New Zealand

Hi,

am going to NZ in November, thought I might stay for a bit longer and rent a
bike perhaps - maybe for 10 days or so around South Island if feasible.

Doubtless this has been asked many times before but .. anyone have any
recommendations/links /warnings etc?

much appreciated,

el

 

Be very wary of motorcyclists in deerskin jackets.

Theo

 

I just got home a fortnight ago from a 10 day trip around the South Island
but I stupidly drove a motorhome.
It really is paradise and would be a dream on a bike.

Dave Milligan from Get Routed http://www.getrouted.com.au/ is a good source
of advice and could maybe even organise the bike for you.
Good luck.... lucky-bastard!

 

There's another way to drive a Toyotabago??

 

Actually the was the even stupider Fordobago!
The van itself was fine but the weirdo "tiptronic" automatic gearbox just
had a mind of it's own.
Sometimes it'd go from stupid to totally-ludicrous with just one shift.

 

On 9/10/06 1:59 PM, in article
4529c8d3$0$21257$, "eloquentloser" <writeto
-eloquentloser at h*tmail> wrote:

Hi

I found that lots of tourists/drivers who seemed to be from northern
hemisphere (just guessing, but they were in hire cars and winnebagos) who
drive on the other side of the road tended to continue to drive on the other
side of the road in NZ. So be careful on those tight corners on the sth
island.

Happy traveling
Bronnie

 

http://www.motorcyclesnewzealand.co.nz/default.asp

These guys are reputed to be OK - I not dealt with them myself, just a
friend of a friend used them. As far as touring goes - I'm from a
small town on the West Coast of the South Island originally - my advice
would be to head to this area, as it's probably the most scenic part of
NZ, with some of the best twisties you'll ever see in your life! Get
yourself to Picton - which is where the ferry from Wellington comes in
- or Nelson, then head down to Westport, then down the coast. Stop off
at for caving at Charleston (OK, shameless plug there - my father runs
www.caverafting.com), Puanakaiki (Pancake rocks), Hokitika, the
glaciers. Head over the Haast pass to Queenstown/Wanaka, and if you
have time, go through to Milford Sound - it's about 4-5 hours one way,
but a stunning area, and simply spectacular once you get there. Just
remember to take your insect repellent. Back to Queenstown, then up
through the MacKenzie basin towards Twizel and Tekapo, with a visit to
the Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park. Keep on going to Christchurch, then
up the fantastic coast road to Kaikoura - swim with the dolphins or go
whale watching here. A short hop from there back up to Nelson or
Picton, and you're done!

Well, that's what I'd do anyway... You'll love it!

Have fun
Aidan

 

(snip)
I reckon the Twizel/Tekapo area and the Lake Hawea area are what riding
roads in heaven must be like.

 

It's a real problem on the Great Ocean Road in Vic as well.. so much so
that there are signs on the wrong side of the road reminding drives to
drive on the other side of the road.

Nev..
'04 CBR1100XX

 

Thanks very much to those who replied - will let you know how it goes

el