South Island: Cajun & Motogirl hit the SI [Archive]

Cajun

25th October 2007, 14:21

Okay, me and motogirl with a few tag alongs are heading down to SI March next year.

I have never previously been to the SI, so know nothing really.

We are looking at 2 weeks in SI,

Only dates set in stone are
Saturday 8th March = Hokitika Food Festival
Friday 14th March - 16th March = Dunedin for meetings

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Anyone have any thoughts on what should see and do while down there, i know the war birds is weekend of 23(easter weekend), which won't be able to attend due to time constrants.

Only idea i have at moment is i want to do the 3 passes. at least in my travels, any other roads interesting should be looked at, we are resticted to tarseal roads also.

Any help, ideas would be awsome

Cheers.

skelstar

25th October 2007, 14:29

Highlander

25th October 2007, 14:46

I'll be heading down at much the same time for this: http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=51034

Thinking of taking the roads not covered by the Mini Run on the way down.

Will watch this thread.

Joni

25th October 2007, 14:47

Yes I have a great idea... pop in and say hi to us!

I was keen to go to Hokotika for the festival too... should be a goodie!

Some great roads and things to do here bananaman... will chat with Kick and let you know what he suggests.

Cajun

25th October 2007, 14:50

Yes I have a great idea... pop in and say hi to us!

That was already on the cards Jo

k14

25th October 2007, 14:57

Well if you are going to hokitika then I think the best route to take would be down the west coast and over haast pass to wanaka/qtown area. Then you could continue onto dunedin after a few days around there. Maybe a trip to milford sound. I wouldn't waste my time doing the lindis from a bike riding point of view. From a tourist view the mackenzie country is spectacular. I've driven over the lewis pass in the van but it was pretty boring. Not sure about arthurs though, haven't ridden over there. The road between chch and picton isn't too bad either, yeah there are some straight bits but along the kaikoura coast is quite a good ride.

NighthawkNZ

25th October 2007, 15:30

Friday 14th March - 16th March = Dunedin for meetings

Let me know when you get to Dunedin and we will try and organise something...

scumdog

25th October 2007, 17:55

Okay, me and motogirl with a few tag alongs are heading down to SI March next year.

I have never previously been to the SI, so know nothing really.

Any help, ideas would be awsome

Cheers.

The South Island does not exist - it is actually an area just south of Masterton that those from further north jokingly refer to as "The South Island"

March is probably THE worse time to go looking for the 'South Island', however should you persist in this folly and need an abode for a night or two please PM me for further guidance and (mis)information.

doc

25th October 2007, 18:02

The South Island does not exist - it is actually an area just south of Masterton that those from further north jokingly refer to as "The South Island"

March is probably THE worse time to go looking for the 'South Island', however should you persist in this folly and need an abode for a night or two please PM me for further guidance and (mis)information.

People have disappeared in the South Island. I have heard that some of them can be constantly seen travelling the road from Haast to Westport. Some just think of the coast as Haast to Greymouth , but those in the know carry on from Greymouth past the Punakaki rocks. If it's dry its awesome, but it is the Wet Coast.

MotoGirl

25th October 2007, 20:09

Haast Pass a must, Buller Gorge, Crown Range (Qt to Wanaka), road between Fox and Franz J is awesome. Lewis Pass is good, very fast though... inland Kaikoura road is quite knarly.

I'd read some trip reports Cajun. Anything mentioning three/four passes, maybe some of Hitcher's stuff.

Is the Buller Gorge the road through to Murchison? I shameless went for a road trip in August and don't know the names of the places I've been.

I loved the Pancake Rocks at Punakaiki and Lake Matheson too. I'm happy to go places with good scenery, even if I have to walk for a few mins to get there...

Daffyd

25th October 2007, 21:12

Don't forget the 'Southern Scenic Route' from Balclutha to Invercargill.
It has been said that it's one of the best biker's roads in the country - if not the world. Mind you, I could be a little biased as I live on it.

shafty

25th October 2007, 21:47

Okay, me and motogirl with a few tag alongs are heading down to SI March next year.

I have never previously been to the SI, so know nothing really.

Cajun, what a sheltered life you've had!! Just as well you'll have a Worldly Woman with you! Have fun.:wari:

MotoGirl

26th October 2007, 07:31

Blackbird

26th October 2007, 08:05

Hi Neal

If you haven't seen our "Birds Galore" south island ride report: http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=52569

Cheers

Geoff

skelstar

26th October 2007, 08:08

Is the Buller Gorge the road through to Murchison? I shameless went for a road trip in August and don't know the names of the places I've been.
Sure is, Murchison through to Westport. Just don't follow Quasi through there if he on one of his 'zen' rides. He's too slow :)

Apparently you don't take the road straight to Greymouth (from Murch) as its super boring.

Daffyd

26th October 2007, 20:23

Oh goodie, someone to show us around it then :devil2:

That could be arranged. Might even have a bit of sleeping accomodation. :zzzz:

puddytat

26th October 2007, 21:07

Dont take the road straight to Greyhole,go from Murch. to Wetport & head down along the coast,...Lewis, Arthurs & Haast are all great rides I reckon & if the weathers dodgey on one side,its usually good on the other....March is the perfect time of year down here too IMO

Kickaha

26th October 2007, 21:49

Apparently you don't take the road straight to Greymouth (from Murch) as its super boring.

It isn't

But through to Westport and down to Greymouth, back up to Reefton, Springs Junstion across the Lewis would be better

MotoGirl

31st January 2008, 20:07

So, it's not quite five weeks until we're off on our tour. We've got accommodation in Hokitika and tickets to the wildfood festival and are still deciding where to head after that.

I've never seen the Nelson area and am considering going north (from Hokitika) to Nelson, and then around towards Kaikoura to get onto the Lewis(?) Pass and back across to the West Coast. Cajun wants to do all three passes so this would knock off one.

Swampdonkey

31st January 2008, 20:40

Hey thanks for the reminder,i just booked tickets and tent site. Sounds like fun,nevert been to one either .See you there....

MotoGirl

1st February 2008, 07:05

Hey thanks for the reminder,i just booked tickets and tent site. Sounds like fun,nevert been to one either .See you there....

You riding down or flying? Looks like you're going from a long way away!

Swampdonkey

1st February 2008, 20:00

going to leave 1st march and spend the month touring the south island. I need to get out to Stewart island ,and everywhere in between. Just me so far but still asking around the crew who can make it. Going to warbirds to.....list keeps getting longer. so how do i identify the Tauranga crew?

Cajun

1st February 2008, 20:17

yeah we head of 6th of march, back in wellington easter weekend

We pretty easy to spot bright yellow suzuki(ride has yellow leathers/helmet)
be a white aprilia rsvr
and an orange/black 08 hayabusa

Mountlocal1

2nd February 2008, 20:45

Safe trip guys... Take lots of photo's! :niceone:

MotoGirl

11th February 2008, 19:22

Righty, we're only a few weeks away from the tour and starting to organise ourselves now (I know, we've been slack ;)).

At this point we will be travelling from Picton to Hokitika (for the Wildfoods fest) on 7 March and will go through the Buller gorge through to Westport. We're only going this way so we can go through Punakaikai to see the Pancake Rocks. We're happy for anyone to join us along the way or give us an alternate route so long as we see the rocks at Punakaiki.

I'm thinking that after the Wildfoods Festival I'd like to head south, and if possible, inland somehow. I've been to Fox Glacier before but definitely want to see Lake Matheson again so that's on the list to see.

If anyone wants to travel with us along the way, text us on 0274 345 260 or pm me with your location and cell number and we can text you when we're in your area.

Grub

11th February 2008, 19:59

I've never seen the Nelson area and am considering going north (from Hokitika) to Nelson,.

Do you not have time to go to Hokitika via the Nelson area? If yu were planning to go Blenheim-Hokitika up the Wairau valley - don't. It's very vanilla compared to the alternative which is Picton-Nelson-Golden Downs-St Arnaud and through the Buller Gorge.

Track it on Google Maps, it's a great ride and the Nelson Lakes are really cool.

MotoGirl

11th February 2008, 20:08

Do you not have time to go to Hokitika via the Nelson area? If yu were planning to go Blenheim-Hokitika up the Wairau valley - don't. It's very vanilla compared to the alternative which is Picton-Nelson-Golden Downs-St Arnaud and through the Buller Gorge.

Track it on Google Maps, it's a great ride and the Nelson Lakes are really cool.

Yup, we're not going right into Nelson but will head towards Nelson and then veer off towards Murchison etc.

Goblin

12th February 2008, 17:00

and an orange/black 08 hayabusaHope Dad doesn't miss his new squeeze too much.:bye::baby:

MotoGirl

13th February 2008, 07:02

Hope Dad doesn't miss his new squeeze too much.:bye::baby:

I think that's inevitable :rofl:
What route do you recommend heading south from Hokitika?

Goblin

13th February 2008, 07:33

What route do you recommend heading south from Hokitika? For you, the straightest roads possible. All I remember of Hokitika last year was thinking of Selwyn Toogood saying "Whadya reckon Hokitika...the money or the bag??" It was pissing down too.

MotoGirl

14th February 2008, 07:38

We finally sat down last night and planned our intinerary. So far we've got 5,000km planned and that's with two spare days up our sleeves. The google map is a rough indication the roads we're taking because it was thrown together in two minutes. Some of the actual roads may change but the destinations won't.

This is where we're heading:
6 March - Picton
7-8 March - Hokitika for Wildfoods Festival
9 March - Christchurch
10 March - Twizel
11 March - Queenstown for skydiving
12-13 March - Invercargill to see rellies
14-15 March - Dunedin for Ulysses AGM and Cajun and me will keep riding :scooter:
16 March - Haast
17 March - Greymouth
18 March - Christchurch
19 March - Nelson
20-23 Wellington for Rock2Wgtn :Punk:

Daffyd

14th February 2008, 09:53

xgnr

14th February 2008, 10:06

Just one suggestion...change the Invercargill-Balclutha leg from SH1 to Southern Scenic route through the Catlins.
SH1 is utterly boring; SSR is one of the best motorcycling roads in the country.

Might even get a coffee if you call in to my house.

Second that... the Catlins are real nice even in the wet. Zapf and I went through that way last November and it is well recommended. Even if it did hail

cant comment on the coffee tho'.

Daffyd

14th February 2008, 10:09

And it only adds about 20km to the trip.

MotoGirl

14th February 2008, 11:38

Just one suggestion...change the Invercargill-Balclutha leg from SH1 to Southern Scenic route through the Catlins.
SH1 is utterly boring; SSR is one of the best motorcycling roads in the country.

Might even get a coffee if you call in to my house.

Yup, it's definitely on the list of places to go. We thought we'd do this while dad's at the AGM on the 14th and 15th.

Daffyd

14th February 2008, 11:41

The penny's just dropped! That's what the Plugz 4 Lugs crew are down for.

FJRider

19th February 2008, 21:07

Yup, it's definitely on the list of places to go. We thought we'd do this while dad's at the AGM on the 14th and 15th.

What you miss out on this trip, you can do on the NEXT. You will be back... wont you ???

Gremlin

20th February 2008, 00:59

If you can, try taking Leader Road from Waiau or summat to the coast, just above Chrischurch, nice twisty little road, if you're in that area (yep, you would be, you turn off just before you reach culverden - much more fun than the boring route into chch). Ride out to Akaroa from Chch is also good stuff.

Road up to Takaka is also very enjoyable, and only 75min from Richmond to Takaka (Top of SI).

I found the Lewis Pass a bit boring road wise (too open), but scenery was real good. Buller Gorge/Otira Pass is bloody good fun. Avoid the main highways as much as possible, they are pretty god damn boring, and traffic and cop filled (relative for the SI). At points on my quick trip south I wouldn't see another vehicle for over 30 min on the back routes.

I've added some shots if you want them. I definitely enjoyed my time down there, just quite compressed. Tues morn to Fri midday, I went Picton-CHCH-Picton, with one day spent in CHCH on work.

Gremlin

20th February 2008, 01:12

one more...

madandy

20th February 2008, 06:45

One more point to add...[as I'm originally from Ashburton](sshhhhhh - hangs head in shame) Avoid SH1 between Timaru & CHCH like the plague!
Go through Geraldine and take the foothills roads through to the Rakaia Gorge, under Mt. Hutt, to Darfield and onto the Garden City...you get some good counrty roads, little traffic, fewer fuzz and some great scenery.
SH1 between Timaru & CHCH must be one of the straighest, snoringest pieces of highway in all of NZ!

Enjoy your holiday guys
ride safe :)
Andy

MotoGirl

20th February 2008, 07:18

Avoid SH1 between Timaru & CHCH like the plague!
SH1 between Timaru & CHCH must be one of the straighest, snoringest pieces of highway in all of NZ!

Cheers Andy, I've updated the itinerary to avoid the boring bits :zzzz:
I've also added a return trip round the Catlins, leaving from Dunedin.

madandy

20th February 2008, 07:27

That's looking like a really bloody good ride now!!!
ENJOY :D

MotoGirl

20th February 2008, 07:28

I've added some shots if you want them. I definitely enjoyed my time down there, just quite compressed. Tues morn to Fri midday, I went Picton-CHCH-Picton, with one day spent in CHCH on work.

AWESOME stuff! I wanna go now :crybaby:

MotoGirl

20th February 2008, 07:33

Does anyone know any tourist destinations where it's not safe/easy to park the bike or turn it around?
Dad dropped his K1200RS last time because a parking lot was sloped and loose gravel. He just can't remember where this was and we'd prefer to avoid such places.

Cajun

29th February 2008, 07:51

less than 1 week before we are off.

New tires goes on sixxer tomorrow, and then gotta dump the oil and filter for a service, then strap the saddle bags & tank bag to the bike and good to go.

scumdog

29th February 2008, 07:57

Cheers Andy, I've updated the itinerary to avoid the boring bits :zzzz:
I've also added a return trip round the Catlins, leaving from Dunedin.

So you'll be going right past Chez Scumdog eh??

Cajun

29th February 2008, 08:09

So you'll be going right past Chez Scumdog eh??

Yeah we staying for a day in otautau(13 march) (visit family) and heading to dunedin on the 14th, could catch up if you want