Touring the South Island

**crazybigal** · 15th July 2006, 18:41

I will be heading round the south island in early feb.
A friend is getting married in the Catlins (bottom of the south for those who dont know) So i decided to ride down from Wellington with my brother and my Mrs is going to fly.
Id be keen for any advise anyone could give me on were to go and were not to go form past experience.
I lived in Queenstown for 10 years so i know the deep south and the west coast fairly well but wanted to explore some other places, I have never been over the lewis pass or the Arthurs pass.
So if you have any good ideas or comments, bring it on!!
check out my map http://www.apdnz.co.nz/biketrip.html
I just tacked the page on the back of my website.

**98tls** · 15th July 2006, 18:51

Go from picton over to nelson then down to murchison,then head over to westport/greymouth and carry on to fox/haast....on the way back i would go up to timaru turn off go up through rakaia gorge then turn off and go over the Arthurs pass etc.

**crazybigal** · 15th July 2006, 18:58

did you look at my map?

Originally Posted by 98tls

Go from picton over to nelson then down to murchison,then head over to westport/greymouth and carry on to fox/haast....on the way back i would go up to timaru turn off go up through rakaia gorge then turn off and go over the Arthurs pass etc.

**98tls** · 15th July 2006, 19:08

Originally Posted by crazybigal

did you look at my map?

no sorry mate i didnt,but have now.....yyou have it pretty much covered i reckon,sounds like a great trip....enjoy.

**crazybigal** · 15th July 2006, 19:09

thanks mate

**limbimtimwim** · 15th July 2006, 19:11

Originally Posted by crazybigal

I lived in Queenstown for 10 years so i know the deep south and the west coast fairly well but wanted to explore some other places, I have never been over the lewis pass or the Arthurs pass.

On a fine day, Arthur's pass is the ultimate bike road. You could cruise and take in the scenery or attack it. Doing either will make you smile from ear to ear.

So if you have any good ideas or comments, bring it on!!

Great plan man. Great plan. The road to Milford Sound is great, worth the effort. There is EFTPOS petrol at Milford if you need it. The road to Karamea has some really twisty bits and worth it too.

Looks like a good plan, I should be doing the same thing about the same time. Maybe see there

Here, have some pictures of my last run in Jan. http://www.apathy.net.nz/si-2006/

**Maha** · 15th July 2006, 19:31

You are very lucky to be doing that trip, and at that time of the year, we were down that way late last year and i said to Anne, it would be great to get down here on the bike, stoped at Kurow, a 3-4 shop settlement inland from Oamaru, the lady at the shop was born in Warkworth. Not exactly 3News material, but ya know what i mean.... small world, great country

**scumdog** · 15th July 2006, 19:56

Since you're heading to the Catlins you'll have to pay the toll as you past my town!!

Drop in - and btw the Catlins Scenic Route is a GREAT ride.

**oldrider** · 15th July 2006, 20:08

You go past my place on your trip North, keep in touch, feel welcome to call in.
Food, bed, rescue, whatever.

Cheers John.
PS: Where in the Catlins is your target destination?

**oldrider** · 15th July 2006, 20:13

Originally Posted by maha man

You are very lucky to be doing that trip, and at that time of the year, we were down that way late last year and i said to Anne, it would be great to get down here on the bike, stoped at Kurow, a 3-4 shop settlement inland from Oamaru, the lady at the shop was born in Warkworth. Not exactly 3News material, but ya know what i mean.... small world, great country

You kept that very quiet, or did I speak to you and your wife in Oamaru outside Mitre 10? Cheers John.

**Maha** · 15th July 2006, 20:18

Originally Posted by oldrider

You kept that very quiet, or did I speak to you and your wife in Oamaru outside Mitre 10? Cheers John.

Wasnt us John, didnt go to Mitre 10, we were down there early june also, my daughter goes to Waitaki Girls and they their 'formal' dance, so we went down to see her look like the pretty girl she can.....

We really like that part of NZ.....

**crazybigal** · 15th July 2006, 21:16

is Karamea sealed all the way? i hate unsealed roads on the rf

Originally Posted by limbimtimwim

On a fine day, Arthur's pass is the ultimate bike road. You could cruise and take in the scenery or attack it. Doing either will make you smile from ear to ear.Great plan man. Great plan. The road to Milford Sound is great, worth the effort. There is EFTPOS petrol at Milford if you need it. The road to Karamea has some really twisty bits and worth it too.

Looks like a good plan, I should be doing the same thing about the same time. Maybe see there

Here, have some pictures of my last run in Jan. http://www.apathy.net.nz/si-2006/

**98tls** · 15th July 2006, 21:18

Originally Posted by crazybigal

is Karamea sealed all the way? i hate unsealed roads on the rf

yes it is.

**crazybigal** · 15th July 2006, 21:20

Tautuku, wedding is at a lodge on the beach
ill be staying in qtn as i have family and all my mates still living there, few die hared biker boys down there.

Originally Posted by oldrider

You go past my place on your trip North, keep in touch, feel welcome to call in.
Food, bed, rescue, whatever.

Cheers John.
PS: Where in the Catlins is your target destination?