What's the Craic down here then? (Nearly Homeless Nick)

**Nearly Homeless Nick** · 14th November 2013, 04:35

Thought I'd introduce myself and explain why I'm here

Who am I ?? just another tourist looking for cheap bike over Christmas NewYear.
I am an ex serving British Soldier who was sent to Germany many, many years ago and decided to stay put. I've outstayed my welcome so I'm going to travel a bit, starting with your wonderful country. I'm arriving mid Dec and plan to buy a bike, I understand I can get shortish Insurance and have to look to make sure the Warrant is up to date....what else??
Aint too bothered what I get but would prefer dual sport or at least something that can carry a bag or three. Had a quick look on "trade me" and Red Baron in Auckland, that's where I'll be flying into and out.

Any advice on great roads, cheap campsites (or where I can rough it) that sort of thing

Look forward to few replies, hopefully see some of you on the road.

Nick

**kevfromcoro** · 14th November 2013, 05:15

are you going to buy a bike here...I would look on trademe... lots to chose from there.
also.. it seems like you like camping. are you going to buy a tent?NZ is a great place... very clean...
but we do have a lot of dangerous animals...killer sheep...possums...rabbits with big teeth..no snakes or spiders... iam sure you will enjoy it here.. we have wots called an I centre... its all about imormation
there will be someone alone soon. with a road trip.....
Enjoy

**unstuck** · 14th November 2013, 05:54

Dont listen to him, we do have spiders. Heaps of great camping in NZ too, depends on when your here and where you want to go. Hope you have a great trip.

**rustyrobot** · 14th November 2013, 07:41

Hey Nick,

If you are going to go camping and don't need all the luxuries, you should definitely check out the Department of Conservation (DOC) campsites. Often nestled away in the most beautiful parts of the country, they are a little sparse on the utilities but there should be a 'long drop' (hole in the ground) toilet at the very least. Some of them have cooking facilities and showers, but those details will be listed on their website.
http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-rec...e-information/

I believe that there is still some free(dom) camping around the East Cape of the North Island which has even fewer facilities, but some amazing beaches and scenery. Here's a website with cheap/free places to camp:
https://www.rankers.co.nz/respect

I'm not actually an Auckland resident but I've read enough things on here to know that you should probably look at other Auckland bike shops alongside Red Baron.

I'm sure you'll have a fantastic trip!

**Nearly Homeless Nick** · 14th November 2013, 08:41

Thanks for the welcome....and the links.

So far everyone I have spoken to, who have been or are from NZ, all have said I'll have a great trip.

Looking forward to getting there, just hope I've not short changed myself with only 4 weeks

**MIXONE** · 14th November 2013, 10:32

Four weeks is a bit short to do the place any justice.There are literally thousands of great places to see and camp at.Enjoy your visit.

**Tazz** · 14th November 2013, 13:02

Originally Posted by Nearly Homeless Nick

Thanks for the welcome....and the links.

So far everyone I have spoken to, who have been or are from NZ, all have said I'll have a great trip.

Looking forward to getting there, just hope I've not short changed myself with only 4 weeks

You have! Change your ticket! If you can't it will just give you an excuse to come back for another trip though.

x 2 on the DoC sites. The tramping website (nz tramper I think) has some good maps and huts on it as well, a lot can be reached by bike on easy terrain (gravel roads with a couple of small water crossings).
I recommend a visit to a few of these if you have time, with the Godley and McCauley valleys being a yearly trip for me (although in a 4wd =/)

There is also a adventure bike site that has a few routes on it too that are worth a look.

You can't really go wrong though wherever you end up having a nose, all of NZ is pretty epic.

**rustyrobot** · 14th November 2013, 13:06

Just another thought too - for some uniquely kiwi experiences, check out some bush hot springs. The best ones are free, require trekking a little way off the track and it's likely to be just you and the sandflies.

There's a book, but you can also find them all listed online here:
http://www.nzhotpools.co.nz/hot-spri...aland-book.php

**Ocean1** · 14th November 2013, 14:38

Originally Posted by rustyrobot

and it's likely to be just you and the sandflies.

Ah, yes, the sandflies.

How much do you weigh, Nick?

**GrayWolf** · 15th November 2013, 17:57

Hi Nick
from another 'ex-pat'. Yes you have, (short changed) on time.. you could easily spend 4 weeks in each island, and still not get around all the good stuff.
The beauty of this site is there's always someone who can tell you the 'local routes' as well as the regular scenic routes....
I lived 14 yrs 'doon soooth, and now 8yrs 'oooop norf' The roads are fantastic, and if you think the North blows you away?? You aint seen NOTHIN yet, baby. Advice would be a 650(ish) adventure bike... the legal limit here is 60mph (100kph) and they'd get you everywhere easily.
You'll also find that you'll get offers of a bed overnight etc...
Enjoy, and to paraphrase 'you will be back'.......

**scumdog** · 15th November 2013, 18:56

Originally Posted by Nearly Homeless Nick

Thanks for the welcome....and the links.

So far everyone I have spoken to, who have been or are from NZ, all have said I'll have a great trip.

Looking forward to getting there, just hope I've not short changed myself with only 4 weeks

Don't be too trusting - there are sorry arsed cheese-dick losers that will steal anything you leave unguarded, particularly at a camp-site.

Not that many of these arse-wipes - but enough to ruin your holiday if you're careless/trusting, NZ ain't THAT good you know...

**Nearly Homeless Nick** · 15th November 2013, 23:24

I'm paranoid enough not to trust anyone, I'll leave the return flight as it is, there's always the chance of pushing the return back a week or three once there. Just checked on-line and it has to done with an Emirates office, there's one in Auckland

I take it the sand flies are big enough to carry a lightweight off...I'll keep me boots on then.

Hot springs, sounds great I'll be up for some of that.

On buying a bike, is there anything else I need to look out for apart from the warrant and insurance

**Winston001** · 16th November 2013, 01:40

Basically NZ is a bikers paradise.

You need to understand that motorways like the M1 exist but are short in motorcycle terms. Mostly it's two lane blacktop with decreasing radius corners. Which we love.

The North Island is kinda cosmopolitan with cafes and shunned by us real bikers. But to be fair there are some good blokes and blokeses in Pig Island (as we affectionately call it). And they have volcanoes and hot springs by the score. And some beautiful beaches.

The South Island of NZ is one of the worlds unknown paradises. Only a quarter of the population, vast empty roads, mountains only the Swiss can appreciate, lakes, twisty roads, long desolate straights. And people walk into our mountains and do not come back. In truth it can be dangerous but mostly the place is awesome.

If you want a casual legal speeds trip no problem following the main roads in both islands - a 600 will be fine. If you want an insane experience then buy a 1000 - but be prepared for unmarked corners and the rozzers near towns.

**FLUB** · 16th November 2013, 02:41

The sand flys are about 2mm long but bite like pitbulls. Us poms never got to build up any immunity as kids so the bastard bites can get very inflamed and itch for weeks.

Riding on both islands is fantastic, although road surface can be shit at times with the surface breaking up. Also tar bleed is a big problem in the summer. You know how side streets in the UK get sprayed with tar then sprinkled with gravel? Well thats how most of the major roads are done here.

Insurance is not a legal requirement and personal injury is covered by ACC (a bunch of robbing bastards who take most of your registration fee). Bike theft is way lower than in Europe but does occur. I can't actually remember the last time I saw a disk lock or chain on a bike.

You'll be able to cover plenty in 4 weeks but you will definitely wish you stayed longer.

**FLUB** · 16th November 2013, 02:53

Forgot to say that speed wise there is a 10kph tolerence so 9kph over the limit generally won't get you into trouble. Camera vans just look like normal people carriers and are not painted bright yellow or orange like in Europe.You only get demerit points if stopped by cops, not from the camera vans. Although I don't think they can give demerits to tourists.

If you do get stopped just speak German. The chances of finding a cop who understands you are slim and they may just give up