South Island trip ideas?

[wynw]

Hey guys, im looking at doing a trip down south in Feb and am after some ideassuggestions of must do roads and sights. Any ideas appreciated. Cheers

[Jantar]

All of the "must do" rides in the top half of the South Island in February are covered here: www.tt2000.org

[granstar]

Avoid HW1. 45 South to Bluff.

Tekapo to Mount Cook return, Omarama over Lindis Pass to turn off at Tarras and onto Wanaka. Over the Crown Range to Queenstown.

If visiting Queenstown head into Glenorchy and back.

If heading Queenstown to Invercargill take the Devil's Staircase ( find "dog face hill" past Kingston, at Lumsden you can turn South to Gore or to Winton.

Other way via Alexandra turn off right at Ettrick over Moa Flat road to Gore.

From Dunedin SH1 direction find back coast road to Waihola via Taieri Mouth then turn off left at Balclutha and follow the Catlins coast road " Southern Scenic Route" to Invercargill. Invercargill to Bluff and back take in "lands end" and up Bluff Hill.

Invers to Te-Anau head to Tuatapere, then follow the Blackmount road to Manapouri, or alternative via Winton, left to Wreys Bush onto Mossburn and Te Anau.

If in Te-Anau the road in and out of Milford Sound ( make sure you have enough gas, watch for tourists, maggots, and buses, weather can be changeable by the hour, enjoy.

[shafty]

What are ya riding?

[wynw]

What are ya riding?

v4 tuono, just have to watch distances between fuel stops. most i have gotten out of a tank so far is 170k

[Tazz]

Anywhere up around Golden Bay is pretty sweet, same with Abel Tasman, and then Milford Sounds at the opposite end, Haast Pass and Akaroa (although it is shadow of what it used to be) on the way down/up either side, bit of stuff to do around Picton as well.
You can't really go wrong in NZ (apart from Gore. Stay away from there =P)

[Jantar]

v4 tuono, just have to watch distances between fuel stops. most i have gotten out of a tank so far is 170k

170 km per tank will allow you to see almost all of the South Island providing you do most of your riding between 7:00 am and 7:00 pm. The only place that you will not get to visit would be Milford Sound as that requires a 240 km range. The few other roads that require a greater range than 170 km are ones you would really want to take a Tuono on anyway.

[unstuck]

apart from Gore. Stay away from there =P)

Yep, good idea to stay away from Gore. :niceone:
You may end up loving the awesome, quiet roads that surround it and decide to stay like I did 20 or so years ago.:msn-wink:

[ellipsis]

...start in Picton and end up back there...

[granstar]

Gore...even Sgt Dan left.;)

Iv'e known people do Milford Road with small gas tanks, they have taken a small full petrol container in so far and dumped it somewhere for the return ride allowing enough to get back out. Just don't forget which tree you hide it behind :wacko:

[munster]

I'll be down in Feb as well, initially as part of the Boulevard Rally, but then a few days to myself to take in the sights.

[pete376403]

Bear in mind summer time also means an increase in tourists in camper vans, especially tourists from countries where they drive on the wrong side of the road (USA, Europe)

[granstar]

Those not driving on the wrong side of the road in maggots (YES!) are in a heap of tour buses, be wary.






:whistle: http://www.odt.co.nz/the-regions/otago/93314/board-wants-campervan-ban

[Countyman]

Milford Sound had card fuel last time I was there.

Don't forget the Pig Root from Palmerston to the Maniatoto and SH87 from Mosgiel to Kyeburn.

[Jantar]

Milford Sound had card fuel last time I was there.....

That would be a while ago. There are still Mobil pumps there, and a card reader, but the pumps are locked and not available to the public, only to employees at Milford. There is emergency fuel available at Gunns camp in the lower Holyford at $10 per liter.

[wynw]

Many thanks for the replies, guess i had better think about booking the ferry

[unstuck]

Good idea to keep an eye on road reports too, the road between Haast and the gates of Haast bridge has been closed a fair bit lately, and is only open for a couple of hours a day, if at all due to bad slips. The west coast gets most of its flooding in the summer months too.:2thumbsup

I hope I can make it through there by 4pm today, otherwise it is closed until 8am tomorrow morning.:mad:

[sgtp]

I am doing a SI loop in 4 weeks....hope Haast is open for me:innocent:

http://nzta.govt.nz/m/highway-info.php?Id=8373

SH 6 Haast To Makarora ( Gates Of Haast To Haast Pass - Diana Falls)
Impact: Delays
Description: Rock falls
Comment: This Section Of Road Will Be Closed Every Night From 6pm To 8am Until Further Notice. The Road Will Be Closed At Haast Township At 5pm And Makarora At 5:30pm Delays Or Closures May Be Necessary At Other Times In The Event Of Further Heavy Rain Or Slips
Detour route: N/a
Update received: 24 Oct 2013 12:01
Expected resolution: Until further notice

[russd7]

Many thanks for the replies, guess i had better think about booking the ferry

bluebridge are cheaper than interislander tho they don't have as many sailings

[unstuck]

I am doing a SI loop in 4 weeks....hope Haast is open for me:innocent:

http://nzta.govt.nz/m/highway-info.php?Id=8373

SH 6 Haast To Makarora ( Gates Of Haast To Haast Pass - Diana Falls)
Impact: Delays
Description: Rock falls
Comment: This Section Of Road Will Be Closed Every Night From 6pm To 8am Until Further Notice. The Road Will Be Closed At Haast Township At 5pm And Makarora At 5:30pm Delays Or Closures May Be Necessary At Other Times In The Event Of Further Heavy Rain Or Slips
Detour route: N/a
Update received: 24 Oct 2013 12:01
Expected resolution: Until further notice

One vehicle at a time is all they are allowing at the moment, so if there is a lot of traffic you may have a little wait. Just watch out for the absailers hanging out over the road, I would hate for one of them to fall on ya.:sunny: