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| Southern Moonlight (14 days) | New Zealand Highlights (14 days) | Grand Deluxe (21 days) | Grand Standard (21 days) |
| Guided Tours | Rentals |
Highlights
- Akaroa and the Banks Peninsula
- Farm stays
- Milford Sound
- Queenstown
- Fox / Franz Josef Glaciers
- West Coast wildlife
- Interislander ferry
- Bay of Islands
- Food and drink
Itinerary
The reverse itinerary from Auckland to Christchurch can also be arranged, same price
DAY 1 Arrive Christchurch. Our shuttle service will transfer you to your hotel and after you’ve checked in there’s time to relax in Hagley Park, Christchurch’s ‘village green’ just by the hotel, or stretch your legs with a stroll around Christchurch. Visit the famous Botanical Gardens and the Antarctic Museum. If you arrive in New Zealand a day early and you feel up to it, you can pick up your bike and take a ride out to Akaroa or Motukarara on the beautiful Banks Peninsula. This really is a ride that will get you in the mood for the fun ahead. Big, never ending curves and twisting roads. Then visit the unique Britten Motorcycle Factory / Museum. Cotswold Hotel.
DAY 2 Christchurch – Lake Tekapo (230 km). Your first full day’s ride takes you out of Christchurch and inland, over your first mountain pass, Burke’s Pass, at 701 m. Don’t miss the beauty of Rakaia Gorge, the Moa mannequins at Alford Forest and the lakeside chapel at Lake Tekapo. Scenic Resort.
 DAY 3 Lake Tekapo – Queenstown (375 km). Leaving Tekapo, your route is through the centre of the island. Take a small detour, riding along the glacier fed Lake Pukaki to visit Aoraki (Mt Cook) and stop for a coffee at the Hermitage, and some wonderful photos of the highest mountains. Then head south to Twizel before crossing the 971 m Lindis Pass. Continuing south, you come to the Victorian gold rush town of Cromwell, well worth a look around before riding along the Kawaru River Gorge to Queenstown, the adventure playground of New Zealand. Queenstown Holiday Park.
DAY 4 Queenstown (free day). Time to sample some of the many activities in the ‘playground of the South’, such as jet boating on the Shotover River, tandem skydiving, fly fishing, a vintage steam cruise and of course bunjee jumping. Then it’s time to relax in the Gondola restaurant or the Motor Museum, or go for a ride to Arthur’s Point lookout and Coronet Peak Queenstown Holiday Park.
DAY 5 Queenstown - Te Anau (195-400 km). Today’s ride takes you to the mirror lakes and majestic peaks of Fjordland. It can be a short ride of 2 hours to Te Anau or a long one, the choice is yours. You can get there quickly and relax or take in the Wildlife Bird Reserve or the glow-worm caves. The long ride takes you to Invercargill. Visit the Burt Munro Memorial, and stop off at Bluff to sample some oysters from the world’s best oyster beds in Fouveux Strait. Your overnight destination is a farm near Te Anau. Our farmstays are a great success with customers, you will get a tour of the farm, shown what they do, eat locally grown produce and receive the warmest of Kiwi welcomes. A real highlight!
DAY 6 Te Anau (to Milford Sound, 240 km). An enjoyable morning’s ride takes you to the spectacular Milford Sound, where you take a bewitching cruise down the fjord and back. On the return ride, there plenty of time to stop, enjoy the pristine views and take photos. The riding along twisting roads is every bit a match for the cruise. Farmstay.
DAY 7 Te Anau – Cardrona (230 km). Leaving Fjordland, you turn north to the heart of the Southern Alps. Your route takes you back past Queenstown, with time to stop off and do that trip or bungee jump you wished you did on day 4! You can also visit the old gold town of Arrowtown before arriving in historic Cardrona. Cardrona Hotel.
 DAY 8 Cardrona – Fox Glacier (280 km). A truly spectacular day! You start with a short ride to Wanaka, a great place to stop for photos or to take a scenic flight. Your route from Wanaka takes you north through Albert Town to a lovely ride along the shores of Lakes Hawea and Wanaka, before climbing up to Haast Pass, see the Fantail Falls and enjoy the ride of a lifetime through once virgin rainforest and little explored country, to the wild west coast. Stop at the Lake Paringa Tea Rooms, but remember to leave time for a helicopter ride over Fox Glacier. Lake Mattheson Motel.
DAY 9 Fox Glacier - Punakaiki (270 km). Today is a day of side trips: a morning helicopter ride (weather permitting), a walk up to the glacier, or visit Glow Worm Dell. On the road, stop off at the sheepskin factory in Ross, the greenstone factory at Hokitika or try some gold panning at the reconstructed gold-mining shanty town near Greymouth. There’s some serious riding to be done for those wanting a longer ride. Why not ride to Arthur’s Pass for lunch and spectacular views. There may still be time to see some of the indigenous wildlife – seals, keas, kiwis, penguins, dolphins and the rare White Heron and, of course the famous pancake rocks and blowholes in Punakaiki. Punakaiki Cottages.
DAY 10 Punakaiki - Nelson (260 km). Your day starts with a coastal ride taking you past the Tauranga Bay seal colonies and the Coaltown Museum in Westport, then through the beautiful upper Buller Gorge region. You can take some time out for some white-water rafting and jet boating, or take a longer ride and re-visit the magnificent Lewis Pass and stop for lunch at Springs Junction. Aloha Lodge.
Day 11 Nelson (free day). Today is a free day to ride and explore Nelson and surrounding areas. Golden Bay has some of the finest beaches in New Zealand and Nelson has more sunshine than any other part of the country. For those who like to continue riding, hop on your bike to discover Abel Tasman National Park, or take a 4-WD drive tour to Farewell Spit, the longest sand dune in New Zealand, and view a variety of sea birds and unique vegetation. And remember you are in one of New Zealand’s main wine producing areas! Aloha Lodge.
DAY 12 Nelson – Wellington (via ferry, 110 km). The short ride to the ferry at Picton gives you time to stop at the tea rooms at Pelorus Bridge, wineries, a zoological park, the Old Whekenui Whaling Station and the Smith Memorial Museum in Picton. The Interislander offers spectacular views of the coastline so keep your camera ready and watch out for passing whales and albatross. Abel Tasman Hotel.
DAY 13 Wellington – Hawkes Bay (320 km). Leaving Wellington, your first stop is Featherston Summit (555 m), with more spectacular views, then you have a choice: ride to the Southward Car Museum with its amazing collection of cars, motorcycles and other machinery; or take the inland route and stop off at Mt Bruce Wildlife Sanctuary. From there you can travel though the impressive Manawatu Gorge and on to your overnight stay. Farmstay.
 DAY 14 Hawkes Bay – Lake Taupo (220 km). There are two possible routes to take today, the decision is yours. Just be sure to visit Napier’s colourful art deco centre and beach or one the local wineries before heading inland to Taupo. Relax in Taupo’s famous thermal pools or just sit and marvel at the views over the largest freshwater lake in Australasia, created by the world’s largest volcanic eruption in the last 5000 years! And don’t forget the impressive Huka Falls. Bella Vista Hotel.
DAY 15 Lake Taupo - Rotorua (85 km). You are now in the midst of the North Island’s thermal area, so don’t miss the thermal reserves at Wairakei, Waiotapu and Whakarewarewa. And do find the hidden valley of Orakei Korako. Rotorua is also a main natural home of the glow worm, and their displays are quite beautiful. This evening it’s party time Maori style! You will be enthralled by the natural bush setting, with Maori warriors in traditional dress paddling a canoe down the river and a memorable Hangi feast. Bella Vista Hotel.
DAY 16 Rotorua –Orewa (400 km). Today takes you up to Tauranga on the Bay of Plenty before following the coast to the Coromandel Forest Park. With an early start it’s possible to ride the loop around the beautiful Coromandel Peninsula. You’ll ride winding roads past sleepy towns and beautiful, white sand beaches. For the shorter route you can cut across the summit of the Coromandel Range to Thames or Paeroa. Leaving the rainforest and beaches of the Coromandel, ride along excellent winding roads, following the coast north to Auckland. After crossing the magnificent harbour bridge its a short ride north with time for a visit to Waiwera’s hot springs or the beach. The Waves Hotel.
DAY 17 Auckland – Russell (380 km). A long gentle day ahead; with time to stop at the Matakohe Kauri Museum near Dargaville, which, houses a fine example of a 17-m long Maori canoe. The museum is built of bricks made from mud that came as ballast from China. Also on Highway 12 is Tane Mahuta, a giant kauri tree in the Waipoua Kauri Forest, a nice spot for a stroll or a rest. Motel Russell.
DAY 18 Russell (210 km). Free day, but plenty to do! Go to the Waitangi National Reserve and the Treaty House, ride to Kerikeri and Awanui, take a bus trip to Ninety Mile Beach and Cape Reinga, go sailing, scuba diving or deep sea fishing, and visit the Captain Cook Memorial Museum in Russell itself. Motel Russell.
DAY 19 Russell – Auckland (275 km). Your final day’s ride brings you to New Zealand’s largest city, where nearly one-third of the country’s population lives (now you know why the roads elsewhere are so empty!). Why not finish with a visit to Whangarei’s collection of over 400 clocks, or take a harbour cruise to get you prepared for tomorrow’s flight home. Barrycourt Motor Inn.
DAY 20 Depart Auckland. Sadly, it’s time to return the bike, bid farewell, and head for home, with all those memories …Was it worth flying round the Globe for?!
Total distance c. 4400 km
Ready to book? Please click here
Price includes: 19 nights tourist accommodation including 3 nts farmstay (all with private facilities), 3 breakfasts, 3 dinners, Maori concert evening, Milford Sound cruise, inter-islander ferry, 19 days motorcycle hire with luggage and unlimited mileage, full motorcycle insurance, 24-hr support, tourbook, maps.
Price excludes: Flights to/from New Zealand, travel insurance, optional CDR bike insurance (see rental table for details), pre-/ post-tour accommodation (all of these may be arranged through H-C Travel), luggage transfer available and bookable locally (please ask for details), petrol, meals not stated above, riding gear, personal items and expenses.
Any questions? Please click here
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New Zealand Grand standard self-guided tour
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Daily departures
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Honda VLX600 Kawa EX500 Honda VT750 Suzuki SV650 Suzuki DL650 Yamaha FZ6
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BMW F650GS BMW F650Twin Honda VT1100 Honda VFR800 Suzuki GSF1250 Suzuki DL1000
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BMW R1200R BMW R1200GS (older) BMW R1200RT (older) Honda ST1300
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BMW R1200GS BMW R1200RT Ducati ST3S Duc Multistrada
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Passenger
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Sgl rm suppl.
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16 Mar - 14 Dec 2010
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£2,175
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£2,495
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£2,945
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£3,375
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£1,195
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£1,195
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15 Dec 2010-15 Mar 2011
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£2,345
|
£2,675
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£3,225
|
£3,525
|
£1,195
|
£1,195
|
|
16 Mar - 14 Dec 2011
|
£2,175
|
£2,495
|
£2,945
|
£3,375
|
£1,195
|
£1,195
|
|
15 Dec 2011-15 Mar 2012
|
£2,345
|
£2,675
|
£3,225
|
£3,525
|
£1,195
|
£1,195
|
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| Southern Moonlight (14 days) | New Zealand Highlights (14 days) | Grand Deluxe (21 days) | Grand Standard (21 days) |
| Guided Tours | Rentals |
100521
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