Advice needed. Heading from Auckland to Nelson

**Sly_guy** · 15th March 2012, 16:13

Hey,

So.. I've been riding for around 4 years now.. mostly commuting, the odd track day and weekend longish ride (300 - 400k)..

I've got a family event in Nelson mid April that I'm going to, and the wife and kids are flying down a week before me.. Sooo.. up springs an opportunity for me to head down on the bike / ferry instead of flying.

Now, I've been north, but I've not really been further south than Hampton Downs....

I'm looking to head down over say 2/3 days, Maybe staying somewhere mid north island day 1, and Picton day 2.. etc..

Does anyone have any highly recommended routes advice etc ? and or for places to avoid at that time of year etc?

Cheers

P.s. Oh, I guess it's relevant... I'm on a Triumph Street Triple, with good old Ventura pack rack and bag

**Gremlin** · 15th March 2012, 18:06

Originally Posted by Sly_guy

Now, I've been north, but I've not really been further south than Hampton Downs....

I'm looking to head down over say 2/3 days, Maybe staying somewhere mid north island day 1, and Picton day 2.. etc..

Does anyone have any highly recommended routes advice etc ? and or for places to avoid at that time of year etc?

Not further south than Hampton Downs?

It basically comes down to how many km you want to do in a day and over how many days. Direct, it's about 650km from Auckland to Wellington using SH1, maybe SH27 etc. You can deviate a little (Vinegar Hill, SH54 around Palmy) or a lot (West Cape or East Cape). Picton to Nelson should definitely include Queen Charlotte Drive. Watch out for tourists all over the road, but it's scenic and your first time. Once you're staying in Nelson, make sure you go over Takaka Hill, ride Mot Valley Highway etc.

For the North Island route, East Cape is fantastic, bit rough but you'll have longish days. West Cape is also good with Awakino Gorge, slight inland and you can use the Paraparas, SH4. Give us an idea of preference? You've also got two routes, one down, one up, so you can change things up a bit.

**Sly_guy** · 15th March 2012, 18:45

Hmmm..

Really liking the head down via one coast of NI, and back the other... where would be a good place to stay? Napier / New Plymouth ? other suggestions ?

As for timings..

Probably looking to take 3 days to get there... so looking at the maps.. head down through the NI on day one, stay on one of the coasts.. then, next day, head to Welli, grab the Ferry, and stay in Picton / Blenheim ? (thoughts) then on to Nelson the long way around via the Wairau valley as an option, and up and around Motueka on to Nelson (about 300k's)

Then on the way, back, it would probably be a 2 day trip... head straight to Picton and grab an earlyish ferry, then off to my coastal stayover mid NI, then 2nd day straight(ish) back to AKL..

**Sly_guy** · 15th March 2012, 18:59

What about this ???

http://maps.google.co.nz/maps?saddr=...ia=2,3,4,6&z=7

Any thoughts?

Ahh, better... includes the renound Forgotton Highway ?
http://g.co/maps/kp5fx

**Gremlin** · 15th March 2012, 23:36

Plenty of others replying eh...

Be aware the Wairau Valley (SH63) is bloody boring, some of the straightest roads you'll find, possibly straighter than the canterbury plains. I can't really recommend anywhere to stay around Napier or New Plymouth as I just keep riding

I have stayed at the Anndion Lodge in Wanganui, that wasn't too bad? Auckland-Napier is only 400km odd, so a pretty easy day, roads are mostly straight. If you want really nice roads, here's an alternative for Day 2: http://maps.google.co.nz/maps?saddr=...7,9,10&t=m&z=7

Picton, my favourite is the Tombstone Backpackers (pretty much stay there everytime, and always stay on the Picton side as opposed to Welly), but as with a few places it only works out cheaper when you've got a couple of people (twin share or double) as Tombstone doesn't take singles (unless you want dorm). They provide a free breakfast of cornflakes, toast, spreads and scones, which always starts the day well.

**FJRider** · 15th March 2012, 23:52

From my point of view ...

Why spend your time touring the north island ... ??? You live up there ... You can see it anytime.

Highway one (south of Hampdon Downs) is new to you. Go ride a new (to you) road. It has some dam nice pieces on it. The other bits aren't that shabby either.

The traffic volume will keep your speed varied ... and some bits of the road may do too. One good day ride to near wellytown ... with the first available ferry over. (easy to find sailing times prior) And take a look around the upper south island. All new roads ... which roads you take ... matters little.

**Gremlin** · 16th March 2012, 00:01

Originally Posted by FJRider

Why spend your time touring the north island ... ??? You live up there ... You can see it anytime.

If it's been 4 years and he's never gone south of Hampton Downs... uh... he might not see it any time

FJRider is correct though, the South Island is spectacular, and I would be maximising time down south instead. I leave Auckland early morning, Ferry in early evening and Picton for the night.

**FJRider** · 16th March 2012, 00:08

Originally Posted by Gremlin

If it's been 4 years and he's never gone south of Hampton Downs... uh... he might not see it any time

Once he see's the roads ... there'll be no holding him back.

**Gremlin** · 16th March 2012, 00:55

Originally Posted by FJRider

Once he see's the roads ... there'll be no holding him back.

You mean he'll totally love the North Island roads? After all, there's so much traffic in the South Island, none of the roads are sealed and the scenery is downright terrible. Yeah?

**FJRider** · 16th March 2012, 01:43

Originally Posted by Gremlin

You mean he'll totally love the North Island roads? After all, there's so much traffic in the South Island, none of the roads are sealed and the scenery is downright terrible. Yeah?

Dont mention the speed cameras every 20 km's ... and I wont.

The thing is ... once he gets the hang of going a few hundred (ok 600) km's a day. And find it easy (as he will then) Taupo for lunch (from his home) and back via different route ... will be just another day ride. And still be home for tea.

Well at least he'll get past Hampton Downs ... hopefully ...

**Sly_guy** · 16th March 2012, 09:55

I almost feel a tad mocked !

...

I have been South of HD, many times.... just in a Car, either for work, or with the family..

I do appreciate the advice though, and having gone through the timing of it, it looks like I may be able to do 1 more day in the South Island on the way down. I've just had a look on the map, and could head down to CHCH ish from Picton, and across Arthurs Pass ? This may well be a decision that's made on how well the trip down has gone to that point, if it's been pissing it down, and the forecast is the same, i'm sure i'll be pretty keen to head straight to Nelson. (and might have a really sore arse too!)

Is range likely to be a problem for me at all ? I can get about 220 - 240 to a tank... Am I likely to need to take a spare Can etc?

Cheers

**Gremlin** · 16th March 2012, 10:09

Use Google Maps to check distances, but for example on that range and running Auckland-Wellington direct, it would be Auckland, Tokoroa, Taihape to get you to South Island. Arthurs Pass, it's 240km ish Chch to Greymouth, so right near your limits, may want to fill somewhere along the way.

SH1 is boring but a bit of an experience with Hundalees, nice coast etc. A better option for roads would be to head through Inland Rd, which is just south of Kaikoura (where you would probably re-fill).

**jafar** · 21st March 2012, 20:51

Originally Posted by Sly_guy

I almost feel a tad mocked !

...

I have been South of HD, many times.... just in a Car, either for work, or with the family..

I do appreciate the advice though, and having gone through the timing of it, it looks like I may be able to do 1 more day in the South Island on the way down. I've just had a look on the map, and could head down to CHCH ish from Picton, and across Arthurs Pass ? This may well be a decision that's made on how well the trip down has gone to that point, if it's been pissing it down, and the forecast is the same, i'm sure i'll be pretty keen to head straight to Nelson. (and might have a really sore arse too!)

Is range likely to be a problem for me at all ? I can get about 220 - 240 to a tank... Am I likely to need to take a spare Can etc?

Cheers

If you can get an air hawk seat for your bike, failing that go to a baby shop & get a lambskin to put on your seat. That will help a lot with preventing a saddle sore butt.
Hamner springs is worth a look.

It's not skool holidays so don't bother to prebook accomodation, there is plenty along the way, just don't leave it too late to book into somewhere when you feel the need. Between 3 & 5 pm is the best time to start looking, after 5 & you may get limited on your choices. B & B places are usually a good bet, as are backpackers. Stop & ask the locals, they are often a mine of information.

**pritch** · 23rd March 2012, 08:05

Arthur's Pass is bloody boring since they put that abomination, er bridge, er WTF, in.
Lewis Pass is a delight.

**Sly_guy** · 8th April 2012, 06:44

Thanks to everyone for their advice!

And the lambs wool made a hell of a difference!

Had a cracking day one, headed down to wanganui via the Forgotten highway... Great fun, but didn't realize there was about 15km of gravel!

a new challenge to me...

Day 2 straight down to wells for the ferry, great weather, and what georgeous scenery!
Got off the ferry, heading to Nelson, some of the most amazing twisties ever!

Managed to get about 35kms towards nelson, in to a 100 k zone just outside of havelock, when a young girl did a uturn in front of me! Did everything I could to avoid, but no luck managed to slow it right down (to about 40) and aim for the middle of the drivers door. Straight over the roof!

No broken bones, lots of morphine!

My beloved bike a mess

Gutted for so many reasons, one of them being I will now be flying back to Auckland!