South Island - any suggestions?

**Coldrider** · 5th July 2012, 00:27

Originally Posted by FJRider

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

Too many speed restriction zones now around Kaikoura.

**FJRider** · 5th July 2012, 08:51

Originally Posted by Coldrider

Too many speed restriction zones now around Kaikoura.

The speed restriction signs dont block the view though ... and the Kaikoura coast is only part of a great ride. The road between Waiau and Christchurch isn't that spectacular either.

**ellipsis** · 5th July 2012, 09:43

....dont stop if you hear banjo's in the woods...

**duckonin** · 5th July 2012, 10:58

Originally Posted by pete-blen

Portage..

why bother ?

**FJRider** · 5th July 2012, 12:46

Originally Posted by ellipsis

....dont stop if you hear banjo's in the woods...

Usually ... too late by then ...

**PrincessBandit** · 13th July 2012, 08:52

Some great suggestions made. Thanks. We've been across Arthurs Pass on the bikes before and loved it, certainly spectacular.
Any bike friendly accommodation spots would be welcome too. We thought about whether to pack a tent but if anyone wants to share their thoughts/experiences with various motels I'll be taking all that on board too. All we're after is somewhere clean and basic to lay our heads at night where the bikes will be ok - flash and expensive is not what we're after.

Cheers people.

**ellipsis** · 13th July 2012, 10:00

...the last time my wife and I took the Goldwing on a SI circle we had no route in mind and followed the sun or flipped a coin at major junctions and the only rule on accomodation was that we stayed at country pubs with a certain SI beer (thats now made in Orcland) sign painted on the roof. It ended up cheap and we ran across the required amount of pub roofs with the required signage.They were generally as cheap or cheaper than some of the other, 'budget', options, and usually did a good feed...

**PrincessBandit** · 7th August 2012, 21:33

Originally Posted by ellipsis

...the last time my wife and I took the Goldwing on a SI circle we had no route in mind and followed the sun or flipped a coin at major junctions and the only rule on accomodation was that we stayed at country pubs with a certain SI beer (thats now made in Orcland) sign painted on the roof. It ended up cheap and we ran across the required amount of pub roofs with the required signage.They were generally as cheap or cheaper than some of the other, 'budget', options, and usually did a good feed...

While we like the "coin flip" idea, our concern is that over December/January school holidays accommodation will not be easy to find on the hoof. We're erring more to the set-the-route-and-book-the-accommodation-ahead-of-trip rather than risk everything being full and there being no room at the inn when we get into town.

The camping option would only really work if the weather is great (I'm not a huge fan of camping inthe rain...

)

While there must surely be out-of-the-way places which will not be fully booked over that period we really don't want to be hunting for a bed at the end of the day and I can't find them online!

**darkwolf** · 7th August 2012, 22:47

A friend and I did exactly this in Feb this year. We stayed at DOC campsites due to the fact that they were mostly down sweet roads and cost $6 a night to stay in most places. St Arnaud was brilliant, but the sandfly clouds were horrendous. If you stop in Queenstown, check out the Yamaha dealer there, they have a cafe in the shop as well and the people were a highlight of the trip. Then head out to Kingston from there, maybe even jump on the Kingston Flyer (steam train), though the ride out there alongside the Remarkables is enough.

If you like indian food, there is a great indian restaurant behind the BNZ in Wanaka - I can't recommend this enough, also try one of the Wanaka Brewery beers.

We missed out on Milford Sound/Te Anau, and the road from Hokitika to Westport. Really wish we didn't, everyone I talk to about the trip asks me how I liked it and I can't answer.

**hayd3n** · 8th August 2012, 00:00

dont forget to wave to dunedinites they may want to tag along

**FJRider** · 8th August 2012, 08:31

Originally Posted by hayd3n

dont forget to wave to dunedinites they may want to tag along

But will the buggers wave back ...

**PrincessBandit** · 3rd September 2012, 06:59

Well here is our itinerary. We've decided to go the "book our accommodation" way which sets our route pretty much as:
Greymouth --> Haast --> Glenorchy --> Te Anau --> Riverton --> Balclutha --> Cromwell --> Mt Cook --> Rangiora (with the outlaws) --> Hanmer --> North Island.

We cross to Picton on Thurs 3rd Jan and each destination will be an overnighter, except for Te Anau which will be 2 nights and Rangi which is 4 nights.
Woohooo

can't wait!