This popular tour covers much of the South Island of New Zealand including the fabulous Southern Alps. Without a doubt you'll ride the best of New Zealand's roads during this real 'Southern Kiwi experience'.
Visit all the awesome 'hot spots' along the way - Queenstown for bungy and jet-boating, the Otago Peninsula and Dunedin, Burt Munro's "World's Fastest Indian", Milford Sound, Punakaiki Blow-holes, and the Hanmer Thermal Hot Springs.
Immerse yourself in Nature's wonders - parrots, seals, dolphins, whales, albatross, rainforests, glaciers, the worlds best unspoilt natural scenic beauty is here in the South Island of New Zealand.
And no-one offers all of this and the time to enjoy and savour each location more than South Pacific Motorcycle Tours!
Riding times:4-5 hours in the saddle daily + breaks
Distance:3000 kms (1500 miles) approximately, option to do more on 'Rest or Ride' days
Rest or Ride:Queenstown, Te Anau (Milford)
Rider Competence:For experienced riders with safe motorcycle control in all situations
Route Grade:100% asphalt, some challenging sections, multiple mountain pass switchbacks/hair-pins
Support Vehicle Info:Route-loaded GPS, Personalised Handbook/Itinerary, 24 hour on-call service
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
Christchurch to Lake Tekapo (270km, 3-4hrs + breaks)
Enjoy fabulous care-free riding across the sheep-filled plains and over the mountain pass towards Mount Cook National Park. Check out quaint country villages and local craft galleries along the way. At Lake Tekapo there's the iconic Church of the Good Shepherd, hot springs, big skies for stargazing. Overnight Lake Tekapo
Day 2
Lake Tekapo to Oamaru (210km, 3-4hrs + breaks)
Pure enjoyment is riding along-side pristine lakes from Mount Cook National Park
today then there’s the awesome sweeps and bends on traffic-free roads that take
you through Mackenzie sheep country, along-side hydro-lakes and dams, through
limestone foundations all the way to Oamaru.
Overnight Oamaru
Day 3
Oamaru to Dunedin (176km, 3-4hrs + breaks)
Amazing biking lanes today through ancient limestone landscapes that lead you to
the Pacific Ocean where you can explore the beach with its 65 million year old
boulders. From here it’s a leisurely ride to Dunedin City and the Otago Peninsula.,
home to the Royal Albatross, penguin and other sea creatures. Overnight Dunedin
Day 4
Dunedin to Invercargill (244km, 3-4hrs +breaks)
The Southern Scenic Route skirts white sand beaches of the deserted Catlins Coastline for mile upon mile. We’ll be stopping at quirky locations befitting this isolated area. Then it’s time for a photo-shoot and fresh oysters at Bluff, NZ’s most southerly point, before arriving at Invercargill. Check out the real Indian motorcycle that won the land-speed world record at Utah’s Bonneville Salt Flats in 1967, ridden by Invercargill eccentric Burt Munro at the amazing Motorworks Collection. Overnight Invercargill
Day 5
Invercargill to Fiordland National Park (191km, 2-3hrs + breaks)
The Southern Scenic Route skirts white sand beaches of the deserted Catlins Coastline for mile upon mile. We’ll be stopping at quirky locations befitting this isolated area. Then it’s time for a photo-shoot and fresh oysters at Bluff, NZ’s most southerly point, before arriving at Invercargill. Check out the real Indian motorcycle that won the land-speed world record at Utah’s Bonneville Salt Flats in 1967, ridden by Invercargill eccentric Burt Munro at the amazing Motorworks Collection. Overnight Te Anau
Day 6
Milford Magic (121km. 2hrs each way + breaks)
Combine one of the world’s finest scenic highways with one of the world’s best motorcycling roads and you have the Milford Road. Golden grasslands and mirror lakes give way to rainforest, majestic waterfalls, raging rivers, and mile-high mountains. Emerge from a dark tunnel into another forgotten world and descend down deep into the valley, until in front of you stands the iconic Mitre Peak towering 1692 metres from the sea floor. Overnight Te Anau
Day 7
Fiordland to Queenstown Region (213km, 3-4hrs +breaks)
This glorious five star ride snakes its way between Lake Wakatipu and the world’s most photographed ‘Remarkables’ mountain range. You’ll soon find yourself in The Lord of the Rings country, where there’s time for bungy jumping, wine tasting, jet-boating and panning for gold, before arriving into the ‘Adventure Capital of the Southern Hemisphere’! Overnight Queenstown Region
Day 8
Queenstown Region 'Rest or Ride'
Known as the Adventure Capital of the Southern Hemisphere, Queenstown provides the perfect opportunity to do all those once-in-a-lifetime activities - a magical steam-boat-cruise across Lake Wakatipu to an isolated working sheep-farm, a gondola ride to the mountain top, white-water rafting, and the legendary bike ride
to Glenorchy - to name just a few!
Overnight Queenstown Region
Day 9
Queenstown to Franz Josef Glacier Village (351km, 5hrs + breaks)
Today you’ll be riding over the highest tar-sealed road in New Zealand through mountain passes and lush rainforest. You’ll experience beautiful lakes, rivers, and waterfalls on your way to the Tasman Sea, not to mention the legendary Haast Pass and Mt. Aspiring National Park. At Franz Josef village there’s time to visit the glaciers, hunt for glow-worms, or soak away your aches in hot pools surrounded
by rain forest.
Overnight Franz Josef Glacier Village
Day 10
Franz Josef Glacier to Punakaiki (217km, 3-4hrs + breaks)
Snake your way through Jurassic rainforest and alongside the dramatic rugged coastline of the Tasman Sea, still so close to the mountains. A stop at the West Coast township of Hokitika allows you to sample local arts and crafts, continue along the magnificent coast-line to the Paparoa National Park for a visit to see the
amazing Punakaiki Rocks and blowholes.
Overnight Punakaiki
Day 11
Punakaiki to Hanmer Springs Village (259km, 5-6hrs + breaks)
Starting with one of the best coastal rides in the world, meander your way via the traffic-free roads to peaceful Hanmer Springs village via the mighty Buller River and the legendary Lewis Pass. Celebrate this most amazing ride with a hot soak in the open-air thermal spring pools or a massage.
Overnight Hanmer Springs Village
Day 12
Hanmer Springs Village to Christchurch (128km, 2-3hrs + breaks)
Time to explore, relax, shop for quality souvenirs, or do some of the amazing activities on offer before heading back to Christchurch via more mind-blowing scenery, Empty ribbon-roads follow the river from the Alps down to the tranquil Canterbury Plains via interesting limestone rock formations and Sauvignon Blanc vineyards and South Pacific Motorcycle Tours Base where it’s time
to return your bike.
12 Day South Island GPS Motorcycle Tour |
Day |
Route |
1 |
Christchurch to Lake Tekapo |
2 |
Lake Tekapo to Oamaru (via Mount Cook) |
3 |
Oamaru to Dunedin |
4 |
Dunedin to Invercargill |
5 |
Invercargill to Te Anau (2 nights) |
6 |
Te Anau - Milford Sound - Te Anau |
7 |
Te Anau to Queenstown (2 nights) |
8 |
Queenstown Rest or Ride |
9 |
Queenstown to Glacier Country, West Coast |
10 |
Glacier Country to Punakaiki, West Coast |
11 |
Punakaiki to Hanmer Springs |
12 |
Hanmer Springs to Christchurch |
Tour Highlights:-
- Church of the Good Shepherd, Lake Tekapo
- Aoraki Mount Cook - the 'Cloud Piercer'
- Moeraki Boulders
- Invercargill Motorcycle Mecca
- Burt Munro's Fastest Indian & Motorworks Collection
- Magical Milford Sound & Fiordland National Park
- Queenstown - Adventure Capital of the Southern Hemisphere
- Ride New Zealand's highest sealed road
- Haast Pass, Mount Aspiring National Park
- The West Coast Rainforests & Glaciers
- Punakaiki Pancake Rocks
- Cape Foulwind Seal Colony
- The amazing Buller Gorge
- Lewis Pass
Recommended extra activities:-
Our Tour Planners will send you more information after you book, but here's a guide as to optional activities available for this tour. There's no booking fee and retail rates are simply added to your account. If the operator cancels you will be refunded in full.
- Dark Sky Experience, Tekapo
- Penguin Tours, Oamaru and Dunedin
- Albatross, Castle & Brewery Tours, Dunedin
- Classic Motorcycle Mecca, Invercargill
- Glow-worm Caves & Milford Sound Boat Cruise (highly recommended)
- Jet-boat rides, boat cruises, wine tours, bungy, rafting, skydiving, bungy swing, (Queenstown)
- Glacier Helicopter Rides, Franz Josef
- Westcoast Wildlife Centre, Franz Josef
- Thermal Hot Springs, Hanmer
What's included in your 12 Day South Island GPS Tour?
Easy Rider (Motor-lodge no breakfast) |
- 12 Days Motorcycle hire
- 12 Nights Accommodation
- Side and top luggage
- Personalised Brief, emailed before arrival
- The South Pacific Tour Pack with Full Colour Itinerary Booklet
- New Zealand maps
- Route loaded Garmin GPS
- Activity booking service
- 24/7 Roadside Assist
- Full insurance
- Government tax
- Luggage Storage facility
- Transfers to/from Christchurch Base
- SPMT Sticker
|
Kiwi Classic (Bed & Breakfast) |
- 12 Days Motorcycle hire
- 12 Nights Accommodation
- 12 x Breakfasts
- Side and top luggage
- Personalised Brief, emailed before arrival
- The South Pacific Tour Pack with Full Itinerary Handbook
- New Zealand maps
- Route loaded Garmin GPS
- Activity booking service
- 24/7 Roadside Assist
- Full insurance
- Government tax
- Luggage Storage facility
- Transfers to/from Christchurch Base
- SPMT Sticker
- Embroidered SPMT Cap
|
Supreme (Hotel Full Breakfast) |
- 12 Days Motorcycle hire
- 12 Nights Accommodation
- 12 x Full Breakfasts
- Side and top luggage
- Personalised Brief emailed before arrival
- The South Pacific Tour Pack with Full itinerary Handbook
- New Zealand maps
- Route loaded Garmin GPS
- Activity booking service
- 24/7 Roadside Assist
- Full insurance
- Government tax
- Luggage Storage facility
- Transfers to/from Christchurch Base
- SPMT Sticker
- Embroidered SPMT Cap
- Embroidered SPMT Tee-shirt
|
Platinum (Hosted Luxury Lodge Full Breakfast Full Dinner) |
- 24/7 Personal Care Service
- 12 Days Motorcycle Hire
- 12 Nights Accommodation
- 12 Full Breakfasts
- 12 Evening Dinners
- Side and top luggage
- Personalised Brief
- The South Pacific Tour Pack with Full Colour Itinerary Booklet
- New Zealand maps
- Route loaded Garmin GPS
- Activity booking service
- 24/7 Roadside Assist
- Full insurance
- Government tax
- Luggage Storage facility
- Transfers between Christchurch hotel and SPMT Base
- Transfers between Christchurch airport and Christchurch hotel
- SPMT Embroidered Patch per person
- Embroidered SPMT Cap per person
- Embroidered SPMT Tee-shirt per person
|
Not included:- Flights, travel insurance, drinks (except where indicated in lodgings inclusions) , fuel, activities (unless stated), room service, hotel incidentals (unless stated)