South Island VS North Island

**FFS** · 23rd January 2008, 17:45

I have a month off work in March and my brother had planned a tour around the North Island that coincided with a wedding he had to go to. (But we only have 11 days bike riding time). Now, fortuntaley the wedding has been cancelled (Not sure if its fortuante for the bride or groom....well probably fortunate for the groom but thats a different story and I digress) Anyhoo, so now that he dont have to go to the wedding, this opens the opportunity to tour the South Island which I have suggested to him.

I'm really keen to tour the South Island but my bro is hesitant because we dont know anyone south of the Marlborough area. In the North Island we have family and friends that we can crash with. ($$ are a factor, cant afford motels...)

Im thinking of something like:
Day1. Wellington to Picton (via a ferry, My bike wont jump THAT far!) then on to Westport.
Day 2. Westport to Greymouth (along the coast.) then to Franz Josef Glacier
Day 3. Franz Josef to Wanaka and on to Queenstown
Day 4. Queenstown to Te Anau to Invercargill

Thats all I have worked out so far... By googling earthing on the interwiggle. I will do more tomoro

OK so theres the scene. Now what I would like to hear from you people is some opinions:
1. Sth Island riding versus North Island riding. Pro's and Cons etc.
2. Suggestions of cheap places to stay (and even if there are some hearty souls that could put us up for a night!)

3. Weather? Is it getting cold in mid March in the deep south or can I rely on global warming?

Cheers all

**Taz** · 23rd January 2008, 17:57

Will let you know when I get back from my South Island ride in Feb

**madandy** · 23rd January 2008, 18:20

Harden up - it doesn't get cold in the South Island till the snow falls

I'm a born & raised Cantabrian and I always used to tell people how much better the Mainland was to visit. Mountains, lakes, yarda yarda.
After 10 years in the 'big fish' and having ventured out now & then on some exploratory rides I can say there's some damn fine coastal vistas to take in up here and beautiful lakes and forrests also! No Glaciers though.
I personally think you need more than 11 days to see the Sth Is.
If you ride down that way, take in some of the foothills' roads on the east coast south of Christchurch rather than riding SH1 on your return leg.
Take care and enjoy ya holiday - I'm sure it will be special!

**Blackbird** · 23rd January 2008, 18:21

Here's my south island ride report from last year: http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=52569. It's a magic place for bikes and we used the Top 10 cabins wherever possible, great facilities at a modest price. The weather is just starting to get changeable down south from mid-March.

The north island also has some great roads, East Cape, Coromandel and Northland to name but 3 areas. Weather is still good too.

Don't think you'd be making a mistake in either island.

**MotoGirl** · 23rd January 2008, 18:25

Originally Posted by ffsnz

I have a month off work in March

What dates you thinking of? We're also going for a two week tour around the South Island in March.

**FFS** · 23rd January 2008, 19:35

Originally Posted by MotoGirl

What dates you thinking of? We're also going for a two week tour around the South Island in March.

Friday 14th - Friday 21st at least, but will probably start earlier.
Cheers!

**crazybigal** · 23rd January 2008, 19:42

spend as little time as possible in the north!!!
Go south, open roads, no traffic and NO cops! well only a few.
you need 10 days to see the south.

**FFS** · 23rd January 2008, 20:03

Originally Posted by Blackbird

Here's my south island ride report from last year: http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=52569. It's a magic place for bikes and we used the Top 10 cabins wherever possible, great facilities at a modest price. The weather is just starting to get changeable down south from mid-March.

The north island also has some great roads, East Cape, Coromandel and Northland to name but 3 areas. Weather is still good too.

Don't think you'd be making a mistake in either island.

Great write up, cheers for that!

**MotoGirl** · 23rd January 2008, 20:14

Originally Posted by ffsnz

Friday 14th - Friday 21st at least, but will probably start earlier.
Cheers!

Cool, we're going down from the 6th and coming back on the 20th (ish). Should be interesting riding a couple of Gixxers and an RSVR on a trip like that. We're already preparing the bikes for a shakedown, and man, my RSVR looks stuuuuuuuuupid with a packrack!

**FFS** · 23rd January 2008, 20:59

Yeah I bet it does look a little outa place!

I had a look at your website, I could be interested in a seat for my VTR. My issue is I have little or no ass, and as a consequence I get uncomfortable after a couple of hours. Is it possible to fill the seat with a "gel"? I have sat on a Aprillia RST Futura and thats gotta be the most comfy seat! Its gel filled.
Cheers
P.s Hopefully see you in the Sth Island. I'll PM you my cell, perhaps we will cross paths

**Scarydog** · 23rd January 2008, 21:10

Go the South Island, over Xmas did around 3000km in the SI. In the car (and campervan) unfortunately.

Our route was:

Blenhiem, Hokitika, Haast, Clyde, Catlins, Lake Hawea, Through the Lindis to Kaikoura, home to wellington.

We spent about 2 weeks on the road and saw two cops!

The West Coast has awesome roads, can't wait to get down there on the bike.

Travelling from Clyde to Kaikoura we stayed of State highway 1 for all but 20km. Some great roads.

Here's a link to the route we took: http://www.motowhere.com/maps/route/...nd-New-Zealand

Basically, it's all good in the south island :-)

**vinducati** · 24th January 2008, 06:16

South Island no question.
As far a $$$ go look at backpakers and campgrounds.
Campgrounds often have units so if you are not doing the tent thing it's a good option.
Also I find that I don't need to spend as long as some do to get in the good roads.
here is my last tour.

Day 1 - Auckland to Wellington
Day 2 - Wellington to Fox (Buller,West Coast)
Day 3 - Fox,Wanaka,Queenstown,Te Anua (Hasst Pass,Crown Range)
Day 4 - Milford Rd and Back, then up Clutha, Clyde, down the Pig Route to Palmeston then up to Tekapo via Fairlie
Day 5 - Tekapo, inland Kaikoura to Blenhiem
Day 6- Blenhiem to Auckland

So thats 5 nights accomodation.
It's up to you but I like riding all day, as long as you have a few rests and drink plenty of water it's alll good.

PS - you could add another night and do Arthurs Pass and Lewis Pass

Cheers

**Kinje** · 24th January 2008, 07:32

Head South buddy. Theres stunning roads and stunning scenery. Accommodation you should be sweet with campsites or backpackers.

The plan so far sounds awesome. Go to Westport via Nelson. Blenheim-St Arnard is mostly straight and flat. Add Milford Rd. Catlins Coast Invercargill-Dunedin. McKenzie Country.

Plenty of other options. I could just about recommend all the roads except SH1. Heres my write up from my South Island journey

Have fun

**more_fasterer** · 24th January 2008, 09:40

As above, go south. Another tour report here which was 9 days of riding in the south island. Also some info about east cape in there.

**crazybigal** · 24th January 2008, 10:06

day 4 is a bit keen! thats a long way!
if you can do 600+k per day every day i guess.

Originally Posted by vinducati

South Island no question.
As far a $$$ go look at backpakers and campgrounds.
Campgrounds often have units so if you are not doing the tent thing it's a good option.
Also I find that I don't need to spend as long as some do to get in the good roads.
here is my last tour.

Day 1 - Auckland to Wellington
Day 2 - Wellington to Fox (Buller,West Coast)
Day 3 - Fox,Wanaka,Queenstown,Te Anua (Hasst Pass,Crown Range)
Day 4 - Milford Rd and Back, then up Clutha, Clyde, down the Pig Route to Palmeston then up to Tekapo via Fairlie
Day 5 - Tekapo, inland Kaikoura to Blenhiem
Day 6- Blenhiem to Auckland

So thats 5 nights accomodation.
It's up to you but I like riding all day, as long as you have a few rests and drink plenty of water it's alll good.

PS - you could add another night and do Arthurs Pass and Lewis Pass

Cheers