New Zealand Motorcycle Trip North & South

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

We start our adventure in Auckland by driving south through a hilly, emerald green landscape to Rotorua. Choose to visit the epic film set of Hobbiton, the location of 'The Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit'. Or explore the volcanic, bubbling mud pools and natural geysers in the Maori village of Whakarewarewa. You can also visit the Agrodome or take a gondola ride with spectacular views. If you're in the mood for something active: try the luge or discover 'Zorbing'! An evening cultural show and a Maori Hangi feast is planned with the chance to see our national bird - the Kiwi. Distance: 232km Drive time: 4h

Lake Taupo in the center of the North Island is a popular holiday spot 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, home of New Zealand's Art Deco. Distance: 230km Drive time: 4h

We continue through vineyards and see the beautiful orchards of Hawkes Bay. We drive over the windy Rimutakas, a little north of Wellington, where charming houses cling to the hills and overlook 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: 320km Drive 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 forests to Nelson, Australasia's biggest fishing port with its unique microclimate. Nelson has the highest number of sunshine days in the country and is known for its arts and culture. Distance: 110km Drive time: 2.5h

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

Enjoy a leisurely day in Hanmer Springs or take a day trip to Kaikoura to watch 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 hosts breathtaking landscapes and an ancient Maori greenstone trail. For lunch, we stop in Reefton, a historic gold mining town, then continue towards Punakaiki on the wild West Coast. See the ocean thunder through the famous Pancake Rocks - rock formations and holes formed over 30 million years. Distance: 253km Drive time: 4.5h

The West Coast Road runs between the turquoise Tasman Sea and the impressive Southern Alps. Dubbed 'The Ice Run', this road is famous for its awe-inspiring display of glaciers. Fly with a helicopter high above the blue-green ice formations, which are even more overwhelming from the air. Ascend to the peaks and land on the glacier on an unforgettable excursion! Distance: 250km Drive time: 4.5h

We continue north along the wild and beautiful Tasman Coast Road. We stop to sign a pebble - a Kiwi tradition. As the road bends inland and we cross the famous Haast Pass, the landscape dramatically changes to native forests. Rivers, waterfalls, and winding roads create an exhilarating drive. We continue to Central Otago and Mount Aspiring National Park, along massive lakes with a backdrop of snow-capped mountains. We cross the highest road in New Zealand, the Crown Ranges, and descend into the adventure capital of the world - Queenstown! Distance: 352km Drive time: 5.5h

Queenstown is called the 'Adventure Capital' for a good reason: paragliding, jet boating, bungee jumping, and white-water rafting are just a few of the thrilling things to try here. Take a trip along the lakeside road to Glenorchy, a famous filming location for 'The Lord of the Rings'. Visit a vineyard or explore Arrowtown, an old gold mining town with cafes and art galleries. Distance: 0km

We take a short but impressive drive to Te Anau and admire the primordial landscapes of Fiordland. Waterfalls plunge hundreds of meters into forested valleys, and the waters of the fjords majestically reflect towering mountains. Distance: 170km Drive 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, with 360° views of untouched wilderness. Keep an eye out for a Kea, a cheeky mountain parrot with a friendly personality. The luxury package of the tour also includes a relaxed boat trip around Milford Sound. Distance: 110km Drive time: 2.5h

We travel through central Otago, home to sprawling, undulating landscapes, rocky, snow-capped hills, clear blue rivers, deep gorges, and grass-covered ridges. We arrive in the Scottish-influenced city of Dunedin. Victorian architecture and the dreamlike Otago Peninsula make this a particularly attractive destination. We pass the New Zealand capital of fly fishing, Gore, stopping here for lunch and visiting a classic airplane museum with a workshop. Distance: 390km Drive time: 6h

Dunedin is the hub of New Zealand's heritage and natural history. You can choose to explore the city or head out to the Otago Peninsula to see huge albatrosses and yellow-eyed penguins. The peninsula has winding roads with breathtaking coastal views, while the city harbors 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. 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: 414km Drive time: 6.5h

Lake Tekapo offers stunning 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 site. The drive continues to Christchurch via Burkes Pass, Mount Hutt, and the Canterbury plains. We arrive in Canterbury and share our stories and memories of the tour at a farewell dinner. Distance: 251km Drive time: 4h