12 day north and south island tours nz
Auckland to Christchurch and Christchurch to Auckland, New Zealand.
Auckland accommodation is provided the night prior to the tour - explore the vibrant city of Auckland - sail around the Hauraki Gulf on an Americas Cup Yacht. Look at our 'Add-on Tour Activities' page for exciting Auckland activities. Meet up in the evening to fill out your paperwork and get to know your New Zealand tour guides.
On this tour we ride from Auckland to Rotorua, where thermal activity produces bubbling mud and huge geysers. Experience Maori culture and join a traditional 'Hangi' feast cooked on hot rocks. This unique experience is included in your tour.
Lake Taupo, largest lake in New Zealand, is our next stop. Lake Taupo is the holiday playground of North Island where Kiwis come to boat, fish, swim and have fun. In winter and early spring Mount Ruapehu provides exciting snow sports.
From Taupo we ride long straight stretches and sweeping bends through delightful undulations until we reach the vineyards of Eskdale and famous Art Deco town of Napier, completely rebuilt following the 1931 New Zealand Napier earthquake.
We continue touring south through the famous Rimutakas - a bikers dream that winds its way through the mountain ranges just north of Wellington.
Wellington is the capital of New Zealand. Pretty houses cling to the hillsides and the city looks over the lovely Wellington Harbour. See the famous Beehive - home of our Government and fabulous Te Papa Museum. Great shopping and sophisticated restaurants and cafes are found in Wellington city.
We cross the Cook Straight by ferry from Wellington, arriving at Picton via the wonderful Marlborough Sounds - your first taste of the tranquil beautiful South Island. Renowned as one of the most beautiful ferry crossings in the world, the Cook Straight ferry is included in your New Zealand tour.
Then ride along the coastline on scenic Queen Charlotte Drive. We enjoy sweeping curves en route to Nelson through vineyard and orchard country. Nelson, the biggest fishing port in New Zealand and the second largest city in the South Island, is a cosmopolitan city with up-market shopping and a 'Mediterranean' microclimate. We charter a boat for a 4 hour late afternoon/evening cruise around the beautiful bays of Abel Tasman National Park with a picnic meal on board or on a deserted beach.
Our tour heads south from Nelson through exotic forests surrounding Mt Hope Saddle. The road has a succession of sweeping corners, with a few hairpins thrown in to test your skills. The bends get tighter as we descend to the awesome Buller Gorge, stopping at the old gold mining town of Murcheston for lunch. Then we’re on our way to Puakaiki on the wild and rocky west coast and the PancakeRocks. When the sea is rough, the sound of the blowholes can be heard for miles.
We ride the West Coast with views across the Tasman Sea on our approach to Glacier Country - the roads are twisting and demanding here, slow going, but magic riding. Nowhere else in the world at this latitude have glaciers advanced so close to the coast. These majestic spectacles are amazing seen from the ground and even more stunning seen from above. A helicopter trip can take you around Mount Cook and land on the glazier - a trip you'll never forget. Close by is Lake Matheson, one of the most photographed lakes in New Zealand, reflecting the mountains like a mirror.
'The best motorcycling in the world' is on the West Coast Road, designed by the grandfather of famous motorcycle designer John Britten. We ride through river plains, alongside clear blue lakes backed by the snow capped Southern Alps through Mount Aspiring National Park, stopping at the famous Blue Pools.
We ride alongside scenic Lake Wanaka then across the Crown Range with its awe inspiring views and tight hairpins. Just when you think there can’t be any more spectacular scenery - there it is - Queenstown nestled above Lake Wakatipu with stunning views of The Remarkables. There is so much to do in Queenstown - paraglide, jet boat ride, bungee jump, white water rafting, to name but a few.
Fiordland is a million hectares of remote, primaeval beauty and one of the few places on the planet of untouched wilderness. Waterfalls tumble hundreds of metres into pristine forested valleys. The mirror surfaces of the fiords reflect majestic, towering mountains. Dolphins, seals and Fiordland penguins make their home here. This is where the word 'silence' takes on a new meaning. A complementary cruise on Milford Sound is included. You can also take a boat trip across Lake Te Anau to the stunning Glow Worm caves.
Our next adventure is riding famous Lindis Pass, the saddle between Lindis Valley and the Ahuriri River - a curvaceous, undulating ride through the rolling hills to central Otago. Stunningly carpeted in golden tussock, you will see many native falcons. We’ll be riding in the foothills of the Alps, then onto the crystal clear Lake Tekapo where we have fantastic views of the tallest mountain in New Zealand - Mount Cook.
Sadly, our New Zealand tour heads back to Christchurch, where we say our goodbyes. It may be the end of your tour, but you’ll have memories to last a lifetime.
A reverse itinerary applies to New Zealand tours commencing in Christchurch.
