Te Anau-Bluff-Oamaru

[Gixxer 4 ever]

I am planning a trip down south next year 2010 and want some advise from people that have done or know the areas listed. We need to know the actual answers to the questions. Thanks

1 What is the road like from Te Anau to Bluff via Manapouri, Black Mount, Clifden, Orepuki? Is it all sealed and what time would it take to make this trip? Not race speed just touring speed.

2 Bluff to Oamaru. Can we get along the coast for this ride? I note the map said 365km on the main road. Is there an alternative rout around the Catlins and coast that has sealed roads? What time frame would you allow for that trip and what roads can I reference for our plan?

Thanks Steve

[Xaria]

1 What is the road like from Te Anau to Bluff via Manapouri, Black Mount, Clifden, Orepuki? Is it all sealed and what time would it take to make this trip? Not race speed just touring speed.

2 Bluff to Oamaru. Can we get along the coast for this ride? I note the map said 365km on the main road. Is there an alternative rout around the Catlins and coast that has sealed roads? What time frame would you allow for that trip and what roads can I reference for our plan?

1 - Good roads, not highway quality, but in good condition. According to the southern scenic route website it is about 3 hours, 168 km Te Anau to Invercargill. Add 15 min to get to Bluff. If you are going to be in Te Anau, you really HAVE to go out to Milford. Awesome views, and some... interesting roads.

2. Bluff to Balclutha is all on the southern scenic route as well. Not completely costal unless you want to go gravel. From Balclutha take SH1 to Waihola and finish the Southern Scenic Route then North road out of Dunedin - it is the old road out then there are coastal loops all the way up to Oamaru, but for most of them I know where they are but would have to get back to you on what there names are. Allow half a day or a little more for photos.

Let us know down here when you are going and you could end up with company. Most of this route is some of the best bike roads in the country according to the Motorcycle atlas of NZ

[Gixxer 4 ever]

Most of this route is some of the best bike roads in the country according to the Motorcycle atlas of NZ

Fantastic. Thank you so much for the info. We are looking at Jan 2010. I know a long way away but I like to have a plan and I have a friend and his partner coming from OZ to join us and hopefully a group of riders from up here.
Again thanks for the info and links.

Edit. Yes we have planned a ride up the Milford sound. Maybe this .... http://www.kiwiwise.co.nz/activity/m...er-observatory

[McJim]

Invercargill - Riverton - Manapouri - Te Anau. Less than two hours at bike speed - I'm a bit of a Nana and I have a 53hp bike. Nice roads - all sealed (subject to roadworks).

I can get from Invercargill to Balclutha via Papatowai (coast road) in under 2 hours as well. It's all sealed from Invercargill to Balclutha and is some of the best twisties in the land - watch my vids on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/NZMcJim for all the 'gotcha!' corners though. Some experienced riders have found themselves nearly in trouble along this road...

Make sure you drop in for a cuppa when you're down.

[Gixxer 4 ever]

Fantastic. Thanks for the info. We will be stopping and taking pic’s and things. I will find it a bit hard after my usual riding style but this is a trip to savior so it will be slowish.
Should be down in Jan 2010. Hope a few others come along from up here. Can’t view vids with stupid dial up. Might go to my sons place and spend a hour and have a look. Cheers and we will let you know when we have a date set.
Thanks for taking the time to reply

Invercargill - Riverton - Manapouri - Te Anau. Less than two hours at bike speed - I'm a bit of a Nana and I have a 53hp bike. Nice roads - all sealed (subject to roadworks)..

[FJRider]

Just be aware that there are turn-offs, that must be taken, but the entire Southern Senic Route (and it is just that) well signposted. Study your map, there are endless diversions/options you can take. Ask the locals when you get there. Don't treat it as your own private race track, and you will have no problems whatsoever. You may even want to go and do it again. Not uncommon at all... Hint... there is a place on the south coast called "Cosy Nook". find it on the map... and take a look. You will not regret it...

[Jantar]

Xaria has already given you the best info for the Invercargill to Dunedin section.

When you head north from Dunedin stay on the one way system to the Gardens. SH1 veers left, but instead take the straight ahead option to NE Valley. Just follow NE Valley road as it becomes Mt Cargill Rd for a lovely scenic twisty alternative. This road rejoins SH1 at Bluskin Bay (Waitati).

4 km further on turn right towards Warrington. This is another scenic coastal route. It is twisty and although sealed, is narrow and bumpy. This rejoins SH1 at Cherry Farm just south of Waikouiti (sp). From here it is only a short hop to Palmerston where SH1 is the coastal route, or as you leave Palmerston veer left onto Horse Range Rd. Another narrow twisty scenic route. This rejoins SH1 just south of Moeraki.

Stay on SH1 until Wainakarua and turn Right imediately after the narrow bridge. This turn sneaks up on you and its easy to overshoot. This is another Coastal road through Kakanui and onto Beach road. Beach road has been washed out in one place and there is a short detour. As the road swings away from the sea take the first turn right. This is a gravel detour for around 1 km. (the sealed road will take you back to SH1 just south of Oamaru.) The detour will take you back to the coast, and enter Oamaru through the historic part of town.

[NighthawkNZ:Me]

From here it is only a short hop to Palmerston where SH1 is the coastal route, or as you leave Palmerston veer left onto Horse Range Rd. Another narrow twisty scenic route. This rejoins SH1 just south of Moeraki.

Trotters Gorge... you have to watch that road... but can be fun

As Xaria said let us know and you will most likely get some company (depending on time and dates etc... will most likely be working )

[Gixxer 4 ever]

Hint... there is a place on the south coast called "Cosy Nook". find it on the map... and take a look. You will not regret it...

Thank you for the info. I have started looking at maps and there are a few ways to go. I will PM if we need any more help.
Thanks for taking the time to help this far.
Cheers
Steve

PS Cosy Nook…. That would be this place? http://www.westernsouthland.co.nz/pa...php?entity=230 Nice. Might come back to that another time for some R&R and riding.

[Gixxer 4 ever]

Xaria has already given you the best info for the Invercargill to Dunedin section.

.

Thank you for the info. I have plotted most of this on the map and will revisit it in the near future. THanks for the taking the time to reply. Looks good to us.
Cheers
Steve

[Gixxer 4 ever]

Trotters Gorge... you have to watch that road... but can be fun

)

Trotters Gorge looks good. Will defiantly look at that as an option as we go North.

THanks

[JimO]

just watch out for the banjo playing albinos

[Gixxer 4 ever]

I can get from Invercargill to Balclutha via Papatowai (coast road) in under 2 hours as well. It's all sealed from Invercargill to Balclutha and is some of the best twisties in the land
.

This would be via the following road and places….Invercargill – Mokotua –Gorge Rd – Mokotua –Fortrose – Tokanui -Papatowai Nagara Rd –Tautuku -Purakaunui -Ratanui left to the Papatowaih HWY - Owaka HWY –Baclutha…?.. How hard is it to find your way from Quarry Hill to Owaka? It looks a bit fragmented on our map.

So we could do it in 3 hours at a slower pace? We can always let the slower riders go up SH1

[Gixxer 4 ever]

just watch out for the banjo playing albinos

Are there plenty of them Jim? I am sure they like little pigs rather than smelly old bike riders……… Assuming I get your drift

[jrandom]

I will find it a bit hard after my usual riding style but this is a trip to savior so it will be slowish.

Might I suggest a daily touring action plan:

1. Travel from location A to location B with women on pillion seats, dutifully admire scenery, administer loving pats on knees, etc.

2. Leave women at location B accommodation drinking tea and watching Coro St reruns.

3. Loop out to location A and back again at more 'interesting' velocities.