South Island - any suggestions?

[PrincessBandit]

You've simply got to go through Picton.

Uh yeah, every time...

Enjoyed looking through FJRider's albums; the camera will get a good work out! Want to make the most of leisurely riding and stopping often to take in the scenery.

[FJRider]

You've simply got to go through Picton.

A nice (overpriced) place to visit ... with the Picton - Havelock road through the sounds a lovely low speed senic run well worth doing.

But there is a roll-on/off ferry that goes Wellington/ Lyttleton.

[FJRider]

... Enjoyed looking through FJRider's albums; the camera will get a good work out! Want to make the most of leisurely riding and stopping often to take in the scenery.

Nice of you to say that ... Thank you.

The worst thing about touring the SI for the first time ... is your days just don't seem long enough. Seeing everything on the first trip will (seem to) take forever. Be prepared to miss out places ... if weather, time, or inclination dictates. It WILL be there on your NEXT trip.

Regular meals, regular stops, and plenty of sleep will see you refreshed for the next days ride.

And be sure to tell EVERYBODY how bad the roads/traffic/Cops/weather is ... I always do ...

[ellipsis]

You've simply got to go through Picton.

...yeah...turn right Queen Charlotte Rd to Havelock, have breakfast, lunch at the Mussel Inn...then after that its all South...doesn't matter which way you go...

[Gremlin]

It WILL be there on your NEXT trip.

Visit Christchurch if you want to tho... it might not be there on the next trip

I know, I know, I'll get my coat...

[MD]

With two weeks you can do it all. You have answered your question just by saying 'stay off HW1' Apart from the Chch to Blenheim stretch anyway.

Do anything that ends in 'Pass' as in; Lewis; Haast; Burkes; Lindis; Porters; Arthurs. Then the dead ends like; Hamner Springs; Karamea; Jackson Bay; Akaroa; Mount Cook, Milford Sound & Collingwood and of course Bluff (yeah right)

[Gremlin]

Then the dead ends like; Hamner Springs;

Since when was Hanmer Springs a dead end?

[MD]

Since when was Hanmer Springs a dead end?

Well it is to most of us with road tyres, unless you are keen enough to get your jollies off.

It's far from a dead end town though. Had many fun weekends in Hanmer.

[unstuck]

and of course Bluff (yeah right)

Whats wrong with Bluff, apart from the weather,and houses,food, people. It has a nice fake sign that lies to you about being the southern most point on the mainland.

[pete-blen]

You've simply got to go through Picton.

then turn right... Queen Charlotte drive & half way though turn right again
and head out to the portage.."No exit" 15kms of hairpins with no straights between...
"Motion sickness pills required"
then come back turn right head for nelson.. takaka Hill , buller gorge , west coast..

[CRM]

Arthurs Pass is one people often miss going down one side and up the other but it has to be my favourite Sth Island ride - amazingly spectacular .

[pete376403]

With two weeks you can do it all. You have answered your question just by saying 'stay off HW1' Apart from the Chch to Blenheim stretch anyway.

Inland kaikoura route avoids much of the boring stuff.

Beware of camper vans, no matter which route you take

[pritch]

Arthurs Pass is one people often miss going down one side and up the other but it has to be my favourite Sth Island ride - amazingly spectacular .

Basically, I found that to do all the passes you need to do a figure 8.

I was very dissappointed with Arthurs Pass now that they've built a huge bridge. There's a big sign saying no trailers... and an endless stream of truck and trailer units?

[FJRider]

Basically, I found that to do all the passes you need to do a figure 8.

I was very dissappointed with Arthurs Pass now that they've built a huge bridge. There's a big sign saying no trailers... and an endless stream of truck and trailer units?

I think it's safe to say the Princess wont have a trailer. With that "Huge bridge" ... trailers are now permitted. It was only the "Zig-zag" portion of the road that made it dangerous for trailers.

Arthurs pass is a good side trip from the Greymouth side as you go south. The pass/lookout is about 3/4 of an hour from Kumara. The township itself is another 10 minutes

[FJRider]

Inland kaikoura route avoids much of the boring stuff.

Beware of camper vans, no matter which route you take

If she hasn't been south before ... the coastal route is still a great ride.