On the Beach Guided Tour

The First Step to a Holiday of a Lifetime

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NZ-otb1 With the success of our once-in-a-lifetime tour with Ted Simon in 2010, we have introduced this new tour for 2011. On the Beach is designed for riders (and passengers) who are working to tight holiday allowances or budget, and is the best way to experience the highlights of what New Zealand has to offer. With its emphasis on New Zealand’s spectacular and varied coast and coastal communities, we think you’ll fall in love and want to return. But even if this is the only time you get to ride in New Zealand, we guarantee this ride will stay with you forever.

Highlights

Coastal scenery, from sweeping bays to rugged cliffs
Free day to explore Nelson and Golden Bay
Shoreline accommodation
Coastal sea life sanctuaries
Sociable riding
West Coast wildlife
Interislander ferry
Delicious fresh food and drink
Back up/luggage vehicle
Your tour guide

Itinerary

DAY 1 Arrive Auckland. We will meet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel. Depending on how you feel after the long flight, either take a walk around and see the sights of Auckland or head across to Mission Bay Beach for your first NZ beach experience. Then, dinner in the evening with your fellow riders and guides where we discuss the tour itinerary, motorcycling in NZ, highlights to see and do on the tour, and questions and answers time. Barrycourt Hotel.

DAY 2 Auckland - Ruakaka (160 km). Today our tour starts in earnest. We take an easy ride north to the semi tropical Northland, with options to stop at numerous places of interest or take side trips. Our guides will be happy to point out the best places to see. Bream Bay Motel.

DAY 3 Ruakaka - Orewa (365 km). A long gentle day, with time to visit the Waipoua Kauri Forest, home of the giant Kauri Tree “Tane Mahuta” and a stop at the Matakohe Kauri Museum near Dargaville, with a fine example of a 17-m Maori canoe. The museum is built of bricks from mud that came as ballast from China. Waves Motel.

DAY 4 Orewa - Hahei Beach (300 km). We leave Orewa and head for Waiwera’s thermal pools. We then ride south through Auckland and head for the excellent winding roads, through rolling hills, around NZ-otb4-5 the Firth of Thames rainforests, and onto the scenic loop, rainforests and white sand beaches of the Coromandel Peninsula, a fabulous ride. After all that riding, take a short hike to the magnificent Cathedral Cove or dig your own hot pool on Hot Water Beach. Tatahi Lodge Motel.

DAY 5 Hahei Beach - Whakatane (270 km). Today we ride around the Bay of Plenty, so called because of its fertile soils, bountiful fisheries and excellent climate. We leave the rainforests of the Coromandel and ride down to Tauranga. Mount Maunganui, or Mauao, is also the name of the extinct volcano which rises 232 m above the town’s beaches and harbour. Shrouded in history and legend, the mount is a dominant feature of the landscape, and a climb to the summit offers amazing views of the surrounding city and ocean. The relaxed atmosphere of Mount Maunganui has something for everyone, from its vibrant café and pub scene, to its coastal ambiance and beach culture. Continuing east we pass Te Puke, the centre for Kiwi fruit production, with a Kiwi Fruit theme park! There are also great beaches to be found before we reach our destination. White Island Rendezvous.

DAY 6 Whakatane - Gisborne (220 or 400km). There is an option of an easy day today, riding Highway 2, the Waioeka Scenic Highway, all the way to our destination. Winding roads take you past scenic rivers, native forests and the Waioeka Gorge. After the pretty town of Opotiki, our main route takes us all the way on the winding East Cape coastal highway. You will pass cliffs, hidden coves, empty beaches, numerous small towns, Maori sites and settlements. You’re at New Zealand’s most easterly point and perhaps in another world. Whispering Sands Motel.

DAY 7 Gisborne - Napier (220 km). Today we follow the coast from Poverty Bay to Hawkes Bay. Again there are two possible routes, with options to visit Rotorua and Taupo, or both! Hawkes Bay is very scenic with green coastal hills and vineyards as a backdrop to the deep blue Pacific Ocean, and you may want to lunch at any of the many vineyards around Wairoa or continue south and visit Cape Kidnappers famous Gannet Sanctuary. There may be time to relax in a thermal pool before visiting Napier’s Art Deco architecture or the beach. Beachfront Motel.

DAY 8 Napier - Wellington (270 km). This morning we head across country to Wellington, with many sights to see on the way. Explore the route options and highlights the guides will describe. There’s the impressive Manawatu Gorge, Southward, with its museum of cars, motorcycles and other machinery, and Mt Featherston (555 m) with its spectacular views. Copthorne Hotel.

DAY 9 Wellington - Nelson (110 km). After a stroll around Wellington we are booked on the Interisland Ferry that will take us across Cook Strait to Picton. Watch out for passing whales and albatross, and spectacular views of the coast. From Picton we ride around Queen Charlotte Sound to Nelson, with time to stop at the Smith memorial Museum in Picton, tea rooms at Pelorus Bridge, wineries, a zoological park, and the Old Whekenui Whaling Station. Aloha Lodge. NZ-otb9-10

DAY 10 Nelson (free day). Today it’s a free day to ride and explore Nelson and surrounding areas. Nelson has some of the finest beaches in New Zealand and 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 area. Aloha Lodge.

DAY 11 Nelson - Punakaiki (310 km). The Northern West Coast experience - historic gold mines, scenic all the way. A mainly coastal ride takes us past the Coaltown Museum in Westport and Tauranga Bay seal colonies, as well as Spooner’s Range and famous the Buller River and Gorge, worth a ride in both directions! And you can also take time out for some white-water rafting and jet boating. Punakaiki Cottages.

DAY 12 Punakaiki - Kaikoura (375 km). Today we head east over the mountains with a choice of the beautiful Lewis Pass via the old mining town of Reefton, dense forests and mountain views, until we reach the pass at 864m altitude. We leave the mountains following the Waiau River valley through Hanmer Hot Springs before turning north to the famous whaling town and Maori cultural centre of Kaikoura. Blue Seas Motel.

DAY 13 Kaikoura - Christchurch (170 km). We’ve allowed time today for a spot of whale watching (weather permitting!). If you think it looks good on TV, the real thing will absolutely take your breath away! We end our tour with a short ride south to Christchurch. If there’s time, we’ll take a ride to Akaroa or Little River, just to seal those memories. Then it is time for our Farewell Dinner. Cotswold Hotel.

DAY 14 Depart Christchurch. Sadly, it’s time to return the bikes, bid farewell to the NZ crew and all of your new friends, and head for home, with all those memories …Was it worth flying around the world for?! I think so! But before you go, if there’s time why not visit the famous Botanical Gardens, the Antarctic Museum, or Hagley Park.

Total distance c. 3000 km

Ready to book? Please click here

Price includes: 13 nights’ accommodation in tourist hotels, 4 breakfasts, 2 dinners, Interislander ferry, 12 days motorcycle hire including luggage and unlimited mileage, motorcycle insurance (excluding optional CDR), local motorcycle guide and support/luggage vehicle, tour book, maps, airport transfers.

Price excludes: Flights, travel insurance, pre-/post-tour accommodation (all of these may be arranged through H-C Travel), petrol, meals not stated above, riding gear, personal items and expenses.

Please refer to our rental pages for more information on the motorcycles available

Any questions? Please click here

On the Beach Tour

Dates

BMW F650GS Honda VLX600 Honda VT750 Honda VT1100 Kawa EX500 Suzuki SV650 Suzuki DL650 Yamaha FZ6

BMW F650Twin BMW R1200R Honda VFR800 Honda ST1300 Suzuki GSF1250 Suzuki DL1000

BMW R1200GS BMW R1200RT Ducati ST3S Duc Multistrada

Passenger

Sgl rm suppl.

14 Feb - 27 Feb 2011

£3,245

£3,595

£3,925

£2,145

£625

13 Feb - 26 Feb 2012

£3,245

£3,595

£3,925

£2,145

£625

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