Name: 18 Day Fully Guided Kiwi Trails Motorcycle Tour in the North Island
Brand: Pohutukawa Motorcycle Touring
Price: 10925 USD
Availability: InStock

Scenic New Zealand Motorcycle Tour

Join this guided motorcycle tour with Pohutukawa Motorcycle Touring in New Zealand. You will experience riding through old growth sub-tropical forests along with sweeping coastal roads, and through rugged hill country and lush pasture lands, while enjoying gentle sweeping corners mixed with twisty back roads. This 18-day tour of the North Island of New Zealand gives you a close-up view of beautiful scenery ranging from rolling pastures to white sandy beaches to rugged mountains!

Key information

Terrain: asphalt
Bike: rental bike
Mileage: 3,568 kilometers / 2,125 miles
Daily rides: between 16 - 457 kilometers / 10 - 284 miles
Meals: 15 breakfasts and dinners

Meet the instructors

Colin & Lynette
Read more

Highlights

Visit Hobbiton movie set
Starts and ends in Auckland
Experience a soak in the thermal hot pools
Night walk to experience the New Zealand bush and wild life
Learn how New Zealand’s Maori people lived in harmony with nature
Pay a visit to the Kauri Museum and the top of the North Island
Enjoy a visit to view the giant kauri tree, Tana Mahutu
17 nights accommodation

Skill level

Intermediate
Advanced

16 days with instruction

Group size: Minimum of 5 participants

Airport transfer included: Auckland Airport

Program

Day 1: Arrival

After arriving at the Auckland International Airport (AKL), you will 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. Take the opportunity to 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: From Mangere to Taupo (354 kilometers / 211 miles / 5 hours riding)

Leaving your hotel and the city behind you, you will head out on lightly traveled country roads, through rolling farmland. Stopping along the way for breaks and lunch in small out-of-the-way country towns, combined with viewing the amazing scenery will have you pinching yourself to make sure you’re not dreaming. After a relaxing lakeside dinner, a soak in the thermal hot pools will be the perfect end to the day.

Day 3: From Taupo to Ohope (207 kilometers / 123 miles / 3 hours riding)

Leaving the lakeside resort, you will travel deep into the thermal area of the island; this combined with an optional visit to one of the important cultural interpretive centers for the native population of New Zealand, will give you a firsthand look at how New Zealand’s Maori people lived in harmony with nature. Riding the twisty roads through lake county, you will end your day on the coast, where a walk on the white sands will be a relaxing end to the day.

Day 4: From Ohope to Whiorau Station (450 kilometers / 268 miles / 6 hours riding)

Today, you will follow a lightly traveled road as it hugs the coast, taking you into a part of New Zealand that is a mix of rugged hills, inspirational coastal seascapes, and rich farmland. This, combined with a small population makes for an easy riding day. Tonight’s stop is a working sheep and beef farm where you’re treated like royalty and one of the best meals you will experience. Add in a soak in local hot pools and it will have you sleeping like a king/queen later in the night.

Day 5: From Whiorau to Palmerston North (339 kilometers / 202 miles / 4.5 hours riding)

After a typical New Zealand breakfast, you will continue to follow the coast through more rugged twisty roads crossing rivers and gorges, before arriving in New Zealand’s North Island wine region. After a light lunch and a visit to local points of interest, you will continue riding on well-maintained roads towards your stop for the night. On the way, various detours provide opportunities to experience the local culture.

Day 6: From Palmerston North to Whanganui (269 kilometers / 160 miles / 5.5 hours riding)

Leaving the university city behind, you will steadily climb towards the mountainous central part of the Island. The countryside becomes more rugged and the riding becomes more fun. A visit to a local museum, followed by a lunch break, sets you up for a fast-paced ride along one of the most fun roads in the country, through some beautiful scenery.

Day 7: From Whanganui to New Plymouth (205 kilometers / 122 miles / 2.5 hours riding)

Today, you will have a shorter riding day along the west coast, giving you a view of the black sands found on this side of the island. The horizon is dominated by the dormant volcano known as Mount Taranaki. This mountain and surrounding countryside have played significant roles in many films, such as The Last Samurai and some of the “Lord of the Rings” films. A ride around the base of this mountain leads you to your stop for the night.

Day 8: From New Plymouth to Cambridge (330 kilometers / 196 miles / 4 hours riding)

Heading north along the windswept coast before turning inland is a highlight of this tour; you will ride sweeping bends, rugged ranges, deep gorges, and along the tops of hills looking out over rich farmland and thick native forests while traveling alongside deep rivers and lakes.

Day 9: Head to Otorohanga (211 kilometers / 126 miles / 3 hours riding)

Today, you will get a mix of easy riding and some local sights, including a visit to a world-famous glow-worm cave and seeing native birds in a natural setting.

Day 10: Rest day: Short ride to Hobbiton (48 kilometers / 29 miles / 1-hour riding)

A treat for all “Lord of the Rings” fans, you will get to walk through Hobbiton and have a drink in “The Green Dragon” tavern. This location is surrounded by some great riding roads and is a fun day. The afternoon is free time 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.

Day 11: From Cambridge to Helensville (457 kilometers / 272 miles / 7 hours riding)

After a relaxing night, you will head northeast towards some fantastic riding locations. Riding from open farm country, into twisty gorges, over bush-covered ranges, and alongside white sand beaches will have you saying “wow!!!” Today has lots of photo opportunities, so keep your camera handy. A short ride through New Zealand’s largest city brings you to your stop for the night.

Day 12: From Helensville to Paihia (265 kilometers / 158 miles / 3.5 hours riding)

You are now heading into parts of New Zealand that are rich in history for both the native population and the settlers that followed them. The roads are lightly traveled and full of easy sweepers. Today will take you from the seaside to hilly elevations, through open countryside and thick native bush. Along the way, you will stop in areas where the first European settlers landed and carved out a new life as they colonized the country. Stopping for a break in the seaside town of Russell lets you walk in the footsteps of these early adventurers, while you live your own adventures. Crossing the bay on a ferry brings you to your stop for the night.

Day 13: Paihia - Rest day (16 kilometers / 10 miles / 30 minutes' riding)

Today is a rest day, with a visit to the location where the treaty was signed between Europeans and the Maori tribes. This is a short ride from your accommodation. The rest of the day is set aside for you to explore the Bay of Islands, catch up on various tasks, walk on the beach, or deal with that laundry thing again.

Day 14: From Paihia to Waitiki Landing (260 kilometers / 155 miles / 3.5 hours riding)

Leaving the seaside town of Paihia, you will ride to visit some of the local historical sites as you travel further north. The island is getting narrower from this point on and you are never far from either coast. The influence of the warmer weather is evident in the type of forest growth, parrots in the trees, and the warm friendly people. You will ride through to the most northerly point of North Island and stop for a visit to the lighthouse located there. An area rich in history, this is a must-stop photo stop.

Day 15: From Waitiki Landing to Kaihu (236 kilometers / 140 miles / 5 hours riding)

After a relaxing night, you will ride south down the west side of the island stopping to walk on the “90-mile” beach, cruise through “old growth” forests and small towns, and cross one of the many harbors by ferry. As you ride, you will enter one of the oldest forests in New Zealand, home to some of the largest trees in the world. Here, you can sense that time stands still. A stop to visit the largest tree in New Zealand is followed by a fantastic ride through to your stop for the night.

Tonight’s stop is topped off by a guided night walk through a Kauri forest where you may see kiwis, glowworms, eels, and hear the calls of the night birds.

Day 16: From Kaihu to Orewa (185 kilometers / 110 miles / 2.5 hours riding)

Leaving the most beautiful location you have stayed in, you will enjoy some fun riding through easy sweepers as you work your way south. Along the way, stop for a visit to a fantastic museum showcasing the history of the area before arriving at a sleepy little seaside town for a well-earned soak in hot pools before a short ride to your seaside accommodation for the night. A short walk across the lawn and you’re on the beach. Watching the sunset from this spot is the perfect end to a fantastic tour. Tonight is capped off with a farewell dinner on the beach, with world-famous New Zealand cuisine.

Day 17: From Orewa to Auckland (30 kilometers / 18 miles / 50 minutes' riding)

After a lazy start to the day, and a short ride, you will drop off your bike and catch your shuttle to your hotel for the night. Now the fun of packing begins.A relaxing dinner caps off the day.If you want to stay on for additional nights that can be arranged.

Day 18:

After a typical NZ breakfast, a short shuttle ride, will drop you off at the airport to catch your flight home. This shuttle ride is filled with talk about the adventure you’ve just had and the fun experienced. Plans start being put together for the next Pohutukawa Motorcycle Tour.

Note

New Zealand drivers drive on the left-hand side of the road.

Bike rental option

Use your own motorcycle or rent a motorcycle, which is licensed and safety inspected and verified by the New Zealand government.

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

Tour category D

Honda CMX500
Honda CB500X
Suzuki DL 650 VSTROM

Skill levels

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

Instructors

Colin Rowe

Colin and his wife, Lynette, grew up in New Zealand and have been riding since 1973, and are familiar with most of the roads there. In 2010, Colin and Lynette established Pohutukawa Motorcycle Tours to share the thrill of riding in New Zealand and western North America. Based in Colorado, jointly they have clocked over half a million miles. They both lead tours with Lynette focusing on ladies only tours. Colin and Lynette specialize in providing their clients with unforgettable motorcycling experiences through jointly developing and providing the motorcycle adventure of a lifetime.

Lynette Rowe

Lynette and her husband, Collin, grew up in New Zealand and have been riding since 1973, and are familiar with most of the roads there. In 2010, Colin and Lynette established Pohutukawa Motorcycle Tours to share the thrill of riding in New Zealand and Western North America. Based in Colorado, jointly they have clocked over half a million miles. They both lead tours with Lynette focusing on ladies only tours. Colin and Lynette specialize in providing their clients with unforgettable motorcycling experiences through jointly developing and providing the motorcycle adventure of a lifetime.

What's included

Bike rental (if you opt for the bike package)
Bike deposit
Riding gear
17 nights' accommodation
A night walk to experience the New Zealand bush and wildlife up close
A visit to Hobbiton
A visit to the giant kauri tree Tane Mahuta
A visit to the Kauri Museum along with a visit to the top of the North Island
Glowworm Caves visit
Soaks in hot springs
Kiwi preserve visit
Access into a Maori Hangi
Ferry fees
Full guide service
Printed daily ride guide
Shuttles: Transfer from and to the airport / hotel / bike rental location
15 breakfasts and dinners

How to get there

Recommended Airports

AKL

Auckland Airport

4 km

Transfer included

Arrival by airplane

Please book your flight to arrive at Auckland Airport (AKL). Transfer from and to the airport is included. Pohutukawa Motorcycle Touring will pick you up from the airport.

For Fully Guided Tours once you exit the airport arrival lounge area, your tour host will meet you. Your host will be holding a sign reading "Pohutukawa Motorcycle Tours". He or she will assist you with your luggage and assist you with your shuttle.

Airport: Auckland Airport Airport transfer included: Auckland Airport No additional charges. You can request this in the next step.

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