Day 1 Arrival Day

Arrival on the 14 February 2009 in Christchurch.

Airport pick up and hotel transfer. Relax at your cosy hotel or take a stroll through the beautiful and relaxed town that Christchurch is. Meet your tour guide and other tour participants at the briefing and dinner.

Day 2 Christchurch - Lake Tekapo (270 km / 160 miles)

Sea and mountains are two main features in New Zealand’s landscape. Today we already reach the first mountains of the New Zealand Alps and stay the night at the shore of a magnificent turquiose coloured glacier lake. The ones who are up early might like to go on one of the offered scenic flights (NZ$200) over the glaciers next morning - it’s certainly worth the extra expense!

Day 3 Lake Tekapo - Dunedin (300km / 180 miles)

Not less than 14 named peaks over 2000m form the New Zealand Alps. The tallest and most beautiful peak is Mt. Cook at 3754m. The Maori call him "Aoraki "which means Cloud Piercer. This sight is just amazing and will stick in your mind quite a while on the next hundred kilometres. Dunedin - an University town with a very cruisy atmosphere - is our next stop. This afternoon you will experience true New Zealand wildlife: albatrosses, seals, sea lions and penguins — these cute little creatures! (Cost for 6 hrs wild life tour: NZ$45, optional)

Day 4 Dunedin - Te Anau (300km / 180 miles)

After a cruisy breakfast we will make our way to the world famous Milford Sound. Tonight in Te Anau you have the option to go on a night time cave tour (cost: NZ$45).

Day 5 Te Anau — Milford — Te Anau

(240km / 140 miles)

Cruise into the heart of Milford Sound where we go on a spectacular cruise through the world-famous fiord built millions of years ago. The ride to the heart of the Milford Sound is one of the best Downunder. Spectacular views, spectacular scenery, spectacular windy bits - do we have to say more? There are also several other attractions awaiting you.

Day 6 Te Anau - Queenstown

(140 km / 82 miles)

The ride to Queenstown will take us to beautiful back country, then along rugged mountains. Queenstown - the entertainment capital of New Zealand - is ideally placed at the bottom of a remarkable mountain range and at the shore of Lake Wakatipu. One of the oldest steamboats in service can take you across the lake to Walter Peak Station. Here you get the chance to explore New Zealand farm life on one of the biggest farms of the are. Life in Queenstown is "all go".

Day 7  Explore Queenstown

Today we just enjoy the special atmosphere of Queenstown and think of the best way to spend our time. Highly recommended is the 1/2 day Off-road Motorcycle Tour (for non-riders also) where you get the appropriate bike and equipment to have great fun! Other options are bungee jumping, rafting or jet boating through the famous "Skippers Canyon". (all activities are around NZ$150).

Day 8 Queenstown - Haast

(240 km / 140 miles)

Stunning scenery makes it hard to keep our eyes on the road while we are riding along the shore of two beautiful lakes. Climbing up the Haast Pass we reach the next leg of our trip: the spectacular Rain Forest of the West Coast of New Zealand, also referred to as "Wet Coast".

Day 9 Haast - Glaciers - Hokitika (300 km / 180 miles)

This will be a magnificent day - in sunshine, rain or hail. The West Coast is simply naturally amazing. At lunch time we’ll reach the glaciers and have the chance to stretch our legs with a short walk to the snowline. Glacierland also offers some lovely windy roads for us to take us to biker’s heaven... In Hokitika we can go on a Jade Discovery Walk to find out more about this unique gem of New Zealand. Tour participants of the 10-day South Island Paradise Tour return from here to Christchurch via the Tranz Alpine Scenic Train Ride.

Day 10 Hokitika - Punakaiki — Murchison

(250 km / 145 miles)

Today you will reach the pancake rocks of Punakaiki. The sea has washed blowholes in the rocks which are most impressive at high tide. Through the dramatic shaped river gorge of the "Buller" river we are carrying on to Murchison, our last stop before we reach one of New Zealand’s most beautiful and exotic spots — the Abel Tasman National Park.

Day 11 Murchison — Nelson - Havelock (270 km / 160 miles)

Today we are going to see one of the most beautiful areas of New Zealand - the maritime park of the Marlborough Sounds! We are lazing all day on the beach and treat our body to the hot tub overlooking the sea! Don’t forget your sunnies and to close your mouth again.

Day 12 + 13 Explore the Marlborough Sounds

Every bet that you will never want to leave again… In the meantime relax at the Lodge or enjoy a kayak trip through the park. The beauty of this region is best seen by quietly paddling our kayaks off golden beaches.

Day 14  Havelock — Queen Charlotte Drive - Wellington (30 km / 18 miles)

The ride through the Queen’s Charlotte Drive with one twist after another and stunning views over tranquil bays is one of the best rides you ever had the pleasure to experience. Today we are heading through the picturesque Marlborough Sounds towards the ferry harbour for the North Island. Sunbathing on the deck of the ferry you can relive the ride in your dreams or watch some tranquil bays as the ferry goes past. Sometimes there are even dolphins to see. Enjoy!

Day 15 Wellington — Wanganui

(300 km / 180 miles)

We are leaving New Zealand’s capitol and riding north along terrific coastal scenery. Our ride takes us through lovely shaped hills with twisty roads and nothing left to be desired. In the evening we reach a very special accommodation.

Day 16 Raetihi — Taupo

(250 km / 145 miles)

Time to see some vulcanoes! There are three in a row and they are quite impressive, maybe even a bit scary... They are still active... ! Lake Taupo is a crater lake that was formed in one of the biggest vulcanic eruptions our earth has ever experienced...

Day 17: Taupo - Rotorua — Papamoa

(150 km / 80 miles)

Not far from here we reach the famous Champagne pools at Wai-o-tapu, which means "sacred water". Tonight in Rotorua we reach the main centre of thermal activity in New Zealand. Get prepared to be amazed! Today we have a look at Whakarewarewa to see geysers and bubbling mud and then we reach the sea again! And what a spot! Spectacular Mt. Maunganui — an extinct vulcano - invites you to an ice-cream at the beach promenade, a nice swim or whatever else your heart desires…

Day 18: Papamoa — Auckland (200 km)

Time to go home... We are riding back to Auckland through the lush bush in Coromandel. Auckland for sure seems to be a very busy place after all the tranquility we have experienced in the last three weeks. We will have to take the bikes back and reminisce all the places we have seen and all the things we have done...

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