South Island trip

**flyingscotsman** · 2nd November 2005, 06:55

Planning a 5 day South Island trip in Feb next year. Bit new to S.I. so can anyone recommend any bike friendly places to stay / roads to be ridden / things to see & do ??

**T.I.E** · 2nd November 2005, 06:59

i'veen down there few times, and the best bit for me is the homer tunnel and all the passes. hast past lewis and aurthur's pass.
they were hugely scenic. but five days wow now thats a trip. i'll be heading down in the end of march as the weather is more settled. and just starting to turn. and as always the west coast rock. and in feb just watch out for those bugs they get pretty big down there.

**Sniper** · 2nd November 2005, 07:05

If you end up in CHCH, I have a spare bed and a large garge for ya.

**DMNTD:Me** · 2nd November 2005, 07:20

We're looking to do the same but not until march too.
Prefer the weather at that stage.
Will be interested to see what others say re routes etc down that way.
Definately something to look forward to

**T.W.R** · 2nd November 2005, 07:27

Nelson to Murchison (Hope Saddle)
Hokitika to Haast
Haast to Hawea (Haast pass)
Cromwell to Omarama (Lindis Pass)
Frankton to Lumsden
Edendale to Clinton (Clinton Gorge)
Raes Junction to Alexandra
Omarama to Geraldine (Burkes Pass)
Geraldine to Woodend (Inland highway)
Chch to Greymouth (Arthur's Pass)
Waipara to Springs Junction (Lewis Pass)
Parnassus to Waiau (Leader Pass)
Most of Marlborough
Westport to Karamea (1 way in & out)

pretty much the whole lot but these listed would be the more scenic rides

**Mongoose** · 2nd November 2005, 07:41

Be of great help if we knew how many K's a day you happily travel, that would dictate the where you can go

**skelstar** · 2nd November 2005, 08:07

I would imagine that Queen Charlote Drive (Picton-Nelson 1st half) would be pretty awesome.

**Toast** · 2nd November 2005, 08:08

Originally Posted by T.W.R

Nelson to Murchison (Hope Saddle)
Hokitika to Haast
Haast to Hawea (Haast pass)
Cromwell to Omarama (Lindis Pass)
Frankton to Lumsden
Edendale to Clinton (Clinton Gorge)
Raes Junction to Alexandra
Omarama to Geraldine (Burkes Pass)
Geraldine to Woodend (Inland highway)
Chch to Greymouth (Arthur's Pass)
Waipara to Springs Junction (Lewis Pass)
Parnassus to Waiau (Leader Pass)
Most of Marlborough
Westport to Karamea (1 way in & out)

pretty much the whole lot but these listed would be the more scenic rides

Cool...definitely saving this list for when I finally make the pilgrimage down to the bigger island. Cheers T.W.R.

Would you say these are the twistiest and nicest roads to ride as well as the most scenic? Can't bear that straight road crap

**skelstar** · 2nd November 2005, 08:11

Originally Posted by Toast

Cool...definitely saving this list for when I finally make the pilgrimage down to the bigger island. Cheers T.W.R.

Would you say these are the twistiest and nicest roads to ride as well as the most scenic? Can't bear that straight road crap

Sometimes the most scenic roads are the straightest. The McKenzie country road is bloody straight for ages, but the vistas are FANTASTIC!!!

Mainlander since 1972.

**skelstar** · 2nd November 2005, 08:12

Oh, and welcome F.Scotsman

**vixta** · 2nd November 2005, 08:15

The scenic route through the Caitlins is awesome, twisty and very nice to look at. Depends how far down the island you are going. You turn off at Balclutha and head through Owaka/Papatowai then you would normally head to Invercargill

**T.W.R** · 2nd November 2005, 08:35

Originally Posted by Toast

Cool...definitely saving this list for when I finally make the pilgrimage down to the bigger island. Cheers T.W.R.

Would you say these are the twistiest and nicest roads to ride as well as the most scenic? Can't bear that straight road crap

No probs! have ridden them all multiple times and the longest straight would be on the waipara to springs junction ( lewis pass) run ( the Culverden straight, roughly about 18km from Hurunui river bridge to Culverden) its a dead straight road but lots of fun at speed, couple of great dips to get airborne over ( 200km+) just got to watch the culverden cop though! the rest are damn fine trips with awesome scenary (the Clinton gorge rd & Hope Saddle SH6 are my favourites, usually quiet & just continual bends)

.

The only area down here that is relatively boring is the canterbury plains SH1 ( CHCH to Timaru, between CHCH & Winchester you could count the real bends on 1 hand basically!) the Mackenzie country ( Omarama to Lake Tekapo SH8 is a bit tedious for roads but the scenary makes up for it!

**T.W.R** · 2nd November 2005, 08:41

Originally Posted by skelstar

I would imagine that Queen Charlote Drive (Picton-Nelson 1st half) would be pretty awesome.

Absolutely a great ride! huge number of twisties apart from about a 2km straight at linkwater! just got to watch farkin tourists the road is a tight wee bitch

**Jonty** · 2nd November 2005, 08:43

The South Island has some fantastic roads. Skelstar and I are in the process of organising a ride down to Alexandra before Christmas so we will let you know what's hot and what's not.

**skelstar** · 2nd November 2005, 09:01

Originally Posted by Jonty

The South Island has some fantastic roads. Skelstar and I are in the process of organising a ride down to Alexandra before Christmas so we will let you know what's hot and what's not.

Hot: Going through Burkes Pass, McKenzie Country, Dansees Pass (sp), Alex etc
Not: Canterbury Plains.

Am looking forward to Raes Junc though

Ooo, we have to have a go on the Crown Range.