Top of the South Island - RECOMMENDATIONS

[Alpha Solo]

A friend of mine is coming over and we plan to ride from Christchurch over Arthurs Pass to the West Coast then up to Marlborough Sounds and then back to Christchurch via Blenhiem and Kiakora.

Anyone recommend any good roads and stuff to see along the way?

Many thanks,

P.

[James Deuce]

All of them. Except SH1.

[Coldrider]

You haven't got that many roads to choose from, Queen Charlotte Drive from Havelock to Picton is well worth it.
Greymouth up the coast through Charleston (I think) past the Punakaiki Rocks, then back onto the Buller Gorge avoids the straights north of Greymouth, and the Reefton Highway patrol, they love bikes, (Murchison is another hotspot there).
Inland Kaikoura route may be worth a look, but I haven't covered that road.
Cheers & have a good ride.

[Alpha Solo]

You haven't got that many roads to choose from, Queen Charlotte Drive from Havelock to Picton is well worth it.
Greymouth up the coast through Charleston (I think) past the c, then back onto the Buller Gorge avoids the straights north of Greymouth, and the Reefton Highway patrol, they love bikes, (Murchison is another hotspot there).
Inland Kaikoura route may be worth a look, but I haven't covered that road.
Cheers & have a good ride.

Thanks for the replies - especially about the Patrol hot spots!
I've lived here for 5 years and only seem to get tickets between Greymouth and Nelson....

Anything we should stop and check out besides the brilliant views and the rocks?

[James Deuce]

Go over the Takaka Hill and go to Pupu Springs.

[Grub]

If we knew what bike you ride it would help recommending road/off road routes too..

You should make a point of doing St Arnaud from Buller, the Nelson Lakes area is stunning. From there, take the route to Nelson via Tophouse and the Golden Downs road through the forest rather than down the state h'way {barf}. Don't go directly to Picton from St Arnaud (129km), the Wairau Valley is Boring #1 and besides, the ride St Arnaud-Nelson-Picton (199km) is pretty cool and includes the ride around Queen Charlotte drive that Coldrider is talking about.

If you've got time and don't mind a scenic 20km out-and-back, take the time to go to Lake Rotoroa, turn off SH6 (Buller Gorge) at Gowanbridge. Lake Rotoroa is the largest in the Nelson Lakes.

[Coldrider]

If you stop at Lake Rotoiti lakeside (at St Arnard), don,t get eaten by the sandflies, they are legendary.

[Chickenlegs]

Queen Charlotte is no longer as good as it was. The speed limit has also been reduced all the way. Still a nice road if you feel like a cruise...

I'll 2nd Jim, Takaka Hill may be good, depending on time of year.

If coming from Murch, turn off at Kohatu and do Motueka Valley Highway to Mot, then proceed to Nelson...

[MyGSXF:Me]

When are you planning on doing said trip????????

The Whangamoas (Nelson to Blenheim), the Hope Saddle (Murch to Nelson) & The Takaka Hill still all have some grit around at the moment.. also have lots of shaded spots & can be rather slippery! The Queen Charlotte Drive (Havelock to Picton) is rough as guts, lots of loose chip & slumps in the road, & the speed limit lowered.

Can all be done of course, but just take care on the hills & corners!!

If you are talking about going soon, I would recommend going around Nelson Lakes & through Golden Downs forestry! Lovely scenery!! & more open areas away from ice & shading.

The Buller (Westport to Murch) is devine, but also slippery at this time of year!! Lots of moss on the roads!

I'm in Nelson.. so give me a shout & I might be able to meet ya's & join ya for a blat!!!

Jen

[F5 Dave]

Be doing a bunch of this in a week, been looking forward to the Takaka hill for years on a bike, but will be 2 up with gear, pity about the grit but will return with sportsbike in summer for sure.

The sandflys aren't so bad this time of year, have some friends who live near that lake, it is beautiful just for a look.

[Alpha Solo]

Thanks all for the replies!

I used to live in Motueka for a while and can totally recommend going over Takaka Hill, just watch out for grit and silt washed off the rocks and backpackers who have never driven round a 180 tight bend before...

Grub - we will both be on BMW f650 GS 's so any recommendations would be great.

We both used to track race against each other about 7 years ago so it should be fun...

[Zukin]

Hi there

How serious are you about going off the tar seal?

You should call into Waipuna Caves (near Greymouth) , I would also suggest Maruia Saddle road (back way to Murchison) Braeburn track to Lake Rotoroa, either Porika Track or the main out of Lake Rotoroa, then either up to Nelson and to Picton, or I would do Rainbow to Hanmer and then back through Molesworth to Blenheim and then down the coast road to Christchurch?

When are you doing this trip?

Cheers Scott

[Alpha Solo]

Im keen to learn about these off road routes - apparently there is a guide book but I dont know the name of it, I tried in Boarders yesterday but no luck, anyone know the name of it?

Ive had the GS off road a few times and as long as you gun it then there is no problems, pulling it out of bogs might be a different matter though so will have to try and see how the terrain is.

[Alpha Solo]

Jen - Thanks for the road conditions warning, it is going to be mid to late afternoon by the time we get there so will have to hook up for a blat another time.

F5 Dave - I will mail you a report when I return.

Cant wait for this trip - especially as the boss suggested to me to take a pay cut today... while he drives a new falcon



Like i'm going to say yes!

Anyway thanks again for all the help so far - please feel free to update this as I check it often.

[Zukin]

Im keen to learn about these off road routes -

Ive had the GS off road a few times and as long as you gun it then there is no problems, pulling it out of bogs might be a different matter though so will have to try and see how the terrain is.

The route I proposed is good gravel back country roads, nothing serious there , Waipuna Caves can be a little challenging as there are some small creek crossings.
This route will get you off the main road and into great country. you will ride through beech forests and high country passes, I have done this route many times and never get sick of it

Do you have a GPS? I can send you waypoints so you can make up the route

Cheers Scott