Another South Island Tour report.

[Taz]

Cary and I had been planning this tour for around three years. We both had applied for time off well over a year ago but with me changing jobs we thought our tour would have to be deferred for another year. But.... long story short got two blocks off and we set out on Feb 9th at 8:30am from the caltex station at the bombay crossroads heading south on SH1 and bypass hamilton thru the back roads to cambridge and onto Tokoroa. Stopped at Tokoroa for a wee we stop then took SH32 to Lake Whakamaru and headed down the west side of Lake Taupo to Turangi. Stopped for lunch at Turangi then straight down SH1 over the desert road (was quite cold up here) to Levin where we stopped for a brew. Then on to the ferry terminal arriving at the interislander at 5pm for the 6:15 pm sailing. There were alot of bikes waiting to get on the arahura and more bikes than bike spaces so a chain was put along the floor for the rest of us to secure our bikes to. After a bit of sweating managed to get the bmw strapped down for the trip across the straight. The boat was well under way by the time most of us had finished......
The sailing was fairly smooth with only a little rocking and rolling from the wind and swell. We made good time and got into Picton on schedule. Disembarked bikes first and then off a K up the road to mum's place where we stayed the night

End of day 1.......
To be continued.

Pic 1. Route planning in Tokoroa
Pic 2. Disembarking in Picton at 9:15pm
Pic 3. Cary 'cruisin on the Interislander'
Pic 4. Only a little overcast as the sun sets.

[Zuki Bandit]

Good stuff Anthhrax, looks like yiz had fun!!!

[Taz]

Today dawned overcast and cloudy with a light drizzle turning to rain before we set off. The plan for today is to head for nelson over the Maungatapu track then on to Motueka for lunch and over the Takaka hill to golden bay and farewell spit before returning to Mot for the night. Had breakfast, loaded the bikes then said goodbye to Ma and set off for the Queen Charlotte road. Absolutely pissed down all the way to havelock where we turned down HW6 and then to Tuamarina and back to Picton to collect some stuff that I'd forgotten :o. Back on the bikes we retraced our tracks and went in search of the Maungatapu track. Still raining heavily as we passed thru Canvastown and on to Pelorus. Found the road heading to the maungatapu track and decided too give it a go. The gravel road winds on for a ways then turns to a gravel track that was in ok condition considering the rain. But I struggled once the track had turned to a mushy clay and the rear tourance was not up to the job and slid out causing the GS to have an unplanned lie down in the mud...... Decided it would be prudent to turn back at this stage as we were not sure whether it got worse further up the track. Once back on the main road we splashed our way to McDonalds in Nelson where we left muddy puddles on the floor while we waited for our lunch which we ate out front in the rain while the lad mopped the floors and cursed us :). Then on to my sisters in Motueka where we stripped off our gear and hung it out to dry. Decided to give golden bay a miss for today, too wet. Sun came out mid afternoon and we managed to get most of it dry. Glad that BMW panniers don't leak.
Not many pics today as too bloody wet!
Pic 1. Me and my Ma.
Pic 2. Cleaning the mud off the GS after it's lie down.:(

To be continued...... :)

[Taz]

Woke up at 1:30am to an awesome electrical storm well north of motueka out over the sea. For an hour fork and sheet lightening streaked across the sky though it was clear and calm in motueka. Nature put on an awesome show! Climbed back into bed at 2:30ish and back to sleep. Monday dawned fine in motueka with only a few clouds and getting more overcast as we headed along the Motueka Valley Highway to Kohatu and then onto Golden Downs. Down Kerrs hill rd and Tophouse road to SH63 then a short blast to the beginning of the Rainbow Rd. Started raining as we entered the rainbow and had dryed up by Lake Tennyson. Had an awesome blast along the rest of the Rainbow to Hanmer Springs for lunch (expensive). After lunch and sending a Post card to the kids we tackled the Molesworth Station road and then up to Taylors pass before heading into Blenheim. There were a lot of no vacancy signs in Blenheim so made the decision to head to Picton and grace mum with our presence again. Ain't she lucky? Was a long day but real fun. Went to the pub for dinner then off to bed.

Pics 1-6. Views from the Rainbow Rd.

K's today 438.

[Zuki Bandit]

Crikey, great photos. The one with you and the the two bikes could be in any remote part of the world (minus the pylons). Truely spectacular!:niceone:

[Taz]

Lake Tennyson and Molesworth pics.

[Taz]

Today's plan was to head over to the Wet Coast oops I mean west coast. Left Picton at 8am and took SH63 to St Arnaud. Stopped in St Arnaud to put on some warmer clothes as it was real chilly and winter like thru here. Thought this was supposed to be summer! Carried on to Murchison for lunch. Bought a postcard from the Local info centre for the kids and had a chat to the lady behind the counter about bikes. Turns out she's a fellow motorcyclist and has a Honda Hornet and some small trail bikes on the Farm. After lunch it was onto SH65 to springs junction and SH7 thru the Lewis pass and headed into the rain that broke Waipara's 3 year drought according to the happy farmers in the Waipara pub. Glad we could help - Not! :). This night we stayed in the Waipara Sleepers. Rail wagons converted to accommadation. Cool. Got our washing done and headed off to the pub for drinks and dinner only to find their kitchen had burnt out last week so had to go to Amberley to get some food and back to the pub.

Pic 1. Rugging up just out of St Arnaud.:cold:
Pic 2. Lunch stop in Murchison.
Pic 3/4/5. Waipara Sleepers.

[Taz]

Set off this morning thru Amberley and Rangiora and onto Loburn to attempt the Okuku pass / Lees Valley road. Had rained heavily the preceding day and all the fords were running high. The first ford was the widest and we couldn't see the bottom so after prodding with a stick I removed my gear and donned the togs and beach shoes and waded in. Decided to give it a try as water was only just above my knees so we walked the bikes thru. Put gear back on and headed off to the next challenge. The next ford was just as deep but not as wide and we could see the bottom mostly so we ploughed thru and made it with no problems. Fords after that were much the same and the road was in nice condition. Then we came to the river. It was running to high and swift to cross so we were forced top turn back and take the Birch hill and Ashley Gorge Roads thru to sheffield for lunch.

Pics 1/2. 1st ford.
Pics 3/4. Okuku River.
Pic 5. Should have heeded the sign eh?
Pic 6. Lunch stop Sheffield.

[Taz]

From Sheffield we then went up thru Arthurs Pass and took the Inchbonnie/moana road to Stillwater and across the river to the Blackball. Had a beer with a busload of oldies and then continued down the coast to Ross for the night. Had a few in the Empire Hotel while Cary took on the locals at pool.

[Goblin]

Fantastic write up and pics Anthrax! Inspirational stuff. Now I want an adventure bike to do all these out of the way places.

Hell, I could do them on my ratty!

[Taz]

Thanks Goblin. In some cases I would have been better off taking my XT600 instead of the R1100 but the BMW did most things brilliantly. The bmw is easier on rear tyres too.

[Crisis management]

Looks like you had an awesome ride guys, neat report too!

[Taz]

Woke this morning to steady rain. Had breakfast and set off for Franz Joseph and Fox Glacier then to Haast Pass. We passed alot of vintage cars on this road and kinda felt sorry for those without roofs to shelter from the rain. The rain stopped on the west side of Haast then the sun emerged around Knights point and the road steamed and gradually dried as we headed down to Makarora. The temperature wa climbing by the time we made Lake Hawea and almost felt like summer. Cruised into Wanaka and found a cabin at the local camp ground. Hung our gear out to dry, did the washing and headed off to a local bar for a few. Met up with a couple of bikers there from Invercargill and chatted for a while then they shot off to Queenstown. We got dinner and a bottle of red and headed off to the cabin. Despite the rain today was a great day.

Pic 1. Lake Hawea.
Pic 2. Makarora (I think).
Pic 3. Knights point.
Pic 4. Lake Hawea.
Pic 5. Wanaka Lakeview Holiday Park.
Pic 6. Lake Wanaka.

[Taz]

Rained last night (seems to be following us). Woke this morning to snow on the hills. Packed the bikes and headed out on the Cardrona Valley Road. Went up the Cardrona ski feild road until the snow and ice forced us to turn around at about 1600 meters altitude. Was bloody cold too. Returned to the road and headed south past the Cardrona pub then to the Crown Range Road and onto Queenstown to catch the TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak Station. We were informed that the lake levels were too low so had to rethink plans. Was raining again by now. Decided to head down SH6 thru Kingston and Mossburn to Te Anau. Got a cabin with sky TV so Cary could keep up with the cricket (shame it was rained out). Dropped off our gear and set out for Milford sound. The sky cleared on the way out to Knobs flat and by the time we reached the Homer tunnel it was sunny and warming up. The race down to Milford was great on the twisting road with only a few buses to slow progress. Back to Te Anau in record time, got dinner and back to the cabin. So ends day 7.

Kms today 514.

Pic 1. Snow on hills, Wanaka.
Pic 2. Wanaka Lakeview Holiday Park and rain.
Pics 3 4 5. Cardrona road.
Pic 6. Cardrona Pub.

[doc]

Excellent pics, great report. The weather is surprising . Glad you did it.

[clint640]

Good stuff mate! Looking forward to the next installment.

Cheers
Clint

[Cary]

1 - Heading for the hills on the 'Race to The Sky' road (Cardrona)
2 - Exiting the Mangatapu Track
3 - Okuku ford
4 - Andy testing the depth, the cold way!

[Cary]

1 - Blasting thru the Molesworth road
2 - St Arnaud in the COLD
3 - Heading out to Milford Sound
4 - Andy trying to attract a mate (not the Tiger i hope!)

[Taz]

Here's some more day 7 pics...

Pic 1. Road to Knobs Flat (sounds painful).
Pic 2. View to the right of the Homer Tunnel.
Pic 3. Homer Tunnel.
Pic 4. Milford sound.
Pic 5. Cruise ships at Milford
Pic 6. Milford Sound.

[Taz]

Left Te Anau early this morning in the hope of getting to Invercargill while the bike shops were open as my rear brake pads were almost down to the backing plate :o
Took highway 99 thru Blackmount, Clifden, Tuatapere, riverton and finally to Invercargill. Arrived in Invercargill at 9:30 and went to MotoSouth. I removed the brake pads from the rear of the BMW and matched them up to some KTM ones. They allowed me to use a little space in their workshop so I didn't have to fit them out in the Cold. Thanks Guys. With the pads fitted it was on to Bluff just to say been there done that and get the obligatory pic of the sign post. Then back into Invers for lunch.
After lunch we headed up to Lumsden then on to tackle the Nevis Pass road. We got part way up the Nevis in the rain and thought the better of it and turned back. Headed thru Kingston and Frankton where the skies started to clear. Visited Arrowtown for a looksee and a brew then onto our over night stop at Cromwell. Ran into a couple of workmates of Cary's that were also staying at the chalets and spent the night playing pool in the bar.

Kms today 554.

Pic 1. BMW in the workshop.
Pic 2/3/4. Bluff.
Pic 5. Nevis
Pic 6. Lake Whakatipu.

[Taz]

More Day 8 pics.

Pics 1-4. Arrowtown.
Pic 5. Kawarau Gorge (Roaring Meg?)
Pic 6. Cromwell digs.

[Taz]

From Cromwell we headed for Bendigo and Welshtown for a look. Then onto the Thomsons Track thru countless gates this track climbs over the Dunstan Mountains and comes out a Omakau. Instead of going into Omakau and the main road we turned right and took the back roads to Becks, these roads are a great mix of seal and gravel. We then headed up to St Bathans and stopped for a brew and toasted sandwich at the Vulcan Hotel. After lunch we were off to Naseby and the Danseys Pass coming out at Duntroon and heading for Kurow where we met up with John (aka OldRider). We were invited to stay with John and his wife Philipa at their house in Otematata but first we headed off to tackle the Hakataramea and Benmore (black Forest Station) roads. We took a wrong turn at the black forest station and headed along the lake front for a while until the road came to an end at a swamp which Cary just had to ride the Tiger thru!. And back. On the correct track again we made good time to Benmore and our overnight stop at Otematata where we we treated to a sumptious dinner and desert and a comfortable nights kip. Thanks John and Philipa.

Pic 1. Bendigo.
Pic 2/3. Welshtown.
Pic 4/5/6. Thomson Track.

[Taz]

More Pics........

Pic 1/2. Thomson's Track.
Pic 3/4/5. St Bathans.
Pic 6. Naseby

[Taz]

Still More pics......

[Taz]

More pics....

Pylon Service Road (Lake Benmore)
John and Philippa. Aka Oldrider.

[Taz]

After a loverly breakfast we cleaned the bikes and John shwed us around the Canal roads that surround Omarama and Twizel. These canals feed the power stations in this region and are a feat of engineering. We stopped to feed the fish in one of thre salmon farms that are in the canals. The private roads that run beside the canals are great.
We said our goodbye's to John in Twixel and headed for Mt Cook. From Mt Cook it was onto lunch at Lake Tekapo then thru to Geraldine for our overnight stop at the Geraldine Holiday Park. Met a couple of other bikers, Ross and Colin from Tauranga. Together we went to the local sports bar for dinner and some beverages :) Was a good night.

K's today 350.

Pic 1. Salmon Farm
Pic 2. Feedin the fish
Pic 3. Dam!
Pic 4. Twizel
Pic 5. Mt Cook.
Pic 6. Salmon.

[Taz]

More pics....

Pic 1-4. Canals.

[Taz]

Woke to an overcast day today. Our route today takes us from geraldine along the plains to Mt Somers thru spring burn and onto Lake Coleridge. We Take the Lyndon road past Lake Lyndon then Head thru Arthurs pass. The sun has come out by now and the day is warming up nicely. Turning right we take the road around Lake Brunner to Stillwater stopping at the Brunner Coke and brick works. The conditions these guys had to work under makes me glad we have the protections against exploitation by big business that we have today. From here we stopped for lunch at Greymouth then tootled up the coast stopping at the Punakaiki pancake rocks and Cape Foulwind where we both tried to fart.... We found a small pub called the Star Tavern and stopped for a brew in the sun then set out for the Westport Motor Camp. Went and found a roast for dinner at the local pub then back to the camp ground where Cary beat me at mini golf :(.

Kms today 427.

Pic 1. Rakaia River.
Pic 2/3. Lake coleridge.
Pic 4. Arthurs Pass.
Pic 5/6. Brunner Coke Works.

[Taz]

Pics from day 11....

Pics 1-6. Brunner Coke and brick works.

[Taz]

Even more pics......

Pic 1. Coke works
Pics 2/3/4/5/6. Punakaiki Pancake rocks.

[Taz]

And some more.....

Pic 1/2. Cape foulwind
Pic 3/4. Star Tavern.
Pic 5. West coast.
Pic 6. Westport Motorcamp.

[Taz]

Fine and sunny in Westport this morning. Headed thru the Buller Gorge to Murchison and up SH6 to Kohatu and up thru woodstock to Motueka. We dropped off our luggage at my sisters place and took off over the hill to Takaka and Collingwood then up to Farewell spit. The Takaka Hill was great with only a little traffic and a few patches of road works to slow us down. Stopped at the pub in Takaka on the way back and then back to my sisters place for the night.

Kms today 467.

Pic 1-3. Buller Gorge.
Pic 4. Takaka Hill.
Pic 5. Telegraph Hotel, Takaka. Mmmmm beer.
Pic 6. Farewell Spit.

[Taz]

More Pics........

Pic 1. Whale skeleton at Farewell Spit.
Pic 2-5. Riwaka.

[Taz]

Easy day today. Only have to make it to mums in Picton. Did some shopping in Motueka. There's a neat little co-op craft shop on the main street called Potters Patch, an excellent place to buy gifts for those at home..... Had breakfast at the Moorings then off to picton via Queen Charlotte Drive. Arrived at mum's then headed into downtown Picton for a game of mini golf, visited the Aquarium and most of the pubs in town. Went with mum and the other olds to the RSA for dinner then home to bed as we had to catch the 8am ferry the next day.

Pics 1-4. Queen Charlotte Drive.
Pic 5. Picton RSA.

[Taz]

Woke early, said goodbye to Mum and left at 7 to catch the ferry. Was calm and a little overcast. Very smooth trip across the strait on the Bluebridge ship Santa Regina. Saw a pod of dolphins on the way over. Got off the ferry at around 11:30 and headed to Upper hutt for lunch. Cary was off to Napier for the night while I'd head up SH2 then over to Ohakune. Saturday I left ohakune and headed for home with the rain slowly setting in. arrived home at about 1pm after 6711kms. The kids were real glad to see me and I had really missed them. It was a great trip and there was still heaps we didn't se and do. Maybe next time? My rear Tourance was in need of replacement after 12000kms of road and gravel punishment. Cary informed me that he had to replace his rear Anakee in Napier as it was down to the canvas.
Thanks all who made this trip special especially my family.


Andy.

The End.

Pic 1. Dolphins.
Pic 2. Picton.
Pic 3. Cary cruisin on the Santa Regina.
Pic 4. Wellington.

[Cary]

Had breakfast at the Moorings then off to picton via Queen Charlotte Drive. Arrived at mum's then headed into downtown Picton for a game of mini golf.

I won that one to :first:


It was a great trip and there was still heaps we didn't se and do. Maybe next time? My rear Tourance was in need of replacement after 12000kms of road and gravel punishment. Cary informed me that he had to replace his rear Anakee in Napier as it was down to the canvas.

Sure was. Thanks for all the pre trip planning & to your family. Also to John(oldrider) & Philipa for taking in a couple of strangers for the night, dinner & the fantastic cooked b'fast :clap:

Tyre was sure buggered, would have been a worrying 300k ride to Ohope if the folks at 5 Star Suzuki (Napier) haden't fitted new tyre.

[Taz]

How many miles/K's did you get from that Anakee?

Here's the metzeler at 11000 Kms.
Didn't look too much worse when I got home.

[Cary]

How many miles/K's did you get from that Anakee?

6900miles(11000k's) & thats 500 past safe!

[chrisso]

Awesome mate! Ive always wanted to do the Molesworth ride. I worked up the Awatere Valley on a farm in the late 70's -dont think the farmers CT 125 would have got me too far.The country looks like Afganistan--Taliban hiding behind the pilons haha..:sunny: