Heading for New Zealand

[beemerguru]

Some members of the BMW Club of Northern California are heading to the south island for 2 weeks of riding, walking glaciers, petting whales, sitting in hot springs, and maybe bundgie jumping. :D Picking up my new BMW System V helmet for the trip.

Landing in Christchurch on Sat. doing a clockwise navigation to see as much as possible.

Anything we shouldn't miss while we're there?

[PAULBACH]

Great Escapes : A Guide To Motorcycle Touring in New Zealand (http://www.amazon.com/Great-Escapes-Motorcycle-Touring-Zealand/dp/1877135453) (Spiral-bound)

New Zealand by Motorcycle (http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/gregfrazier/downunder.shtml)

Books for New Zealand (http://www.tourism.net.nz/new-zealand-guidebooks.html#nzguide)

I was there last year at this time. All you really need is a credit card, a sense of adventure and a big smile. And above all else:

Keep The White On The Right!

You are in for a grand adventure! Enjoy!

[PAULBACH]

I hope you have at least one copy of this book for your planning, The New Zealand Motorcycle Atlas (http://www.mapsdownunder.com.au/cgi-bin/mapshop/ZNANEW06.html) by Peter Mitchell. I used it every day I was there and the book is magnificent.

I copied this info from the web site:
This handy reference book is a must for all motorcycle enthusiasts. Containing 100 top rides, this atlas has suggestions for great trips on both sealed and gravel routes. The rides are categorised into North and South Island sections, and each section is colour-coded for easy reference. Users can easily follow the rides in the complete Hema road atlas at the back of the book.
I never left and ventured out unless I had the book and the camera equipment. And please remember:

Keep The White On The Right!

[Timba]

It's a nice 30 minute side trip, walk across the bridge, come back on the zip line ride.

With two people you get a heck of a lot of momentum!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIALsVMj9jo

[dlearl476]

Take your rain gear, have fun, leave the whales alone.

("EcoTourist" interaction with whales is BAD for the whales. Most countries have outlawed it. Check into it.)

[sfarson]

Following business in Auckland Nov '05, I rented a VFR for four days of North Island riding. Fantastic time. Only regret was riding most of the time and not stopping to see the sights.

Look forward to this:
http://www.farson.com/nz/nz1tara.jpg

Look out for this:
http://www.farson.com/nz/nz1police.jpg

[rinty]

The problem with New Zealand is that you normally have a few weeks available to see it, but you really need months of time to give it a proper look.

Steve, riding it on a VFR, that would be fun.

When my wife and I were there some years ago, we were staying in Paihia, in the Bay of Islands. We had a rental car and would go exploring on the metal [gravel(they pronounce it mee-tal)] backroads. On one road we saw a trail snaking over a ridge, hiked over it, and came to a gorgeous horseshoe shaped bay, which we had all to ourselves (it was called Oke Bay). We bought a foam body surf board at a drug store for a few bucks, and went around looking for beaches with good surf.

Great memories.

Rinty

[sfarson]

It is a memorable place Rinty, isn't it. Sounds like you made many deposits to the memory bank account.

That VFR was sweet. Can see why it is a legendary bike... a perflect blend of sport and sport touring, with an abundance of V-4 soul stirred in.

[PAULBACH]

New Zealand feels like you have always been there.

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g264/PaulBach/ClipArt/NZMuriwaiBeach045-1.jpg
There is spectacular scenery.

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g264/PaulBach/ClipArt/NZMuriwaiBeach004.jpg
Some of the roads have a distinct Vermont feel.

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g264/PaulBach/ClipArt/NZMuriwaiBeach001.jpg
Fences seem to mean little to many local residents

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g264/PaulBach/ClipArt/NZMuriwaiBeach002.jpg
Be careful since these "Kiwis" often think the grass is greener on the other side of the road.

Be sure to try a plate of the mussels.