird speed limits now. Would be easy to be doing twice the speed limit in places and still only be doing 60kph :angry:

Reefton is a cool town and well worth staying in. Check out the Fairlie engine on display, and the miners hut in the main street, Heck even the skate park is one of the best I've seen.

[FJRider]

Reefton is a cool town and well worth staying in. Check out the Fairlie engine on display, and the miners hut in the main street, Heck even the skate park is one of the best I've seen.

The camp ground down below the main street is good ... nice cabins. With either the Lewis or Arthurs, (via Moana ???) weather dependant options. But the lower Buller and the coast road to Greymouth ... on a fine day :woohoo::woohoo::woohoo:

[jimichelle]

i would go to havlock via queen charlotte for breakky over to nelson and out to motueka for lunch going through the tapawera rd to westport stay there the night and head down the coastal road to grey mouth and over arthurs pass to christchurch going back chch to culverden inland road to kaikoura and back to picton

[awa355]

Picton to Murch is about 2 hours ... with stops. Reefton about another hour. Why so slow ... ???

For the best route ... wait untill closer to the date for a better weather forecast. And go whichever way isn't wet.

Kaikoura-Waiau (inland route) Lewis pass ... is good too ...

"Why so slow".. I like riding at night. I intend to do a night ride from Te A to wellington to get the 2.30am ferry. Riding away from Picton about 6am, breakfast somewhere, I figured riding till lunchtime, having a good look at things on the way. After the previous nights ride, then 2-300 or so k's, I'll be ready for a kip, then a good look around the place.

Which way will depend on the weather. Reefton seems to have a good campground with cabins. From there, I'll have the option next morning of Lewis or Arthurs pass. Mt Hutt/famiy is my destination for a few nights. Then I intend to wander down Fairlie / Tekapo way, never having seen that country, then depending on the weather, I'd like to do Haast pass and back up the westcoast.

[FJRider]

"Why so slow".. I like riding at night. I intend to do a night ride from Te A to wellington to get the 2.30am ferry. Riding away from Picton about 6am, breakfast somewhere, I figured riding till lunchtime, having a good look at things on the way. After the previous nights ride, then 2-300 or so k's, I'll be ready for a kip, then a good look around the place.

Which way will depend on the weather. Reefton seems to have a good campground with cabins. From there, I'll have the option next morning of Lewis or Arthurs pass. Mt Hutt/famiy is my destination for a few nights. Then I intend to wander down Fairlie / Tekapo way, never having seen that country, then depending on the weather, I'd like to do Haast pass and back up the westcoast.

Putting it like that ... sounds like a good plan. The whole west coast ... on a fine day ... is pure magic.

[Jantar]

"Why so slow".. I like riding at night. I intend to do a night ride from Te A to wellington to get the 2.30am ferry. Riding away from Picton about 6am, breakfast somewhere, I figured riding till lunchtime, having a good look at things on the way. After the previous nights ride, then 2-300 or so k's, I'll be ready for a kip, then a good look around the place.

Which way will depend on the weather. Reefton seems to have a good campground with cabins. From there, I'll have the option next morning of Lewis or Arthurs pass. Mt Hutt/famiy is my destination for a few nights. Then I intend to wander down Fairlie / Tekapo way, never having seen that country, then depending on the weather, I'd like to do Haast pass and back up the westcoast.

Leaving Picton at 6:00 am you'll be lucky to find anything open for brekky untill Nelson. There is a very Biker Friendly Backpackers in Westport if you'd like something a bit different.

[FJRider]

Leaving Picton at 6:00 am you'll be lucky to find anything open for brekky untill Nelson. There is a very Biker Friendly Backpackers in Westport if you'd like something a bit different.

There should be something open in Blenheim. Or even in Picton. The ferries ARE their bread and butter afterall ...

[jimichelle]

There should be something open in Blenheim. Or even in Picton. The ferries ARE their bread and butter afterall ...

not when the ferries go to clifford bay they wont

[FJRider]

I think awa355 will be through town by then ... hopefully a FEW times ... :yes:

[awa355]

If I have a decent feed on the ferry, I probably wont need anythying untill mid morning. The Nelson loop to Reefton sounds good. Trouble is, trying to work in all the neat roads I haven't been over. Guess some will have to wait untill another trip. About 3-400k's a day leaves enough time to stop and look at places.

I'm bringing my 4 piece fly rod so will have to check out what waters are still open.

Years ago we drove to Collingwood, down the buller gorge, Westport, Greymouth, Kaiapoi, Picton. I vowed I would come back on a bike and ride all those roads. Travelling alone with no ones timeframe but my own. :yes::yes:

[FJRider]

Just stop in at the family for coffee ...

In March down here, the weather is usually settled. Not always warm ... but dry.

[Gremlin]

Guess some will have to wait untill another trip. About 3-400k's a day leaves enough time to stop and look at places.
Yup... should always leave some for the next trip. Been going down to the South Island at least once a year since 08 ish... still got so many roads to explore...

[FJRider]

Yup... should always leave some for the next trip. Been going down to the South Island at least once a year since 08 ish... still got so many roads to explore...

I havent ridden a bike in the north island since the 21st Cold Kiwi ...

The South Island has many cool roads to ride. Checking ... and rechecking the coolness, takes time and effort.

[S&S]

If your ridding as far south as Dunedin and looking for a place to stay, my wife and I have an accommodation in the cbd. 25% off for kb's

[JMemonic]

If I have a decent feed on the ferry, I probably wont need anythying untill mid morning. The Nelson loop to Reefton sounds good.

Ok depending on the ferry service you use, there is on the interislanders a trick, book for the plus lounge. I think it cost us about $30 extra but you get a better feed than you get in the cafe, all the coffee you can drink, free wi-fi if you have equipment that is inclined to use it, and much better seating area.

Another idea is pick a motor camp chain/alliance and go get their discount card, they generally cost about $20 and will save you 10% on each stay, two or three place and the card has paid for itself.

[awa355]

If your ridding as far south as Dunedin and looking for a place to stay, my wife and I have an accommodation in the cbd. 25% off for kb's

Thanks S&S. Thats a nice offer. I hope to get down to Invercargill, never been there.

I stayed at the Kiwi Nest? in George st about 10 years ago. ( I think that was the name) I hope to criss cross the island. My son and family are at Mt Hutt. Will stay there a few nights then hope to wander down past the high country lakes.

[awa355]

Ok depending on the ferry service you use, there is on the interislanders a trick, book for the plus lounge. I think it cost us about $30 extra but you get a better feed than you get in the cafe, all the coffee you can drink, free wi-fi if you have equipment that is inclined to use it, and much better seating area.

Another idea is pick a motor camp chain/alliance and go get their discount card, they generally cost about $20 and will save you 10% on each stay, two or three place and the card has paid for itself.

I've had to dip into my travell funds a bit, so will look at the Cabins as opposed to motels. Will look at the discount card system. I'm joining the Ulysses this month. Their discounted price on the Interislander comes to $78. $111 regular fare.