This fabulous Tour is designed for riders who want to ride every day, traverse multiple Southern Alps mountain passes, and get the most out of the time available.
We've allowed a few shorter distances to the hot-spot regions giving you time to do some of the fantastic activities on offer, and at the Abel Tasman National Park there's a two night stop-over to relax, go kayaking, hike some of the Great Walks, or ride the Takaka Hill as referenced by Henry Cole in the 'World's Greatest Motorcycle Rides' TV series.
You'll be riding the very best roads the south island has to offer and you'll be able to get up close to unsurpassed stunning scenery without having to use any unsealed road. Burkes Pass, the Catlins, Milford Highway, The Crown Range, Haast Pass, the wild West Coast, Arthurs Pass, the Lewis Pass, and the mighty Buller Gorge, it's all here waiting for you.
Hundreds of twists and bends snake around the Marlborough Sounds and through pretty vineyards until the Pacific Coast Highway, home to our mighty whales, comes into view and shows you the way back home.
Riding times:4-6 hours in the saddle + breaks
Distance:4000 kms approximately, option to do more on 'Rest or Ride' days
Rest or Ride:Abel Tasman National Park
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:Complimentary itinerary with Tour Route Google Link and accommodation list provided (support vehicle & booking service not provided)
Day 1
Christchurch to Lake Tekapo (270km, 3-4hrs + breaks)
Start the day riding your way across the Canterbury plains with the glorious Southern Alps in sight. It won't be long before you emerge over the mountain pass and down to the beautiful southern lakes of Mackenzie Country towards Mount Cook National Park. Along the way check out the local provisions of country villages before arriving at beautiful Lake Tekapo where you will find the iconic Church of the Good Shepherd as well as hot pools and Mount John Observatory or Dark Sky Project for some star-gazing. Overnight Lake Tekapo
Day 2
Tekapo to Dunedin (410km, 5-6 hrs + breaks)
Snake your way from alps to ocean beside pristine lakes and over limestone hills. Check out Mount Cook Village & Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre. Stretch those legs at a cute harbour-side town and check out massive ancient beach boulders before arriving at Dunedin with its grand Edwardian architecture, Scottish and Maori heritage, and amazing wildlife peninsula. Overnight Dunedin
Day 3
Dunedin to Invercargill (278km, 4-5 hrs+ breaks)
Soak up the atmosphere of the beautiful and isolated Catlins Coast with its white-sand beaches, fossilized beach forest and secret locations along the way. Your prize awaits - a photo of you at NZ's most southerly point, and the Motorcycle Mecca of the Southern Hemisphere. Overnight Invercargill
Day 4
Invercargill to Fiordland National Park (191km, 3-4 hrs + breaks)
We've allowed time this morning to check out out Kiwi legend Burt Munro's World's Fastest Indian and the southern hemisphere's largest collection of classic bikes including Brough, Rudge, Matchless, & Henderson. Then enjoy more traffic free biking roads all the way to Lake Te Anau, your gateway to the awe-inspiring Fiordland National Park. Overnight Te Anau
Day 5
Milford Magic (250km, 4hrs + breaks)
Known as the Eighth Wonder of the World, ride the magical Milford Highway today to Milford Sound. Golden grasslands and mirror lakes give way to rainforest, majestic waterfalls, raging rivers, and mile-high mountains. Emerge from a dark tunnel into a forgotten world and descend down deep into the valley, until in front of you stands iconic Mitre Peak towering 1692 meters from the sea floor. SPMT will book you a highly recommend boat trip before your blast back to Te Anau. Overnight Te Anau
Day 6
Fiordland to Queenstown Region (213km, 3-4hrs +breaks)
This glorious five star ride snakes its way between New Zealand's longest lake and the world-famous ‘Remarkables' mountain range. This afternoon take a historic steamship to an isolated working sheep-farm, or a cable car up the mountain. Go bungy jumping, wine-tasting, or just more fabulous riding in magical Lord of the Rings country. Overnight Queenstown Region
Day 7
Queenstown 'Rest or Ride'
So much to see and do today and the choice is yours! Take the legendary lake-side ride to Glenorchy, go bungy jumping, jet-boating, wine-tasting, four-wheel driving or cruise the lake on a steamboat to a remote sheep station for a fabulous gourmet buffet at the Homestead.
Overnight Queenstown Region
Day 8
Queenstown to Franz Josef - (385 km, 4-5hrs + breaks)
Unsurpassed riding today via empty ribbon roads over NZ's highest sealed road and around the lakes to Mount Aspiring National Park and through the legendary Haast Pass. Lake vistas give way to lush rainforest, rushing rivers and the rugged Tasman Sea driftwood beaches. Look up to discover huge waterfalls and the famous Glaciers that uniquely terminate so close to the sea. Get even closer with a hike or a helicopter ride! Overnight Fox or Franz Josef Glacier Village
Day 9
Fox or Franz to Hanmer Springs 488km, 6hrs + breaks)
Take a blast alongside the wild west coast and check out the local arts and crafts along the way. Then head inland on yet another legendary sprint over the alps. Mountains give way to vineyards and pretty limestone rolling hills to the alpine thermal spa town of pretty Hanmer Springs. Take a well-earned soak in the therapeutic open-air hot pools surrounded by mountains and pine trees. Overnight Hanmer Springs Village
Day 10
Hanmer Springs Village to Punakaiki (252km, 3-4hrs + breaks)
Another legendary mountain pass to traverse today as you head over the alps once again and back to the wild West Coast. Isolated and stunningly beautiful, this is the real New Zealand with its huge ferns and unique Nikau palm trees. Stop to explore the amazing Pancake Rocks and blow-holes of Paparoa National Park. Overnight Punakaiki/Paparoa National Park
Day 11
Punakaiki to Abel Tasman National Park (256km, 4-5hrs + breaks)
Motorcycle heaven is on the agenda all day today. More heavenly coastal riding blends into the curves of the mighty river that twists and bends through narrow gorges. Here's your chance to walk or zip line across New Zealand's longest Swing Bridge! A superb valley highway snakes it's way northwards towards the Abel Tasman National Park. Overnight Abel Tasman National Park/Nelson
Day 12
Abel Tasman/Nelson 'Rest or Ride'
Relax or ride around the sunniest region in New Zealand with it's Mediterranean-style golden sands, orchards and vineyards. Go kayaking, take a water-taxi to a deserted beach, hike the Abel Tasman walkway, or ride to the Cape - the choice is all yours!
Overnight Abel Tasman/Nelson
Day 13
Nelson to Kaikoura (243km, 4+5hrs + breaks)
Our back-road route weaves your way between giant ferns and around narrow and twisting roads to glimpse the turquoise bays of Marlborough Sounds. As you leave the famous vineyards behind, enjoy the Pacific Coastal route South where mountain meets the ocean. Taste our famous green lipped mussels, award-winning Sauvignon Blanc and succulent Crayfish, discover our sea-life, whales, albatross,
dolphin, seals, and embrace our Maori culture. Overnight Kaikoura
Day 14
Kaikoura to Christchurch (175km, 2-3hrs)
Your day will start with a spectacular run along-side the Pacific Ocean as you skirt
the sea on a curving route carved from the hills. The road twists and turns as you
then head inland up and over the Ranges and down again via sharp downhill curves.
Great riding alongside twisting rivers takes you down to earth, to farmland bursting with sheep, cattle deer, and village cafes. The Waipara Valley, home to top wineries, marks your closeness to Christchurch, Garden City and the South Pacific Motorcycle Tours Base.
14 Day Scenic Sensation GPS Motorcycle Tour |
Day |
Route |
1 |
Christchurch to Tekapo/Mount Cook |
2 |
Tekapo/Mount Cook to Dunedin |
3 |
Dunedin to Invercargill |
4 |
Invercargill to Te Anau (2 nights) |
5 |
Te Anau - Milford Sound - Te Anau |
6 |
Te Anau to Queenstown (2 Nights) |
7 |
Queenstown Explore |
8 |
Queenstown Region to Fox or Franz Josef Glacier |
9 |
Fox or Franz Josef Glacier to Hanmer Springs |
10 |
Hanmer Springs to Punakaiki |
11 |
Punakaiki to Abel Tasman National Park (2 Nights) |
12 |
Explore Abel Tasman National Park |
13 |
Abel Tasman to Kaikoura |
14 |
Kaikoura to Christchurch |
Tour Highlights:-
- Christchurch, Garden City
- Church of the Good Shepherd, Lake Tekapo
- Aoraki Mount Cook - the 'Cloud Piercer'
- Burt Munro's Fastest Indian
- 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
- West Coast Rainforest, Fox & Franz Josef Glaciers
- Arthurs Pass
- Hanmer Springs
- Lewis Pass
- Punakaiki Pancake Rocks
- Cape Foulwind Seal Colony
- Abel Tasman National Park/Takaka Hill Ride
- Marlborough Sounds & vineyards
- Pacific Ocean
Recommended extra activities:-
- Speights Brewery Tour (Dunedin)
- Larnach Caste (Dunedin)
- Classic Motorcycle Mecca (Invercargill)
- E Hayes Motorworks Collection (Invercargill)
- Real NZ Glow-worm Caves (Te Anau)
- Southern Discoveries Day Trips & Boat Cruises (Milford Sound)
- Shotover Jet (Queenstown)
- Queenstown Wine Trails (Queenstown)
- Real NZ TSS Earnslaw Cruises (Queenstown)
- The Helicopter Line Glacier Helicopter Rides (Fox or Franz Josef)
- Punakaiki Pancake Rocks
- Kayaking & Boat cruises, Abel Tasman National Park
- Whale Watch Kaikoura
The 14 Day Motorcycle Rental Rate includes the following:-
- Itinerary with Google Maps Route Link (provided before arrival)
- Recommended Accommodation List (provided before arrival)
- 14 Days Motorcycle Hire
- Transfers to & from the SPMT Christchurch Base
- Full luggage including liners & top box
- Packing tables
- Secure luggage storage
- Secure car-park
- Garden seating area
- Tea/coffee/water on tap
- Safety briefing
- Motorcycle orientation instruction
- 24-hour Roadside Assist
- 24-hour On-call support
- Full insurance
- All NZ Government taxes
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