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For those who want a fully guided two island tour without the frills, this is the tour for you. From Cape Reinga to Bluff in 3 weeks, staying in comfortable motel-style accommodation and in a relaxed informal manner. We will take you on a fantastic holiday around New Zealand’s lush green rainforests, picture perfect coastline, high mountains and empty roads, under the big, beautiful southern sky, all in pleasant, mild autumn days. We provide full back up support along the way to make your holiday free of worry.

Little did I realise when I booked to go on a guided tour of New Zealand in March that it would provide one of the most exciting motorcycle trips of my life. The last few days made me really appreciate having an experienced guide on the tour. John was brilliant throughout the three weeks and his advice about which roads offered the best riding and views also made the tour that much more enjoyable.

Derek Jones, UK, 2007

Highlights

• Akaroa and the Banks Peninsula
• Milford Sound
• Queenstown
• Fox / Franz Josef Glaciers
• West Coast wildlife
• Interislander ferry
• Northern Kauri Forests & giant trees
• Maori Concert Evening
• Bay of Islands
• Delicious diet shattering food
• Back-up/luggage vehicle
• Your tour guide

Itinerary

For 2011 the tour will run in reverse, Auckland – Christchurch.

DAY 1 Arrive Christchurch. We will meet you at the airport and transfer you to our tour hotel. Visit the famous Botanical Gardens, the Antarctic Museum, or Hagley Park. Meet your fellow riders in the evening for our Welcome Dinner. Cotswold Inn.

Day 2 Christchurch – Akaroa – Christchurch (200 km).

The road to Akaroa and around the harbours of Banks Peninsula will take you on a spectacular mountainous journey making today a great opener for your NZ mountain tour. Big bends and endless curves are the road features for the day. Once out of town the views and roads just get better and better. Just 75 km from the city of Christchurch, Akaroa is a historic French and British settlement nestled in the heart of an ancient volcano. Explore the village with its colonial architecture, galleries, craft stores, and cafés. Relax or take part in the many activities that are on offer. Explore the dramatic outer bays and take your time to soak in the magic of this area. Cotswold Inn.

DAY 3 Christchurch – Twizel (280 km). Our tour starts in earnest today with a leisurely ride across the Canterbury Plain and into the foothills of the Southern Alps. We pass scenic Lake Tekapo on our way to Twizel, in the centre of the south island. Mackenzie Country Inn.

DAY 4 Twizel – Dunedin (330 km). LeavingTwizel, we head up to Mount Cook for a coffee and then there are two options for your ride to Dunedin. Coast or inland, both routes are awesome. Inland via the Victorian gold rush town of Cromwell, we stop at the historic gold-mining town of St Bathan’s, with time for a drink at the famous Vulcan Hotel and on to Ranfurly. For a coastal ride we follow the gold trail to the Pacific coast. before continuing past the famous boulders at Moeraki, and on to Dunedin, with its Scottish style and history. Aaron Lodge.

DAY 5 Dunedin - Te Anau (290 km). Say goodbye to the pounding surf of the deep blue South Pacific Ocean as we head inland across rolling green farmland covered in white woolly sheep, the land is scarred by wide river torrents and becomes more mountainous as the day winds on. As we reach Fjordland, with its many mirror-like lakes reflecting snow-capped mountains, you will see why they call this one of the most scenic places on earth! Village Inn.

DAY 6 Te Anau - Milford Sound – Te Anau (240 km). An enjoyable morning’s ride takes us to the spectacular Milford Sound, where we take a bewitching cruise down the fjord and back. The riding along twisting roads is every bit a match for the cruise. Village Inn.

DAY 7 Te Anau - Queenstown (195 km). Today we head north to the adventure capital of New Zealand, Queenstown. It can be a short ride or a long one, the choice is yours. The short route Queenstown is only 2 hours, so you can get there quickly and start enjoying some of the many activities this small town offers. 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. Lake View Holiday Park.

DAY 8 Queenstown (free day). An opportunity 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, it’s the home of bunjee jumping. There are too many more to mention! 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. Lake View Holiday Park.

DAY 9 Queenstown - Fox Glacier (265 km). Leaving Queenstown, we ride along the shores of Lakes Wanaka and Hawea, through the subtropical rainforest of Haast Pass, and then follow the rugged west coast north to the spectacular Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers in the heart of Westland National Park. There’s time to walk on the glaciers, take a helicopter ride or a helihike. Lake Mattheson Motel.

DAY 10 Fox Glacier - Westport (320 km). Today is a day of choices. The shortest route with side trips: the gravel road towards Sentinel Rock with its impressive views of the glacier; the sheepskin factory in Ross; a ride around Lake Kaniere, Hokitika Gorge and the Styx River; the Glow Worm Dell and greenstone factory at Hokitika and the reconstructed gold-mining shanty town near Greymouth. Or for those looking for a longer day, there’s the choice of some serious riding as we head inland and up Arthur’s Pass for lunch and back to the west via Stillwater and Reefton taking us to Westport. Bella Vista Motel.

DAY 11 Westport – Nelson (235 km). Today’s ride takes us past the Coaltown Museum in Westport and Tauranga Bay seal colonies before we turn inland on one of the most gorgeous roads you can imagine. Closer to Nelson along the way you can stop at vineyards for some wine to take with you or orchards for fresh fruit to snack on. Murchison has the most diet shattering cafes that are perfect for lunch, and you are entering the region for arts and crafts so keep a look out for some great souvenirs to take home. For a longer ride you can go further inland to Lewis Pass and stop for lunch at Springs Junction, which will suit those who want to experience both of the south islands exquisite passes on this tour. You can also take time out for some white-water rafting or jet boating. Aloha Lodge.

DAY 12 Nelson (free day). Today it’s 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 area. Aloha Lodge.

DAY 13 Nelson – Wellington (ferry, 110 km). Our short ride to the ferry at Picton gives us 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 and a chance to see passing whales and albatross, so keep your camera ready. Spinnaker Motel.

DAY 14 Wellington – Havelock North (335 km). Leaving Wellington, our first stop is Featherston Summit (555 m), with more spectacular views. Then we 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 the Mt Bruce Wildlife Sanctuary. From there we travel though the impressive Manawatu Gorge and on to our overnight stay in Havelock North. Wine Country Motor Lodge.

DAY 15 Havelock North – Rotorua (250 km). There are two possible routes to take today, the decision is yours. Just be sure to visit Napier beach and the local wineries before relaxing in Taupo’s famous thermal pools. We are now in the midst of the North Island’s thermal area, so don’t miss Wairakei, Waiotapu and Whakarewarewa. And do find the hidden valley of Orakei Korako. This evening there’s an optional Maori evening, 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. Kingsgate Hotel.

DAY 16 Rotorua – Auckland (320 km). Rotorua is also a main natural home of the glow worm, and their displays are quite beautiful. Our ride today takes us up to Tauranga on the Bay of Plenty before following the coast to Coromandel Forest Park and round the beautiful Coromandel Peninsula. Some say this is Cornwall on a good day! We leave Coromandel and ride through rainforest along excellent winding roads, following the coast north to Kawakawa Bay. We can also visit a marine park in Paeroa, with a fully restored PT boat before our ride into Auckland, the City of Sails’. Barrycourt Hotel.

DAY 17 Auckland - Paihia (230 km). A long gentle day, with time to stop at the Matakohe Kauri Museum near Dargaville, with it’s fine example of a 17-m Maori canoe. The museum is built of bricks from mud that came as ballast on ships from China. Also on Route 12 is the giant kauri tree “Tane Mahuta” in the Waipoua Kauri Forest Reserve, a nice spot for a rest and to admire these huge trees. Haruru Falls Resort.

DAY 18 Paihia (free day). There’s plenty to do, with white sandy beaches, clear blue seas and lots of interesting sites all around. Go to the Waitangi National Reserve and the Treaty House (where the (in)famous treaty was signed), ride to Kerikeri, Awanui and Cape Reinga on New Zealand’s northernmost tip. Take a bus to Ninety Mile Beach, go sailing, scuba diving or deep sea fishing, try the “Hole in the Rock” cruise and visit the Captain Cook Memorial Museum in Russell. Haruru Falls Resort.

DAY 19 Paihia – Auckland (275 km). Our final day’s ride takes us 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, to get you prepared for tomorrow’s long flight home. Barrycourt Hotel.

DAY 20 Depart Auckland. Sadly, it’s time to return the bikes, bid farewell, and head for home, with all those memories …Was it worth flying around the world for?! I think so!

Total distance  c. 4000 km

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Price includes: 19 nights standard accommodation including 4 breakfasts, 3 dinners, Milford Sound cruise, Interislander ferry, Maori Concert Evening and Feast, 18 days motorcycle hire including luggage and unlimited mileage, full motorcycle insurance, local motorcycle guide, support/luggage vehicle, airport transfers, tour book, maps, tour gift.

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), Maori evening (bookable with your guide), petrol, meals not stated above, riding gear, personal items and expenses.

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

Also available as a self-guided tour, please refer to our Self-guided Tour pages

Any questions? Please click here

 |Southern Moonlight | On the Beach | Mountain Kings | Explore New Zealand | Maori Discovery | FAQs |
| Self-Guided Tours | Rentals | Guided Tours |

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