South Island trip?

[Bassmatt]

We are planning a trip around the South Island from about the Dec 17/18 probably for a max of two weeks.
What are the must see and must rides?

[Oakie]

West Coast. Slowly. So you can take it all in.

[Bikemad]

all of it except highway 1 south from ChCh to Timaru..........

[Trade_nancy]

all of it except highway 1 south from ChCh to Timaru..........

+1 on that..

[FJRider]

We are planning a trip around the South Island from about the Dec 17/18 probably for a max of two weeks.
What are the must see and must rides?

The Catlin's, The Milford road, The entire west coast from Makarora to Karamea, The Arthurs pass, The Buller gorge ... and the "Marble mountain" to Golden Bay.

Avoid Christchurch ... still under construction.

There ARE plenty of fine motorcycling roads ... but you'll have to find them for yourself.

[caseye]

The Catlin's, The Milford road, The entire west coast from Makarora to Karamea, The Arthurs pass, The Buller gorge ... and the "Marble mountain" to Golden Bay.

Avoid Christchurch ... still under construction.

There ARE plenty of fine motorcycling roads ... but you'll have to find them for yourself.

I know you're just saying that to make absolutely sure that no Norfies find yer beautiful empty roads darn there.
Hummmmmmm Christmas and an enforced 3 weeks off, might be heading thataway too.

[FJRider]

I know you're just saying that to make absolutely sure that no Norfies find yer beautiful empty roads darn there.
Hummmmmmm Christmas and an enforced 3 weeks off, might be heading thataway too.

OK ... for a reminder to those that already know .... the Crown Range between Wanaka and Queenstown ... "Might" be worth a look. (early morning best) ..

The Lindis Pass is a close second.


But my personal favorite is Highway 85 .. the "Pig-root" ...


And for more information ... buy me beer ..

[FJRider]

West Coast. Slowly. So you can take it all in.

Nah ... do it fast (and twice)

[GrayWolf]

OK ... for a reminder to those that already know .... the Crown Range between Wanaka and Queenstown ... "Might" be worth a look. (early morning best) ..

The Lindis Pass is a close second.


But my personal favorite is Highway 85 .. the "Pig-root" ...


And for more information ... buy me beer ..

yup live in Invers for 14yrs, the sooth has fantastic roads. took the ex down there last year on her canam, this year {february/march} going down again for 3weeks.
TA as has been said, 'all of it' but avoid SH1 north of Timaru, if anything, go inland from Dunners, Alexandra, Cromwell, and swing up through central Otago, any of the passes, Wanaka, Crown range, Te Anau/Milford, go down to bluff via Manapouri and the 'scenic route' to Invers,,,, you could spend a month in the saddle, and not get fed up

[awa355]

, you could spend a month in the saddle, and not get fed up

Just 20 minutes would be great these days.

[Daffyd]

all of it except highway 1 south from ChCh to Timaru..........

Only problem with missing this part out is missing the Chequered Flag. A great pub at Rangitata, run by two bikers, Cor and Helen.

Great folks! Most Sundays there could be 20 or 30 bikes parked on their front lawn.

[Shadowjack]

The Mt John Observatory, near Lake Tekapo.
Great views of the MacKenzie Basin, Southern Alps, lakes...

[Bassmatt]

So the itinerary at this stage is
Nelson to Farewell Spit including Elaine Bay then back to Motueka for the night.
Mot to Franz Josef glacier. Not sure whether to take SH6 or 7 to Greymouth .
Franz Josef to Wanaka
Wanaka to Te Anau
Te Anau to Invers via Milford Sound
"Rest" day in Invers will go to Bluff and ride the Caitlins.
Invers to Dunedin via Gore. Then not sure whether to go Via Tapanui or Balclutha.
Day in Dunedin to do "Wifey" things
Dunedin to Oamaru via Alexandra
Oamaru to ChCh via Omarama, Tekapo etc avoiding SH1
New Years Eve in ChCh with a day to recover and visit Akaroa
ChCh to Kaikoura - SH 73 to Greymouth, then SH 7 to Waipara and 1 to Kaikoura
Kaikoura ( after whale watching) to Picton
Picton to home.

With stops in between destinations where warranted.
Hows that look?

[FJRider]

So the itinerary at this stage is
Nelson to Farewell Spit including Elaine Bay then back to Motueka for the night.

Good ..

Mot to Franz Josef glacier. Not sure whether to take SH6 or 7 to Greymouth .

Do the full Buller gorge to Westport and then down the coast.

Franz Josef to Wanaka

Thats a 2 and a half hour ride. Detour to Jacksons bay ... the turn-off is at Haast.

Wanaka to Te Anau

A three hour ride. Detour to Glenorchy.

Te Anau to Invers via Milford Sound

Do the Southern Scenic Route via Tuatapere.

"Rest" day in Invers will go to Bluff and ride the Caitlins.

Not much of a "rest" day ...

Invers to Dunedin via Gore. Then not sure whether to go Via Tapanui or Balclutha.

Go Winton-Mataura-Gore-Tapanui-Raes Junction-Milton-Dunners ...

Day in Dunedin to do "Wifey" things

Wifey will love you ...

Dunedin to Oamaru via Alexandra

A good ride ...

Oamaru to ChCh via Omarama, Tekapo etc avoiding SH1

A good plan ...

New Years Eve in ChCh with a day to recover and visit Akaroa

Do not expect empty roads on the way to Akaroa.

ChCh to Kaikoura - SH 73 to Greymouth, then SH 7 to Waipara and 1 to Kaikoura

A nice ride.

Kaikoura ( after whale watching) to Picton
Picton to home.

Nice one ...

With stops in between destinations where warranted.
Hows that look?

GOOD ...

[EJK]

Akaroa on New Years Eve? Whoah you must be either crazy stupid or crazy brave...!



Let me know if you want a riding buddy.