Te Anau-Bluff-Oamaru

[Gixxer 4 ever]

I am planning a trip down south next year 2010 and want some advise from people that have done or know the areas listed. We need to know the actual answers to the questions. Thanks

1 What is the road like from Te Anau to Bluff via Manapouri, Black Mount, Clifden, Orepuki? Is it all sealed and what time would it take to make this trip? Not race speed just touring speed.

2 Bluff to Oamaru. Can we get along the coast for this ride? I note the map said 365km on the main road. Is there an alternative rout around the Catlins and coast that has sealed roads? What time frame would you allow for that trip and what roads can I reference for our plan?

Thanks Steve

[Xaria]

1 What is the road like from Te Anau to Bluff via Manapouri, Black Mount, Clifden, Orepuki? Is it all sealed and what time would it take to make this trip? Not race speed just touring speed.

2 Bluff to Oamaru. Can we get along the coast for this ride? I note the map said 365km on the main road. Is there an alternative rout around the Catlins and coast that has sealed roads? What time frame would you allow for that trip and what roads can I reference for our plan?

1 - Good roads, not highway quality, but in good condition. According to the southern scenic route website (http://www.southernscenicroute.co.nz/Travel-Guide/Travel-times-and-distances.asp) it is about 3 hours, 168 km Te Anau to Invercargill. Add 15 min to get to Bluff. If you are going to be in Te Anau, you really HAVE to go out to Milford. Awesome views, and some... interesting roads.

2. Bluff to Balclutha is all on the southern scenic route as well. Not completely costal unless you want to go gravel. From Balclutha take SH1 to Waihola and finish the Southern Scenic Route then North road out of Dunedin - it is the old road out then there are coastal loops all the way up to Oamaru, but for most of them I know where they are but would have to get back to you on what there names are. Allow half a day or a little more for photos.

Let us know down here when you are going and you could end up with company. Most of this route is some of the best bike roads in the country according to the Motorcycle atlas of NZ

[Gixxer 4 ever]

Most of this route is some of the best bike roads in the country according to the Motorcycle atlas of NZ


Fantastic. Thank you so much for the info. We are looking at Jan 2010. I know a long way away but I like to have a plan and I have a friend and his partner coming from OZ to join us and hopefully a group of riders from up here.
Again thanks for the info and links. :wari:

Edit. Yes we have planned a ride up the Milford sound. Maybe this .... http://www.kiwiwise.co.nz/activity/milford-deep-underwater-observatory

[McJim]

Invercargill - Riverton - Manapouri - Te Anau. Less than two hours at bike speed - I'm a bit of a Nana and I have a 53hp bike. Nice roads - all sealed (subject to roadworks).

I can get from Invercargill to Balclutha via Papatowai (coast road) in under 2 hours as well. It's all sealed from Invercargill to Balclutha and is some of the best twisties in the land - watch my vids on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/NZMcJim for all the 'gotcha!' corners though. Some experienced riders have found themselves nearly in trouble along this road...

Make sure you drop in for a cuppa when you're down.

[Gixxer 4 ever]

Fantastic. Thanks for the info. We will be stopping and taking pic’s and things. I will find it a bit hard after my usual riding style but this is a trip to savior so it will be slowish.
Should be down in Jan 2010. Hope a few others come along from up here. Can’t view vids with stupid dial up. Might go to my sons place and spend a hour and have a look. Cheers and we will let you know when we have a date set.
Thanks for taking the time to reply :)


Invercargill - Riverton - Manapouri - Te Anau. Less than two hours at bike speed - I'm a bit of a Nana and I have a 53hp bike. Nice roads - all sealed (subject to roadworks)..

[FJRider]

Just be aware that there are turn-offs, that must be taken, but the entire Southern Senic Route (and it is just that) well signposted. Study your map, there are endless diversions/options you can take. Ask the locals when you get there. Don't treat it as your own private race track, and you will have no problems whatsoever. You may even want to go and do it again. Not uncommon at all... Hint... there is a place on the south coast called "Cosy Nook". find it on the map... and take a look. You will not regret it...

[Jantar]

Xaria has already given you the best info for the Invercargill to Dunedin section.

When you head north from Dunedin stay on the one way system to the Gardens. SH1 veers left, but instead take the straight ahead option to NE Valley. Just follow NE Valley road as it becomes Mt Cargill Rd for a lovely scenic twisty alternative. This road rejoins SH1 at Bluskin Bay (Waitati).

4 km further on turn right towards Warrington. This is another scenic coastal route. It is twisty and although sealed, is narrow and bumpy. This rejoins SH1 at Cherry Farm just south of Waikouiti (sp). From here it is only a short hop to Palmerston where SH1 is the coastal route, or as you leave Palmerston veer left onto Horse Range Rd. Another narrow twisty scenic route. This rejoins SH1 just south of Moeraki.

Stay on SH1 until Wainakarua and turn Right imediately after the narrow bridge. This turn sneaks up on you and its easy to overshoot. This is another Coastal road through Kakanui and onto Beach road. Beach road has been washed out in one place and there is a short detour. As the road swings away from the sea take the first turn right. This is a gravel detour for around 1 km. (the sealed road will take you back to SH1 just south of Oamaru.) The detour will take you back to the coast, and enter Oamaru through the historic part of town.

[NighthawkNZ]

From here it is only a short hop to Palmerston where SH1 is the coastal route, or as you leave Palmerston veer left onto Horse Range Rd. Another narrow twisty scenic route. This rejoins SH1 just south of Moeraki.

Trotters Gorge... you have to watch that road... but can be fun

As Xaria said let us know and you will most likely get some company (depending on time and dates etc... will most likely be working :doh: )

[Gixxer 4 ever]

Hint... there is a place on the south coast called "Cosy Nook". find it on the map... and take a look. You will not regret it...

Thank you for the info. I have started looking at maps and there are a few ways to go. I will PM if we need any more help.
Thanks for taking the time to help this far.
Cheers
Steve

PS Cosy Nook…. That would be this place? http://www.westernsouthland.co.nz/pages/viewentity.php?entity=230 Nice. Might come back to that another time for some R&R and riding.

[Gixxer 4 ever]

Xaria has already given you the best info for the Invercargill to Dunedin section.

.

Thank you for the info. I have plotted most of this on the map and will revisit it in the near future. THanks for the taking the time to reply. Looks good to us.
Cheers
Steve

[Gixxer 4 ever]

Trotters Gorge... you have to watch that road... but can be fun

:doh: )

Trotters Gorge looks good. Will defiantly look at that as an option as we go North.

THanks

[JimO]

just watch out for the banjo playing albinos:woohoo:

[Gixxer 4 ever]

I can get from Invercargill to Balclutha via Papatowai (coast road) in under 2 hours as well. It's all sealed from Invercargill to Balclutha and is some of the best twisties in the land
.

This would be via the following road and places….Invercargill – Mokotua –Gorge Rd – Mokotua –Fortrose – Tokanui -Papatowai Nagara Rd –Tautuku -Purakaunui -Ratanui left to the Papatowaih HWY - Owaka HWY –Baclutha…?.. How hard is it to find your way from Quarry Hill to Owaka? It looks a bit fragmented on our map.

So we could do it in 3 hours at a slower pace? We can always let the slower riders go up SH1

[Gixxer 4 ever]

just watch out for the banjo playing albinos:woohoo:

:eek5: Are there plenty of them Jim? I am sure they like little pigs rather than smelly old bike riders……… Assuming I get your drift ;)

[jrandom]

I will find it a bit hard after my usual riding style but this is a trip to savior so it will be slowish.

Might I suggest a daily touring action plan:

1. Travel from location A to location B with women on pillion seats, dutifully admire scenery, administer loving pats on knees, etc.

2. Leave women at location B accommodation drinking tea and watching Coro St reruns.

3. Loop out to location A and back again at more 'interesting' velocities.

:done:

[Gixxer 4 ever]

Might I suggest a daily touring action plan:

1. Travel from location A to location B with women on pillion seats, dutifully admire scenery, administer loving pats on knees, etc.

2. Leave women at location B accommodation drinking tea and watching Coro St reruns.

3. Loop out to location A and back again at more 'interesting' velocities.

:done:

Hahahahaha just might do that with some of the roads.
You coim then Dan? It will be a great 14 days of fun.
Should have the road plan finished soon. Then sort out accommodation and things to see. Then save for the next 11 months. Then get road fit, yes an excuse to ride a lot and drink some, all in the name of being a better person.
Then hit the road running and have a ball around the little Island.
Mary Mooo and I are doing this trip and we hope to have my cousin and her man join us from OZ.

When we have the plan sorted and dates etc we will let you all know what we are doing and if anyone wants to join us that will be fantastic. Hope to meet with some of the South Island KB team as we go.
For me it is a trip I have wanted to do for a long time so I am making sure I have done all I can do to make it work.

Get saving da bling and come along....... both of you.....

[Clairsky]

If you go into Milford, fill up in Te Anau before you go. No petrol available in there anymore. Worth the trip, but be very aware of tourists.

[Gixxer 4 ever]

If you go into Milford, fill up in Te Anau before you go. No petrol available in there anymore. Worth the trip, but be very aware of tourists.

Thanks for that. I had email from Anita from the Te Anau Lake front Backpackers and she advised the same. We should have a few RF900s with us so they can pickup fuel if we need it for the sports bikes. But with careful riding I think most of us will make it. Yes the tourists................. Then again I will be one..... :laugh:

I had this in the plan but I think we will add a day cos there is a lot to see on the way down. What do you recon?

3. Fox Glacier – Queenstown. Approx 250kms.
Head through Haast pass down to Wanaka. Spectacular! Take the Crown Range Road past Cardrona. A stop at the pub is a must. It’s the same one used on the Speights ads. Then down into Queenstown Then on to – Te Anau. Approx 174kms.
We will cover 430km.

Its not the 430 ks but what will we miss rushing this part of the trip. We don't want to stay in Queenstown so will pick a place near by. Any ideas?


Thanks Clairsky.

[LBD]

Yes mate lots to see down there and if you dont see it all this time, you will be back.
You ask about accomodation near Queenstown might I suggest finding somewhere in Cromwell and take in one of my favored routes to Te Anau the next day From Cromwell head for Alex the Roxborough then when you get to a small village called Etterick, turn right just before you leave town and head up over Dunrobin to Herriot, Kelso, Crossmans corner, Waikaka, Chaton, Otama, Riverdale then on to Te Anau. All sealed and the ride from Cromwell to Roxborough is nice.

[Jantar]

Thanks for that. I had email from Anita from the Te Anau Lake front Backpackers ....
Jantar is going to have words with his daughter about sending emails to dodgy bikers. :shutup:


We don't want to stay in Queenstown so will pick a place near by. Any ideas?

Try Arrowtown. First turn right after coming down the Crown Range.

[Gixxer 4 ever]

Jantar is going to have words with his daughter about sending emails to dodgy bikers. :shutup:
.

:gob: What dodgy biker has she been sending email to? :clap: :rofl: :rofl:

[Gixxer 4 ever]

You ask about accomodation near Queenstown might I suggest finding somewhere in Cromwell and take in one of my favored routes to Te Anau the next day From Cromwell head for Alex the Roxborough then when you get to a small village called Etterick, turn right just before you leave town and head up over Dunrobin to Herriot, Kelso, Crossmans corner, Waikaka, Chaton, Otama, Riverdale then on to Te Anau. All sealed and the ride from Cromwell to Roxborough is nice.

Just had a look on the map. That really looks good. How long at holiday speed? I have added another day to the trip. Just to much to see and do. Thanks for the Info. Really good.

Cromwell sounds like us. :2thumbsup

[LBD]

Just had a look on the map. That really looks good. How long at holiday speed? I have added another day to the trip. Just to much to see and do. Thanks for the Info. Really good.

Cromwell sounds like us. :2thumbsup

Cromwell to Te Anau non stop 3 hrs legal/safe speeds. At holiday speed, you will want to see the dam at Clyde, cuppa in Roxborough, allow for map study and at least one wrong turn between Etterick and Riversdale, real fruit icecream in Mossburn (First tea room on left, Banana and kiwifruit mix) Photos at the Wapati monument and maybe at the red tussoc reserve if the light is right....5 maybe 6 hours if you are cruising. Add another 3 if you are fishing on the way.

Do not leave any trip west into Te Anau till late in the day as the road is straight into the evening sun.

Drop me a note with the dates you plan to visit.

Cheers

LBD

[Gixxer 4 ever]

Cromwell to Te Anau non stop 3 hrs legal/safe speeds. At holiday speed, you will want to see the dam at Clyde, cuppa in Roxborough, allow for map study and at least one wrong turn between Etterick and Riversdale, real fruit icecream in Mossburn (First tea room on left, Banana and kiwifruit mix) Photos at the Wapati monument and maybe at the red tussoc reserve if the light is right....5 maybe 6 hours if you are cruising. Add another 3 if you are fishing on the way.

Do not leave any trip west into Te Anau till late in the day as the road is straight into the evening sun.

Drop me a note with the dates you plan to visit.

Cheers

LBD


Will not have dates till March as we have an OZ couple coming over in March this year and they are coming with us in 2010. Our trip will be in January 2010. Yep a year away. :blink:

We were going to do it this year but due to the OZ connection, they asked us to put it off a year so they could come. We sat around the waterfront in Melbourne after the Phillip Island Moto GP in 07 and made a plan. Mary and I would love to do it this year but better wait for them. I hope with a years notice we can pick up a group from here, Hawkes Bay, and or along the way to ride with. The help we have had from you and others down that way has changed the ride and made it so much more of what I wanted. Thanks to you all. I will send you an Itinerary when it is more developed. :soon:

[Gixxer 4 ever]

Jantar is going to have words with his daughter about sending emails to dodgy bikers. :shutup:
.

Morning Jantar. i see you are online.
We are still grinning about this. :laugh: Lucky I was nice :shutup::laugh:

[Jantar]

Cromwell to Te Anau non stop 3 hrs legal/safe speeds. At holiday speed, you will want to see the dam at Clyde, cuppa in Roxborough, allow for map study and at least one wrong turn between Etterick and Riversdale, real fruit icecream in Mossburn (First tea room on left, Banana and kiwifruit mix) Photos at the Wapati monument and maybe at the red tussoc reserve if the light is right....5 maybe 6 hours if you are cruising. Add another 3 if you are fishing on the way.

Do not leave any trip west into Te Anau till late in the day as the road is straight into the evening sun.

Drop me a note with the dates you plan to visit.

Cheers

LBD

3 hrs is pushing it by that route. It would be closer to 3.5 - 4 hours from Cromwell. Many of the bends in the Moa Flat area are 45 kmh ones, and there is often loose gravel kicked in from the edges on the surface of the seal.

I allow myself 3.5 hrs from Alexandra, and that's already 20 - 25 minutes closer than Cromwell.

Generally I go to Te Anua from Alexandra via Kingston and home this route (or visa versa). The Kingston route is the more scenic, and the bends are great both routes. No campervans or tourist traffic via Waikaka.

[LBD]

Generally I go to Te Anua from Alexandra via Kingston and home this route (or visa versa). The Kingston route is the more scenic, and the bends are great both routes. .

Hi Jantar, has the road around the lake been resealed in the last year? It used to have that horrible rut on right on my ride line when riding frankton to Kingston, which is why I would ride the other way round.

That bit of road is nice, but my preference for scenery is Cromwell around Dunstun to Alex and I love Alex to Rox with its moonscape rocks, deserted stone cottages, small tarns and history etc, that you dont get the other way round.

And there is a couple of Bike shops in Alex I liked to visit.

Cheers LBD

[Jantar]

Parts of the Frankton - Kingston Rd still have that. Its where the fibre optic cable (or similar) was laid, and they made a piss poor job or resurfacing the road afterwards. I don't find it too bad though, and seldom is it actually in my riding line, although I have been known to cross it a few times.

[Ocean1]

Parts of the Frankton - Kingston Rd still have that. Its where the fibre optic cable (or similar) was laid, and they made a piss poor job or resurfacing the road afterwards. I don't find it too bad though, and seldom is it actually in my riding line, although I have been known to cross it a few times.

Was called the devil's staircase? I remember doing that road, sometime in the 60's, towing a caravan.

It was all gravel, mostly single lane, with a passing "lane" every few miles.

I particularly remember having to back the caravan up over a mile to accomodate a filthy great army truck.

It's a fookin' loooong way down to the lake. :sweatdrop

[LBD]

Was called the devil's staircase?

Thats the one. Now when you get to Kingston heading toward Queenstown, start playing AC/DC's extended Jailbreak, all 14 minutes and 42 seconds of it. Then if you are in the right groove, you hit the first tight left/right at the 6 minute and 11 second mark, turn the volume up, grow horns, and the next 8 minutes 31 seconds will be the most unforgettable ride. Does not work as well coming back the other way. (What you reckon Jantar)

[Jantar]

I can't say to the second, but it sounds about right to me. I love that road. :ride: :ride: :ride:

[LBD]

Te Anau is home and I spent a few years looking after an old Iron lady on the lake, probably did that road weekly.

I am new to this forum business so If I can work out how, will drop you a private note.

[Gixxer 4 ever]

Thats the one. Now when you get to Kingston heading toward Queenstown, start playing AC/DC's extended Jailbreak, all 14 minutes and 42 seconds of it. Then if you are in the right groove, you hit the first tight left/right at the 6 minute and 11 second mark, turn the volume up, grow horns, and the next 8 minutes 31 seconds will be the most unforgettable ride. Does not work as well coming back the other way. (What you reckon Jantar)

To send PM or private Email just left click Jantar’s name and a menu will drop down. Oh make sure you are logged on.

One of the options is “Private message “and one is “send email”. Job done.

What a fantastic place to spend some years of your life.

[Gremlin]

3. Fox Glacier – Queenstown. Approx 250kms.
Head through Haast pass down to Wanaka. Spectacular! Take the Crown Range Road past Cardrona. A stop at the pub is a must. It’s the same one used on the Speights ads. Then down into Queenstown Then on to – Te Anau. Approx 174kms.
We will cover 430km.

Its not the 430 ks but what will we miss rushing this part of the trip. We don't want to stay in Queenstown so will pick a place near by. Any ideas?
Fill in Fox, and avoid Haast and Makarora gas, as its expensive. There is a gas station at Lake Hawea (on SH6), Allied Petroleum (although they were out of 91 when I went through on my trip with gijoe)

West coast is beautiful. We did Franz Josef to Invercargill via Wanaka in one day, but we were both 1 up for most of it, and averaged almost 500km for 13 days.

[Gixxer 4 ever]

Fill in Fox, and avoid Haast and Makarora gas, as its expensive. There is a gas station at Lake Hawea (on SH6), Allied Petroleum (although they were out of 91 when I went through on my trip with gijoe)

West coast is beautiful. We did Franz Josef to Invercargill via Wanaka in one day, but we were both 1 up for most of it, and averaged almost 500km for 13 days.

When I started talking about the trip I had this in mind. I wanted to ride from here to there and cover the ground but as time has past I realised I can do that here and should take time to see the country. I must be getting old.

Our OZy mates, Well they are miss guided kiwis and live in OZ, have confirmed tonight so the trip is in January 2010. Probably leave around the 7th or so. Will work on the time table now and start finding accommodation in the stop over places.

I note the weather has been a bit wet down the coast in the last few days/month. Better plan on new wet weather gear for that part of the trip. All seems to far away. Should be going tomorrow. Never mind time will fly.

Thanks for the tips on fuel. I am of a mind that, as long as I can get it the price is no big deal. Only on the coast and in southland for 3 / 4 days.

Time to look for da Bluetooth coms system and a Garmin Zumo. I like new toys. Have a great day at work everyone and thanks for the feedback. :niceone:

[Gremlin]

gijoe had an ixon rain suit, I had a dririder (both one pieces). I also used rain off over gloves, and they kept me pretty damn dry through some incredible rain (ie, could just see the tail lights in front of me, the rest was rain :crazy:)


Time to look for da Bluetooth coms system and a Garmin Zumo. I like new toys. Have a great day at work everyone and thanks for the feedback. :niceone:
only problem with bluetooth for a comms system is battery life. I think I remember reading a life of 7 hours for the recommended ones. I like new toys too (in IT, so its pretty much a given) and have the zumo, but because 7 hours is rather short (and consideration had to be given for things like grand challenge) I went the route of a baehr comms box instead.

Not cheap, but I had radar and gps, and then gijoe and I had uhf radios with push to talk, which did the job (but wouldn't work for pillions, unless they also had radios). Since the system is wires, no battery issues, besides the uhf radios, and my rated 55 hour life ones got at least 36 (I think I left it on overnight once too, so it would be more).