South Island Tour
Tour Details
Duration: 10 Days & 11 Nights
Tour Dates: Enquire
Departure & Return: Christchurch city
Travel: New Zealand South Island
Min Age: 21+
Maximum Group: 20
Tour Summary
New Zealand (or Aotearoa – land of the long white cloud), truly is one of the most picturesque and photogenic places on earth. A small island nation of just over 4.5 million people, New Zealand is made up of two major land masses (North Islandand South Island) and a number of smaller islands including Stewart Island located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. The two main islands are divided by a 22km stretch of water called the Cook Strait.
New Zealand is located approximately 1,500km east of Australia and about 1,000km from the Pacific Islands. Due to its relative remoteness and being water locked, New Zealand was one of the last countries to be found and settled.
The country is made up of some of the worlds most spectacular landscapes, from vast mountain ranges, steaming volcanoes to sweeping coastlines. It is a natural playground for thrill seekers and adventurers and those who simply want to visit for the culture and landscapes.
The South Island of New Zealand is renowned for its mountains, lakes and glaciers. The Southern Alps, home to 3,724m-high Aoraki Mt. Cook, run along the entire length of the island. In the southwest is Fiordland National Park, with steep-sided Milford Sound. In the north is Abel Tasman National Park, known for its trails and ocean kayaking. Queenstown is famed for adventure sports like bungee jumping and skiing.
SOUTH ISLAND ITINERARY
Welcome
Welcome to Christchurch. Christchurch is the city of exploration and well known for the 2011 earthquake, a refreshing urban centre now full of new secrets to discover. Ōtautahi Christchurch is the basecamp for southern exploration, the likes of Kaikōura, Hanmer Springs, and the epic Southern Alps, all within reach of Aotearoa’s newest city.
Day 1
Christchurch to Nelson (via Kaikorura)
424 KM – 263 Miles
Upon completion of picking up our bikes we will head north out of the city towards Kaikoura, which is a coastal town well known for its abundance of wildlife home to New Zealand sperm whales and fur seals. We continue to ride along the coast and arrive at our destination Nelson. The ride offers spectacular views of the beautiful coastline.
DAY 2
NELSON TO PUNAKAIKI
265 KM – 164 Miles
Today we ride inland across the top of the South Island through the Buller Gorge. This is a beautiful ride along the Buller River and through the twisting Gorge. Then onto the West Coast down to Punakaiki for the evening.
Day 3
Punakaiki – Hanmer Springs (via Lewis Pass)
252 KM – 157 Miles
Riding out today we head, over twists and turns with impressive scenery we travel through Lewis Pass which is one of the three main passes across the Southern Alps. We pass through extensive Beech Forest (Native tree) and onto our destination Hanmer Springs, which is ringed by mountains and has a slightly European feel, enhanced by the fact that many of the streets are named after English spa towns (Bath, Harrogate, Leamington). The town is the main thermal resort of the South Island. This evening you can choose to soak in the famous hot springs.
Day 4
Hanmer Springs to Hokitika (via Arthurs Pass)
355 KM – 221 Miles
Leaving Hanmer Springs we head to Amberly then turn inland to ride through Arthurs Pass which is an impressive mountain pass in the heart of the southern alps – its high mountains with large slopes, deep gorges and wide rivers straddle the main divide and are the backbone of the South Island, which makes for fantastic riding, ending up on the west coast in Hokitika where we are to spend the night.
Day 5
Hokitika – Wanaka
419 KM – 260 Miles
Following the beautiful west coast, we continue further south through more incredible scenery and then head inland and ride along the side of the beautiful lakes and into the stunning town of Wanaka.
Day 6
Wanaka to Te Anau (via Queenstown)
239 KM – 148 Miles
Today we ride on down into Queenstown, the adventure capital of the world. You can choose to spend the day sightseeing around this spectacular town or for those that don’t wish to do so can take a ride out to Glenorchy along the shores of Lake Wakatipu. We then all head out of Queenstown towards Te Anau where we will settle in for the night.
Day 7
TE ANAU TO MILFORD SOUNDS
119 KM – 74 Miles
Today we head directly to Milford Sounds where we will be taken on a boat trip in and around the spectacular Sounds. A real bucket list activity for everyone. After this we head back to Te Anau for the evening. This is a fantastic ride – including a one-kilometre one-way tunnel.
Day 8
TE ANAU TO ALEXANDRA (VIA INVERCARGILL)
360 KM – 224 Miles
Today we leave Te Anau and head to Invercargill, where we will stop to explore the famous Bert Munro Museum. We then continue onto Alexandra. Today’s ride covers rugged countryside, farmland and some coastal riding.
Day 9
Alexandra – Timaru (via Mount Cook)
441 KM – 274 Miles
This morning we ride out to view Mount Cook with more stunning lakes alongside our ride. Mt Cook is the highest mountain in New Zealand, making it popular with the trekking population and has New Zealand’s most extreme alpine environment. Mountains, glaciers, lakes, braided rivers, valleys, and snow – It is all here.
Day 10
Timaru – Christchurch
165 KM – 103 Miles
Today we leave Timaru riding through to the Garden City of Christchurch to complete our tour.
What is Included and Excluded on Motorcycle Tour Package?
What’s included on the tour
Late Model Harley Davidson Motorcycle
2 experienced and professional guides
Bottled water carried in support vehicle
Born2Ride T Shirt
Accommodation 3-4 star plus
Transfer from accommodation to bike pick up
Transfer from bike drop off to last night accommodation
Welcome dinner
Farewell dinner
Introductory briefing (including Health and Safety) on Meet and Greet Evening
Safety briefing at the beginning of the tour every morning
Support vehicle with 1 spare seat, if needed, for a passenger
Luggage allowance per person is up to 1 x 25 kg bag. Any extra will have to be carried on your bike
Entry to Lake Taupo Boat Tour (Includes 2 X Beverages and Pizza Snack)
Entry to Maori Culture evening (Includes Dinner)
Entry to Waitomo Caves
What’s not included on the tour
Fuel for motorcycle
Any private or personal expenses
Personal/Travel insurance
Alcoholic beverages
Airfares International or Domestic
Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner (except where mentioned)
Comprehensive Motorcycle Insurance bond to be paid on collection of bikes to rental company of $3000. Refunded if bike returned in condition outlined in Terms and Conditions. (To be paid by a Major Credit Card)
Reviews
North Island Tour
Born2Ride Tours Newzealand was Owesome…Its a highly recommended tour…
The Roads, the views, the weather, the accommodation n the food were so amazing beautiful…
Thanks a lot Wendy, Ross, Allan and Kerry for your kindness n well-organized tour and also for an unforgettable tour ever… 😍
NZ North Island Tour 2020
I am motorcycling since nearly 50 years and over the period have been lucky enough to do so on four continents.
New Zealand stands out, offering a unique and enduring experience of enjoyable roads, usually in good condition, winding through exhilarating scenery.
Born2Ride excellently organized the bikes, the daily stages, the routing and the overnight stays. Every effort was made to adapt the tour to rider’s interests and preferences. More than this, the Born2Ride team demonstrated throughout a very personal touch, making the experience one of riding with friends.