All travellers using Amazing New Zealand services are personally met at the airport by our friendly professional representative. You will receive at the airport a comprehensive Deluxe Travel Pack. The pack contains the prepaid service vouchers, maps, discount vouchers and brochures to local attractions, plus a detailed daily explanation of driving routes, including suggested stops en route.

The representative will then take you to your accommodation in Auckland, stopping en route on the extinct volcano Mount Eden to point out the city's many geographical features and attractions. Auckland is New Zealand’s largest city, straddling two enormous harbours and dotted with 48 extinct volcanic cones. We recommend at least one day here to recover from your jet-lag.

Suggested activities:-  

• The Waterfront has many of Auckland’s attractions and is bustling with restaurants and cafés.

• Wander up to the Sky Tower - Admire the view, climb the mast, bungee jump from the tower or just have dinner in the revolving restaurant. You can even spend two hours onboard NZL40 either relaxing and enjoying the view or getting involved as a crew member. NZL40 was built for the 1995 America's Cup challenge at San Diego in the United States. It is now permanently based on the Waitemata Harbour. After all, Auckland is known as the City of Sails.

• The trendy shops of Parnell are housed in some of Auckland’s oldest latticed fronted buildings on tiny brick-paved lanes.

• Kelly Tarlton was the inventor of the undersea walkway where you can view the fish from below without getting wet plus the Antarctic Encounter and Penguin Encounter here are worth visiting on their own.

Today I suggest a day-trip around the outskirts of Auckland. Pickup your motorbike and head north over the Harbour Bridge. Take the Esmonde Road turnoff and turn right at the lights to Takapuna, at the end turn right onto Lake Road - this will bring you to to the old suburb of Devonport. Ride up North Head for awesome views of the city and our youngest dormant volcano Rangitoto Island.

Return to the motorway and continue north to the pretty Orewa Beach and Wenderholm Regional Park on the tranquil east coast, followed by morning tea in the original Bohemian settlement of Puhoi. You then ride inland past wineries and orchards to the wild black-sand beaches of the west coast. The gannet colony at Muriwai is a must see as not only will the cute chicks and the flying skills of the adults keep you mesmerized, but the sweeping views along the surfing beaches north will certainly blow any jet-lag away.

Heading south again lunch can be enjoyed at the Bees Online cafe where several honey orientated products are on sale. After lunch I recommend a walk in the lush bush of the Waitakere Ranges to a secluded waterfall or along a deserted beach, such as the one made famous in Jane Campion's movie The Piano - the loop road down past Karekare Beach is particularly dramatic.

Return to Auckland along the Scenic Drive via Titirangi.

113kms – Turn left towards Thames – the gateway to Coromandel Peninsula. In the late 1880s this was a thriving gold mining and kauri logging centre – follow the signs into the town centre for a coffee before the winding stretch along the coast.

If you are short of time, you could take the direct route inland on the SH25A through ponga and nikau palms. Rejoin SH25 just south of Hikuai and go north to Whitianga. This too is a great ride, but my favourite road in all of New Zealand is the SH25 to Coromandel Town!

Continue north on the SH25, you are now skirting the Firth of Thames following the dramatic and winding coast. From December to January you should be treated to a display of flowering native Pohutakawa trees.

157kms – The picnic spot at the top of the hill has a great view down to Kirita Bay to the left and Manaia Harbour to the right. At 169 kilometres seafood lovers should stop at the Oyster and Mussel Shed on the left. They also sell scallops and all sorts of other seafood. The Smoking Company in Coromandel Town is also a good shop selling very fresh produce.

171kms – Here you can turn off onto the 309 Road if you don't mind a little gravel road.

• 4.8kms up this road is the Waiau Waterways Garden and café, where whimsical wonders are worked by water. If you choose not to go in, the café is still a good option for lunch. If you do choose to go in, there are plenty of whacky contraptions to entertain the young and young at heart.

• 7.3kms - The small but delightful Waiau Falls – best viewed from below in the bush glade where there is also a swimming hole.

• 7.9kms - Continue another half kilometre to the Kauri Grove parking. This stop is excellent, giving you a real taste for the New Zealand bush without much effort. The bush walk is an easy 10 minute stroll on a level path to 600 year old kauri trees. These trees are magnificent and the native bush is wonderfully lush and cool and peaceful. Continue past the first lookout for a lovely circuit route to the Siamese Kauri and to the Kauri Grove. The kauris are endemic to the northern part of New Zealand’s North Island and can live for 4000 years and grow to twice the height of these ones! They are the largest trees in the world if calculating volume of usable timber. No wonder they call them the giants of the forest and were almost wiped out by the colonials for their timber. The cutting down of a kauri is now banned as they are protected, so thankfully now we are seeing a comeback of these giants to our forests.

Return to SH25, Coromandel Town is another 5 kilometres. The main street is an old world delight, full of cafés and craft shops. Most head to the popular Driving Creek Railway, for a unique ride on a narrow gauge train. It winds its way up a zigzagging track that was first built to bring firewood and clay down for the potteries below. There is a great view over Coromandel from the “Eye Full Tower” at the top.

After your visit, ride south 400m and turn left towards Whitianga – at the top of the hill there is a lookout point with views all the way back to Auckland. It is another 50 kilometres to ride.

Whitianga is a safe harbour full of holiday homes favoured by Aucklanders. Follow the beach to where the ferry departs from. This is where all the activity is, including some good cafés. One of the best places for a coffee is on the other side at the Ferry Landing Café, just a short stroll up the hill.

Continue south, following signs for Tairua and SH25.

40kms - A great photo opportunity is from the Paku Hill, turn left as you enter Tairua towards Ocean Beach. Keep following the road, at the marina go up Paku Drive, then follow signs to Paku Summit. A short walk will take you the rest of the way, for awesome views over Tairua Harbour and Pauanui Beach. Return to Tairua and continue south, direction Whangamata.

116kms – Waihi once had 1200 mines producing half of the country’s gold. There is only one mine left now, the massive Martha’s Mine – a huge open cut mine right in the middle of town. Follow the signs right to Town Centre, then left at the top of the hill. At the second roundabout go right onto Moresby Ave, the Waihi Gold Mine lookout is on the right 300m along. The lookout is truly impressive and the Golden Legacy Centre has an informative 20 minute video about the mine. Return to town and follow signs to Tauranga.

170kms – As you approach Tauranga, take the expressway left to Mount Maunganui. `The Mount` was once an island with a Maori Pa (fortified village),  but it is now joined to the mainland and marks the entrance to the Tauranga Harbour. In Maori Tauranga means `sheltered anchorage'. Today the harbour has become a huge port catering for massive cruise liners and container ships filled with lamb, kiwifruit and timber heading for Japan and Europe. The Mount is now a congested suburb of Tauranga, with the beach becoming a popular holiday destination for the wealthy and the not so wealthy surfing crowd alike.

Follow  'Mt Maunganui via Bridge' and head for the Mount and Marine Parade. At the end you will find plenty of (expensive) cafés to choose from. If you need to stretch your legs there are some lovely walks around the base of the mountain. Or you may want to try your hand at wave riding? The Ministry of Surf near the end of the road, rents out surf boards. Then again, you may just prefer to just sit and watch.

Leaving the Mount, continue east along Marine Parade, and follow the signs for Paparoa and Te Puke. Te Puke is the original kiwifruit growing region of New Zealand. Watch out for the giant Kiwifruit a few kilometres past the village. They offer tours and free tastings of the green kiwifruit, Kiwi Gold and the new Baby Kiwi, plus various fruit wines and liqueurs. There is also an excellent café. Soon after, change to SH33 to Rotorua.

As you come into Rotorua, follow the city centre signs around the lake. You may smell Rotorua before seeing it, as the area is still very active with sulphur escaping from the earth’s crust (think rotten eggs). Don’t worry, you will get used to the smell. The city lies on a beautiful lake, actually a flooded volcanic crater - the surrounding hills are the remains of the rim of the giant volcano. The city has become New Zealand’s second largest tourist centre – so there are no shortages of establishments willing to take some cash away from you and quite frankly many of them are a bit of a rip-off. But if you’d like to make the most of what Rotorua has to offer and all that is thermal, here are some of my suggestions:- 

• Kuirua Park has the largest display of steam and mud pools….and it’s free! An eruption took place here as recently as January 26^th, 2001 when mud, steam and debris were thrown 200m into the air. Springs regularly just appear, resulting in families being forced to move  and the land having to be given back to nature.

•  Wander around the original Maori settlement at Ohinemutu. The church is worth a look at, as is the Marae (Maori meeting house) across the courtyard. Wander the tiny streets where everyone has their own private hot-water bore to fill their bath in the out-shed….just follow the steam and stay on the paths!

•  If you have time, soak in the reputedly therapeutic thermal pools at the Polynesian Spa, a delightful but busy public pool. If you wait until tomorrow morning the spa is less crowded. It is an excellent way to start the day - relaxing with wonderful views across the lake.

• The Agrodome’s principle attraction is the Sheep Show, a highly entertaining explanation of sheep and the caring of said sheep – the mainstay of New Zealand’s exports.

• This evening don’t miss the excellent Tamaki Brothers cultural show followed by a traditional Hangi (earthen cooked meal). Pickups are from your accommodation in a waka (war canoe) cleverly disguised as a bus, followed by a fun evening superbly hosted and entertained by local Maori.

• The excitement junkies can take the Gondola up Mount Ngongotaha for awesome views, interspersed with hair raising rides on a luge.

There are many more attractions between here and Taupo! The Wai-o-tapu Thermal Wonderland is the best thermal reserve in the area and highly recommended for today.  

0kms – Departing from the tourist office, drive down Fenton Street south towards Taupo. At 29 kilometres turn left at the Wai-o-tapu Tavern and 400m further left again onto the Loop Road to take a look at the thermal Mud Pools (free) - the bubbling mud can keep you mesmerized for hours!

Follow the Loop Road to the main attraction Wai-o-tapu Thermal Wonderland. It really is a wonderland of orange, green, yellow, blue, white and black pools - the highlights being the exquisitely coloured Champagne Pool, Oyster Pool and the Devil’s Bath .... you’ll be amazed how nature can conjure up such colours. There are 3 self guided walks, the short, the medium and the long – the latter takes about 2 hours which I recommend as it takes you all the way to the green lake of Ngakoro, with great views en route of the blue lake Whangi-o-terangi, meaning `colour of the sky’. The track is uneven at times so you need walking shoes. Continue on this road to SH5 and turn left.

52kms – The Ohaaki Geothermal Power Station provides 5% of the country’s electricity. The Kaingaroa Pine Forest that you are passing through is the largest man-made forest in the world. You will also be passing the superb Wairakei Golf Course, mentioned on the 'Top 100 Golf Courses in the World' list! The best time to visit is in August and September when the trees behind the clubhouse are full of the native tui birds.

78kms – Turn left for the mighty Huka Falls, Volcanic Activity Centre and Prawn Park.

• If you first go left, you will come to the freshwater Prawn Park, apparently the world’s only geothermal prawn farm. The informative tour leaves every 30 minutes, after which you are encouraged to munch out in the Riverside Restaurant. The lawn sweeps down to the river's edge, where jet-boats entertain the tourists with their 360° spins.

• The Activity Centre is well worth a stop. You are in the middle of one of the most active volcanic spots in the world, so it’s good to know what lies beneath your feet. There are hands on interpretive displays of local volcanoes, up to the second earthquake Richter scale readings, even a room where you can experience a simulated earthquake.

• The Honey Hive also has interesting interpretive displays, a glass fronted live beehive and the Beez Kneez Café.

• The Huka Falls are not very high, but are certainly spectacular (free). Here the sedate Waikato River is forced between a 15m gap before roaring over a 7 metre drop. There is a lookout just past the Helistar Helicopters, but the falls are much more impressive from below, where there is a walkway across the river.

• Huka Jets will take you by jet-boat right up to the falls and then upriver and at a thrilling speed.

Return to SH1/SH5 and go left to Taupo. After 4 kilometres turn left for the lookout over the huge Lake Taupo It was created in one giant explosion and is the world’s largest volcanic crater. The ash cloud floated all over the world. Ice samples from as far apart as Antarctica and Alaska have determined the explosion to have occurred in 186AD. The effects of the ash were even recorded as far away as China and Rome. You can gather your own free volcanic souvenir from the shoreline in the form of very light pumice stones (great for cleaning off rough skin) which were spewed out in that eruption. The mountains to the south of the lake are popular for skiing in the winter and walking in the summer. In Taupo go right at the first roundabout towards the lake front where most of the restaurants and cafes are situated.

Continue south on SH1 until Turangi (the trout fishing capital of the world if you have time!) Turn right onto SH41 and 3 kilometres later onto SH47A, direction National Park. It is the base for several mountain walks - the most popular being the excellent full day hike over the Tongariro Crossing, one of New Zealand's top ten walks (if you have an extra day).

Continue on to National Park Village where you turn right onto SH4 and drive north to Taumarunui, your destination or this evening. If you have extra days you could descend the Whanganui River by jet-boat or kayak. Seven kilometers north of the National Park Village, train buffs can check out the impressive Raurimu Spiral from the viewing platform. The track rises by means of a complete circle, three horseshoe curves and two tunnels. Alternatively, check out the working model at the Taumarunui tourist office.

0kms – Travel first to the north for 26 kilometres then turn left onto SH40. This will take you all the way to the Taranaki Coast.

119kms – At the Ahititi junction, turn right onto SH3 to Tongaporutu. After crossing the river you can take the first road left towards the cemetery - a short way down this road will take you to a parking where you can then climb over the stile for a short walk across accessible land to the headland. From here there is a wonderful view of the impressive White Cliffs, with the Three Sisters in the foreground and Mount Taranaki in the background.

Movie buffs may be interested to know that many of The Last Samurai’s scenes were filmed on a private farm near here, with the perfectly round volcano of Mount Taranaki cleverly filling in for Japan’s Mount Fujiyama. The dormant volcano last erupted as recently as 350 years ago and once had a twin peak, which shattered in some cataclysmic explosion centuries before.

140kms – Just after you cross the Mokau River, you will find the River Run Café, famous for their whitebait fritters, excellent coffees, and lots of other yummy food. Either way, it is an excellent refreshment stop, as the choices are rather limited between Mokau and Waitomo, one hundred kilometres from here. Whitebait is a New Zealand delicacy. The tiny fish (complete with eyes) are mixed with egg and pan-fried. As they are caught by hand with a huge net, they are rather expensive – but delectably delicious!

After Mokau, the SH3 takes you through the dramatic and winding Awakino Gorge and the even more spectacular Mangaotaki Valley. Here you can find the Mahoenui Giant Weta, the world’s largest insect, but unfortunately also one of the most endangered species in the world. They only live in this area, in an 180ha patch of gorse – the only legally protected gorse in New Zealand. Everywhere else the introduced gorse is an agricultural pest. Giant weta are closely related to grasshoppers and crickets, and are the peaceful giants of the insect world. They are nocturnal, eating mainly plant matter and the occasional insect and they DO NOT bite. On the main street in Te Kuiti, opposite the Mobil petrol station there are beautiful statues of these endangered species.

219kms – Cross over the railway tracks and turn left at the roundabout. SH3 meets SH30 in Te Kuiti, the shearing capital of the world, proudly depicted in the statue on this intersection. The town comes alive in April when the annual sheep shearing championships take place.

231kms –Turn left to the Waitomo Caves. The Caves entrance themselves are 500m past the village centre. This is the main tourist attraction in the area which attracts tourists by the bus load. That is why I recommend you go with another company tomorrow morning which is more eco-friendly taking small groups only.

Your adventure takes you through farmland to a secret opening in the ground. Descending is not difficult, but it is an adventure that will leave you Spellbound. Floating silently in a boat in pitch darkness under thousands of glow worms – it really is quite a surreal experience and the best glow worm display I have seen in the world. The Waitomo Caves are part of a karst system that was once the seabed 30 million years ago. The caves’ stalactites and stalagmites are also impressive.

After your morning excursion, head east again back to SH3. Turn left (north) direction Hamilton.

Otorohanga is a pretty country town, proud to display everything that is uniquely New Zealand – this is the place to try pavlova, kiwifruit jam and carrot cake. Otorohanga is also famous for its Kiwi House. If you haven’t seen a live cute fluffy kiwi yet, then take the Kiwi House Tourist Drive just through the village centre. The loop road will bring you to the car-park after 1.5kms. The Kiwi House has the nocturnal kiwis on display in the night room, plus there is an interesting ½ hour walk, which includes a "walk through aviary" full of native birds, plus the rare endemic Tuatara lizard. Continue on the loop road back to Otorohanga village, turn left onto SH1 to Hamilton and Auckland.

I hope you enjoyed your whirlwind tour of our North Island - if you'd like to visit the South Island as well then go directly to Auckland Domestic Airport after handing back your motorbike and catch an internal flight to Christchurch.

Arriving by air gives you a wonderful overview of the area - sea to the east, a carefully laid out city bordered by the Port Hills to the south-east, then an expanse of patch-work fields ringed by perfectly manicured wind-breaks that stretch all the way to the Southern Alps.....ask for a window seat on the right side of the plane!

If you are just arriving in New Zealand and using Amazing New Zealand services, you will be personally met at the airport by our friendly professional representative and taken to the motorbike rental company in Christchurch (see Day 1 of the North Island). Next door is the excellent International Antarctic Centre near the airport where you can experience all there is to know about the icy continent.

Christchurch is New Zealand's second largest city which sprawls across the Canterbury Plains towards the Southern Alps. The main attractions here are the English style gardens and parks. The city even has its very own Avon River on which one can punt. It has an English colonial feel to the city with school children in formal blazers and straw hats, with fine architecture and heritage sites evident everywhere. The best way to see the city is on the tour aboard a beautifully restored tram which provides commentary about the various sites along the way.

For those itching to to hit the road, then a daytrip to Hanmer Springs and the Waipara Valley wine growing region to the north is recommended.

0kms – Take the SH75 to Akaroa, (1 hour without stops). Possible stops en route include Little River Craft and Gallery (56 kilometres) and Barry's Bay Cheese Factory (73 kilometres) for cheese tastings. Lunch at French Farm is also highly recommended, depending on what time you left.

68kms - The Top of the Hill Cafe at the summit is a must before you make your way down to the harbour, if only to stop and look at the view.

From here it is another 20 kilometres to Akaroa. In 1835 French whaler Jean Langlois established a whaling station in the harbour at French Bay and bought some land from the Maori. Once he had secured the deal he returned to France to organize a group of settlers to come and establish a community. Unfortunately the English had placed the whole of New Zealand under British sovereignty only 13 days before, so the French settlers were forced to sell their claims. They did however stay, bringing both their rich French character and their culture to this far flung outpost of France. Akaroa’s other attraction are of course the tiny and very rare Hector’s Dolphin. These are the only dolphins endemic to New Zealand, with the majority of them using this sheltered harbour as their home. It is a beautiful and privileged experience to be able to swim with these friendly and inquisitive mammals.

I can recommend the scenic route back to Christchurch via the beautiful and winding road along the crater rim, offering stunning views along the way – access to the Summit Road is one kilometre back, the road sign says Eastern Bays. At the top turn left to follow the Tourist Drive - this has to be THE most awesomely scenic route you'll ever ride in the whole world, the views down both sides really are spectacular!

122kms - Back at the Top of the Hill Cafe turn right and head back to Christchurch for 37 kilometres. At the Blue Duck Cafe turn right to return to Christchurch via the Lyttleton Harbour - the second of the craters that make up the Banks Peninsula. After passing over the Gebbies Pass, turn left to Governors Bay and Lyttleton.

184kms - At the Lyttleton Tunnel roundabout continue straight to the shops, turn left and take the first right onto the Sumner Road. This will take you over the even more dramatic (low) Evan's Pass to Sumner. This is one of Christchurch's best beaches - how about fish&chips wrapped in paper (New Zealand style) on the beach watching the sunset? Or a gourmet pizza at the Duck Cafe followed by a film in the little local cinema, before returning to the city via the pretty Heathcote Estuary.

121kms - Soon after passing over the Rangitata River, turn right onto SH79, direction Geraldine and Fairlie. Geraldine is a great place for a coffee and has a few attractions worth stopping for. You can choose from:-

• A larger than fair smattering of arts and crafts galleries
• The Vintage Car Club and Machinery Museum has a sizable collection of cars, tractors and aircraft.
• The Giant Jersey has, you guessed it, the largest jersey in the world, plus lots of woolly stuff
• Barkers Berry Barn has a specialty shop, where you'll find a huge range of fruity liqueurs and wines, plus unique gift and gourmet items
• Kiwi Country is purpose built for the tourist buses and is full of the usual souvenirs. However it does have excellent coffees and toilet facilities.

182kms - Turn right onto SH8 to Lake Tekapo. The scenery dramatically changes as you cross over Burke's Pass. You are now entering the McKenzie Basin, a flat expanse of tussock grasslands and home to New Zealand’s highest mountain Aoraki (or Mt Cook as it is known) plus the longest glacier Tasman and sparkling turquoise glacial lakes below the Southern Alps - and it bears little resemblance to anywhere else in New Zealand.

225kms – The village at Lake Tekapo is small - their claim to fame being that it has the cleanest and clearest air in New Zealand. There is not much to hold you here beyond taking a snapshot of the much photographed Church of the Good Shepherd and the Sheepdog. The gorgeous turquoise-blue lake derives its colour from fine glacial particles suspended in the water.

240kms – Turn off the highway and take the scenic route to Twizel along the huge man-made Tekapo Canal constructed for the Upper Waitake hydroelectric scheme, a significant source of our country’s electricity. En route you can buy fresh fish or sashimi from the salmon farm and stop for spectacular photos of Mt Aoraki across the opaque Lake Pukaki.

270kms – Turn right onto SH80. Lord of the Rings fans may prefer to stay in Twizel to view where they filmed the massive Battle of the Pelennor Fields on the grassy fields to the left of this road, however it really would be sacrilege not to make the 55 kilometre scenic drive to Mount Cook Village at the base of Mt Aoraki and the Tasman and Hooker Glaciers. The drive encompasses world-class scenery at its best where your excitement grows in parallel with the vista before you as you enter the world heritage site known as the Mount Cook National Park.

Suggested activities:-  

• Choose from several different short or long alpine walks with wonderful views.

• Scenic flights - either by ski plane or helicopter...guaranteed to be THE trip of your lifetime!

• Glacier Explorer Trips involve walking to Tasman Lake and then taking an informative boat ride to the face of the advancing glacier

• Eat, drink or just relax in the Hermitage while enjoying the incredible views that lie before you.

0kms – Return along SH80 to Twizel, head south on SH8 via the scenic Lindis Pass. Consider stopping at Omarama for petrol and to view Norman Sinclair’s brilliantly painted landscapes next door.

210kms - It is hard to believe that this sleepy region was the most populous in New Zealand during the chaotic gold boom years of the late 19th century. Cromwell is one of the sunniest, warmest places in the South Island (in the summer that is), making it ideal for growing fruit trees and the region is fast becoming renowned for fine Pinot Noir wines. The Mount Difficulty Vineyard towards Bannockburn has fine wines as well as expansive views. Bannockburn also has gold mines to explore, otherwise the Goldfields Mining Centre in the Kawarau Gorge, 6 kilometres further along the road to Queenstown is well worth the stop.

Today your ride takes you through the dramatic Kawarau Gorge. Half way along the gorge is the excellent Gibbston Valley Winery and café.

The Kawarau River Bridge is home to A.J. Hackett's very first bungee jumping platform - this is where you get to tie a huge elastic band to your ankles and jump out into space over the river, or just have fun watching others.

Continue on to Queenstown - the Adventure Capital of the World! The sheer breadth of tourist activities available here is impossible to list, however the in-thing at the moment are tours that have anything to do with the numerous Lord of the Rings filming locations. One of the most spectacular and affordable scenic flights in the world is the 2 hour Trilogy Trail, with plenty of commentary and behind the scenes 'anecdotes' along the way. In winter the resorts fill up with skiers.

The beautiful resort of Queenstown was originally named as 'fit for a Queen'. This evening ride the Skyline Gondola to take in the awesome views - best viewed at sunset when the Remarkables Range on the other side of Lake Wakatipu glow in golden light. In winter the view is even better with the mountains covered in snow!

On the return trip stop at Bob's Cove where a short loop walking track takes you along a nature trail through native forest full of bellbirds, thrushes and fantails to the lakeside where you can observe the strange seiches phenomenon - this is an unusual rhythmic rise and fall of 12cm in its water level every five minutes due to variations in atmospheric pressure. A Maori myth says it is the beating of a monster's heart lying in the depths of Lake Wakatipu!

Return to Queenstown the way you came and enjoy a little more of what is on offer there such as :-

• Visit Birdlife Park to view a real live kiwi and our other native birds
• Cruise Lake Wakatipu on the old steamer TSS Earnslaw and visit Walter Peak Station on the other side of the lake for an insight into high-country sheep farming
• Learn to fly-fish in the trout infested lakes and rivers
• Play golf on one of the most magically located courses in the world
• Visit Skippers Canyon and the remote Macetown goldfields on a 4x4 tour
• Visit a vineyard and try their wines of course
• etc, etc, etc............

0kms - Drive 6 kilometres north to the SH6 junction and turn right, direction Lumsden and Te Anau. The trip to Milford will take you at least 5 hours.

186kms - Te Anau is the gateway to the Fiordland National Park - 1,250,000 uninhabited hectares of stunning wilderness. It was declared a World Heritage Area on account of the outstanding geological features and exceptional beauty, the jewel in the crown being Mitre Peak in Milford Sound. However many argue that Doubtful Sound is even more spectacular. Te Anau is also the base for many multi-day mountain hikes. It is also where you should fill up with petrol, as there are no shops or facilities in Milford!

As you travel the Milford Sound Road to the Homer Tunnel there are several opportunities to stop and take photos - as you will probably be squashed between a convoy of tourist buses, you'll know where to stop. After the cruise, return the way you came to Te Anau.

Head back towards Queenstown the way you came. At the Frankton intersection turn right onto SH6 then left to Arrowtown. Just before the turnoff you may like to stop at the Amisfield Winery and Bistro on Lake Hayes.

184kms - The pretty tree-lined town of Arrowtown is another former gold mining settlement. Wander amongst the historic cottages, visit the reconstructed Chinese Settlement (the Chinese were subjected to many prejudices so had their own settlement) and wander along the path by the river.

Return to SH6, turn left and then immediately left again for the scenic Crown Range Route to Wanaka via the old gold mining town of Cardrona. The 1120m high pass is rather zigzagging so take your time, however the views are breath-taking from the top. On your descent I recommend a stop at the original Cardrona Hotel.

245kms – Wanaka lies on a tranquil lake with picture-perfect mountains as a backdrop and it is one of my favourite places in New Zealand! There are also several options available here:-

• How about a 4x4 quad bike tour on a sheep farm with great views.
• Play golf-cross after your visit to the Rippon winery.
• Visit the incredible Puzzling Maze, fun for young and old!
• Glendhu Bay is a sheltered and picturesque bay for postcard perfect photos of the mountains behind. Just beyond is a road leading to a popular swimming area in the spectacular Motatapu Gorge.

0kms – Take the road north along the shores of Lake Hawea and Lake Wanaka. Soon after you pass the summit of the Pass itself you can stretch your legs and wander down to Fantail Falls.

Next you come to the Gates of Haast, a gorge full of huge boulders and precipitous rock walls that caused major problems during the construction of the road in 1960 – up until then the Great Divide proved insurmountable to all except the Maori who used the trail for gathering greenstone.

104kms - The 28m Thunder Creek Falls a little further on are well worth the stop, best viewed along a short stroll on a loop-track.

129kms – Another waterfall where you can stop to stretch your legs. The Roaring Billy plunges down a mountain slope on the other side of the river – there is a short loop-track here as well.

157kms – Between Haast Junction and Haast Township look out for McGuire’s Lodge for a lunch option – try their whitebait omelet….a specialty of the region. The delicately flavoured whitebait are tiny fish that are caught by hand in huge nets. When they are “running” you can catch a kilo in an hour, but you have to have luck – hence the price.

From Haast the road skirts the coast where fur seals often doze amongst the spectacular sea stacks and driftwood. There is a viewpoint at Knight Point before the road heads inland again.

184kms – About 200m north of the Moeraki River bridge you can turn left to a car-park and well formed path that takes you through beautiful coastal forest to Munroe Beach, a typical deserted and wild West Coast beach where wildlife abounds - look for the rare and beautiful Fiordland Crested Penguins fighting the crashing waves to land on the beach. 

217kms – Just north of the Paringa River you’ll find the Salmon Farm Café, either feed the salmon in the tanks below or eat one in the café…or just have a coffee.

274kms – New Zealand has many glaciers, however the two monoliths of Franz Joseph and Fox are our most famous. Both are advancing towards the sea at a rate of 1m per year, providing majestic scenery and ecological surprises as they advance. Car-parks and paths are constantly being destroyed, so a guided walk is recommended here (tomorrow morning). Glacier walking is an amazing experience where you descend into crevices and ice-caves to witness the beautiful blue colour of the ice and hear the creaks of the living glacier. The tour is also extremely informative.

Tonight stay at the village of Fox Glacier – tomorrow morning I recommend an early rise to watch the sun rise over Mount Aoraki while being reflected in Lake Matheson, where you’ll also find a café offering a $10 breakfast for the early risers.

160kms - Hokitika is the best place to see the New Zealand Greenstone (jade) being made into ornaments and tiki (pendants). You can even have a lesson to make your own. The stone was prized by the Maori, who called it pounamu and they went to great lengths to find and transport the precious stone. The stone was mainly used for making a lethal weapon that sat snugly in the hand of a warrior. Not to be missed is the glass blowing factory.

Greymouth is home to the Montieth’s Brewing Company which has been family owned since 1868 -they are still brewing with the same traditions they used back then. They brew strong tasting, full bodied ales. A tour of this West Coast icon can be enjoyed today, where formal tasting of each style of beer is of course included.

Greymouth lies on the Grey River – named after the governor Sir George Grey and not that the river is grey with sediment. In it’s heyday as a booming gold centre it was known as Crescent City….now isn’t that a much nicer name!

Continue 60 kilometres north and visit the fascinating Pancake Rocks at Punakaiki - your destination for this evening. High tide is the best time for viewing as the blow-holes can produce some rather spectacular photo opportunities.

107kms - Turn left onto SH73 to begin the dramatic climb over the Southern Alps. Enjoy this world-class scenic journey as the road winds its way up through a spectacular gorge to the settlement of Arthur's Pass. The pass, built by pick and shovel and completed in 1866, is named after Arthur Dudley who discovered it in 1864.

If you would like to stretch your legs then the little walk immediately on your left as you come into Arthur's Pass to the Punchbowl Waterfall is recommended.

From now on it is all downhill, literally, to the city of Christchurch. Another 50 kilometres further and you will start to recognize the scenery where the big budget Disney movie “Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” was filmed, opposite the Cave Hill Reserve car-park.

The final pass to cross is the 945 metre high Porter’s Pass, the Lake Lyndon is popular in the winter for ice-skating. This is the gateway to several ski-fields in the area. Only a few kilometers south of here is the Rangitata Valley you visited on Day 18  - otherwise known as Edoras! The road follows the  Waimakariri River before crossing the fertile patchwork farmlands of the Canterbury Plains.

Voilà, I hope you enjoyed your whirlwind tour of the South Island. Return your motorbike and catch your international flight home. You may need an extra night in Christchurch, depending on the time of your flight.                                                                                                                                                                                      Back to Top