Legacy Tour (19 days) - Guided Tour

This Tour operates from October through April

Day 1 : Auckland - Omapere

Today we make a start heading through Auckland (the city of sails) and onto the Twin Coast Discovery Highway as we north through the grandeur of the Waipoua Forest to Tane Mahuta the oldest and largest surviving native Kauri tree in New Zealand. We then follow the western coastline along to Omapere where we will be staying tonight on the edge of the beautiful Hokianga Harbour.

Day 2 : Omapere - Paihia

Today we catch the ferry across the Hokianga Harbour and head North following the Twin Coast Discovery Trail through the wonderful forests of Northland before making our way through to Doubtless Bay where we will be stopping for lunch in the wonderful seaside village of Mangonui. From here we make our way down through the historic town of Kerikeri and into the magnificent Bay of Islands where we will be staying in Paihia. After settling in for our second night you can sit back, relax and enjoy a wonderful meal on the waterfront of this most beautiful harbour.

Day 3 : Paihia - Coromandel

Heading south along the eastern seaboard we make our way through Auckland and onto the Pacific Coast Highway for a splendid day of riding along this spectacular coastal highway to the historic gold mining town of Coromandel.

Day 4 : Coromandel - Rotorua

An amazing ride through the winding roads of beautiful Mercury Bay and onto the Bay of Plenty as we reach Rotorua, our destination tonight. Tonight after dinner why not sit back and relax in one of the many spa pools that surround this geothermal wonderland.

Day 5 : Rotorua - Wellington

The ride today is a bit longer as we wind our way around Lake Taupo and onto the central volcanic plateau of the North Island, as we make our way south to Wellington, the Capital of New Zealand.

Day 6 : Wellington - Nelson

This morning we board the ferry for the 3-hour crossing to the South Island. From Picton we head through the scenic Queen Charlott Drive to Nelson for our first night in the South Island.

Day 7 : Nelson

Today is free in Nelson. You may want to explore the Able Tasman National park, visit the golden beaches that surround the area or maybe take a kayak tour the choice is yours.

Day 8 : Nelson - Punakaiki

The rugged West Coast is our destination today as we head through the Buller Gorge for Punakiki and the famous Pancake Rocks.

Day 9 : Punakaiki - Franz Josef

An incredible day’s riding as we make our way along the West Coast to Franz Joseph, with the mountainous forest region on our left and the Tasman Sea to our right. This makes for some of the most breath-taking riding that you will encounter.

Day 10 : Franz Josef - Cardrona

The Gates of Haast and the spectacular Haast Pass waits as we head across the Mount Aspiring National Park along the banks of Lake Wanaka through to the Cadrona Valley. Tonight we will be staying in the historic Cadrona Hotel established since 1863.

Day 11 : Cardrona - Queenstown

Having enjoyed our night at the Cadrona Hotel we know head of for one of the most spectacular cruising experiences you will encounter as we follow the Cadrona Valley road and over the Crown Range (the highest sealed road in New Zealand) to Arrowtown, where you will have time to explore this historic mining town. Having explored this historic village we know head back through Queenstown and follow the picturesque Lake Wakatipu to Glenorchy on the northern tip of the lake. Having refreshed ourselves it is know time to cruise back to Queenstown, where tonight we take a cruise across magnificent Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station for our evening meal.

Day 12 : Queenstown

Another day in this most remarkable of places, you make like to take a ride out to historic Arrowtown and follow the fortunes of the gold miners from days gone past or maybe explore one of the many wineries that surround the region, the choice is yours.

Day 13 : Queenstown - Te Anau

Heading south through the gold fields of old as we follow the heritage trail through to Te Anau,the gateway to the famous Milford Sounds.

Day 14 : Te Anau

Today we ride through the Fiordland National Park and into the Milford Sounds. It is here that you have the option of taking a boat cruise on these magnificent sounds. Back on dry land it is now time to ride back to Te Anau for the night.

Day 15 : Te Anau - Lake Tekapo

Our ride today takes us north along the banks of Lake Dunstan through the grandeur of the Lindis Pass as we make our way towards Lake Tekapo and the Church of the Good Shepard. The famous church has been looking out across this pristine lake for over one hundred years.

Day 16 : Lake Tekapo - Christchurch

From Lake Tekapo we make our way through the Mount Cook / Aorakia National park, where we can view New Zealand’s highest Mountain Mount Cook / Aoraki. Having taken in such beauty we now take the scenic route past Mt Hutt and through the Rakaia Gorge into Christchurch, the garden city of New Zealand.

Day 17 : Christchurch - Picton

The East Coast is our destination as we head north to Picton for our return journey to the North Island. Stopping along the way at Kaikoura, where you may want to take in some whale watching if the weather permits.

Day 18 : Picton - Napier

Once again we board the Interisland ferry for the 3 hour crossing to the North Island. On land again we head up the Eastern side of the North Island to Napier in the Hawkes Bay this region is well known for its fine Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon varieties. This region was razed to the ground by a powerful earthquake in1931 and has since rebuilt itself to be known as the Art Deco capital of New Zealand.

Day 19 : Napier Departure

This morning we cross the ranges into Taupo on the banks of New Zealand largest Lake. Having stretched our legs it is know time to make our way through New Zealand’s largest dairy farming province as we head north through the farmlands of the Waikato and Hauraki Districts before arriving in Auckland. Tonight we can all sit back, relax and gather our thoughts, share stories and have a great time at Harley Tours New Zealand farewell dinner.