Dunedin to Picton.. How long does it take?

**FFS** · 17th December 2007, 15:28

Hi all

I may be picking up a bike (all going to plan) this Saturday.
Heres the issue. I am in Welly, the bike is in Dunedin. Im gonna fly down and ride back.
How long does it take to ride from Dunedn to Picton?... (at ahem... legal speeds

)
Can I do it in a day comfortably or is it an overnight job? (I can stay in Christchurch if needed)

Any better routes to take thean SH1?

Cheers all

**JMemonic** · 17th December 2007, 15:29

Early start on a nice day very comfortably, how ever if you want to take in a bit of scenery along the way plan a stop in Christchurch.

**Usarka** · 17th December 2007, 15:33

10hrs and 698kms

according to

http://www.aatravel.co.nz/main/td-calculator.php

so no wuckens....

**Jantar** · 17th December 2007, 15:43

The same question was asked in: http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=55577

Here is the response I gave then.

Dunedin to Christurch is around 4.5 hours straight riding if you stick to SH1. But that is boring.

Take the Mt Cargill road out of Dunedin to Waitati, 3 kms north turn right into the Karitane road and rejoin SH1 at Cherry Farm. Turn left at the northern end of Palmerston and take the Trotters Gorge route to rejoin SH1 near Moeraki. Turn Right at Wainakarua and follow the coast all the way north until you can't follow it any further, and you'll enter Oamaru through the historic precinct.

Then its SH1 to Winchester where you turn left and take the Inland Scenic Route to Christchurch.

Allow 6.5 hours but most of the extra time is to allow stops for photos.

Christchurch to Picton is around 4 hours. Watch for those long 80 kmh areas south of Kaikoura.

I might add that those riders who stick to SH1 only have themselves to blame for making it boring.

Note, you can stick to the inland scenic route to Amberly and miss out Christchurch completely.
Enjoy your ride.

**Angusdog** · 17th December 2007, 16:23

10 characters

**Swoop** · 17th December 2007, 16:55

Take a sensible amount of time to get used to the new bike and tyres.

**cruza** · 17th December 2007, 19:02

dun to chch 4-41/2 hrs chch to picton 4 --41/2 hrs . this allows a few stops ,and your on a new bike! . Suppose would be a long day if your riding back and flying down the same day!. A break in the middle may be the way.

**AllanB** · 17th December 2007, 19:36

If you get to Christchurch and your bum is still alive and you want to carry on a bit, head up North to Hanmer Springs (about 140kms from CHCH 1.5 hours).

Its a trip inland but if you stay the night there you can spend the evening in a thermal hot-pool under the alpine stars. The trip to Picton the next morning would be via the inland route to Kaikoura which is worth the diversion.

Or once in Christchurch - try that new ride out on the twisty road to Akaroa and stay overnight there.

But most importantly - what have you purchased?

**GaZBur** · 17th December 2007, 20:14

What kind of bike makes a difference too! I would find Dunedin to Picton very tireing on my bike but ok on a reasonable tourer.
So you have to travel down - sort out the bike purchase - set up your gear - check out the tyres oil chain etc before even starting. Ambitious to try the trip in one day if you have a place to crash (i mean sleep

) in ChCh. Take an extra day and turn it into an enjoyable ride rather than a exhausting slog!
I always choose enjoyable over hard work every time!

**Skyryder** · 17th December 2007, 21:02

It's along ride. Go the short way...........that's long enough. Some of the coastal scenery is worth it. You'll want to be taking it easy by the time you get to Kaikoura.

Skyryder

**Taz** · 17th December 2007, 21:05

You're going to the expense of going down there so take a week!!

**Dave_G** · 17th December 2007, 21:11

Its a really cruisy day trip. I've done Invercargill- Picton in a day more times than I care to remember and what you are looking at is approx 150 miles less than that. Although Oamaru to about Amberly has got to be the most boring road in the country. That would be a good thread - whats the most boring road inthe country??

**FFS** · 17th December 2007, 21:14

Thanks for all the good advice all, much appreciated

Originally Posted by AllanB

But most importantly - what have you purchased?

2007 VTR1000 Woo efin Hoo!
Not purchased yet... finance all approved tho, just need to make sure I can get down there this weekend. Looks like I may have to go down as far as CHC on Friday for work.
I wanna get it ASAP as mine is in the shop waiting for parts that arent gonna arrive till after new years and I just CANT and WONT put up with not having a bike over the holiday break!! Thats just not cricket is it? (Well thats one of the arguements I'm using to get a new bike.)