Featured Touring South Island Tour

I needed to travel to Blenheim at the top of the South Island, for a National committee meeting, so decided to make a week of it to justify the ferry crossing expenses.
After an offer to traverse the South Island with a fellow member did not fit my budget, I arranged to travel down Thursday and stay the first night, to reduce travel and timing the next day.
Dinner and drinks followed the wet and foggy ride , making the first night a pleasure to start

 

After a a few whiskeys and good nights rest, we met up for fuel and the travel crew for the trip to Wellington and the Ferry crossing.
Time was of the essence, so stops were limited to fuel and one quick refreshment closer to the destination.


Tauriko BP truck stop - Pyes Pa



Google image of desert road between
Turangi and Waiouru


Waiouru BP (next to army camp) with
National park in the background

Rat Hole bar - Rangatikae

Hot enough for outdoor seating




https://youtube.com/shorts/r2OxOfbKcIU?si=Q9UtDeTnVYzsIN9k

 

After a quick refreshment, we waiting for our rider partner, but he was running late, so we would meet at the ferry terminal
5 patrol cars and a bad accident on the way to Bulls, had us tentatively progressing at speed. The ride was uneventful and we met the other riders awaiting the ferry.
My travelling partner ride past on the wrong motorway and only just pulled in as we got boarding orders. He ride ahead of us as we got ready to board . Talk about cutting it fine .
The crossing was flat and weather was beautiful


President regroup for ferry crossing

Crossing was dead flat

Rever ride statistics


https://youtube.com/shorts/c7nAZfWolyY?si=v8J_wis8Vcs66uDo

 

Ferry crossing done, it was time to find some food, so we looked around for a decent fish and chip shop. The usual Blue Cod favourite had new owners and was deserted, so we opted for Terakihi, chips and mussels. Portions were huge, so some tucked away for later and we headed to Blenheim for our accommodation in the dark


Good bye North Island

 

Next morning was watch the All Black v France World Cup opener or ride to Kaikoura for breakfast. The warm bed won for the tired body and my riding partner set off.
He broke down, much like the All Blacks, but managed to find a mechanic to weld the gear linkage rod. He text he was safe and on the way, so I prepared for our TRMCC meeting close by and got some supplies for the next leg of our trip.
Great food before and after the meeting, but too much socialising meant a tough start for the next leg
Top 10 holiday unit was cosy

RWC-France giving it to the All Black

JJ’s ill-fated ride had gorgeous views

Kaikoura (not Waiouru but similar temps)

Meeting preparation

Meeting room including lunch/dinner

 

We just managed to meet the pack riding south as they were leaving town, after being late to the meeting point, thankfully we had gassed up . Great roads and ride leader made haste of the trip to meet up with the Canterbury chapter ride out. We called from first meeting point to find they were lunching on the west coast, so headed to a nice tavern for lunch (and only tomatoe juice ), before saying our goodbyes to the guys heading further south.
I needed to pickup a back rest purchased from Road Boss in Christchurch before we headed back up to soak the bodies in the thermal pools and stop for the night.


Kaikoura BP with
South Alpine ranges in the background

Amberley BP

Oxford West Tavern
Lunch stop for Canterbury chapter ride

Great steak, eggs, and chips with
Spiced Tomato juice


https://youtube.com/shorts/TQ1qRlFKWKU?si=gxhFTByzWiZBcWb4

 

After a good soak, meal and nights sleep, we woke to heavy rain and a difficult leg of our trip across Lewis Pass.
Signs ranged from ice/grit, slow when wet, uneven surface.
I had to stop to change wet gloves for some Gortex which helped. The other rider explained he had heated grips but I made it to the next stops cafe with a fire to dry my boots.


Murchison cafe

Fire inside allowed boots to dry and hands to warm. Great coffee too

Big Breakfast had smoky farm bacon

Nice to park in the dry and warmth of friends


https://youtube.com/shorts/MCLrV4KZsnw?si=TQ0jpYFcIIkXEVAR

 

Luckily the stop at Tasman was staying with friends, so we managed to hang leathers in the hot water cabinet and thermals inside on clothes hoists Using their garage I installed the backrest and changed the bags to east/west to fit (I found you can adjust up once home, making it much more comfortable ).
A great BBQ dinner and baked crumble desert made for a pleasant end to a trying day. An English breakfast, cooked by the host, set us off to the ferry to return to the North Island Thankfully weather was clearer


New backrest

Waiting for the ferry

Tied up safe, now for refreshments

Good bye South Island


https://youtube.com/shorts/hOyo7Onp6eU?si=-sqJUemgnJK6_8b-

 

Thanks Marcus, yes my bag of washing done. It was only two wet days out of 7, but the day in the hills was heavy and cold . I had so much fun that they are just part of the trip now. Ride back story to come

 

Decision was made to stay in Palmerston North to break up the ride home. JJ nearly ran out of gas, but managed to get to Paraparaumu station on zero . Arrived in high winds and cold front, so found a hotel before heading for dinner.


Urgent Gas stop then off to Palmy



Garlic mussels and Steak Pot Pie

 

Early start to get home before dark. Gas up and off to Waiouru for gas before desert road crossing. Gas again at Turangi, before brunch stop at Taihape. Quick refreshment at Taupo, before parting ways in Tokoroa for trip home . Arrived with 0 miles left


Stormy Point lookout - Feilding

Brown Sugar cafe Taihape



Pub N Gub Taupo








httpsa://youtube.com/shorts/sI3Wqornwuw?si=Vde9kg6uO6ibTEPO

 

Great trip with many lifelong memories and friendship forged by love of motorcycles and riding. Good to be home for pie

 

I like your Youtube vid that's a good addition to your ride report
Sounds like you had a good run round.[/QUOTE]
Thanks Eldon, great trip. Log not quite @Sandi T quality, but I tried to record some rides to give the countryside context

 

I hope you enjoy as much as I did. Open to queries and critique