Advice for a visitor

[scracha]

Just my tuppence worth

Umm 2 weeks both islands.....Ouch. Consider getting a connecting flight down to the south island.

Top 10's are generally pretty good (apart from the miserable sod that runs the one in Dunedin) although we normally found digs by just chatting to folks in pubs(friendly folk most kiwis). Wouldn't advise riding at night as drink driving is unfortunately a national past time.

Probably cheaper buying and selling as opposed to renting. Bank on about 4 to 6 grand for something semi decent (you don't want something too nice in case it attracts thieves or you crash it) and you should pretty much get what you paid for it back.

Take a day out to kayak in the Milford sound or a couple of days to kayak in Abel Tasmin. South island, west coast much better bike roads. Skip the east coast SH1 from Christchurch to Dunedin as it's seriously boring....as much as Oamaru is a nice town. Catlins very pretty.....Stuart Island don't bother. Road to Milford sound is superb but as you're on limited time consider a helicopter trip from Queenstown (you can haggle if they've got extra spaces on the chopper). The south island lakes are unbelievably pretty.

If you're in Auckland on a Saturday Morning then Otara market is the place to get your Souvenirs. Start eating Vitamin B tabs a week before you arrive as it seems to stop the damned sand flies biting. Buy a vodafone Sim for your moby at the airport. Tell the folks on kiwibiker you want to go "pig sticking" and ensure you watch a rugby match.

Be careful though, you might end up staying here like the girlfriend and I (and loads of other kiwibikers).

[roadracingoldfart]

Just my tuppence worth

Umm 2 weeks both islands.....Ouch. Consider getting a connecting flight down to the south island.

Top 10's are generally pretty good (apart from the miserable sod that runs the one in Dunedin) although we normally found digs by just chatting to folks in pubs(friendly folk most kiwis). Wouldn't advise riding at night as drink driving is unfortunately a national past time.

Probably cheaper buying and selling as opposed to renting. Bank on about 4 to 6 grand for something semi decent (you don't want something too nice in case it attracts thieves or you crash it) and you should pretty much get what you paid for it back.

Take a day out to kayak in the Milford sound or a couple of days to kayak in Abel Tasmin. South island, west coast much better bike roads. Skip the east coast SH1 from Christchurch to Dunedin as it's seriously boring....as much as Oamaru is a nice town. Catlins very pretty.....Stuart Island don't bother. Road to Milford sound is superb but as you're on limited time consider a helicopter trip from Queenstown (you can haggle if they've got extra spaces on the chopper). The south island lakes are unbelievably pretty.

If you're in Auckland on a Saturday Morning then Otara market is the place to get your Souvenirs. Start eating Vitamin B tabs a week before you arrive as it seems to stop the damned sand flies biting. Buy a vodafone Sim for your moby at the airport. Tell the folks on kiwibiker you want to go "pig sticking" and ensure you watch a rugby match.

Be careful though, you might end up staying here like the girlfriend and I (and loads of other kiwibikers).

I agree with all Scracha says about the South Island. Im in my late 40s and never went down there till 3 years ago and i loved the place . Its so scenic and the roads are just awesome (unlike the N.I goat tracks) .
Look out a couple of farm stay places as its a good way to get in an interesting aspect of N.Z. rural life .

Ohhh and if Scracha wants he can go back with you , we wont miss him too much .

Have a good time whatever you choose.

[CookMySock]

It has to be said, don't worry about the loudmouths you hear on this forum. You will never come in contact with them in real life. Kiwis are helpful and fun people.

Steve

[Slyer]

Uhm, she hasn't logged in since she first posted it.

[the vet]

Uhm, she hasn't logged in since she first posted it.

That's OK. I'm soaking up all this advice, and I'll be there in 5 weeks....can't wait!

[Blossom]

What airport are you coming in on? Cause buying a bike quickly is gonna be a bit easier in Auckland than in Christchurch I would think. Maybe hook up with someone on here who can scout out a bike for you before you arrive?

[the vet]

Great minds think alike....I have a bike in mind, and another generous kiwibiker has checked it out for me already. I've also had 2 different folks offer to pick me up at the airport. You all may be used to this kind of hospitality to a stranger, but I've been living near Oakland, CA for the past 6 years----one of the higher crime rates in the country, and I'm a bit overwhelmed by the generous offers and help I have already received. So thanks again for the good idea. See my other thread if you have some ideas about how I can make a risk free bike purchase in NZ from here in the States...I don't think its possible without some risk, but I'm soliciting ideas anyway.

Pete

What airport are you coming in on? Cause buying a bike quickly is gonna be a bit easier in Auckland than in Christchurch I would think. Maybe hook up with someone on here who can scout out a bike for you before you arrive?

[SDU]

That's OK. I'm soaking up all this advice, and I'll be there in 5 weeks....can't wait!

Yip & you can probably pick up a bit off locum work around the place if you're around for awhile, especially at after hours clinics.

[SDU]

Oh & will you bloody northerners stop telling everyone to come down south & clog up our roads

it's not really lovely down here folks

[H00dz]

Kia Ora from the sunny north !!!,


Of course their some nice riding in the Far North: (West Coast) Auckland to Dargaville, Waipoua Forest, Opononi, Mangamukas to the Cape. to name a few.
(West Coast) could include Mangonui-Whangaroa, through to Kerikeri or Waitangi, the whole ride could be done in a day or spread to 2-3 days max to include to nice rest stops, back packers or B & B.

Let us know when you set your itinerary

Hope your trip is everything you hope it Will be !!!!!

Northland Hard

[the vet]

I hope to post a ride report/online journal as I go. We'll see how it goes. Arrive in Auckland Dec 7....that is the extent of my itinerary right now. The first agenda item is to pick up a bike and get the panniers mounted. Next item would be to hit the beach for 5-7 days, take a few long deep breaths, and learn to surf....then I'll hit the road and begin the journey.

[TimeOut]

Oh & will you bloody northerners stop telling everyone to come down south & clog up our roads

it's not really lovely down here folks

Yea right

The North has some good roads too. In February my brother took us from Wellington through the back roads to Napier around the East Cape, Coro loop and home.

Absolutely fabulous roads and great scenery wonderful trip.

[McJim]

2 Weeks isn't long enough to see New Zealand - but good luck trying.

for people taking a long time to tour NZ buying a bike then selling it is a good cheap way to hire a bike but you need time to sell it - I have found when selling stuf in New Zealand that Kiwis are a lot tighter than Scots and take a lot more coaxing to part with their cash within a set time period.

If you rent at least you know where you stand.

Gimme a shout if you're coming to the far south and we'll take you to see Burt Munro's world famous Indian.

[VTwinChick]

Thanks for all the wonderful advice. I'm really looking forward to the trip. I have ridden everything from enduros to sport bikes to cruisers (kind of in the cruiser mode now.) I am partial to the touring bikes because of the comfort factor but would be willing to try a sport bike. I'm a little too short for BMW's.

Turns out I'll be in Japan the last week of February and the first week of March. Trying to decide if I should go to NZ before or after. Any advice?

[CookMySock]

Turns out I'll be in Japan the last week of February and the first week of March. Trying to decide if I should go to NZ before or after. Any advice?

Dunno if you schedule will allow you to bring a bike in from Japan (and sell it here when you're done with it), but if you can pull it off it will be worth your while financially.

Steve