Self-Guided BMW Motorcycle Tour Through New Zealand

When you land at Auckland Airport, you will be picked up at the airport and taken to the hotel.

We begin our tour heading south, driving along the winding coastline and enjoying the view of the Tasman Sea. We cross the Hauraki Plains and discover the Coromandel Peninsula, an area of perfect beaches, native forests, and a relaxed atmosphere with exciting roads for the motorcycles. Overnight we stay in Thames, a historic town known as the gateway to the Coromandel Peninsula. Distance: 191km. Driving time: 3h.

Today we take the loop around the Coromandel Peninsula and enjoy lunch in the local community. During this drive, we admire the bush-covered hills and will surely enjoy the breathtaking views of the coast. On the way to Tauranga, we explore the Karangahake Gorge, one of the most scenic drives on the North Island. If interested, the epic film set of Hobbiton, location of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, can be visited. Afterwards, we continue to Rotorua, where impressive geothermal activities can be observed. Distance: 221km. Driving time: 4h.

Rotorua is one of New Zealand's most popular travel destinations. Check out the boiling mud, hot springs, and geysers at the Maori village of Whakarewarewa. Visit the Agrodome to learn about sheep shearing, take a gondola ride and try lugeing, or discover what zorbing is. Tonight, we experience a Maori cultural show and a Hangi feast! Distance: 0km.

Lake Taupo in the center of the North Island is a favored holiday hotspot for locals. We stop here for lunch and visit the thundering Huka Falls, famous for their unmistakable blue-green hue. We cross the Ahimanawa and Maungaharuru mountain ranges and drive through the vineyards of Eskdale before arriving in Napier, the home of Art Deco in New Zealand. Distance: 219km. Driving time: 4h.

We travel further through vineyards and see the beautiful orchards of Hawkes Bay. We drive over the windy Rimutakas, just north of Wellington, where enchanting houses cling to the hills overlooking Wellington's harbor. We discover the capital and see the 'Beehive' - New Zealand's government building. Visit the fabulous Te Papa Museum and gain insights into the country's history. Distance: 315km. Driving time: 5h.

We take the ferry across the Cook Strait, one of the most beautiful crossings in the world and drive the iconic road of the Marlborough Sounds - the Queen Charlotte Drive. We follow the road through dense pine forest to Nelson, where one can experience the most sunny days in New Zealand. Nelson is also known for its arts and culture. Distance: 110km. Driving time: 2.5h.

We head south over the Mount Hope Pass and through the Buller Gorge. For lunch we rest in the old gold mining town of Murchison, then we drive the famous Lewis Pass to see top-notch mountain scenery. We reach the thermal resort of Hanmer Springs, which nestles in a basin surrounded by forested mountains. Here you can soak in the natural hot springs, relax and rejuvenate. Distance: 300km. Driving time: 5h.

Enjoy a relaxed day in Hanmer Springs or take a day trip to Kaikoura to observe whales from a boat or from the air. Depending on the season, migrating humpback whales, pilot whales, blue whales, and southern right whales may appear. We end the day with freshly caught crayfish on the coast of Kaikoura. Distance: 0km.

We drive over the spectacular Lewis Pass, which has a breathtaking landscape backdrop and an ancient Maori greenstone trail. For lunch we stop in Reefton, a historic gold mining town, then we are on our way to Punakaiki on the wild west coast. Here you can watch how the ocean thunders through the famous Pancake Rocks - rock formations and holes that formed over 30 million years. Distance: 253km. Driving time: 4.5h.

The West Coast Highway runs between the turquoise Tasman Sea and the impressive Southern Alps. Known as 'The Ice Run', this road is famous for its awe-inspiring display of glaciers. Fly high over the blue-green ice formations, which are even more overwhelming from the air. A helicopter can take you on an unforgettable excursion! Distance: 240km. Driving time: 4.5h.

We drive through the Fox Hills and visit Lake Matheson - one of New Zealand's most iconic and photographed lakes. The dark water creates truly breathtaking reflections of New Zealand's highest peaks - Aoraki (Mount Cook) and Mount Tasman. We have lunch at Salmon Farm Cafe before driving through the Haast Pass. This route is described as 'motorcycle heaven' - rivers, waterfalls, and winding roads make for an unforgettable ride. We have a bite to eat in Wanaka and drive over the Crown Range to our next destination: Queenstown. Distance: 327km. Driving time: 5h.

Paragliding, jet boating, bungee jumping, and white water rafting are just a few of the thrilling things to try in Queenstown. Take a drive over the Crown Range, New Zealand's highest main road, to the Cardrona Hotel. Visit a vineyard or explore Arrowtown, an old gold mining town with cafes and art galleries. Distance: 0km.

We make a short but impressive drive to Te Anau and admire the prehistoric landscapes of Fiordland. Waterfalls plunge hundreds of meters into forested valleys, and the waters of the fjords majestically reflect towering mountains. Distance: 173km. Driving time: 3h.

We drive along the coast of Lake Te Anau through the famous Homer Tunnel down to Milford Sound. The views on the road to Milford are almost as impressive as the fjord itself. Keep an eye out for the Kea, cheeky mountain parrots with a penchant for rubber and plastic. The luxury package of the tour includes a boat trip around Milford Sound. Distance: 110km. Driving time: 2.5h.

We travel through central Otago, home to expansive, rolling landscapes, rocky, snow-covered hills, clear blue rivers, deep gorges, and grassy hillsides. We arrive in the Scottish-influenced city of Dunedin. Victorian architecture and the dreamy Otago Peninsula make this a particularly attractive destination. We pass through New Zealand's capital of fly fishing, Gore, stop here for lunch, and visit a classic airplane museum with a workshop. Distance: 289km. Driving time: 4.5h.

Dunedin is the hub of New Zealand's heritage and natural history. You can choose to explore the city or drive out to the Otago Peninsula to see giant albatrosses and yellow-eyed penguins. The peninsula has winding roads with stunning views of the coast, while the city houses historic buildings, museums, and art galleries waiting to be discovered. Distance: 0km.

We leave Dunedin for a drive over the Maungatua Ranges. The area is typical of the dry Maniototo region, hilly and covered with the famous tussock grass. We stop in Cromwell, the 'fruit bowl of New Zealand', before we take the Lindis Pass and enjoy the alpine scenery between Lindis Valley and the Ahuriri River on the way to Lake Tekapo. Distance: 303km. Driving time: 5h.

Lake Tekapo offers breathtaking views of Mount Cook, New Zealand's highest mountain. At the Church of the Good Shepherd, we admire the bronze statue of a sheepdog and the view of the turquoise lake at this iconic location. The drive continues to Christchurch over the Burkes Pass, Mount Hutt, and the Canterbury Plains. We arrive in Canterbury and share memories of the tour at a farewell dinner. Distance: 243km. Driving time: 4h.