New Zealand Explorer

Auckland to Christchurch - Christchurch to Auckland

The New Zealand Explorer motorcycle tour takes you on some of the best riding roads NZ has to offer with an emphasis on the more untouched areas of the country. Of course, some of the main attractions shouldn't be missed either, so they are included in our itinerary. For more adventurous riders there will be opportunities to ride excellent gravel road alternatives en-route.

During your bike tour there will be plenty of time for other activities and to experience some Kiwi hospitality. The following tour description is a brief outline of what awaits you on your 17 days of travel, through the diverse country of New Zealand.  

We start in Auckland with some sightseeing and a small bike tour to the coast, to familiarise ourselves with the motorbikes we will be riding on the tour.

We head down the west coast to the Waikato region with a chance to do some caving and abseiling at the end of the day. We continue east to Rotorua, the Maori cultural capitol, with cultural shows hot pools and Geysers.

After motorcycling through some of the North Island's most spectacular forest, unspoiled East Coast beaches greet us in Gisborne. A refreshing swim in the Pacific Ocean or a wine tasting is a nice way to end a very pleasant day. A road of curves, deep gorges and high vantage-points leads us to the Art Deco City of Napier, a region which also grows fruit and produces wine. A leisurely stroll through this well-preserved art deco town is recommended.

In Wellington we have a chance to visit the National Museum, Te Papa, as well as a little sightseeing tour of the city itself. We say goodbye to the endless beaches and windy roads of the North Island and take the ferry through the Marlborough Sounds to the South Island.

Vineyards, snow capped mountains and, lazy seals along the coast are some of our first encounters of the south as we approach Kaikoura. After some whale and dolphin watching we get on our motorcycles and ride through Lewis Pass to reach the small villages along the rugged West Coast.

We continue on the West Coast road along the foot of the Southern Alps until we reach the Glaciers. We recommend a visit to Lake Matheson or a scenic helicopter flight over the glaciers.

Our next destination is Te Anau and the Milford sounds. We spend a full day in Fiordland National Park so you have time to take in the splendour and make this an everlasting memory.

We have reached our southernmost destination and so begin our journey northwards again to Queenstown. Here we will have a rest day to indulge in some adrenaline therapy before entering the final segment of our New Zealand Explorer motorcycle tour

During the last two days we will ride through MacKenzie country, visit the shores of Lakes Pukaki and Tekapo and cross the Canterbury Plains. We reach Christchurch , our final destination, where we conclude the tour with some city sightseeing and a celebration.