New Zealand Guided Tours

NZ-3 If you want a relaxing touring holiday where you can just enjoy the riding, the views and the hospitality, then our guided tours are for you. Our guided tour group sizes are typically 4-15 people. For groups of 4 or more motorcycles, custom tours (escorted or self-guided) can also be arranged to suit your own dates and itineraries. Mileages listed on the itineraries are approximate. Many riders (by personal choice) travel longer distances. Travelling will usually take 2-5 hours each day. The tours have been arranged to make the most of your riding time. Let your tour guide and support vehicle driver take care of the details, leaving you free to enjoy the journey. You can ride with the group leader or travel at your own pace, or even divert from the recommended route plan. The day is yours, just join your fellow riders at the end of the day at the hotel. Each rider is given an extensive roadbook with maps of each day's ride, alternative excursions and details of the route's highlights.

Our friendly, experienced local guides display a deep affiliation with the country – it is their home and their local knowledge makes your tour with us an unbeatable experience. Tours are well organised, yet maintain a relaxed environment in which to spend your holiday. The guides hold a keen interest in people and enjoy sharing the NZ experience with others who are not as familiar with their country. They know places, routes, stops and people you will never find any other way!

One of the most important parts of your holiday is being able to rely on the value and quality of the accommodation. We have selected from a range of hotels and lodges with excellent facilities and which are known for their welcoming service, and most of which we have used for many years.

And our New Zealand guided tours afford an ideal opportunity for you to include non-riding companions. All of our tours include the use of a large, comfortable support vehicle to accommodate non-riders. If you require a place for the whole tour, please advise us at the time of booking as space is limited.

Why tour New Zealand with H-C Travel?

The most experienced motorcycle tour guides in New Zealand, they bring so much to enhance your experience and enjoyment of New Zealand
Optional daily routes, with independent travel possible
4* accommodation throughout
Unique farmstay accommodation for 2/3 nights
Room to room luggage transport
Back up / support van with spare motorcycle
Choose from 15 different motorcycle models, with over 80 motorcycles in stock, all fully insured
Full fly-ride service
Great social life

Our guides

John Rains

John has been organising and guiding tours since 1987, making him not only the most experienced motorcycle guide in New Zealand but one of the most experienced in the world. He has found out that the only prerequisites needed for the job are mechanical skills, marketing skills, people skills, employer skills, a sense of humour, the occasional ‘ blind eye, and the ability to fix punctures in the rain. Widely travelled in Europe and North America on motorcycles. John enjoys meeting people and riding motorcycles – his personal motorcycle is a Laverda SFC1000 which is sitting forlornly in the corner of the workshop after ignominiously breaking down in Kingman, Arizona, en route from L.A. to Chicago. He has recently been seen on a 2006 Triumph Speed Triple. Happily married to Alison. NZ-Pete

Peter & Kate Colwell

Retired farmers from inland NSW Australia, who now have over 30 tours in New Zealand under their belts. A sensible approach and sense of humour has made them favourites. Peter's journalistic skills have seen his articles published in Australian and US motorcycle magazines. Widely travelled on motorcycles in Europe and North America. Currently Peter and Kate ride a BMW R1200GS.

Al Walker

Born and raised in the deep south of the South NZ-Al Island, Al has been guiding for over 10 years. He is one of those people for whom motorcycles have always had a prominent if not over-riding influence on his plans. Easy going and relaxed as only pipe smokers can be as they light their pipes and consider an appropriate response to a query. With a formidable knowledge of the highways and byways especially of the South Island, Al always seems to know somebody in every small town, much to the incredulous looks tour members give "What you know Al as well?!" Widely travelled in Australia and North America and currently riding a BMW R1200GS