Details
Beginning and ending in the English style city of Christchurch; after picking up your bike you will ride through the rugged mountains of the Southern Alps running the length of the Sth Island, riding along beautiful sweeping coastal roads, through old growth forests, and rugged hill country. While enjoying gentle sweeping corners mixed with twisty back roads.
The roads in NZ are in good condition, with light traffic outside the cities. Aside from encountering roads under repair, you will not be required to ride on any unsealed roads.
This tour is suitable for Intermediate or Advanced riders. Note: New Zealanders drive on the left-hand side of the road and so must you.
Accommodations range from deluxe quality hotels and modern cabins to authentic “turn-of-the-century” hotels.
Tour Highlights: (*Optional on Self-Guided tours)
- A visit to a turn of the century gold rush town. *
- Visit the world-famous Milford Sounds.
- View the “World’s fastest Indian” display.
- See New Zealand’s amazing Niagara Falls.
- Enjoy thermal hot pools. *
- Fly above the trees while Zip Lining. *
- Thrill to a white water, jet boat river ride. *
- Visit the bottom of the South Island.
- Enjoy a gondola ride to view Queenstown from above. *
- Visit amazing Punakaiki (Pancake Rocks).
- Visit the steepest street in the world.
Use your own motorcycle or rent one of our touring motorcycles, which are licensed, safety inspected and verified by the NZ government.
A valid Passport along with appropriate pre-approval is required for entry into New Zealand.
A current Driver's License with motorcycle endorsement from your country of residence is required for motorcycle rental.
Tour Itinerary
Day #1 Shuttle to Hotel
You will be met at Christchurch International Airport and shuttled first to your hotel to check in, and then to pick up your bike.
The rest of the day is set aside to allow you to settle in and rest up before the adventure begins tomorrow—or you can visit some of the city sights.
Day #2 Christchurch to Blackball 250 km / 155 mi route (Approx. 3:50 hrs. riding)
Leaving the old English-style city, you will find that getting comfortable with your bike will be easy as you head across the plains before beginning the twisting climb into the Southern Alps. Stopping near the top to watch the native Kea parrots is a great photo opportunity.
Continuing down from the pass and through scattered native bush brings you to your stop for the night. This 200-year-old hotel is full of history and maybe a ghost or two. It’s also home to the best chef we’ve come across in the South Island.
Day #3 Blackball to Kaikoura 325 km / 200 mi route (Approx. 4:45 hrs. riding)
After a relaxing breakfast, hit the road and cruise between rich farmlands and patches of thick native bush on meandering well-maintained roads.
Today will take you back through the Southern Alps. Stop for an optional swim in hot pools along the way. As you leave this picturesque location, you’ll ride along the base of the coastal mountain range to your stop for the night in a peaceful seaside town.
Day #4 Kaikoura to Nelson 280 km / 170 mi route (Approx. 4:15 hrs. riding)
Picturesque seascapes, winding roads, native bush, changing elevations, and numerous photo stops are the highlights of today’s ride. This is a GoPro day. (Make sure your GoPro is ready with plenty of back up batteries.) Stopping at any of the small local restaurants to sample fresh seafood—along with some optional zip-lining, if you like—makes this a fun day.
Day #5 Nelson to Westport 265 km / 160 mi route (Approx. 3:45 hrs. riding)
Heading towards the coast through bush-covered hill leads you to some excellent gorge riding. With fantastic cornering and great scenery, this is another GoPro day (there will be lots more on this tour). Have those batteries charged and ready.
Day #6—Free Day Westport Loop Optional - 200 km / 120 mi route (Approx. 3:00 hrs. riding)
Today is a free day for you to catch up on all those important things—like sorting photos, updating your journals and notes, even taking care of that pesky laundry.
Optional local ride routes are available for you to explore the area if the thought of doing laundry doesn’t appeal to you.
Day #7 Westport to Fox Glacier 305 km / 190 mi route (Approx. 4:40 hrs. riding)
Today’s ride takes you along the world-famous coastal highway, sweeping through fantastic corners, racing past rocky outcrops, and cheering at the top of your lungs all the way. Mix this with some fantastic stops for unique scenery, and you have a ride location that is simply amazing.
Day #8 Fox Glacier to Cardrona 285 km / 180 mi route (Approx. 4:15 hrs. riding)
If you love waterfalls, wild bush, misty mountains, and easy sweepers, then today is your day. The road will take you alongside lakes, rivers, and other great photo opportunities. Also, another great GoPro day. You’ll end the day at a quaint country pub/hotel.
Day #9 Cardrona to Queenstown 50 km / 30 mi route (Approx. 1:15 hrs. riding)
Sleep in, have a lazy breakfast and then set out for an easy ride through some tight corners towards the adventure capital of New Zealand. Spend the balance of the day and the evening enjoying some of the many features that are available.
Day #10 Queenstown Loop 100 km / 65 mi route (Approx. 2:00 hrs. riding)
Today is a treat for all adventure junkies—an optional jet boat ride, a gondola ride, zip-lining, or a more relaxed steamer cruise on the lake, enjoying some optional easy riding. Or it could be another casual day to catch up on managing your notes and photos, writing down all the key points of the tour so far, sending postcards, and even dealing with that pesky laundry thing again.
Day #11 Queenstown to Te Anau including Milford Sound 410 km / 250 mi route (Approx. 5:50 hrs. riding)
After breakfast, you’ll follow the sweeping lake shore south to Te Anau where you’ll check into your accommodations. If you want, you can then ride out to Milford Sounds before returning for the night.
Day #12 Te Anau to Invercargill 240 km / 150 mi route (Approx. 3:30 hrs. riding)
Today will take you to the south end of the highway (photo op) and a night’s stay in a peaceful southern city. For dinner we suggest Fish & Chips, with Oysters (if the season is right) and maybe a beer.
Along the way, stop to see the “World’s Fastest Indian” display.
Day #13 Invercargill to Dunedin 255 km / 155 mi route (Approx. 4:00 hrs. riding)
Imagine a visit to Niagara Falls. Yes, these are real (another photo op). After enjoying the falls, you will climb steadily through great scenery. The day ends in Dunedin, a city with a distinct Scottish flavor. It’s also the home of a great brewery (but more about that later).
Day #14 Dunedin Loop 420 km / 260 mi route (Approx. 5:30 hrs. riding)
Taking a loop through the foothills lets you view the mountains from up close, while you lose yourself in the ride. If you think this looks like where an Orc battle could have taken place, you’re right.
Day #15 Free day Dunedin 0 km / 0 mi route (Approx. 0:00 hrs. riding)
Today is a free day with nothing planned. There are several sight-seeing options available in this interesting city. One suggestion, however, is a visit to Baldwin Street—The Steepest Street in the World. Or you could catch up on that troublesome laundry again.
Make time for lunch at Speights Brewery.
Day #16 Dunedin to Timaru 470 km / 290 mi route (Approx. 6:00 hrs. riding)
Heading inland lets you enjoy some great rolling country, cruising alongside picturesque lakes and enjoying the moment. The day ends on the coast for a relaxing evening.
Day #17 Timaru to Christchurch 300 km / 185 mi route (Approx. 5:30 hrs. riding)
The road continues to call your name for one more day of fun riding. This day loops back into Christchurch through more amazing scenery. With no time deadlines today, you set the pace and just live the dream. After some relaxing riding around the inlets of Akaroa, you will return to Christchurch to drop off your bike and catch your shuttle to the hotel, for that final sorting and packing. A farewell dinner wraps up the day.
Day #18 Christchurch hotel to airport
After a typical NZ breakfast, you will catch your shuttle to the airport. This shuttle ride is filled with talk about the adventure you’ve just had and the fun experienced.
Now is the time to start planning your next Pohutukawa Motorcycle Tour in New Zealand or North America.
If you want to stay on for additional nights that can be arranged.
Included in your Fully Guided Tour Package
(Incidentals & options are not included unless listed or prearranged)
- Printed Tour Guidebook including maps.
- Bike rental including motorcycle insurance. (Excluding Damage Waiver or Auxiliary Equipment such as GPS or optional fittings)
- All accommodation. Day 1 of tour through to last night of tour. Extra nights before or after can be arranged.
- Shuttles (transfers) to & from hotel, airport & bike rental location.
Not Included in your Tour Package
(Rider / Pillion responsibility)
- Airfare.
- Damage Waivers (Bonds) on rental bikes.
- Optional equipment add-on’s to rental bikes.
- Fuel.
- All meals.
- Ferry fees.
- Special/optional events.
- Access into various attractions such as:
- Museums & Interpretive Centers.
- Various native wild-life displays, glowworm caves and native bush tours.
- National & Provincial Parks, Hot Springs, and Hobbiton.
- Incidentals and other costs once inside various attractions. i.e. rental of bathing suits or towels.
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