22 Day Twin-Island Adventure Self-guide Tour

OverviewItineraryHighlightsWhat's Included

22 Day Twin Island GPS Tour - Christchurch/Christchurch

Depart Christchurch
Return Christchurch

This tour is designed for keen riders who want to pack everything in and not miss a beat.

Start with easy sweeps and bends across the Canterbury plains towards the Southern Alps, showcasing mighty Aoraki Mount Cook . Meander beside beautiful lakes, unspoilt coastline and through ancient podocarp forests. Explore New Zealand's finest motorcycle museums and discover the wonders of Fiordland National Park and Milford Sound. Tick off some of the best motorcycling roads in the world as you explore Queenstown, then westward into luxuriant rainforests towered by glacier-topped mountains glaciers and spectacular blowholes. One of the world's most scenic ferry crossings takes you across the Cook Straight to another world of volcanos, geysers, boiling mud and steaming craters.

Discover fabulous beaches and stunning rides around the North Islands awesome peninsulas to Auckland, City of Sails. Explore mysterious glow-worm caves before embarking on the famous Forgotten World Highway. Then from the volcanic plateaus of protected national parks, head south through the vineyards of the Marlborough Sounds before simply stunning riding beside the Pacific Ocean with its whales, seals, and tasty crayfish. Want 22 days of full on 5 Star riding? This is it!

You'll be travelling around 6000 kms in total. Got a few more days up your sleeve? From Auckland allow 3 days to explore Northland and ride right up to the tip of Cape Reinga!

Riding times:9am-4pm approx with breaks throughout the day for lunch, coffee, activities etc.
Distance:6000 kms (3700 miles) approximately, option to do more on 'Rest or Ride' days
Rest or Ride:Queenstown & Auckland
Rider Competence:For experienced riders with safe motorcycle control in all situations
Route Grade:100% asphalt, (15km gravel road optional), 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 on self-guide tours)

Day 1

Christchurch to Lake Tekapo (261km)

Enjoy care-free riding across sheep-filled plains and over the mountain pass towards Mount Cook National Park. Check out quaint country villages and local galleries along the way. At stunning Lake Tekapo there's the iconic Church of the Good Shepherd, hot springs, and big skies for stargazing. Overnight Lake Tekapo

Day 2

Lake Tekapo to Cromwell via Mt Cook (309kms)

The road into Mt Cook Village is nothing short of stunning with its gorgeous sweeps, bends and spectacular views of Aoraki Mt Cook, the 'Cloud Piercer'. Explore the village and follow an old Maori Trail over the legendary Lindis Pass Road providing sweeping corners and undulations just made for bikers. Celebrate the ride at a quaint village cafe or buy some local merino wool products. Nestled in Otago Goldfields country, relax at Cromwell, noted for it's award-winning wines and orchards

Day 3

Cromwell to Invercargill (334km)

Take a journey through time and follow the trail the miners took in their quest for gold back in the 1860s. Follow the river and conquer the fabulous route through the Catlins with its penguins, waterfalls and ancient fossilized podocarp forests on the beach. Rest up at Invercargill, home of legend Burt Munro and the best motorcycle museums in the southern hemisphere.

Day 4

Invercargill to Te Anau (190km)

Invercargill is New Zealand's 'Motorcycle Mecca' and we'll show you all the best things to see including Burt Munro's legendary 'World's Fastest Indian'. A superb shorter ride will then transport you from the ocean to magical Fiordland National Park with its huge mountains surrounded by stunning waterfalls, lakes and beautiful marine reserves. Te Anau township nestled beside the lake is the ideal place to relax and revive.

Day 5

Te Anau to Milford Return (236km)

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 a 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. Highly recommended is a boat cruise on Milford Sound before retracing your steps back to Te Anau. Overnight Te Anau

Day 6

Te Anau to Queenstown (200km)

You'll be riding the 'Devil's Staircase' today, snaking your way between beautiful Lake Wakatipu and the world’s most photographed mountain range - The Remarkables! Arriving in spell-binding Lord of the Rings country, try your hand at bungy jumping and jet-boating, or relax with a pint of beer at a historic pub in a quaint old gold-mining village. Overnight Queenstown

Day 7

Explore Queenstown!

Choices of things to see and do today are endless! From some of the world's finest roads for a short ride or drive, from sky-diving to wine-tasting or wonderful boat trips to remote sheep stations, immerse yourself in the adventure capital of the southern hemisphere! Overnight Queenstown

Day 8

Queenstown to Franz Josef Glacier (350km)

Today you’ll be riding over the Southern Alps via NZ's highest tar-sealed road and then through lush rainforests to the wild and wonderful West Coast. 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. Wow! Talk to your itinerary designer about spending two nights here if you want to explore. Overnight Franz Josef Glacier Village

Day 9

Franz Josef Glacier to Hanmer Springs (488km)

Snake your way through Jurassic rainforest and alongside the dramatic rugged coastline of the Tasman Sea, amazingly close to the mountains. A stop at the West Coast township of Hokitika allows you to check out the famous driftwood beach then enjoy the fabulous riding over two mountain passes to Hanmer Springs Alpine Village. How about a soak in the open-air thermal hot pools? Overnight Hanmer Springs Village

Day 10

Hanmer Springs to Punakaiki

Can this wonderful journey possibly get any better?! Astonishingly it can, as you have the legendary Lewis Pass to traverse today. At 907m high enjoy the fabulous tight twists and bends of this gorgeous empty ribbon road all the way to the west coast with it's scenic coast of exotic trees and ferns and blowholes where columns of water shoot skyward from the rocks that resemble giant stacks of pancakes. Overnight Punakaiki

Day 11

Punakaiki to Picton (371km)

This is close to motorcycle heaven, the road hugs the edge of the river for mile upon mile and in parts is literally carved from solid rock. Stop to refuel and catch your breath before the climb over the mountain saddle towards the Mediterranean-style beaches of Nelson and great valley riding. Then there's the wonderful views of the Marlborough Sounds to drool over after having conquered the tight switchbacks and hairpins of the scenic drive that takes you all the way to the pretty harbour town where your ferry boat awaits for your next adventure. Overnight Picton

Day 12

Picton Ferry & Wellington City

Embark on one of the world’s most scenic ferry crossings today and soak up the fabulous scenery of the Marlborough Sounds as you spend a 3 hour cruise across the Cook Strait to the North Island. You will soon be in Wellington, New Zealand’s capital city where we've provided a free afternoon to explore the highlights such as the famous Te papa Museum or just keep riding! Overnight Wellington

Day 13

Wellington to Napier (321km)

From Wellington enjoy a blast over the Remutaka Hills as you head north-east before arriving into Napier Art Deco City. Nowhere else can you see such a variety of buildings in the styles of the 1930's - Stripped Classical, Spanish Mission, and above all Art Deco, the style of the 20th Century. Overnight Napier

Day 14

Napier to Rotorua (244km)

Our chosen route to Rotorua provides a wonderful, easy day’s riding. At Lake Taupo check out the iconic Huka Falls, where 220,000 litres per second of crystal clear water crash into a turbulent pool 11 metres below. The scenic highlights between Taupo and Rotorua will not disappoint as you traverse the unusual, volcanic geography combined with large pine forest plantations. Time to check out this geothermal and cultural wonderland this afternoon. Overnight Rotorua

Day 15

Rotorua to The Coromandel

The Coromandel Peninsula provides a mecca for motorbikers with twists, turns, convoluted hills and pretty bays providing a challenging variety of corner-carving delights. Sea-side villages provides light refreshment before the fun really begins! Fabulous beaches, including the famous Hot Water Beach set the scene for your wonderful overnight stay at Whitianga with clear blue waters and sea cave adventures. Overnight Whitianga

Day 16

Coromandel to Auckland (205km)

Start with a steep climb into the hills high above Coromandel before descending through tight twists and hairpins down to the pretty tree-lined beaches providing a challenging variety of corner-carving delights - truly a mecca for motorcyclists!. Leg breaks along the way include cafes of quaint colonial architecture, old gold mining towns and hot springs. In the distance the Auckland Skytower signifies your arrival into the City of Sails. Overnight Auckland

Day 17

Explore Auckland City of Sails

There's so much to see and do in and around Auckland City of Sails. More great riding, city highlight tours by hop-on bus, or our favourites, a trip to one of the nearby islands - choose from an extinct volcano, a haven for wine-lovers, or a bird-lovers paradise, all easily accessible by small ferry boat. Overnight Auckland (2 nights)

Day 18

Auckland to Waitomo (207km)

More easy riding south through the pretty Pirongia Forest Park will take you to the green rolling hills of mystical Waitomo, which means 'water passing through a hole' in Maori in steeped in spiritual significance. Spend the afternoon exploring intriguing caves full of glowworms, or hurtling through the rushing dark water tunnels known as black-water rafting. what about some adrenaline pumping black-water rafting! The alternative option is a superb and challenging ride over complex topography with some 10km of gravel, Overnight Waitomo Village

Day 19

Waitomo to Mt Egmont via The Forgotten World Highway (232kms)

Not for the faint-hearted, this little-used and off-the-beaten track highway is a world away from anywhere in almost every sense. Originally an old Maori trail, this wonderful highway full of twists, turns, sweeps and bends was pretty much forgotten about. The final 12kms have now been tar sealed making this road a thrilling adventure for everyone but none more so than the discerning biker. A long narrow tunnel and a historic pub along the way adds to the adventure and the grand finale is the sight of Mt Taranaki with its perfectly formed volcano cone.

Day 20

Mt Egmont National Park to Wellington (314km)

Leaving the sight of amazing Mt Taranaki behind, skirt the north island's western coast to Whanganui with it's mighty river. Pause in the town of Bulls to check out cafes, antique shops and humorous bull signs (look out for relieve-a-bull if you need the toilet!). As you near Wellington there's a really good car museum providing a great excuse for a well-earned break, or check out some of the things you missed in Wellington on your way up. Overnight Wellington

Day 21

Wellington Ferry to Kaikoura (156km)

Enjoy the fabulous scenery as the ferry glides into Picton through the Marlborough Sounds, then ride over the dry tussock-covered rolling hills and head towards the spectacular Kaikoura coastline with its abundant wildlife. This superb biking road hugs the shore for over 50kms, with the azure blue Pacific Ocean on one side, and the towering Kaikoura Ranges on the other. We'll show you the best places to stop for a coffee, a tasty crayfish, and to see the seals basking in the sun on the rocks. But wait .. there's more! Overnight Kaikoura

Day 22

Kaikoura to Christchurch (175km)

Crash through the waves on a huge jet-boat for an exciting whale-watching trip this morning, or swim with the seals! Finally leaving the coast behind, head inland over limestone hills and through North Canterbury's major wine region, the Waipara Valley. Time to come back down to earth today and return your bike. What a journey!

22 Day NZ's Greatest Motorcycle Tour
Day	Route
1	Christchurch to Lake Tekapo
2	Lake Tekapo Cromwell
3	Cromwell to Invercargill
4	Invercargill to Fiordland National Park
5	Explore Magical Milford Sound
6	Fiordland National Park to Queenstown
7	Explore Queenstown
8	Queenstown to Fox or Franz Josef Glacier village
9	Fox/Franz Josef to Hanmer Springs (or rest 2 nights)
10	Hanmer Springs to Punakaiki (or Fox/Franz to Punakaiki)
11	Punakaiki to Picton
12	Picton to Wellington (via ferry)
13	Wellington to Napier
14	Napier to Rotorua
15	Rotorua to Coromandel Peninsula
16	Coromandel Peninsula to Auckland
17	Explore Auckland
18	Auckland to Waitomo
19	Waitomo to Egmont National Park via Forgotten World Highway
20	Egmont National Park to Wellington
21	Wellington to Kaikoura (South Island via ferry)
22	Kaikoura to Christchurch