South Island Tour - Any suggestions

**Biff** · 7th January 2005, 15:27

I'm off for a 3 day trip next week (Sat) from ChCh over to the West coast of the South Island via Arthurs Pass then north will my buddy whose hired a VFR. I'm after any suggestions of places to go etc. I guess we'd like to stick pretty much to the coast making our way back down the east coast back to ChCh. All suggestions welcome.

Ta

**guzzi_nz** · 7th January 2005, 16:06

Originally Posted by Biff Baff

I'm off for a 3 day trip next week (Sat) from ChCh over to the West coast of the South Island via Arthurs Pass then north will my buddy whose hired a VFR. I'm after any suggestions of places to go etc. I guess we'd like to stick pretty much to the coast making our way back down the east coast back to ChCh. All suggestions welcome.

Ta

Rain coat

**dhunt** · 7th January 2005, 16:16

Originally Posted by guzzi_nz

Rain coat

Hope there isn't too much need of that. I'm heading down that direction tomorrow for a couple weeks and would love some nice sunny weather.

**guzzi_nz** · 7th January 2005, 16:19

Sorry guys

apart from today we had Rain ,rain and a big bit of rain

**dhunt** · 7th January 2005, 16:23

Originally Posted by guzzi_nz

Sorry guys

apart from today we had Rain ,rain and a big bit of rain

What's the general road condition like? no flooding? Still should be fun.

**guzzi_nz** · 7th January 2005, 16:27

Originally Posted by dhunt

What's the general road condition like? no flooding? Still should be fun.

flooding gone down

but still bit of rain and think all roads down here are open

**dangerous** · 7th January 2005, 18:41

Originally Posted by Biff Baff

I'm off for a 3 day trip next week (Sat) from ChCh over to the West coast of the South Island via Arthurs Pass then north will my buddy whose hired a VFR. I'm after any suggestions of places to go etc. I guess we'd like to stick pretty much to the coast making our way back down the east coast back to ChCh. All suggestions welcome.

Ta

Is that Sat 8th as in tomorrow? Heres the rout I'd take, over Arthurs Pass (did that today) Graymouth, Westport, Inangahua Junction, Murchison (not via Springs), Nelson, Blenheim or Picton, Kaikoura, inland rd to Waiau, then either Parnassus.... home or home via the Weka pass.
Hows that sound?

ps: if its this w/e you are talking about then hows about I or a few KBers meet up with you at Kaikoura and ride back with you two.

**dangerous** · 7th January 2005, 18:47

Originally Posted by dhunt

Hope there isn't too much need of that. I'm heading down that direction tomorrow for a couple weeks and would love some nice sunny weather.

well then If ya passing by let me know so I can give ya my address just incase you need to rest your arse and have a coffee or beer or somink... that is if you are passing through Chch, ya cant help but pass my pad.

**Pickle** · 7th January 2005, 19:58

Go all the way up the coast to Karamea, take some detours e.g. Denniston, then back towards Murchison via the Buller gorge from here you could go to Nelson or thru the lakes area to Blenheim then return to CHCH via the Kaikoura's either all the way down the coast or as dangerous suggested take the inland route via Waiau Route 70.
Other places of interest would be Blackball for a beer & some great salami
The road from Reefton to Springs Junction
Lewis pass to Hanmer springs
St Arnaud to Nelson via Tophouse & Golden Downs or detour to Motueka via Ngatimoti route 61

This area of the South Island is great bike country wherever you go you will enjoy. Cant wait to get back down there again.

**dhunt** · 7th January 2005, 20:13

Originally Posted by dangerous

well then If ya passing by let me know so I can give ya my address just incase you need to rest your arse and have a coffee or beer or somink... that is if you are passing through Chch, ya cant help but pass my pad.

Yeah not too sure where we are going yet. Got a wedding in invicargle (sp?) on the 15th, other than that don't really have any plans as of yet.

**Redstar** · 7th January 2005, 20:48

Looks like your up for 1500K ish trip. very ambitious

Personally I would book the Bike onto Transrail and meet up with it at Picton and keep going North you should make the Bay of Islands by dusk.

**guzzi_nz** · 8th January 2005, 08:38

Originally Posted by dhunt

Yeah not too sure where we are going yet. Got a wedding in invicargle (sp?) on the 15th, other than that don't really have any plans as of yet.

Is this invicargle

(invercargill)

**Biff** · 8th January 2005, 21:38

Originally Posted by dangerous

Is that Sat 8th as in tomorrow? Heres the rout I'd take, over Arthurs Pass (did that today) Graymouth, Westport, Inangahua Junction, Murchison (not via Springs), Nelson, Blenheim or Picton, Kaikoura, inland rd to Waiau, then either Parnassus.... home or home via the Weka pass.
Hows that sound?

ps: if its this w/e you are talking about then hows about I or a few KBers meet up with you at Kaikoura and ride back with you two.

No - next week end mate. Thanks for the plan. My mates got it in his head that he wants to spend a night in Greymouth. Personaly I think he needs to get out a bit more...

Thanks for the suggested itinerary, I'll run it by him. We'll be heading back into ChCh on Monday - so if you're around...