We have teamed up with world-famous motorcycle adventurer Ted Simon for a genuine 'once-in-a-lifetime' motorcycle tour of New Zealand. Nobody can remember the last time Ted went on tour in such an organised fashion, and so there is a pretty good chance he won't be doing anything like this again in a hurry. We are limiting the number of motorcycles on the tour, so if you want to the ride the legendary New Zealand roads, through legendary scenery, with a legend, then book early to avoid disappointment.
You can ride with Ted every day, swap stories, learn a lot, AND have a
fantastic holiday. We have developed the perfect tour itinerary, taking in the best of the North and South Islands in a fabulous fortnight of riding.
Highlights
* Ride with Ted Simon world renown author of "Jupiter's
Travels". That should be enough in itself, but there is more ....
* Maori Concert Evening including a traditional Maori Feast
* 2 Free days to explore Queenstown and Nelson
* Speciality accommodation on farmstays
* Queenstown
* Fox / Franz Josef Glaciers
* West Coast wildlife
* Interislander ferry
* Food and drink
Itinerary
DAY 1 Arrive Auckland. We will meet you at the airport and transfer you to our hotel. Depending on how you feel after the long flight, either take a walk around and see the sights of Auckland or a short guided bike ride to Wellsford to get familiar with the bike. Then, dinner in the evening with Ted Simon and your 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 - Rotorua (350 km, with Coromandel Loop 630 km). Today our tour starts in earnest. We leave Auckland and head for Waiwera's thermal pools and a marine park in Paeroa, with a fully restored PT boat. We ride along excellent winding roads, through rainforests, and on to Rotorua via Tauranga and around volcanoes along the way. If you feel up for it, there is a scenic loop through the Coromandel Peninsula, a
fabulous ride. This evening it's 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. Rotorua is also a main natural home of the glowworm, and their displays are quite beautiful, so keep an eye out for their displays. Kingsgate Hotel.
DAY 3 Rotorua - Hawkes Bay (215 km). There may be time to relax in Taupo's famous thermal pools before visiting Napier Beach and the local wineries. We are now in the midst of the North Island's thermal area, so
don't miss Wairakei and Whakarewarewa. And do find the hidden valley of Orakei Korako. Hawkes Bay is very scenic, and you may want to lunch at any of the many vineyards, before arriving at your allocated Farm Stay in time for a farm tour and home cooked dinner in the evening with your hosts.
DAY 4 Hawkes Bay - Wellington (270 km). This morning we meet at a designated cafe then ride 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. Museum Hotel.
DAY 5 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. 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. Delorenzo's Hotel.
DAY 6 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 New Zealand's main wine producing area. Delorenzo's.
DAY 7 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 jetboating. Punakaiki Resort.
DAY 8 Punakaiki - Fox Glacier (250 km). Today we continue south down the West Coast, with time to see some of the indigenous wildlife - seals, kiwis, penguins, dolphins and the rare White Heron, and the
famous Pancake Rock and blowholes in Punakaiki. Our ride ends at the spectacular Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers in the heart of Westland National Park. There's time to walk on the glaciers, take a helicopter
ride or a helihike. Glacier Hotel.
DAY 9 Fox Glacier - Queenstown (450 km). Today we ride to Queenstown. Heading south out of Fox Glacier we ride through the subtropical rainforest of Haast Pass, one of the most spectacular roads in the
country and then east - a lovely relaxing, scenic ride, just a day to enjoy. At dinner tonight with Ted and the guides you can discuss the following day of excitement. St Moritz Hotel.
DAY 10 Queenstown (free day). An opportunity to sample some of the many activities in the 'playground of the South', such as Shotover River jetboating, tandem skydiving, fly fishing, white-water rafting, a vintage steam cruise and of course bunjee jumping. And 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. St
Moritz Hotel.
DAY 11 Queenstown - Dunedin (305 km). We head out of the mountains and across rolling green farmland covered in white woolly sheep, towards the rolling surf of the South Pacific and on to Dunedin, with its Scottish style and history. Tonight's hotel is always a highlight - a beautifully restored castle with a lot to offer: history, scandals, ghosts. It's all there plus dinner with Ted and the guides tonight. Larnach Castle.
DAY 12 Dunedin - Mount Cook (375 km). From castles to mountains. Leaving Dunedin past the famous boulders at Moeraki, we follow the Gold Trail to the historic gold-mining town of St Bathan's, with time for a
drink at the famous Vulcan Hotel. We then ride through Cromwell and Victoria and into the alpine region of NZ. Our hotel is a world renowned destination and gateway to the Alps. Dine with Ted and the guides. The
Hermitage.
DAY 13 Mount Cook - Christchurch (360 km). Our final day and we all ride to Christchurch via Arthur's Pass. If there's time, we'll take a final ride out to Akaroa or Motukarara. This really is a ride that will remind
you of the fun you've had - big, never ending curves and twisting roads. A farewell dinner with Ted and the Guides and your new friends. Chateau on the Park.
DAY 14 Depart Christchurch. Sadly, it's time to return the bikes, bid farewell to Ted, the NZ team 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 the world famous Arts Centre....
Total distance 3200 km
Price includes: 13 nights accommodation in quality hotels, 1 nt farmstay, all with private facilities, 13 breakfasts, 11 dinners, Maori hangi and concert, interislander ferry, 13 days motorcycle hire, full motorcycle insurance, unlimited mileage, local motorcycle guide, support/luggage vehicle; tourbook;
maps; airport transfers.
Price excludes: Flights, travel insurance, pre-/post-tour accommodation (all of these may be arranged through us or your travel agent), petrol, meals not stated above, personal items and expenses.
Bookings can be made directly with us or with our representative close to you.
Uk Agent - HC Travel David.Grist@hctravel.com
USA Agent - Fred Rau Tours fred@fredrau.com
Australian Agent - Mainstreet Travel shaun@mainstreettravel.com.au
Japan Agent - E & G Travel eandg@i.bekkoame.ne.jp
Please refer to our rental pages for more information on the motorcycles
available
