16 Day South Island Spectacular

Christchurch to Kaikoura

Today is the start of your NZ South Island Adventure. Riding north from the Garden City of Christchurch we head for the small coastal town of Kaikōura, renowned for its unique marine life encounters & dramatic coastline. Our ride there will take us past farms and vineyards, alongside braided scenic rivers, and along twisting forested roads. Optional Excursion - A Dolphin Encounter Tour. Their extremely knowledgeable guides will provide you with a special experience bringing you as close to wildlife as possible.

Kaikoura to Nelson

Today our journey continues north along a rugged dramatic coastline where you might still see evidence of the earthquake that shook this region in 2016. We'll make a stop at one of the many viewpoints along the way to catch sight of our native fur seals & their babies basking on the rocks below. Our route today passes through the winegrowing district of Blenheim towards our destination, the delightful city of Nelson, famous for its sunshine, long golden beaches & amazing local produce. It is also the gateway to the Abel Tasman National Park.

Nelson to St Arnaud

We start our day today with a ride over the exciting & winding Takaka Hill Rd to Golden Bay, in the heart of the Abel Tasman National Park. This is a region of beautiful unspoilt countryside, golden sand beaches & stunning native forests. It is also home to the largest freshwater spring in New Zealand, Te Waikoropupū Springs, which has some of the clearest water ever measured. Leaving the golden beaches behind we will head for the small lakeside town of St Arnaud perched on the edge of Lake Rotoiti within the Nelson Lakes National Park. You’ll be enchanted by the alpine landscape of rugged peaks and stunning glacial lakes.

Rest Day in Arthur's Pass

Today you’ll have a wonderful ride through the Buller Gorge, a wild and picturesque river valley where the bush-clad road twists and turns as it follows the Buller River on its journey to the sea. Your ride takes you through the small gold rush town of Reefton, where many of the heritage buildings have been lovingly restored. From Reefton the road rises towards Arthur’s Pass National Park in the heart of the Southern Alps. Here high mountains with large scree slopes, steep gorges and wide braided rivers straddle the main divide between east & west, and are the ‘backbone’ of the South Island. The view of the Otira Viaduct from the lookout offers some awesome natural views and you might even encounter our mischievous native alpine parrot, the Kea. Just don’t let them anywhere near the bikes!

Arthurs Pass to Lake Tekapo Self Guided

Continuing your journey south today you'll leave the highest route through the Southern Alps and descend towards the Canterbury Plains & onto the Mackenzie District, riding alongside wide shingle-filled riverbeds and vast swathes of beech forest. You’ll visit the tiny historic village of Burkes Pass, discovered by Europeans in 1855 as a route leading into the vast Mackenzie region. The village was the last outpost of civilization in those days and has remained relatively unchanged since. Arriving in the small town of Tekapo we’ll make a stop at the Church of the Good Shepherd on the lakefront for a photo opportunity. Check out the awe-inspiring views of Lake Tekapo and the surrounding mountains through the church's altar window. Tekapo, being almost totally free from light pollution, is one of the best stargazing sites on earth. The thousands of glittering constellations will simply take your breath away.

Our first rest day is in the beautiful town of Tekapo nestled on the the shores of Lake Tekapo with views across the lake to the Southern Alps. Take the chance for a leisurely day and explore this little town. From scenic walks and lookouts to the iconic Church of the Good Shepherd, and the wonders of the night sky, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. A relaxing soak in the hot pools or a refreshing swim in the glacial waters of Lake Tekapo might be just what you’re looking for.

Lake Tekapo to Clyde

Leaving Lake Tekapo this morning we’ll continue our journey and head towards the vivid blue Lake Pukaki, where we’ll stop at Peter’s Lookout for its stunning views of Mt Cook. The road passes through a landscape of high country tussock, farmland & snowcapped mountains. From Pukaki we’ll ride over the dramatic Lindis Pass that links the Mackenzie Region with Central Otago and is a fantastic stretch of road that climbs through rocky gorges and grass filled plains. We end our day in the historic gold mining town of Clyde where our hotel began life in the 1860's, serving those who sought their fortune during the Otago goldrush.

Clyde to Invercargill

Following in the footsteps of early pioneer gold miners, our ride today takes us through some pretty spectacular scenery. Our ride today will take us through a landscape flanked by rocky tussock-clad high country, past vineyards & orchards, through the historic mining towns of Alexandra & Roxburgh following the mighty Clutha River. Our final destination today is Invercargill, New Zealand's southernmost city, which has a charming old world character with many Victorian, Edwardian & Art Deco buildings. It is also home to the Leading Motorcycle Museum In The Southern Hemisphere - Motorcycle Mecca, where you can learn about the legend of speed - Burt Munro.

Invercargill to Manapouri/Doubtful Sound

Today you are in for a real treat, as we head to Manapouri, the gateway to Doubtful Sound. Doubtful Sound / Patea, is the deepest of New Zealand’s 14 fiords, and its immense size leaves all who visit feeling humbled yet uplifted by its powerful physical presence, so be prepared for breathtaking views and have the camera ready. The weather here can be a little unpredictable (it has been known to snow in summer!) but this just makes the dramatic scenery even better. This afternoon we’ll board the Fiordland Navigator for our overnight cruise through Doubtful Sound. Prepare to be blown away by towering fjords, lush rainforest, immense waterfalls and local populations of Kekeno, the New Zealand Fur Seals and Tawaki, the rare Fiordland Crested Penguin. Tonight we’ll anchor in a sheltered cove, where you’ll have the chance to explore the fjord by kayak, enjoy a fantastic meal & some star gazing before retiring to your private cabin.

Doubtful Sound/Manapouri to Queenstown

This morning we will experience more of this amazing Fjord before returning to shore. Back on the bikes once more we head to Queenstown along Lake Wakatipu where the Remarkables mountain range lines the road into town. Long sweeping bends and lake views make this a relaxed and scenic ride into New Zealand’s adventure capital. Tonight we’ll head out to explore Queenstown’s lively waterfront and dining scene.

oday is a free day in Queenstown, offering you the perfect opportunity to explore this remarkable town. Whether you are after a bit of relaxing free time or some thrilling adventure, Queenstown has it all.

Queenstown to Franz Josef

Today marks the start of our journey north, and this morning we start our day with an exhilarating ride along the spectacular Crown Range, NZ’s highest sealed road, offering tight corners and wide views across Central Otago. The ride past Lakes Wānaka and Hāwea flows beautifully before we cross Haast Pass into rainforest and glacier country. The contrast between dry inland landscapes and lush coastal forest is striking. Tonight we stay in Franz Josef in the heart of Glacier Country.

Franz Josef to Punakaiki

We follow the West Coast north with the Tasman Sea on one side and the Southern Alps on the other. The road delivers smooth coastal sweepers, river crossings and changing light as clouds drift in from the sea. It's a beautiful ride through small coastal towns, rich in gold mining & greenstone history. At Punakaiki, the Pancake Rocks and blowholes showcase the power of the ocean against limestone cliffs.

Punakaiki to Hanmer Springs

Today's adventure takes us from the untamed beauty of the West Coast and leads us inland, crossing the majestic alps via the Lewis Pass towards the enchanting alpine thermal spa town of Hanmer Springs. The journey is an extraordinary run through breathtaking mountain scenery, surrounded by lush tropical rainforests and nestled within tranquil alpine valleys. As we travel, we'll have the opportunity to experience more of the awe-inspiring Buller Gorge, with its wild and picturesque river valley captivating us once again. The twists and turns of the road will lead us through this natural wonder, leaving us in awe of its rugged charm. As we reach our destination, Hanmer Springs welcomes us with its soothing thermal waters, offering a perfect place to unwind and rejuvenate after a day of adventure. Surrounded by the beauty of the alpine landscape, we'll indulge in the tranquility and relaxation that this charming spa town has to offer.

Hanmer Springs to Christchurch

Our last day on the road is an easy one, taking us alongside the Waiau river, through beautiful rolling sheep farming country, past the wine growing area of Waipara to Christchurch. Tonight we’ll have our last group meal together and relive our action packed journey around the South Island of New Zealand.