New Zealand 18 Day Twin Island Discovery Tour™ - Guided Motorcycle Tour

Listed tour rates vary by motorcycle model type. To receive additional tour prices click "Book Tour" & request prices by calling our central reservation department at: 888-900-9901

Day 1 : Christchurch Arrival

Be ready for us to pick you up from your Christchurch hotel or Christchurch airport today, and we'll take you back to South Pacific Motorcycle Tours base. Check out your motorcycle, take a short familiarisation ride, then chill out, meet other riders, and get ready for the fun to begin. Welcome Drinks, a unique ride to a Maori 'Powhiri' Greeting, New Zealand-style buffet dinner, and say 'gidday' to real Kiwis - yes the real feathered variety! Overnight Christchurch (2 nights) Includes Maori Powhiri Greeting Includes Kiwi Welcome Hangi Dinner Includes Live Kiwi & Wildlife Visit

Day 2 : Christchurch

A leisurely ride along the Pacific Ocean provides time for a photo-stop before we head inland. As the wonderful panorama of Christchurch city and the Southern Alps unfolds in front of you, it's hard to concentrate on the delights of the Summit Road as it wends its way around the volcano rim that is known today as Banks Peninsula. Akaroa harbour provided a sheltered home for the Ngai Tahu until peace was shattered by Te Rauparaha's bloody incursion. The arrival of French settlers provided the Akaroa settlement with pretty colonial architecture. The 'Akaroa Run' is a motorcyclists dream come true - tight twisting roads, the best fish and chips around, and time too for a Dolphin Watch Boat Cruise for those wishing to get up close to New Zealand's very own Hectors dolphin.

Day 3 : Christchurch - Mount Cook

Pleasant, easy riding past the sheep paddocks of the Canterbury Plains with the back-drop of the southern alps - a perfect introduction to New Zealand. We visit a typical farm town for lunch before heading over the mountain pass to the glacial blue hydro-lakes district we visit the Church of the Good Shepherd at Lake Tekapo through the valleys right to the base of Mount Cook, the highest peak in New Zealand. At our destination, Mount Cook Village, there's plenty to do. Visit the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre for an insight into one of New Zealand's most important spiritual, cultural and geographical places. A special area is dedicated to the life and achievements of Sir Edmund Hillary, our most famous New Zealander. Entry also includes a visit to New Zealand's first full dome digital planetarium and a special movie that takes you on an exhilarating journey from the mystical Ngai Tahu Maori creation legend of Aoraki Mount Cook , to soaring with Kea above mountains and glaciers, and accompanying a climbing expedition! Overnight Mount Cook Includes Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Center Visit

Day 4 : Mount Cook - Queenstown

Leaving Mount Cook, retracing your steps alongside the glacier blue lakes, cruising through the Mackenzie district and on to the gliding capital of New Zealand, Omarama, Then its a breathtaking ride through the Lindis Pass, (one of Mike's favourite rides) to Lake Dunstan. After riding through the Gibbston Valley wineries we follow the Kawarau River - let's stop at the famous Bungy Jumping Bridge and see who dares to jump! And if that doesn't start the adrenalin pumping, a thrilling Jet-boat Ride on the Shotover River will! It's then just a short ride through the olde gold-mining village of Akaroa and glorious countryside to Queenstown, the Adventure Capital of the World. Overnight Queenstown (2 nights) Includes Jet-Boat Ride

Day 5 : Queenstown

A well earned day off today for you to do your own thing in Queenstown, this is a truly magical place for scenery, activities, and motorcycling around the lakes. Recommended activities/attractions:- jet-boating, white-water rafting, paragliding, mountain-top cable car ride, 'The Luge', vintage steamship lake cruise & farm tour, The Lord of the Rings Safari tour. Or if you're still keen, a 5 star ride to Glenorchy and 'Paradise' just to keep your hand in!. This evening you are free to further explore

Day 6 : Queenstown - Franz Joseph

The highlight today is The Ride. Leaving the old historic Arrowtown village, we head over the highest tar-sealed road in New Zealand towards the lush rain-forests of the West Coast. Historic pubs, lakes, rivers, historic townships and Tasman sea views to die for before the gigantic mountains with their glaciers start towering overhead. Helicopter over Fox or Franz Josef Glaciers and Mount Cook, or climb an ice-wall but the guides will probably meet you at the relaxing Hot Springs in the rain-forest! Overnight Franz Josef Glacier Village

Day 7 : Franz Joseph - Punakaiki

After visiting the Glaciers we ride northwards - crashing waves one side, rain-forest on the other, awesome! We stop to check out the local flora and fauna and learn about the 'Coasters' and their deer-hunting days at the Bushman Center before riding through Hokitika and Greymouth, then it's more five-star riding to Punakaiki. We’ll be checking out the magnificent blow-holes and Punakaiki 'pancake rocks' before meeting up for West Coast hospitality and the local Pub, and with any luck, watching a glorious sunset from the beach. Overnight Punakaiki Includes Entry to Punakaiki Rocks

Day 8 : Punakaiki - Nelson

A breath-taking journey takes us from Punakaiki on the west coast alongside the Tasman Sea, reputedly one of the best rides in the world. Then along-side the raging Buller River with a stop at New Zealand's longest Swing Bridge, (another of Mikes favorite rides) heading northward until we reach the beautiful Tasman Bay. A final coastal ride into Nelson and a visit to the 'World of Wearable Arts and Transport Museum before finding our accommodation and having a well-earned rest. Overnight Nelson (2 nights) Includes Entry to Museum

Day 9 : Nelson - Nelson

Take your pick! Explore Nelson City with its abundance of Arts and Crafts, sip some coffee and simply watch the world go by. OR take a full day's blast to the very tip of the South Island at Farewell Spit OR join your guide who will probably be riding to one of the local's best keps secrets, a picture-perfect golden-sand beach on the edge of the Abel Tasman National Park where there will be time for a leisurely 'Koffee and Kruse' before snoozing, swimming, and sunbathing.

Day 10 : Nelson - Wellington

We head east today, this is pure biker heaven, through the "Rai" valley, with its endless twists and bends, stopping for a famous kiwi hokey-pokey ice cream by the babbling river. Then its a roller coaster ride around through Marlborough Sounds - how does 333 bends in 33 km's sound? Wow! We then hop onto the Inter-islander Ferry for a glorious three hour scenic cruise to the southern tip of the North Island. An evening meal in one of the City's hot spots will put the icing on the cake today. Overnight Wellington Includes Inter-islander Ferry Crossing

Day 11 : Wellington - Napier

Wellington, New Zealand's capital - a visit here would not be worthy without a visit to the Te Papa Museum, where you can see the beautiful Britten V1000, a motorcycle more reminiscent of a sculpture than the sophisticated speed machine that evolved from a NZ backyard to win at Daytona in 1993 and went onto win the BEARS World Series in 1995. The mere mention of the word 'Rimutakas' will send many a motorcyclist into raptures. This delightful road offers a variety of hairpin bends as we climb and descend over the mountain range that surrounds the Upper Hutt valley, and serves as an ideal link to Napier. In 1931 a devastating earthquake nearly leveled this City, it was rebuilt in the style of the times, and now considered as the 'Art Deco' Capital of the world. Overnight Napier

Day 12 : Napier - Rotorua

The major entertainment on the road today is the fantastic scenery. There's a bit of everything, rugged hills, beautiful valleys, gentle plains and huge vistas. Today we ride the Thermal Explorer Highway and we’ll be visiting the resort town of Taupo with its trout-fishing lake, the Volcanic Activity Centre and the Huka Falls before making our way to Rotorua. Overnight Rotorua (2 nights) Includes entry to Volcanic Activity Centre

Day 13 : Rotorua

If you’re not tired of ‘riding New Zealand and living the dream’, ‘we have a great day-ride sorted for you today, with the prize of visiting the amazing Waitomo Caves, with its glow-worm caves. Alternatively, explore the geothermal areas and discover the unique culture of New Zealand's Maori people. Rotorua is entertaining in any weather, at any time of the year. There’s a feast of fun for everyone. This evening you are free to do your own thing.

Day 14 : Rotorua - Coromandel

This is a motorcyclist’s heaven, (I have a feeling we've said that before!) Great biking roads and coastal roads with sweeping bends and awesome views. The stretch that links the Tauranga to The Coromandel is a delight, featuring native bush-clad hills and tight twisting roads linking to lovely beach side towns. The Coromandel Peninsula provides a mecca for motorcyclists, with twists, turns, convoluted hills and pretty bays providing a challenging variety of corner-carving delights. A well-earned stop at quaint Whitianga will have you ready for more fun. Have your swimming 'togs' handy today as the beaches here are among the best in New Zealand and we'll be stopping for a dip if the weather permits. Bay after bay, corner after corner, the route follows the sea until we climb inland providing splendid views over the Firth of Thames to Coromandel. Overnight The Coromandel

Day 15 : Coromandel - Auckland

We continue south today following the pretty pohutukawa-clad coastline of the Peninsula until we reach the old gold mining town of Thames. We then take the 'biker's' route towards Auckland, this is the eastern coastal route offering beautiful bays with tight corners and interesting undulations - ideal for a motorcycle! After visiting the village of Howick, a vibrant exciting community still retaining an element of yesteryear, we head northwards to Auckland, the City of Sails. Auckland's harbor provides a multitude of delightful bays and gives Auckland a deserved reputation as the boating and water recreation 'capital' of New Zealand. A ride past the Auckland Skytower and across the Auckland Harbor Bridge takes us to our piece of paradise near the City. Overnight Auckland

Day 16 : Auckland - Bay of Islands

The Twin Coast Discovery Highway is a stunning route, even for motorcyclists, and leads us through the most beautiful areas of Northland. Our route takes us firstly to the popular seaside resort of Orewa, where golden sandy beaches and the Waiwera thermal reserve have attracted holiday-goers for decades. North of Whangarei we'll be riding through sub-tropical rain-forests teeming with indigenous bird-life. The ride towards Russell is just awesome, and when you arrive at the beautiful Bay of Islands, this most beautiful part of New Zealand will just blow your mind away. Overnight Bay of Islands (2 nights)

Day 17 : Bay of Islands

Once again it's take your pick time. Explore the bays hundreds of islands by yacht, or laze on the stunning beaches. Diving and snorkeling is also highly recommended in the calm waters. The Bay of Islands is also a great place to discover NZ's fascinating colonial heritage. Visit Waitangi where the famous Treaty was signed in 1840 by 40 Maori chief s, and it cafes, art stores and laid back locals are what your after, visit Paihia - the 'jewel' of the Bay of Islands. Want more riding?! Then take a ride up to Cape Reinga, the road has recently been fully tar sealed and the iconic views from Cape Reinga Lighthouse overlooking the meeting of the Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean is well worth the effort.

Day 18 : Bay of Islands - Christchurch

We visit the Stone Store in Kerikeri, built in 1836, and New Zealand's oldest European building before riding more of the beautiful Twin Discoveries Highway. From the laid back coastal delights of the famed Hokianga Harbour, to the tall kauri trees of Waipoua Forest, this trail is spiced with New Zealand heartland’s scenic icons. What a great finish such a superb motorcycle tour of New Zealand, with of course the one and only South Pacific Motorcycle Tours New Zealand! We say Haere Ra, our farewells this afternoon after returning the bikes to our Auckland base and taking you to your onward destination. (Overnight accommodation not included)