8 days for SI & 4 days for NI. Advice reqd.

**3Engines** · 14th October 2009, 15:14

Hello ladies and gents. Im going to start in Feb 2010 from AKL and finish in AKL too.
Seek your advice to discover your beautiful country in 12 days. Is it possible?

This is my tentative itinerary for South Island: (8 days)

1. Picton - Route 1 - Kaikoura - Route 70 - Hanmer Spring - Route 7 - Greymouth.

2. Greymouth - Route 73 - Route 1 - Christchurch - Route 75 - Akaroa - Christchurch

3. Christchurch - Route 1 -Timaru - Route 8 - Raes Junction -Route 90 - Gore - Route 1 - Invercargill.

4. Invercargill - Bluff - Route 99 - Te Anau

5. Te Anau - Milford Sound - Te Anau - Route 94 - Route 6 - Queenstown

6. Queenstown - Route 6 - Fox Glacier

7. Fox Glacier - Route 6 - Motupiko - Motueka - Route 60 - Takaka

8. Takaka - Route 60 - Richmond - Route 6 - Picton

Is it perfect itinerary for South Island? Or any other better option for me to cover "THE MUST" thingy roads.

and...

For North Island, I have 4 days to spare.

In my mind I have this:

1. Auckland - Rotorua - Taupo - Waiouru - Palmerston North

2. Palmerston North - Wellington (Ferry to Picton)

3. Heading North to AKL - still no idea. Help needed.

4. Heading North to AKL - still no idea. Help needed.

Heard about Corro Loop. But Im not so sure where it is. Somebody care to elobrate? Please...

Infos and advice are most welcome.

Regards.

**wickle** · 14th October 2009, 17:08

Not long enough mate, some time next year going to south island and are planning on min of ten days to do the the trip properly.

**3Engines** · 14th October 2009, 17:56

Originally Posted by wickle

Not long enough mate, some time next year going to south island and are planning on min of ten days to do the the trip properly.

Should I extend another 2 days for SI, and it will be perfect??

How about my routing?

TQ in advance mate!

**clint640** · 27th October 2009, 10:44

Hi Mate, that's an ok plan for a quick tour of the South Is.
In the North, I would try & fit in another day on your return leg & have a look at the East Coast, either go around East Cape, or visit the Coromandel Peninsula (the Coro loop)

Cheers
Clint

**Jantar** · 27th October 2009, 11:34

Originally Posted by 3Engines

...

3. Christchurch - Route 1 -Timaru - Route 8 - Raes Junction -Route 90 - Gore - Route 1 - Invercargill.

It s avery tight schedule and doesn't give much time to stop and take in the scenery. I would suggest that on Day 3 you turn right at Rangitata and go via Geraldine - Farlie - Tekapo - Cromwell - Raes Junction. Don't go as far south as Timaru.

**3Engines** · 27th October 2009, 19:35

Jantar, Clint: Thanks for the infos.

14 days on the road for both Island.

3 of us will be riding 2x Fazer 1000 and 1x Ducati ST3.

Final itinerary and date to be notified here. Wish we can meet up with KB forumers along our journey.

**3Engines** · 27th October 2009, 19:39

Originally Posted by clint640

Hi Mate, that's an ok plan for a quick tour of the South Is.
In the North, I would try & fit in another day on your return leg & have a look at the East Coast, either go around East Cape, or visit the Coromandel Peninsula (the Coro loop)

Cheers
Clint

Shud I find the shortest distance between AKL to Wellington. Covering the east coast route on the return leg?

Any advice/input bro?

**3Engines** · 27th October 2009, 19:42

Or... any better proposal for North Island route by the locals???

**clint640** · 28th October 2009, 09:40

Originally Posted by 3Engines

Shud I find the shortest distance between AKL to Wellington. Covering the east coast route on the return leg?

Any advice/input bro?

Yep, if you're short on time, just going straight down hwy 1 to Wellington on the way down would probably be a good idea and it's not too bad a ride if you haven't done it before. Just watch out for police - speed limit enforcement is a growth industry on hwy 1! Save the time for a more relaxed ride back up the East coast on your return trip.

Although if you are making good time when you get to Waiouru in the Central North Island on your way down, there is a great twisty side trip west through Ohakune & down hwy 4 to Wanganui, then go down hwy 3 to rejoin hwy 1 south.

Also, on your return to Picton, take Queen Charlotte Drive from Havelock to Picton, not hwy 6.

Cheers
Clint

**3Engines** · 29th October 2009, 16:28

Originally Posted by clint640

Yep, if you're short on time, just going straight down hwy 1 to Wellington on the way down would probably be a good idea and it's not too bad a ride if you haven't done it before. Just watch out for police - speed limit enforcement is a growth industry on hwy 1! Save the time for a more relaxed ride back up the East coast on your return trip.

Although if you are making good time when you get to Waiouru in the Central North Island on your way down, there is a great twisty side trip west through Ohakune & down hwy 4 to Wanganui, then go down hwy 3 to rejoin hwy 1 south.

Also, on your return to Picton, take Queen Charlotte Drive from Havelock to Picton, not hwy 6.

Cheers
Clint

Many thanks Clint!