18 Days Self-Guided Weka Trails Motorcycle Tour in South Island, New Zealand
Scenic Motorcycle Tour New Zealand
This self-guided 18-day tour of the South Island of New Zealand will give you a close-up view of beautiful scenery ranging from rain forests, pastureland, white sandy beaches, rocky coastlines to rugged mountain ranges. Beginning and ending in the English style city of Christchurch; after picking up your bike you will ride through the rugged mountains of the Southern Alps running the length of the Sth Island, riding along beautiful sweeping coastal roads, through old-growth forests, and rugged hill country. While enjoying gentle sweeping corners mixed with twisty back roads.
Key Information
- Terrain: asphalt
- Bike: rental bike (BMW, Triumph, Suzuki, Honda models)
- Mileage: 3801 kilometers / 2262 miles
- Daily rides: between 20 - 425 kilometers / 12 - 253 miles
- Riding gear: Available for rent: GPS, top box
- Meals: Not included
Highlights
- Starts and ends in Christchurch
- Visit the world-famous Milford Sounds
- View the “World’s fastest Indian” display
- Have a ride up the world's steepest street
- See New Zealand’s amazing Niagara Falls
- Pay a visit to the bottom of South Island
- 17 nights accommodation
Skill level
- Intermediate
- Advanced
Accommodation
This exciting tour includes different accommodations ranging from modestly priced cabins to deluxe quality hotels and a couple of authentic "turn of the century" style hotels.
Program
Day 1
After arriving at Christchurch International Airport, you’ll be met at the airport and shuttled to your hotel to check-in and then to pick up your bike.
Today is set aside to allow you to settle in and rest up before the adventure begins tomorrow. Visit some of the city sights. The day will include a safety meeting to review road rules and safety requirements and a “get to know you” dinner.
Day 2 (251 kilometers / 150 miles, approximately 3.5 hours riding)
Leaving the old English style city, you will find that getting comfortable with your bike will take no time, as you head across the plains and begin the twisting climb into the southern alps. Stopping near the top to watch the native parrots (Kea’s) is a great photo stop.
Continuing on your way down from the pass and through scattered native bush brings you to your stop for the night. This 200-year-old hotel is full of history and maybe a ghost or two. It is home to the best chef we’ve come across in the South Island.
Day 3 (335 kilometers / 199 miles, approximately 4.5 hours riding)
After a relaxing breakfast, hit the road, and cruise along between rich farmland and patches of thick native bush on smooth well maintained meandering roads.
Today will take you back through the southern alps. As you leave this picturesque location the road will lead you along the base of the coastal mountain range to your stop for the night in a peaceful seaside town.
Day 4 (280 kilometers / 167 miles, approximately 4 hours riding)
Picturesque seascapes, windy roads, native bush, changing elevations, and numerous photo stops make up the highlights of today’s ride. This is a GoPro day. Make sure your GoPro is ready with plenty of back up batteries. Stopping at any one of the many small local restaurants to sample fresh seafood, along with some optional ziplining makes this a fun day.
Day 5 (270 kilometers / 161 miles, approximately 4 hours riding)
Heading towards the coast through bush-covered hill leads you to some great gorge riding. Fantastic cornering, great scenery, this is another GoPro day (there will be lots more on this tour). Have those batteries charged and ready.
Day 6: Rest day (optional - 200 kilometers / 120 miles, approximately 3 hours riding)
Today is a free day for you to catch up on all those important things like sorting out photos, writing down all the key points and even getting that pesky laundry taken care of. Optional local ride routes are available for you to explore the area if the thought of doing laundry doesn’t appeal to you.
Day 7 (284 kilometers / 169 miles, approximately 4 hours riding)
Today’s ride takes you along the world-famous coastal highway, sweeping through fantastic corners, racing past rocky outcrops, and screaming at the top of your lungs all the way. Mix this with some fantastic stops for one of a kind scenery, and you have a ride location that is amazing.
Day 8 (312 kilometers / 186 miles, approximately 4 hours riding)
If you love waterfalls, wild bush, misty mountains, and easy sweepers then today is your day. The road will take you alongside lakes, rivers, and great photo opportunities. Also, another great GoPro day. End the day at a quaint country pub / hotel.
Day 9 (105 kilometers / 63 miles, approximately 1.5 hours riding)
Sleep in, have a lazy breakfast and then set out for an easy ride through some tight corners towards the adventure capital of New Zealand. Spend the balance of the day and into the evening enjoying some of the features that are available.
Day 10 (50 kilometers / 30 miles, approximately 1 hour riding)
Today is a treat for all adventure junkies. Options: a jet boat ride, a gondola ride, zip lining or a more relaxed steamer cruise on the lake, enjoying some easy riding, or you could catch up on all those important things like sorting out photos, writing down all the key points of the tour so far, sending postcards home to friends and even dealing with that pesky laundry thing again.
Day 11 (425 kilometers / 253 miles, 253-mile route on to Milford Sounds, approximately 5.5 hours riding) [Milford Sound suggested for advanced riders only]
After breakfast head south and follow the sweeping lakeshore as you continue south. After checking into your accommodation, head out to ride to Milford Sounds, before returning for the night.
Day 12 (211 kilometers / 126 miles, approximately 3 hours riding)
Today will take you to the south end of the highway (photo op) and a night’s stay in a turn of the century pub. Imagine dinner in the pub. Pohutukawa Motorcycle Touring suggests fish and chips and oysters and beer, over pool and darts. On the way stop to see the “world’s fastest Indian” display.
Day 13 (259 kilometers / 154 miles, approximately 4 hours riding)
Imagine a visit to Niagara Falls. Yes, these are real. Enjoy another photo op. After enjoying the falls, you will climb steadily through great scenery. The day ends in a city with a distinctly Scottish flavor. It’s also the home of a great brewery, but more about that tomorrow.
Day 14 (426 kilometers / 254 miles, approximately 5.5 hours riding)
Taking a loop through the foothills lets you view the mountains from up close, while you lose yourself in the ride. If you think this looks like where an Orc battle could have taken place, you’re right.
Day 15: Free day (20 kilometers / 12 miles, approximately 30 minutes riding)
Today is a rest day with nothing planned. One suggestion, however, is a visit to Baldwin Street, (the steepest street in the world), or you could catch up on all those important things like dealing with that troublesome laundry thing again. Leave time for lunch at Speights Brewery.
Day 16 (425 kilometers / 253 miles, approximately 5.5 hours riding)
Heading inland lets you enjoy some great rolling country, cruising alongside picturesque lakes and enjoying the moment. The day ends on the coast for a relaxing evening.
Day 17 (400 kilometers / 238 miles, approximately 5 hours riding)
The road continues to call your name for one more day of fun riding. This day loops into Christchurch through amazing scenery. With no time deadlines today, you set the pace and just live the dream. After some relaxing riding around the inlets of Akaroa, you will return to Christchurch to drop off your bike and catch your shuttle to the hotel, for that final sorting and packing.
A farewell dinner wraps up the day. If you want to stay on for additional nights that can be arranged.
Day 18: Christchurch hotel to the airport
After a typical NZ breakfast, you will catch your shuttle to the airport. This shuttle ride is filled with talk about the adventure you’ve just had and the fun experienced. If you want to stay on for additional nights that can be arranged.
Riding in New Zealand
The roads in NZ are in good condition, with light traffic out of the cities. Other than road repairs you will not be required to ride on any unsealed roads. Please note that NZ drivers drive on the left-hand side of the road. A valid passport along with appropriate approval is required for entry into New Zealand.
Motorcycles available for this tour
Use your own motorcycle or rent a motorcycle, which is licensed, safety inspected and verified by the NZ government. If you choose to bring your own bike, the price of the tour will be 4,728 NZD. If you are interested in this option, please send an inquiry.
Tour category A
- BMW R1250GSW
- BMW R1200GSW
- BMW R1200RTW
- BMW F850GS
Tour category B
- BMW F800GS
- BMW F700GS
- Suzuki GSF1250 Bandit
- Triumph Tiger 800
- Honda Shadow Aero 750
Tour category C
- BMW F700GS
- Honda CMX500 Rebel
- Suzuki SFV650 Gladius
- Suzuki DR650
- Suzuki DL650 V-Strom
Notes
- The renter can choose at the time of renting.
- The Insurance bond is held on a credit card but not charged unless needed.
- The daily damage waiver is a direct charge added to the daily rental rate.
- The daily damage waiver is not refunded if not used.
Category A
- Insurance bond: 3,750 NZD
- A daily damage waiver of 30 NZD reduces the bond to 950 NZD
- The daily damage waiver is the best deal. For example, 30 NZD x 12 days = *360 NZD. Therefore 360 NZD + 950 NZD = 1,310 NZD for insurance coverage plus bond in the event of a claim. The 950 NZD bond is only held and not charged unless a claim is made.
Category B
- Insurance bond: 3,000 NZD
- Daily damage waiver of 30 NZD reduces the bond to 950 NZD
Category C
- Insurance bond: 2,500 NZD
- Daily damage waiver of 30 NZD reduces the bond to 500 NZD
Skill level(s) required for this tour: intermediate, advanced
Intermediate:
- can ride for 3-4 hours
- average riding experience
- little assistance required
- comfortable with extreme curves and leans
- average experience with unsurfaced roads
- steep ascents and descents
Advanced:
- can ride for 5-6 hours
- extensive riding experience
- assistance on demand (if required)
- experienced with riding a variety of motorcycles
- comfortable with any terrain and weather conditions
Included excursions
- Visit the world-famous Milford Sounds
- View the “world’s fastest Indian” display
- A ride up the world's steepest street
- See New Zealand’s amazing Niagara Falls
- A visit to the bottom of the South Island
Location
This journey will take you from Christchurch, exploring the South Island of New Zealand before returning to Christchurch.
Food
Meals are not included in the price.
Things to do (optional)
- Enjoy thermal hot pools
- A wild jet boat river ride
- A gondola ride to view Queenstown
- Zip lining
- A visit to a turn of the century gold rush town
What's included
- Printed daily ride guide
- Bike rental (excluding insurance or damage waiver or auxiliary equipment such as GPS or optional fittings)
- 17 nights accommodation (extra nights can be arranged)
- Shuttles (transfers) to and from hotel, airport, and bike rental location
- Ferry fees
What's not included
- Airfare
- Insurance coverage and damage waivers (bonds) on rental bikes
- Optional equipment add-on’s to rental bikes
- Fuel
- All meals
- Special / optional events
- Entrance into various attractions
- Incidentals and other costs once inside various attractions. i.e. rental of bathing suits or towels
How to get there
Recommended Airports
Christchurch International Airport
9 km
Transfer included
Arrival by airplane
Please book your flight to arrive at Christchurch International Airport (CHC). Transfer from and to the airport is included. Pohutukawa Motorcycle Touring will pick you up from the airport.
For self-guided tours, once you exit the airport arrival lounge area, a representative from the shuttle service will meet you. He/she will be holding a sign identifying them. Note verify that they are the shuttle service identified in your tour package from PMT.
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 50% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid 30 days before arrival.
For this organizer you can guarantee your booking through Tripaneer.com. All major credit cards supported.