South Island Trip

[MadDuck]

A warning to all South Islanders.... there is a moving chicane coming your way in the form of Harley-riding, hobbit-sized female :scooter:

Yep its true I am finally bringing the bike across on the the big boat. I got invited to some kind of party in Christchurch so decided - “ROAD TRIP”. Hell why not.

The biggest unknown for me is the ferry but I have used the search function on here so am now so full of the knowledge (ahem) of KB. Lets see how it goes in real life. I have ratchet tie downs and am pretty sure I can remember how to tie a bike down. It's been a while though. I guess the worst thing that can happen is that it will fall over.

So plan is arrive on the ferry on the March 18th after a night in Wellington. I have accommodation booked along the way so as not to have to sleep on the side of the road. I am way to old and soft for that carry on. I have to be in Christchurch on the 23rd and am heading down the West Coast as I haven't been over that side of the island before. Route will be Picton > Hokitika > Wanaka > Invercargill > Oamaru > Christchurch. I am planning to return in February 2013 to travel different roads.

So if anyone has nothing better to do any of those days give me a shout and be my friend as I will be Ducky-No-Friends for most of it not that that bothers me in the least. Although I have pre-warned one who is probably about now finding another country to hide out in as I pass through :innocent:

I did think about doing one of them blog things like TOTO and Gremlin but I don't have the patience to put that many words together. I prefer pictures. Now where is that tag at the moment you Southerners?

I am kind of looking forward to it...just a little bit.

[scumdog]

The whole South Island is fleeing...:wings:

[jrandom]

Good shit MD. You'll enjoy it. Best place in the world to ride a motorbike.

<img src="http://i39.tinypic.com/16idtn5.jpg"/>

[pritch]

If you are going to be there in autumn, from Oamaru a detour up the Waitaki valley to Otematata ,Twizel, Fairlie, Christchurch might be worth it?

Longer than just riding up the coast but more interesting.

[jrandom]

Route will be Picton > Hokitika > Wanaka > Invercargill > Oamaru > Christchurch.

I recommend going Invercargill > Alexandra > Twizel > Geraldine > Christchurch instead. Cancel your accommodation at Oamaru and book a room out at Mt Cook village. It's absolutely worth the small detour.

<img src="http://i40.tinypic.com/34hzbrr.jpg"/>

And if you don't mind a few (well, a hundred or so) extra miles when you leave Invers, do what I did and hook around through the Catlins for a cuppa with scumdog before heading up to Alex.

[MadDuck]

The whole South Island is fleeing...

They wont have to flee very fast.


If you are going to be there in autumn, from Oamaru a detour up the Waitaki valley to Otematata ,Twizel, Fairlie, Christchurch might be worth it?

Yes that is my plan. I have driven that way before but it was rather a long time ago.


And if you don't mind a few (well, a hundred or so) extra miles when you leave Invers, do what I did and hook around through the Catlins for a cuppa with scumdog before heading up to Alex.

Plan is to head through Cromwell and Alex from Wanaka. The whole reason for me heading to Invercargill is to go through the Catlins which is why I thought Oamaru would be the best for the night of that day. Also theres some little peguins I would like to visit....well I never will visit them at Philip Island.:innocent:

Cheers for all the suggestions. I am totally flexible and can change my schedule to suit...well to suit me!

[MIXONE]

Hang a right off the ferry.Follow your nose until you return to the same place X weeks later.
Best riding to be had.

[FJRider]

They wont have to flee very fast.

A sedate walk type flee you mean ... (most likely hear you coming anyway)


Yes that is my plan. I have driven that way before but it was rather a long time ago.

A woman is allowed to change her mind (and plans ... apparently)


Plan is to head through Cromwell and Alex from Wanaka. The whole reason for me heading to Invercargill is to go through the Catlins which is why I thought Oamaru would be the best for the night of that day. Also theres some little peguins I would like to visit....well I never will visit them at Philip Island.:innocent:

When you get to Alex ... you will be informed on the location of the NZ wide tag.


Cheers for all the suggestions. I am totally flexible and can change my schedule to suit...well to suit me!

There are plenty of bikers on here, with plenty of advice (and suggestions) for flexible female bikers ... :innocent:

[FJRider]

Being a norfie ... a must -do visit is here. (to drop off/pick up tag)

http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/817905.jpg

[MadDuck]

There are plenty of bikers on here, with plenty of advice (and suggestions) for flexible female bikers ... :innocent:

Yes I believe there are


Being a norfie ... a must -do visit is here

I have been there. Was a while ago though so a new photo is probably over due

[caseye]

Take care down there aye MD and go look up that scummy old guy for us please.
Enjoy the ride mate.

[MadDuck]

Enjoy the ride mate.

Cheers Caseye. I am sure I will have a most awesome adventure.

I will have you know that Macka has given me very good lessons on how to "zip" a bag up correctly so it should be all good this trip :facepalm:

[caseye]

LOL, Oh that hurts, sorry mate, I didn't mention anything about it! BUTT now you mention it I should have added.
Don't forget to close da Zippa aye girly!
Enjoy Mon Cherie and come home safe.

[MadDuck]

Made it to Picton. Had a cruisy day given yesterdays big ride. Hokitika 2moro. What an awesome country we live in

[FJRider]

Made it to Picton. Had a cruisy day given yesterdays big ride. Hokitika 2moro. What an awesome country we live in

No problems at customs ... ???? :innocent:

Well done girl ... you will find a distinct lack of traffic on the roads down here. They heard you were coming ... :corn:

[MadDuck]

Funny I was the only bike on the boat. So looking forward to the riding

[scumdog]

Funny I was the only bike on the boat. So looking forward to the riding

Enjoy the wet.:shifty:

There's a lot of it right now.

[FJRider]

Enjoy the wet.:shifty:

There's a lot of it right now.

Maybe where you are ... Forecast isn't that bad.

http://www.metvuw.com/forecast/forecast.php?type=rain&region=nz

[MadDuck]

It damn well better rain cos i bought my weather geas.

[FJRider]

It damn well better rain cos i bought my weather geas.

You will learn why they call it rain forest on the west coast. A little south of Hoki' ...

In a bush clearing 20 km's south of Ross is a place calle Pukekura. A pub, lodge ... and a Bushman's center. They do meals ... "wildfood" meals ...

http://www.pukekura.co.nz/

Breakfast tuesday ... ???

[MadDuck]

Well the weather sure was kind to me today. Had a bit of rain heading to Murchison then the sun decided to come out.
had a fantastic ride through the Buller Gorge. Now that is one nice road. I stopped at the pancake rock place and walked in and watch dolphins and seals playing in the waves. Well worth the effort.
Then the coast road to Hokitika. What an amazing day.

[FJRider]

Well the weather sure was kind to me today. Had a bit of rain heading to Murchison then the sun decided to come out.
had a fantastic ride through the Buller Gorge. Now that is one nice road. I stopped at the pancake rock place and walked in and watch dolphins and seals playing in the waves. Well worth the effort.
Then the coast road to Hokitika. What an amazing day.

It gets better. Trust me. A few days of sun is forecast. Looks liked you picked the right week to visit.

[MadDuck]

I have just seen the forecast ... lucky me.

[MadDuck]

Well the Mainland weather was good to me again today.

I set off early which meant it was FREEZING! After a brief stop to thaw in Whataroa it was on to Fox Glacier. The run from Franz is a great road BUT todays road that brought the biggest smile to my face was Haast to Wanaka.

Lots of stopping to admire the beautiful scenery made for another top day.

[FJRider]

Are you getting the hang of those one lane bridges ... ???

[MadDuck]

Are you getting the hang of those one lane bridges ... ???

Ha! Dont you fellas know how to build proper size bridges!

Loue watching the camper van drivers and their obvious confusion.a

[FJRider]

Ha! Dont you fellas know how to build proper size bridges!

Love watching the camper van drivers and their obvious confusion.a

The roads were only tar sealed not that many years ago. The road was only one lane of gravel. The bridges add to the fun. (makes ya slow down)

[MadDuck]

Another stunning day in the South.

Left Wanaka and headed for Cromwell to met my guide for the morning. It was damn cold. But the sun was shining.

The ride through to Alex is pretty spectacular as is the road to Roxburgh.

I decided a quick blat out to Bluff was required.

Thanks for the company and coffee
FJRider. It is indeed a beautiful part of NZ!

[caseye]

Hey there Ducky, glad to see you had such good company and the weather is good. Up here in Dorkland it's absolute Clap! Even yer near cousins da 'ducks' are walking, I kid you knott.
Have fun mate be seeing you when you get home I'm sure.

[FJRider]

Another stunning day in the South.

Left Wanaka and headed for Cromwell to met my guide for the morning. It was damn cold. But the sun was shining.

The ride through to Alex is pretty spectacular as is the road to Roxburgh.

I decided a quick blat out to Bluff was required.

Thanks for the company and coffee
FJRider. It is indeed a beautiful part of NZ!

It was my pleasure. :yes:

Please try not to put too many photo's up ... we're trying to keep it a secret. And I'm afraid more norfies might want to come down. :gob:

But if they're on bikes ... and ride as well as you do ..... NO worries. :niceone:

[FJRider]

The Duck was in town ...

[jafar]

Nice to see your out enjoying the south there ducky , while the north is swimming. :crybaby:

[_Shrek_]

The ride through to Alex is pretty spectacular as is the road to Roxburgh.

well we would have made you a real coffee!!! :blip: glad to see you are having fun on our roads :psst: just don't tell'm when you go back or they all might want to move here & that would be :cry:

[scumdog]

"The Duck has left the building"

Well Chez Scumdog anyway...

[MadDuck]

"The Duck has left the building"

Well Chez Scumdog anyway...

Thank you for letting me dry off at yours. Was lovely to meet you both.

[caseye]

Hey another tick for the Southern hospitality! Cheers scummy for letting our Ducky preen at your place.ya get a bit wet there MD?

[MadDuck]

Updates are brief as on my phond.

I woke to fog in Invercargill and set off thru the Catlains. Started to rain half way in but not reak heavy. I took a wrong turn and found myself on gravel. After about a km i turned the tractor around ...SLOWLY.

Took refuge at Chez Scummy to dry out and relax. Then norf. More bloody fog nrth of Dunedin in the middle of the day. Stopped at Moeraki to look at rocks...because.


Another fabulous day in the Mainland.

[MadDuck]

Well I made it to Christchurch. Today went and did a big loop went via Twizel and the dams.

I am looking forward to a couple of days relaxing. The weather today rocked yet again. I will write a full report if anyone wants something to read in the bog any time soon.

[ajturbo]

so.. when we going to catch up???????????????????????????????????????????????? ????????????

[MadDuck]

Made it home about 3.30pm.

What a great trip and the weather sure was kind to me even on the ride home. Sorry you Southeners but I will be going back.

A final thanks to DogsNBikes for leading me out of Wellington City from the ferry. I was worried about getting lost in peak traffic and going around in circles. Was great to have company on the sail over the ditch.

Now to sort through the ton of photos I took. :facepalm:

[caseye]

Welcome Home Ducky, nice to know you are back safe.

[FJRider]

Made it home about 3.30pm.

What a great trip and the weather sure was kind to me even on the ride home. Sorry you Southeners but I will be going back.

A final thanks to DogsNBikes for leading me out of Wellington City from the ferry. I was worried about getting lost in peak traffic and going around in circles. Was great to have company on the sail over the ditch.

Now to sort through the ton of photos I took. :facepalm:

It was a pleasure to have you here :yes:

[MadDuck]

I have done a bit of a blog. My first attempt so I think it has worked.

A big thanks to the people that I met and helped me along my way.

[FJRider]

I have done a bit of a blog. My first attempt so I think it has worked.

A big thanks to the people that I met and helped me along my way.

It is well written ... and it was a pleasure to be part of your adventure.

[caseye]

Awe... Um really really great read there Ducky. had a good time then and got home safe and sound.Looking forward to the in person catch up matey.

[ajturbo]

that was ok.. any time:brick: