Christchurch to Picton travel time?

[Imagineering]

It's been 20 Years since Touring the South Island.
Can someone enlighten me please as to the approximate travel time 'tween ChCh & Picton Ferry. I don't want the full on "It only took me 3 Hours" BS, but a reasonable timing for the trip, based on 100kMph & stops etc.

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[Rhys]

It's about 340 km about 4-4 1/2 hrs depending on how you ride and how long you stop

[FJRider]

Four and a half hours ... with a gas stop. At legal(ish) speeds ... :yes:

It has been done faster .. :laugh:

[EJK]

It's been 20 Years since Touring the South Island.
Can someone enlighten me please as to the approximate travel time 'tween ChCh & Picton Ferry. I don't want the full on "It only took me 3 Hours" BS, but a reasonable timing for the trip, based on 100kMph & stops etc.

.

How long is your coffee break?

[pete-blen]

I do ChCh to Blen trip all the time...
in the car at 100kph .. 4hrs another 20mins to Picton..

[mossy1200]

Took me 11hrs once
The see spray had frozen on the road. Feet down and about 10kph for what seemed like forever.
Coldest ride I have ever been on.

[Imagineering]

Thanks People.

I may be lucky enough to need to fly down from Wgtn to pick up a Bike to ferry Home. Just needed some travel times for Bookings etc.

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[Gremlin]

I may be lucky enough to need to fly down from Wgtn to pick up a Bike to ferry Home. Just needed some travel times for Bookings etc.
Remember you need to check in 1 hour in advance for most ferry sailings.

[Jantar]

This is also one road you do not want to speed on. Coming down from Picton to Christchurch I Sunday I passed 6 cops between Picton and Kaikoura, then 2 more between Kaikoura and Christchurch. It took me 4 1/2 hours including a lunch stop.

[Black Knight]

There is a really cool backpackers on the round a bout heading into Picton-cant remember the name,but for the $25 you got a nice comfy bed,spa pool and free chocolate pudding at tea time.You then get up the next day at your leisure to catch the ferry of your choice,only way to go.

[HenryDorsetCase]

It's been 20 Years since Touring the South Island.
Can someone enlighten me please as to the approximate travel time 'tween ChCh & Picton Ferry. I don't want the full on "It only took me 3 Hours" BS, but a reasonable timing for the trip, based on 100kMph & stops etc.

.

3 hours 5 minutes from Heathcote to the Ferry terminal. would have been under three hours but for the ticket from the Cheviot cop. Good guy - it was only 130kph. I had been cruising somewhat faster than that.

:)

These days Four hours I reckon: cruising, stopping for fish n chips in Kaikoura. Or at Hislops. mmmm Hislops.

[HenryDorsetCase]

This is also one road you do not want to speed on. Coming down from Picton to Christchurch I Sunday I passed 6 cops between Picton and Kaikoura, then 2 more between Kaikoura and Christchurch. It took me 4 1/2 hours including a lunch stop.

SOB's have taken all the fun out of it, eh?

Inland Rd from Kaikoura south is much nicer and less cops. you need to be aware of the loopies in the minivans. but the road is narrow and windy. bit of gravel on corners etc. If I do a day trip I usually go up via inland, down via coast.

[HenryDorsetCase]

Remember you need to check in 1 hour in advance for most ferry sailings.

if you sweet talk them and you are on a motorbike often they are flexible on that: because you load yourself and all that... but you wouldnt want to get the one jerk there who is Hitler.

[AllanB]

The cops tend to come out when the ferries dock - catch them either direction - speeding to catch the ferry or off the ferry. A nice wee earner.

[BlackSheepLogic]

if you sweet talk them and you are on a motorbike often they are flexible on that: because you load yourself and all that... but you wouldnt want to get the one jerk there who is Hitler.

Been thinking about doing a trip down to Christchurch but never taken a bike over on the ferry. What's involved, are you able to tie your own bike down - don't want the bike to have any mementoes from the trip over/back.

[mossy1200]

Been thinking about doing a trip down to Christchurch but never taken a bike over on the ferry. What's involved, are you able to tie your own bike down - don't want the bike to have any mementoes from the trip over/back.

You have to tie your own bike down.
Sometime a lack of good strops and only largish ropes available.
Always best to take 3 good ratchet tie down straps.

They let my trailer go free:yes:

[HenryDorsetCase]

You have to tie your own bike down.
Sometime a lack of good strops and only largish ropes available.
Always best to take 3 good ratchet tie down straps.

They let my trailer go free:yes:

everytime I see that combo I smile. but yes, what you said. its a bit of an arse on a bike with no centre stand. You have to sort of treat it like a trailer with no chock.

[Black Knight]

On the Kiwirail boats you ride on and tie your own bike down--there are tie downs supplied but they are pretty well used and dirty so therefore the suggestion is to take your own-if you plan to do your trip in November you get a substantial discount if you say you are heading for the Burt Munroe,not sure if Bluebridge offer this.

[BlackSheepLogic]

Thanks for the reply, I'm good using my own tie-downs. Christchurch is my home town and I really want to get down there this year.