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Christchurch Meet & Greet: Thursday 11 January 2024
Depart Christchurch: Friday 12 January 2024
Return Christchurch: Monday 22 January 2024
Email us now for a quote - spaces are limited!
Experience New Zealand's natural scenic beauty and enjoy the freshest food, award-winning wines and craft beers. Combine this with fabulous traffic-free riding with the glorious southern alps in your sights and you have a tour made in heaven. Get up close to our unique plants and animals and learn about our unique cultural heritage. This is 'Lord of the Rings' and 'Hobbit' country and we'll show you the locations. There's plenty of time for stops along the way for photos and all the must-do activities. With two-night lodgings in Te Anau and Queenstown, there's time to unpack your bags and relax. Leave everything to us and enjoy the luxury of this fabulous 12 day fully guided motorcycle tour.
The tour package includes 12 night's room and breakfast lodgings staying in hand-picked top hotel accommodation. Your room will feature a Queen or King-sized bed (or two Queen sized beds if sharing), quality linen, tea and coffee making, and private bathroom (see our Accommodation page for more information).
Tour activities include the open-air thermal hot pools nestled amongst the alps, a thrilling jet-boat ride, boat cruise on Milford Sound with picnic lunch, a visit to see Burt Munro's' Fastest Indian' and an awesome brewery tour.
What makes this tour unique? Personal service, professional guiding you can trust, an all-inclusive tour package and lasting friendships. We include some of the top attractions and activities into your itinerary and you can choose more to personalise your trip, for example a steamboat cruise on the lake, a food & wine tour, or a helicopter glacier landing. On this tour you get to do it all whilst touring undoubtedly the best island in the world for motorcycle touring at its very best.
You've heard about the wonders of New Zealand - it's all here in the Spectacular Southern Alps Tour, so contact us NOW to make sure you don't miss out
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Christchurch Meet & Greet: Thursday 11 January 2024
Depart Christchurch: Friday 12 January 2024
Return Christchurch: Monday 22 January 2024
Riding times:8.30-4pm approximately with stops for morning/afternoon tea, lunch, photos, activities and attractions
Distance:2,750 kms (1,700 miles) approximately, with option to do more on your 'Rest or Ride' day.
Rest or Ride:Two-night stop-overs in Te Anau and Queenstown
Rider Competence:For riders with sound, safe motorcycle control
Route Grade:100% asphalt, mountain pass riding with switchback/hairpin bends
Support Vehicle Info:Support vehicle following group with enclosed luggage trailer
All prices are in New Zealand Dollars. Price shown includes motorcycle hire. Click on the prices to convert the prices into a currency of your choice. The default is NZD to USD but you can choose any currency you like on the conversion tool.
Day 1
Thursday 11 January 2024 - Welcome to Christchurch
'Haere mai' - Welcome to Otautahi, Christchurch Garden City with its many attractions. Check in, relax or explore - this vibrant city has a lot on offer and we recommend several days here. This afternoon get to know your new friends as we showcase New Zealand with a wonderful Maori cultural surprise experience followed by dinner back at the hotel.
Overnight Christchurch
Day 2
Friday 12 January 2024 - Christchurch to Hanmer Springs
We provide a complimentary transfer to the SPMT Base to check out your bike. After a few formalities its "Start your Engines!" We wind our way between sheep filled green pastures, through vineyards, over rolling limestone hills and pristine rivers, and over our first mountain pass. Nestled in the Southern Alps is the quaint alpine village of Hanmer Springs. Grab your swimming 'togs'as it's time to relax at the open-air thermal hot pools before enjoying a lovely evening meal with your new found friends. Overnight Hanmer Springs Village
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Day 3
Saturday 13 January 2024 - Hanmer Springs to Punakaiki
We discover the wonders of the scenic West Coast today via the legendary sweeps, bends and hair-pins of the Lewis Pass and Lower Buller Gorge. Descending down towards the coast the scenery gradually changes from alpine mountain landscapes to Jurassic-style rainforest with lush native ferns and palms. Visit a seal colony before riding the fabulous coastal road to the amazing Punakaiki Pancake Rocks. Our hotel is right on the water's edge, so we can enjoy a sunset evening meal, a bonfire on the beach, and listen to the crashing waves from our beachfront hotel room. Overnight Punakaiki
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Day 4
Sun 14 January 2024 - Punakaiki to Franz Josef Glacier
The fabulous coastal road continues to wiggle its way between the rugged Tasman Sea and the glorious snow-capped Southern Alps. We ride through the rainforest stopping at tiny local villages to sample arts and crafts and rugged driftwood beaches. Awesome switch-backs, bends and bluffs lead us to vibrant Franz Josef Glacier Village for an optional helicopter flight and glacier landing, or a visit to see real Kiwi or a soak in the hot pools in the rainforest. Tonight enjoy a great pub meal - and perhaps even a hunt for glow-worms!
Overnight Franz Josef Glacier Village
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Day 5
Monday 15 January 2024 - Franz Josef to Queenstown
Magical riding into the wilderness is in store today as we make our way through the legendary Haast Pass with its waterfalls and raging rivers. Emerging at stunning Lake Wanaka, prepare for New Zealand's highest tar-sealed road which takes us to Queenstown, New Zealand's 'Middle Earth', and the Southern Hemisphere's adventure capital. Your hotel is perfectly located a short walking distance to all the top attractions including Steamer Wharf and the Skyline Gondola. Tonight you are free to wander down to the lake-side to dine at one of the many great restaurants.
Overnight Queenstown
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Day 6
Tuesday 16 January 2024 - Explore Queenstown
With so much amazing alpine scenery and so many fantastic things to see and do, we've allowed a full day to catch to explore at your leisure. We highly recommend a steamboat cruise across the lake for a remote farm tour or a gourmet BBQ Dinner, or an afternoon wine and food tour. Or simply take the gondola/cable car up to the mountain top for wonderful views and other activities such as paragliding or the Luge. Your evening is also free to experience the vibe down at the wharf!
Overnight Queenstown (Dinner not included)
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Day 7
Weds 17 January 2024 - Queenstown to Te Anau
We ride the backroads of Queenstown to visit the historic gold-mining village of Arrowtown, but not before stopping at the Shotover River for a thrilling Jet-boat ride! We then snake our way between the The Remarkables mountain range and Lake Wakatipu to Fiordland National Park, gateway to wonderful Milford Sound. This evening we recommend the optional Te Anau Glow-worm Caves Tour via a boat ride across Lake Te Anau. Dine at your leisure this evening.
Overnight Te Anau (dinner not included)
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Day 8
Thursday 18 January 2024 - Milford Magic
We ride the legendary Milford Road Sound today. After endless sweeps & bends we stop to see the famous 'mirror lakes' and continue to climb, finally reaching a tunnel taking us into another world. Dwarfed by huge mountains and towering waterfalls, we snake our way down into Milford Sound where we embark on a fabulous boat cruise, showcasing this area's unique flora and fauna. Tonight we celebrate the trip with a great evening meal at a restaurant back in Te Anau.
Overnight Te Anau (dinner included)
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Day 9
Friday 19 January 2024 - Te Anau to Invercargill
Easy riding through farmland and sleepy villages takes us to Invercargill, New Zealand's most southerly city and home to legend Burt Munro. We stop to see Burt's record-breaking 1920 Indian Scout, made even more famous by Anthony Hopkins movie 'The World's Fastest Indian'. This afternoon is free to explore Invercargill including the awesome Motorcycle Mecca with its huge collection of classic bikes, and other attractions.
Overnight Invercargill (dinner not included)
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Day 10
January 2024 - Invercargill to Dunedin
Our secret route takes you on an unexpected journey of unimaginable excitement today! Discover a million year old petrified forest on the beach, ride beside the Pacific Ocean on adeserted road made in biker heaven. We have a surprise venue for afternoon tea before a swift blast into Dunedin with its Scottish heritage and amazing Victorian architecture. But wait there's more! Tonight we're all going on an awesome brewery tour followed by a tasty Alehouse Dinner!
Overnight Dunedin (Shuttle, Tour & Alehouse Dinner included)
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Day 11
Sunday 21 January 2024 - Dunedin to Mt Cook National Park
After a blast north along the Pacific Coast, we'll stop to discover huge ancient boulders on the beach, then stop for lunch at Oamaru, famous for its Edwardian heritage precinct and Steam-punk vibe. We'll then meander our way around the amazing Southern hydro-lakes and get up close to one of the dams. We'll soon be in Mackenzie country with paddocks full of Merino sheep. Time permitting we then take the phenomenal blast alongside Lake Pukaki into Mount Cook Village overshadowed by 'The Cloud Piercer', Aoraki Mount Cook. Tonight is Quiz Night!
Overnight Twizel (dinner included)
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Day 12
Monday 22 January 2024 - Mt Cook National Park to Christchurch
This morning we'll check out the beautiful Lake Tekapo with its iconic Church of the Good Shepherd. More traffic-free riding over our last mountain pass will take us down to the sheep-filled Canterbury plains once more where will stop at a country farm shop and cafe for lunch. This afternoon we celebrate with a special Farewell Kiwi-style 'Beer & Barbie' barbecue back at the South Pacific Base.
Overnight Christchurch (BBQ included)
Bonus - breakfast tomorrow morning is included in the tour price
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Day 13
Tuesday 23 January 2024 - Christchurch & End of Tour
Breakfast is included in your itinerary today. The hotel staff will be happy to help you with transfers to your next destination. A huge thank you from all the staff at South Pacific for choosing us!
Included Activities
'Waka Welcome' Maori Cultural Experience' |
Special Welcome Dinner |
Entry to open-air thermal hot springs |
Seal Colony |
Beach Bonfire |
Thrilling Jet-boat Ride |
Milford Sound Cruise with Picnic Lunch |
Burt Munro's 'World's Fastest Indian' |
Brewery Tour and Evening Meal |
Farewell Kiwi-style Barbecue with beer & wine |
7 Special Evening Meals |
World Famous South Pacific Quiz Nite! |
Tour Highlights
Hanmer Springs Village |
Ride the legendary Lewis Pass |
Cape Foulwind Seal Colony |
Punakaiki Pancake Rocks |
West Coast Rainforest & Glaciers |
Haast Pass |
Lake Wanaka & Crown Range |
Free Day in Queenstown |
Historic Arrowtown Village |
Fiordland National park |
Magical Milford Sound |
The Catlins & Curio Bay |
Dunedin & Moeraki Boulders |
Southern Lakes |
Majestic Aoraki Mount Cook |
Church of the Good Shepherd, Lake Tekapo |

12 x Nights Premier Hotel Accommodation |
12 x Breakfasts with tea & coffee |
7 x Special Evening Meals |
1 x Farwell Kiwi-Style BBQ including beer, wine or juice |
11 x days motorcycle hire of your choice |
Transfer from Christchurch Hotel to SPMT Base |
Transfer from SPMT Base to Christchurch Hotel |
All Activities as listed in Highlights 'Included Activities' |
Full Itinerary emailed before the Tour |
South Pacific Tee-shirt |
South Pacific Cap |
Tour Pack with itinerary, maps and other promotional items |
Full Motorcycle Insurance |
Services of professional Kiwi Tour Guide Motorcyclist |
Chase support vehicle with tour guide driver |
Fully enclosed luggage trailer |
Not Included:-
- Airport transfers when you arrive (ie between airport and hotel - catch a cab or an Uber)
- Concierge service on Tour (you will be responsible for taking your luggage to your rooms)
- Room service & incidentals (eg in-room bar fridge)
- Fuel (motorcycle to be returned full)
- Alcohol (except for farewell Kiwi-style barbecue)
- Flights
- Anything else not listed above
