Aussie wants to tour NZ

[Scuzzlebutt]

Hey guys,
Just joined this morning after talking to some kiwi's on netrider.
Been reading some of the forums, they were right; you guys are a bit weird!

Anyway, I was planning a tour of the south island in early summer but me mate who's coming is insisting we start on the north island (from what I've read this maybe less touristy?)

I was wondering if I could get some advice from the locals on stuff and things:

What should I expact from the weather in early summer.

Hiring bikes from Auckland; nothing to big maybe a couple of DL's or such, anyone now of a reputable place to hire bikes at a reasonable price?

We only have a coulpe of weeks so where should we go? I'm keen for some great riding but we'll be avoiding the gravel, also I'd like to imerse in some local culture and whitewater rafting etc.

We will be camping so some bike freindly campsite advice would be appriciated?

Any other advise would also be appreciated.


Thanks

[caspernz]

we're not weird on here

You'll have fun regardless of where you start. Plenty of roads to get lost on, I mean enjoy yourself.
On the north island, I'd say if you factor in Napier-Taihape (the Gentle Annie) and at least the Taumaranui-Stratford (the Forgotten World Highway) then you're off to a good start.

[MSTRS:Me]

Hey guys,
Just joined this morning after talking to some kiwi's on netrider.
Been reading some of the forums, they were right; you guys are a bit weird!

Not off to the best of starts, are we?

Hey guys,
Anyway, I was planning a tour ...

I was wondering if I could get some advice from the locals on stuff and things:

Don't do it. We are VERY weird.

What should I expact from the weather in early summer.

Not much

...we'll be avoiding the gravel

Softcocks...

Any other advise would also be appreciated.

Isn't Perth nice that time of year?

Thanks

You're welcome

[Maha]

Hey guys,
Just joined this morning after talking to some kiwi's on netrider.
Been reading some of the forums, they were right; you guys are a bit weird!

Anyway, I was planning a tour of the south island in early summer but me mate who's coming is insisting we start on the north island (from what I've read this maybe less touristy?)

I was wondering if I could get some advice from the locals on stuff and things:

What should I expact from the weather in early summer.

Hiring bikes from Auckland; nothing to big maybe a couple of DL's or such, anyone now of a reputable place to hire bikes at a reasonable price?

We only have a coulpe of weeks so where should we go? I'm keen for some great riding but we'll be avoiding the gravel, also I'd like to imerse in some local culture and whitewater rafting etc.

We will be camping so some bike freindly campsite advice would be appriciated?

Any other advise would also be appreciated.


Thanks

A couple of place to pin your tent while up North....
http://www.motorcamp.co.nz/ Managers are into bikes....a real gem of a place during Summer.
http://www.sanmarino.co.nz/ Highly recommend this place...
You can pitch your tent on the lawn in front of the Units...right on the beach.
130 Kms to North Cape.

Our home is always open with good food and beer for people like yourself, only if we're home though.

[Akzle]

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...r+south+island
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...r+south+island
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...r+south+island
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...r+south+island
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...r+south+island

[Akzle]

tour of the south island in early summer but me mate who's coming is insisting we start on the north island (from what I've read this maybe less touristy?)

tourists are everywhere, certainly most of the places you'll want to see, and you're going to be one.

What should I expact from the weather in early summer.

fine and light winds with passing thunderstorms, possibly hail/ice/snow clearing.

i'm not kidding. you heard that song "four seasons in one day"? that's NZ. every day. pack two pairs of gloves, keep your jacket liner with you.

Hiring bikes from Auckland; nothing to big maybe a couple of DL's or such, anyone now of a reputable place to hire bikes at a reasonable price?

have you considered buying second hand and selling when you leave. it may end up cheaper. alternatively you can give your bikes to me when you're done.

I'm keen for some great riding but we'll be avoiding the gravel, also I'd like to imerse in some local culture and whitewater rafting etc.

whitewater rafting is mostly waikato-taupo (mid north) or south island, rotorua (mid north) is considered the culture capital -- they have murrees with grass skirts dancing for money.
but they also have mud baths and maraes and shit (look up marae etiquette before waltzing on to one) and a whole lot of other tourist shit. other than that our culture is much the same as yours. drink a lot, slag off the wife/dog/government/council etc etc, and git into it. whatever 'it' is.
there's no reason to go looking for gravel, but gravel often leads to places which don't suck (it also scares the hell out of aucklanders, so is a good defense against them)

pack a fishing rod.

We will be camping so some bike freindly campsite advice would be appriciated?

everywhere is bike friendly as long as you're speaking tha language (money) our (governmet) Department of Conservation run campsites up and down the country for 5-15$/night tent site, most have running water and toilets too. otherwise there is no shortage of motels, cabins, camp sites and dead end roads (go past the "council does not maintain road beyond this point" signs...) where you can free camp like a mofo.

Any other advise would also be appreciated.

-pack in, pack out, don't litter.
-try and sound less australian, we'll give you shit anyway, but make a bit of effort.
-you can't shoot or buy the darkies on this side of the ditch.
-beer is spelled B-E-E-R not "xxxx" and pronounced "lion red" by those of impeccable taste.
-generally we're a pretty safe place, but don't leave your iphone on the dash of your bike while you go up the road for a coffee.

oh and probably most important: bring me a box of drum 50g and bottle of whiskey duty-free

[MSTRS:Me]

i'm not kidding. you heard that song "four seasons in one day"? that's NZ. every day. pack two pairs of gloves, keep your jacket liner with you.

He's from Melbourne...will be just like home.

gravel often leads to places which don't suck (it also scares the hell out of aucklanders, so is a good defense against them)

Auckland = Sydney = best avoided.

[Scuzzlebutt]

Akzle, Wicked stuff! That info is what isn't being said everywhere else.
Buying a bike? hmmmmm. Could be a good idea. less stress to hire. hmmmmm. I'll think on that one.

P.s. Apologies to all if I offended with the "bit weird" comment. My humour doesn't translate to written word well. But hey, I was told ewe guys were not normal that was why I logged on here!

Thanks again.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Akzle, Wicked stuff! That info is what isn't being said everywhere else.
Buying a bike? hmmmmm. Could be a good idea. less stress to hire. hmmmmm. I'll think on that one.

P.s. Apologies to all if I offended with the "bit weird" comment. My humour doesn't translate to written word well. But hey, I was told ewe guys were not normal that was why I logged on here!

Thanks again.

Buy a bike off me. I won't rip you off much.

[MSTRS:Me]

P.s. Apologies to all if I offended with the "bit weird" comment.

Pfft!!! Take more than that to offend us...

Buy a bike off me. I won't rip you off much.

Now there's an offer you don't get from just any old dealer.

Pete will look after you, Scuzzlebutt. He is a good guy. Really. Just don't take a coffee from him...this is your only warning.

[Crasherfromwayback]

. Just don't take a coffee from him...this is your only warning.

Thanks mate. There goes the element of surprise.

[Maha]

Thanks mate. There goes the element of surprise.

I thought the Maxi-Lax sweetner was the suprise?

[Crasherfromwayback]

I thought the Maxi-Lax sweetner was the suprise?

Hardly. That's just the start.

[FJRider]

Been reading some of the forums, they were right; you guys are a bit weird!

Thats the nicest thing an Aussie has said about us for a while (ever actually)

Anyway, I was planning a tour of the south island in early summer but me mate who's coming is insisting we start on the north island (from what I've read this maybe less touristy?)

Avoid the north Island ... nothing to see there ... and lots of traffic and PEOPLE ...

I was wondering if I could get some advice from the locals on stuff and things:

Ask the locals in the areas/places you find yourself. They know their areas best.

What should I expact from the weather in early summer.

Early summer is usually expected to be more unsettled ... more likelyhood of rain than mid winter. AND wind. So make sure your gear is good.

We only have a coulpe of weeks so where should we go? I'm keen for some great riding but we'll be avoiding the gravel, also I'd like to imerse in some local culture and whitewater rafting etc.

Head for Queenstown (Milford Sound if time permits) if it can be done in NZ ... you can do it in Queenstown. Take whatever route it isn't raining. (The west coast route is by far the best ... Via Nelson)

We will be camping so some bike freindly campsite advice would be appriciated?

Any other advise would also be appreciated.


Thanks

Top 10 camps are the better ones ... but freedom camping is ok in most places.

Bike hire is available in Christchurch (save the ferry fees)

[jimbo600]

Bro, always happy tp look after our anzac cousins accross the pond. If you're in wellington and need a bed pm me.

Otherwise i'd consider the east cape from whakatane down to gisbourne then head accross the middle bit to taranaki. Rotorua is a must for the culture thing.

Cheers.