Calling all South Islanders?

[Ocean1]

I'd take the bike inside the motel or as Guzza says Fear the Kea...
they are amazing funny birds but shits when it comes to treasure...
and treasure is shinny metal parts and stretchy rubber bits.

When the Homer tunnel was being built the wee bastards caused havoc with the gear. They'd completely trash the seats, windscreen wiper rubbers and anything else on the dozers and graders not actually steel. Fuel lines, hydraulic hoses, bearing seals. Rocker cover gaskets for fuck's sake...

So yeah, get the bike under cover up in Kea country.

[Shadows]

We are doing the SI also in Feb next year. I have a question for those of you that might know. Just booked some accomodation in Arthurs Pass and the motel guy mentioned that we would need to cover our bikes up cause of Kea's.

Anyone else done this before? Is it completely necessary?

TIA

Yep, the little fuckers are thieves and vandals.

You can get close enough to be able to wring their necks if need be though. Just stay away from their beaks.

[gonzo_akl]

Hi,

Not a southislander but just returned from the Burt Munro. We stayed at 2 hotels on the way around - would've liked to stay in more but they are hard to find.

The first was the Springfield Hotel - we followed the inland scenic route south - it is located on the Arthur's Pass rd about 9kms up the road from sheffield - the gas station is still open unlike the one in sheffield. Owners are friendly, locals were friendly, rooms ok we went for single rooms @ $45, meals are hearty and there is plantly of it. We could park the bikes in their shed around the back.
Biggest problem was getting back on the road, as we hadn't paid we couldn't just leave, we ended up having to phone the hotel to attract their attention. I think they had quite a big night.
www.springfieldhotel.co.nz

The other hotel we used was the Dunston Hotel in Clyde. Really nice, $35 for a single room. Food was good and staff friendly. Bike parking was a bit of a problem and we left ours on the main road, not ideal but it seems a quiet town. There was another group there and they had arranged some secure off-road parking.

http://www.dunstanhouse.co.nz/default.asp

When you get into the tourist towns/routes the traditional hotels are harder to find.

[Gezza]

Thanks Broomrider.Might take you up on that.Will keep you in mind.
Gezza

[Broomrider]

Email me would be best as I can't see how or if mobile number shows up on profie...

[clint640]

The Blackball Hilton is real good.

We've also had a few good nights in the Royal in Naseby.

Cheers
Clint

[countryguy]

No pubs as such in Hanmer to stay in but heaps of options. It would pay to book in advance (try hanmer i site) or one of the holiday home outfits as it goes ballistic over the summer here but should be a little quieter in Feb. If you want something specific message me for contact details :-)

[newbould]

wee bastard.

SEE AVATAR

[newbould]

Dunsandle OK -
The Highwayman Dunback - at the start of the pig route - one of NZ's finest roads
Omakau at the other end of the same road but perhaps Poolburn hotel would be nicer - certainly more isolated. Never stayed there as such
Beaumont if still open - when I satyed I was shown where the kitchen was so I could make my own breakfast before leaving early. The hens provided breakfast.
Ohau lodge when its time for some luxuriating - highly recommended but Kea country