South Island - any suggestions?

**PrincessBandit** · 30th June 2012, 15:36

Balu and I are intending to ride the South Island over the Christmas holidays. We've really only made relatively short trips around the top half of the SI before but this time we want to take at least a couple of weeks to cover as much of the island as we can, as far down as we can.

I would have asked for suggestions for interesting routes in my thread title, but knew that could be asking for trouble...

However, I will word it this way: We'd like to travel more off the beaten track, visiting places of local interest, staying at low cost accommodation spots, and generally seeing the country off SH1. We're both on road bikes so "adventure" tracks are not going to be suitable, having said that, neither of us are particularly worried by gravel.

Maybe we might get to catch up with some southern kb dwellers if we're sufficiently organised!

PB

**nzspokes** · 30th June 2012, 16:09

Oh, I will watch replys with interest as im thinking of the same trip.

**unstuck** · 30th June 2012, 16:55

Gotta do the catlins.

**tigertim20** · 30th June 2012, 17:14

Originally Posted by unstuck

Gotta do the catlins.

for sure, great place to go riding!
wonder how long before Nighthawk finds this thread and gets started . . .

**FJRider** · 30th June 2012, 19:17

There have been plenty of threads asking the same thing. Search South Island tour.

Top 10 camping grounds have budget cabins ... but most motels/camps have a booklet called Budget Accommodation they provide for free. You should be able to source a copy in your locality.

But the roads in the south island are really ... really ... really bad. More Traffic Patrol cars per Km than anywhere else in NZ. Boring roads with lots, and lots, and lots ... of traffic. Dont ask about all the rain we get down here ... and we wont need to tell you ...

Perhaps a tour of Auckland City roading network instead. As most of the Goverments road funding in the last 20 years has been spent there ... so it must be good ...

**Gone Burger** · 30th June 2012, 19:30

Takaka Hill is one hell of a grear ride, but my favourite was the Haast Pass. Not only incredible road surface with plenty of grip and no debret, but simply stunning scenery. I loved it so much I rode back the same way. Many wicked roads down there but the passes are all good suggestions. If you do a search you will find some great suggestions. Some really cool backpackers down there too with very hospitable owners - Matakana is one. You'll have a ball Princess! An exciting trip to look forward. I'm planning my next one for the same week as the Burt Munro. Can't wait.

**caseye** · 30th June 2012, 19:32

Ah i can tell you now Pb that this FJ guy , he's just trying to put you off going anywhere near the place. probably seen three bikes at once and thought there was an invasion happening.
You're on the right track mate, won't be long a fore scummy and co find this one and tell you where to go. No , Not like that.

**Ocean1** · 30th June 2012, 19:35

TeAnau-Milford.

No stopping at Milford though, teh sandflies will have you away.

Oh, and Milford-TeAnau for desert.

Choose between watching the road or the scenery...

**unstuck** · 30th June 2012, 19:50

Originally Posted by Katiepie

my favourite was the Haast Pass.

Mine too, all the way from Hawea to whataroa.

**Kornholio** · 30th June 2012, 20:56

-Headin-south-for-the-winter!

I'll be down there in 2 weeks for a bit of a look around... Want to take bikes down there but not at this time of the year so the car it is...
Bikes fer sure next time

**unstuck** · 30th June 2012, 21:03

Originally Posted by Kornholio

-Headin-south-for-the-winter!

I'll be down there in 2 weeks for a bit of a look around... Want to take bikes down there but not at this time of the year so the car it is...
Bikes fer sure next time

Make sure you pack your thermals, -3.4 here at the moment.

Went up to Franz Josef a week or so ago and there was heaps of ice between Haast pass and franz,so care needed.

**Coldrider** · 30th June 2012, 21:15

Originally Posted by unstuck

Mine too, all the way from Hawea to whataroa.

Hawea to picton, all in one day, extra

, and then back, more

**Gremlin** · 1st July 2012, 00:08

Yep, do a search, many recommendations have been made in threads asking this.

In short:
- Catlins
- Milford Sound
- Queenstown - Crown Range - Wanaka - Haast Past is a long gorgeous stretch
- Buller Gorge (Lower and Upper)
- Takaka Hill to Collingwood

These are probably the top 5 non-adventure routes, but the whole South Island is brilliant and very different to the North Island.