Touring New Zealand, any ideas ?

[russ_fae_fyvie]

OK guys, to celebrate our 30th wedding next year and my missus's 50th, we've decided to go touring down under but we're looking for some advice cos obviously we've never done anything like this before, soooooooooo, some questions for anyone who's done it.

1. Is there anywhere in NZ where you can hire Blackbirds (obvious first question!)
2. Are there any recommeded hire companies (I can find loads on the Internet, but are they all any good?)
3. Which time of the year is best ?
4. Which Island is best for touring ?
5. Is it best to do B&B and keep moving or stay in 1 or 2 places and tour from there (we aint camping!!)

If there is any other practical advice I'd be interested to hear.

This is our 'holiday of a lifetime' so we want to make sure we're doing as much as we can beforehand to make sure it runs smoothly and we see as much as we can, within reason. Don't want to end up totalyl shagged from too much riding, want a nice balance between seeing the country and riding.

So if any of you reprobates have any advice I'd be interested to hear your thoughts.

Cheers people

:yo:

 

[Stuey]

Hi Russ,

I had 5 weeks over there in '94, although I didn't do it on a bike but in a cage.
Its all very quite apart from the 3 or 4 larger towns (cities) but the South island really is something else. Rather like Scotland but warmer in the summer.
How long you thinking of going for?
I stayed with my old man's cousin on the North island, but did B & B's on the south island, which were easy to find and usually reasonably priced.

Geoff James is the man to get in touch with, he now lives out there on the North island.

Stu

 

[Mac166]

try contacting this guy. www.riderskills.co.nz He is called Phil. Ex TVAM who worked for me training to do CBT's prior to emmigrating to NZ,


He may be able to help. I know he was talking of doing touring once he had his training school set up.

Stu

 

[russ_fae_fyvie]

Cheers Stu, will do !

:bow:

 

[kflynn]

Spent a honeymoon there a few years ago. Didn't get the opportunity to drive a bike but I wish I had because the roads are outrageously good.

Both the North and South Island are great, I prefered the South personally. B&B's are the way to go, we spent two weeks of four driving a hire car from place to place. B&B's are of superb quality and excellent value for money. Really, when there's so much to do and see, as there is in a country like NZ, you need to travel around to get the best of it.

Winter here is high summer there. Summer there is definitely the best time to go, since they get plenty of cold and rain in the winter.

 

[kflynn]

And check out www.purenz.com

 

[Samster]

There used to be a company a couple of years ago that specialised in tours of NZ on VFR800i's........... it was called 'TourVFR' or similar.........can't find them at the moment but will keep looking for you.

In all honesty, consider doing it on a big Harley with a good sound system and cruise control. It's the only way. The missus will be far more comfortable, you'll be able to take everything you need in the panniers, and because you'll be so chilled, comfortable and relaxed you can really appreciate the surroundings........

We did North America for our honeymoon............write up is here: http://www.bikersoracle.com/blackbird/forum/showthread.php?t=13088

 

[Pugwash]

OK guys, to celebrate our 30th wedding next year and my missus's 50th

Just wondering how she put in 20 years more than you?