2 weeks in NZ

[unstuck]

I know what you're saying, I guess I just don't want to miss anything good.

With only 2 weeks I am afraid you will miss heaps of good stuff. But you may cover most of the Main tourist routes.

[J13USH]

Yes, worth doing, but just seems like you would be pushing it and miss the opportunity to take in much of the environment. Why the need to zig zag between east and west? From Dunedin to Christchurch up the east coast is a pretty boring ride, but if you go inland after dunners and up through the Mckenzie country you get to see the lakes and mountains.

So would you recommend something like this (I'll adjust the other days so this one isn't as long)

http://maps.aa.co.nz/#directions/Dun...86;-42.3646906

[J13USH]

With only 2 weeks I am afraid you will miss heaps of good stuff. But you may cover most of the Main tourist routes.

Yeh I'm sure there will be plenty I will miss, hopefully I'll come back in the future with a better idea of what to do. we'll love the trip either way.

[unstuck]

So would you recommend something like this (I'll adjust the other days so this one isn't as long)

That would be a much better route, but I feel you are still trying to cram to much in. But if you are just coming to get a feel for the place and don't mind big days riding then by all means enjoy. NZ roads are probably not what you are used to though and fatigue can cause all sorts of dramas.
Hope you do well though and enjoy your trip. Nothing like an adventure to keep the spirits up.
Shame you are missing Gore though, tis the best part of the country.

[J13USH]

That would be a much better route, but I feel you are still trying to cram to much in. But if you are just coming to get a feel for the place and don't mind big days riding then by all means enjoy. NZ roads are probably not what you are used to though and fatigue can cause all sorts of dramas.
Hope you do well though and enjoy your trip. Nothing like an adventure to keep the spirits up.
Shame you are missing Gore though, tis the best part of the country.

I've toured the Pyrenees and Alpine mountains in Europe a couple of times and I'm heading through the Alps again in September. I normally try to stick to 6 hours on the bike a day and it's about right. Would you recommend going by Gore instead of Invercargill?

[Banditbandit]

Shame you are missing Gore though, tis the best part of the country.

Yeah ???

[Bikemad]

So would you recommend something like this (I'll adjust the other days so this one isn't as long)

http://maps.aa.co.nz/#directions/Dun...86;-42.3646906

yep.....thats a way better ride than ya first option.Also a heads up......some mates of mine went to stay at the Blackball hilton..........they left........apparantly the new landlords are arseholes.Made them feel like they were intruding and not welcome at all

[J13USH]

Alright guys, I've changed the routes a little bit. Sorry for the long post again.

sunday, land, pick up bike.

Monday, ride to Whitianga.

http://maps.aa.co.nz/#directions/Auc...657;-36.834674


Tuesday, ride to Rotorua via Coromandel and The Shire.

http://maps.aa.co.nz/#directions/Whi...23;-38.1348668


Wednesday, ride to Palmerston North via Taupo

http://maps.aa.co.nz/#directions/Rot...0.222070283773


Thursday, ride to Wellington, cross on ferry and stay at Picton

http://maps.aa.co.nz/#directions/262...794;-41.290659


Friday, ride to Blackball

http://maps.aa.co.nz/#directions/Pic...86;-42.3646906


Saturday, ride down west coast to Haast

http://maps.aa.co.nz/#directions/Bla...53;-43.8791667


Sunday, ride to Queenstown

http://maps.aa.co.nz/#directions/Haa...18;-45.0326704


Monday, stay in Queenstown


Tuesday, ride to Milford Sound and back to Te Anau

http://maps.aa.co.nz/#directions/Que...97;-45.4149407


Wednesday, ride to Dunedin via south coast.

http://maps.aa.co.nz/#directions/Te+...25;-45.8737233


Thursday, ride to Ashburton

http://maps.aa.co.nz/#directions/Dun...36;-43.9027266


Friday, ride to Hanmer Springs

http://maps.aa.co.nz/#directions/Ash...19;-42.5225429


Saturday, ride to Christchurch, drop bike off and fly home.

[unstuck]

Would you recommend going by Gore instead of Invercargill?

lol, no way. We have some awesome roads around here, but I would stick with your original route to Invergiggle then up through the Catlins.

[kiwi-on-wheels]

Your road to palmerston north from taupo, just south of taihape theres a backroad through to fielding then on to palmy, winding, but some fantastic scenery, takes a little longer (half hour or so) but definately worth looking in to.

[haydes55]

I'd recommend a trip to a beach or 2 for a swim/spa. Hot water beach at low tide is a unique experience you won't want to miss. You would need to see when low tide is to plan when to visit. But maybe instead as of staying in whitianga, you ride further to the hot water beach, sort out your accommodation and have a soak at night.

Cathedral cove and a few other great beaches require a decent walk to get to, which might waste a couple hours of your time, but you might enjoy the exercise/bush walk? You should have a swim at one of the main coromandel beaches anyway.

[swarfie]

Your road to palmerston north from taupo, just south of taihape theres a backroad through to fielding then on to palmy, winding, but some fantastic scenery, takes a little longer (half hour or so) but definately worth looking in to.

Yep...turn off just north of Mangaweka. Ruahine Rd. Goes through Rangawhahia, Peep-O-Day, and Kimbolton and comes out by the Cheltenham pub. Awesome bit of road

[sil3nt]

Any reason your taking the motorway instead of going to Kawakawa and following the coast?
http://maps.aa.co.nz/#directions/Auc...657;-36.834674

Slower/longer but more scenic/fun I reckon.

[Banditbandit]

Yep...turn off just north of Mangaweka. Ruahine Rd. Goes through Rangawhahia, Peep-O-Day, and Kimbolton and comes out by the Cheltenham pub. Awesome bit of road

The parts that are on papa clay are slippery and there can be big lumps of the stuff all over the road - and the route is very slow.

I usually turn left at Vinegar Hill ...

[Jantar]

Might I suggest that from Dunedin you take http://maps.aa.co.nz/#directions/Bla...36;-43.9027266
That way you get the best riding roads of Central Otago, the Lindis Pass and the Lakes.