South Island Cycling

Kiith

So, i'm planning on coming over to NZ in a few months on a WHV, and want to spend a few weeks cycling around the South Islands before looking for work. Not entirely sure what route i will take, or how far i intend on going, but i was just wondering if anyone has any experience with long distance cycling around the island.

Plan on flying into Wellington, buying a good bike and supplies, getting the ferry to Picton and pretty much just getting away from everything for a while.

I'll also take any tips on good routes and sites that i can take.

Cookie_Monster

I'm not familiar with down there but a word of warning, do not rely on google maps along to figure out routes. 35% of roads are not surfaced so you'll come across a lot of routes that look nice but are in fact inaccessible by road bike. At the least check the road photos to judge he surface (a lot of the time the unp[aved roads are not covered by the google van)

IF starting from way up north probably won't get to Dunedin will you? but if you do it's reckoned to have one of the best cycling roads in the world...
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/france/travel-tips-and-articles/75502

These are all organised events but take in some nice places:
http://www.aroundbrunner.co.nz/default.asp?PageID=12672
http://www.lerace.co.nz/default.asp?PageID=15362
http://www.graperide.co.nz/graperide/101km/
The third in particular is well know for the incredible setting and is supposed to be a great day's ride. And it goes through Picton so would be easy to incorporated part of it in.

CatFromHue

This may be a good book to get:

http://shop.lonelyplanet.com/new-zealand/cycling-new-zealand-guide-2/cycling-in-new-zealand-riding-the-length-of-nz-chapter-2/

It's not that uncommon for people to do long distance cycles in NZ either.

Kiith

Cheers for the links lads. Will definitely have a good read of them, and am planning on ordering the lonely planet book.

Currently, the plan is to fly into Wellington and get all my gear. So bike, tent, camping gear, provisions etc...and fly down to Christchurch (unless i could get that all in Christchurch?). From there, cycle to Dunedin, followed by Invercargill, and make my way back up to Picton via Queenstown --> Wanaka --> up along the coast to Hokitika (this is where i'm most unsure about, as it's a huge distance with very little in between) --> Nelson --> Picton.

This is all purely based on looking at roads on Google Maps, so it'll almost certainly change once i get a better understanding of the route, but i want to do something similar. Comes out at 2071km according to Google :P Sounds insane, and looks pretty mental on the map, but i've had my mind set on it for a while now.

https://www.google.com.au/maps?saddr=Moorhouse+Ave&daddr=-43.5335046,171.615743+to:-44.0174456,170.8722319+to:-44.0022546,170.4548604+to:-44.2411016,170.1163966+to:-45.8733567,170.5111887+to:-46.4145387,168.3615117+to:-45.8184019,167.6929515+to:-45.4315345,167.7141415+to:-45.1338266,168.7592868+to:-44.9959984,168.6750488+to:-43.5800123,169.6291313+to:-42.6362355,171.068354+to:-41.2673058,172.9475629+to:Picton,+Marlborough,+New+Zealand&hl=en&ll=-43.786958,170.81543&spn=9.24818,21.643066&sll=-44.81107,168.861923&sspn=0.283998,0.676346&geocode=FdqhZ_0ddhxKCg%3BFUC7Z_0d_6U6CinLU-32jtYtbTHB4jtMhu8AEw%3BFdtYYP0dp00vCin7WX_6Pn4sbTGBZz9Mhu8AEw%3BFTKUYP0dTO8oCinXqzqgVXUrbTFxWT9Mhu8AEw%3BFTPvXP0dLMUjCinrBUO9yx8rbTEAR5RMhu8AEw%3BFTQHRP0dVMspCilF0uZdE6wuqDFQeH1Mhu8AEw%3BFTbFO_0dJ_4ICilvSvvrksTSqTGgFn1Mhu8AEw%3BFd_dRP0dl8r-CSl3yEscMZXTqTHxto1Mhu8AEw%3BFRLFSv0dXR3_CSn7tYdG-Q7UqTFZ8HTbHcLhnw%3BFf5PT_0d9g8PCikHThnG9d3UqTGQdIhMhu8AEw%3BFWJqUf0d6MYNCikXVe0HrB3VqTGQZYpMhu8AEw%3BFZQFZ_0dy1UcCildsSklIRMqbTFg9z1Mhu8AEw%3BFTVsdf0dwksyCiklwoioajsvbTGgsZNMhu8AEw%3BFZdPiv0davhOCikpftHrrp07bTEgaINMhu8AEw%3BFZ_0if0dbAtfCikFONSk6iY5bTFgoXmEhu8ABQ&oq=picton&t=h&mra=ltm&via=1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13&z=6

MrCreosote

That's a nice route, done either way would be a fantastic trip.

Couple of points I'd make:

-Between Christchurch and Dunedin it's much more pleasant to avoid SH1, if you had the time I'd go inland via Kurow to Omarama and up though the Mackenzie to Fairlie (assuming it's summer!), and then down to Chch.

-The West Coast from Greymouth to Wanaka is pretty quiet and remote, but there are plenty of small hamlets along the way. It's a fairly popular cycle touring route too, scenery is amazing but the weather can be pretty wet. Don't be worried about this stretch, it's likely to be the highlight of your trip. A guy I know led a unicycle tour down here a while back, so if they can do it...!

-Best route by far between Invercargill and Dunedin is via the Catlins.

-Finally another option for the Christchurch-Picton would be to train it. This is the only unpleasant stretch that is difficult to avoid the main SH1 if you're cycling

There are a number of logs on the crazyguyonabike website that might give you a flavour for things

Another site is the official cycle trails that are being developed. A lot of these are MTB trails, or gravel roads.
http://www.nzcycletrail.com/explore/great-rides

Some of these are partially or fully open, and might be of interest to you depending on what wheels/tyres you'll be running like the Central Otago Rail trail or the alps to ocean one. I did the Rail trail a few years back on a MTB, but it would be very easy (probably more so) on 28c tyres. It's a wonderful cycle, pretty busy these days though.

Hope that's of some help. The motorists are crazy here, terrible really but there's far fewer of them on the South Island. Stay off SH1 as much as possible and you'll be fine!

MrCreosote

Whoops, just had a look at your route! You've already got the bit from Dunedin to Chch covered.
The Catlins area is the south eastern corner- great spot, nice and quiet and the road is now fully paved!

Kiith

Cheers lads. Will definitely refine the overall route before i go, though i will probably stray quite a bit over the 6 or so weeks i plan for it. Don't want to have everything planned afterall. Regarding camping in NZ...there'll be plenty of places to camp along most routes, wouldn't there? I don't plan on always staying in the tent, but i plan on keeping the overall costs down when i can.Never been in NZ before, so i don't really know what the climate or wildlife is like.

Nothings going to try and eat me, is it? Just in Australia at the moment, and since everything native to here pretty much just wants to f*ck your day up, i'd be pretty wary of camping anywhere here.

Kiith

Also, i've changed the route a bit, to try and avoid SH1 where i can, which also now takes me through the Catlins. It's added another 100km or so, but that's grand. Pretty sure i'll fly to Christchurch now, and start from there. Then end back in Picton, and move to Wellington after it all and look for a job

https://www.google.com.au/maps?saddr=Moorhouse+Ave&daddr=-43.5335046,171.615743+to:-44.0174456,170.8722319+to:-44.0022546,170.4548604+to:-44.2411016,170.1163966+to:-45.8733567,170.5111887+to:-46.4145387,168.3615117+to:-45.8184019,167.6929515+to:-45.4315345,167.7141415+to:-45.1338266,168.7592868+to:-44.9959984,168.6750488+to:-43.5800123,169.6291313+to:-42.6362355,171.068354+to:-41.2673058,172.9475629+to:Picton,+Marlborough,+New+Zealand&hl=en&ll=-43.786958,170.81543&spn=9.24818,21.643066&sll=-44.81107,168.861923&sspn=0.283998,0.676346&geocode=FdqhZ_0ddhxKCg%3BFUC7Z_0d_6U6CinLU-32jtYtbTHB4jtMhu8AEw%3BFdtYYP0dp00vCin7WX_6Pn4sbTGBZz9Mhu8AEw%3BFTKUYP0dTO8oCinXqzqgVXUrbTFxWT9Mhu8AEw%3BFTPvXP0dLMUjCinrBUO9yx8rbTEAR5RMhu8AEw%3BFTQHRP0dVMspCilF0uZdE6wuqDFQeH1Mhu8AEw%3BFTbFO_0dJ_4ICilvSvvrksTSqTGgFn1Mhu8AEw%3BFd_dRP0dl8r-CSl3yEscMZXTqTHxto1Mhu8AEw%3BFRLFSv0dXR3_CSn7tYdG-Q7UqTFZ8HTbHcLhnw%3BFf5PT_0d9g8PCikHThnG9d3UqTGQdIhMhu8AEw%3BFWJqUf0d6MYNCikXVe0HrB3VqTGQZYpMhu8AEw%3BFZQFZ_0dy1UcCildsSklIRMqbTFg9z1Mhu8AEw%3BFTVsdf0dwksyCiklwoioajsvbTGgsZNMhu8AEw%3BFZdPiv0davhOCikpftHrrp07bTEgaINMhu8AEw%3BFZ_0if0dbAtfCikFONSk6iY5bTFgoXmEhu8ABQ&oq=picton&t=h&mra=ltm&via=1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13&z=6&dg=feature

MrCreosote

Kiith wrote: »

Cheers lads. Will definitely refine the overall route before i go, though i will probably stray quite a bit over the 6 or so weeks i plan for it. Don't want to have everything planned afterall. Regarding camping in NZ...there'll be plenty of places to camp along most routes, wouldn't there? I don't plan on always staying in the tent, but i plan on keeping the overall costs down when i can.Never been in NZ before, so i don't really know what the climate or wildlife is like.

Nothings going to try and eat me, is it? Just in Australia at the moment, and since everything native to here pretty much just wants to f*ck your day up, i'd be pretty wary of camping anywhere here.

Camping is pretty easy, the best way to travel the country. Every little town has a campsite, usually excellent facilities. And for the off-the-beaten track areas there are a number of DOC campsites, tend to be more basic, but usually great locations and very cheap.
http://doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-stay/conservation-campsites-by-region/

The only thing that will eat you are the sandflies. They're frickin nuclear though, especially on the West Coast and the bites itch like nothing you've experienced before! They can't outfly a bike though, and they disappear after dark.

Kiith

Sand flies eh? Deet it is than :P

Cheers for the tips lads. Will take a look at the campsites, and refine the route / plan over the next few weeks. Also going to look for some more off road trails, as i'd like to avoid as many main roads as i can. Really looking forward to doing it, and November can't come soon enough.

Kiith

8 weeks tomorrow i'll be starting my cycle (can't bloody wait ) and i'm just trying to finalise my route now and wanted to see if anyone had an opinion on part of it. I'm going to start the journey in Christchurch now, as i don't fancy the ride down SH1 from Picton. I've also change the route down the coast to Dunedin, and am now going Christchurch --> Geraldine --> Cromwell so i can do the Otago trail.

Is Dunedin worth visiting? And anyone can anyone suggest any 'must see' places or route changes?

https://www.google.com.au/maps?saddr=Moorhouse+Ave&daddr=-43.5335046,171.615743+to:-44.074249,170.8671531+to:-44.0022546,170.4548604+to:-44.2411016,170.1163966+to:-46.247097,169.820182+to:-46.5117635,169.4698728+to:-46.4145387,168.3615117+to:-46.2799771,167.7354005+to:-45.5353534,167.636154+to:-44.670396,167.928602+to:-45.1338266,168.7592868+to:-44.9959984,168.6750488+to:-43.5800123,169.6291313+to:-42.0929971,171.3450692+to:-41.2673058,172.9475629+to:Picton,+Marlborough,+New+Zealand&hl=en&ll=-45.683158,169.271851&spn=2.095371,5.410767&sll=-45.111331,169.62616&sspn=0.262646,0.676346&geocode=FdqhZ_0ddhxKCg%3BFUC7Z_0d_6U6CinLU-32jtYtbTHB4jtMhu8AEw%3BFfd6X_0d0TkvCikznQITG4EsbTEQjT9Mhu8AEw%3BFTKUYP0dTO8oCinXqzqgVXUrbTFxWT9Mhu8AEw%3BFTPvXP0dLMUjCinrBUO9yx8rbTEAR5RMhu8AEw%3BFUdTPv0dFkAfCint3o1V-UgsqDHxZ0pMhu8AEw%3BFW1JOv0dsOcZCimx1UKsFqYtqDFxMExMhu8AEw%3BFTbFO_0dJ_4ICilvSvvrksTSqTGgFn1Mhu8AEw%3BFdfSPf0daHD_CSmTRBEYq1HSqTGxi0pMhu8AEw%3BFYcvSf0duuz9CSmvoCYg4PfTqTGwd0RMhu8AEw%3BFURiVv0dGmMCCinnWAaekN3VqTGE3aTgUBrFgQ%3BFf5PT_0d9g8PCikHThnG9d3UqTGQdIhMhu8AEw%3BFWJqUf0d6MYNCikXVe0HrB3VqTGQZYpMhu8AEw%3BFZQFZ_0dy1UcCildsSklIRMqbTFg9z1Mhu8AEw%3BFTu2ff0drYQ2CimrVpEtY4UlbTERmIxMhu8AEw%3BFZdPiv0davhOCikpftHrrp07bTEgaINMhu8AEw%3BFZ_0if0dbAtfCikFONSk6iY5bTFgoXmEhu8ABQ&mra=mrv&via=1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15&t=m&z=8

soonleng.lim

I live in Queenstown, S Island. You can contact me at soonleng.lim@gmail.com

I have done part of the Otago Rail Trail. In case you are looking for a bike, try the kiwi auction site Trademe.co.nz
There are also many so called Holiday Parks where you can get simple accom or pitch a tent for minimal cost.

MrCreosote

Looks super.

If you're doing the Otago rail trail, it ends in Middlemarch on SH87, so you'd have a few options

-retrace the rail trail to Alexandra and follow your route from there
-head down SH 87 into Mosgiel and Dunedin. If you go up over three mile hill road you get a 400m 6km descent right into the centre of Dunedin as your introduction to the city!
-get the Taieri gorge railway from either Middlemarch (some days) or pukerangi into Dunedin. They carry bikes as a lot of people use it to access the trail start from Dunedin

Dunedin is nice enough for a few days, but personally I wouldn't detour there if you follow the route you've mapped, although I would from Middlemarch. If you do go the otago peninsula is a fabulous day cycle- coastal roads, tough ascents, fantastic views and swooping descents. The lot AND penguins too!

Only other detour I'd think about would be up to Motueka, kaiteriteri and Abel Tasman NP if you need a few days RnR at the end.

It looks great though, I'm jealous looking at it!

CatFromHue

Dunedin is grand but I wouldn't list it as a highlight or anything.

You're going to skip Kaikoura altogether which I think is a shame. One of my highlights was swimming with the dolphins there. I'd actually recommend just taking a bus up there from Chch for a day and doing the dolphin swim before you go on your cycling trip.

There's an observatory in Lake Tekapo that is meant to be amazing. Due to the lack of ambient light and the clear skies you get a great view of the night sky.

Also just be aware that there's nothing in Milford Sound other than a hostel and maybe a small shop. It's a very quiet, but scenic, spot.

I took a bus journey from Chch to Queenstown and it was really spectacular as you travel along the foothills of the Southern Alps. I also took a bus journey from Dunedin to Chch and it was nice but not in the same league so I think you should be grand with the route you;re taking.

Kiith

Cheers for the tips folks.

https://www.google.com.au/maps?saddr=Moorhouse+Ave&daddr=-43.5335046,171.615743+to:-45.0370852,169.2231805+to:-45.0452403,170.047071+to:-46.0436812,170.2129944+to:-46.1376145,170.1360927+to:-46.2209147,169.8315152+to:-46.4850462,169.5830838+to:-46.4145387,168.3615117+to:-46.2799771,167.7354005+to:-45.5353534,167.636154+to:-44.6682292,167.9272612+to:-44.9959984,168.6750488+to:-43.5800123,169.6291313+to:-42.0929971,171.3450692+to:-41.7643843,171.6002514+to:-41.2673058,172.9475629+to:Picton,+Marlborough,+New+Zealand&hl=en&ll=-45.606352,169.469604&spn=2.259649,5.410767&sll=-46.192666,169.915924&sspn=0.277587,0.676346&geocode=FdqhZ_0ddhxKCg%3BFUC7Z_0d_6U6CinLU-32jtYtbTHB4jtMhu8AEw%3BFePJUP0dDCQWCillvu0cidQqqDExIJdMhu8AEw%3BFQiqUP0dX7YiCilxElv6xFAqqDFQkEJMhu8AEw%3BFd9tQf0dgj4lCil7B-eJERksqDEh0EhMhu8AEw%3BFfL-P_0dHBIkCik3JHL5IiMsqDGhmklMhu8AEw%3BFY65Pv0dW2wfCilBTKiFi0gsqDHhf_AI2xagZA%3BFcqxOv0d66EbCinLHI1f3a8tqDHAIExMhu8AEw%3BFTbFO_0dJ_4ICilvSvvrksTSqTGgFn1Mhu8AEw%3BFdfSPf0daHD_CSmTRBEYq1HSqTGxi0pMhu8AEw%3BFYcvSf0duuz9CSmvoCYg4PfTqTGwd0RMhu8AEw%3BFbtqVv0d3V0CCinJuwsJkN3VqTGQBEFMhu8AEw%3BFWJqUf0d6MYNCikXVe0HrB3VqTGQZYpMhu8AEw%3BFZQFZ_0dy1UcCildsSklIRMqbTFg9z1Mhu8AEw%3BFTu2ff0drYQ2CimrVpEtY4UlbTERmIxMhu8AEw%3BFeC5gv0de2k6Cil9dwvmBgYlbTFAKGZMhu8AEw%3BFZdPiv0davhOCikpftHrrp07bTEgaINMhu8AEw%3BFZ_0if0dbAtfCikFONSk6iY5bTFgoXmEhu8ABQ&mra=dpe&mrsp=6&sz=11&via=1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16&t=m&z=8

I've altered the route slightly now. I think i'll go along the Otago trail from Clyde to Middlemarch (or Pukerangi), and skip Dunedin. I mainly want to go to Milford Sounds, as i've heard the road along that route is amazing to cycle on, and is incredibly scenic. It adds about 250km to my journey though, so we'll see if i do stick with that plan. And assuming i'm not completely dead by the time i'm heading towards Picton, i might head up towards Motueka, kaiteriteri and Abel Tasman for a day or two. Really depends on how much money i have left by this stage.

Would love to swim with dolphins as well, but i might have to give that a pass, at least for now. I can see myself back again though, assuming i survive the trip :P

Just hope i get mostly decent weather. I know it will rain, but i pray for at least decent weather most of the time.

Really can't wait to get going

MrCreosote

Milford sound is fantastic. The road there is awesome, in the original sense of the word, starts off ok, and keeps getting better and better.

The only tricky bit is the Homer tunnel, about 1k long and 10% gradient down towards Mlford sound. It's really dark, single lane and wet inlined walls. They've a traffic light system in the summer. It's fine heading to the sound but I'd imagine its pretty tough heading back. I'm not sure how cyclists manage it-plenty do I suppose. Good lights, head early in the day before the buses arrive and put the hammer down when the lights change! Prob no issues getting a lift out though to the tunnel if you asked around.

I've only ever driven there, but I'd say the downhill from the tunnel to the Sound on a good day would be a magic experience. And it's well worth spending a night or two there- much nice atmosphere once the tur buses leave.

One last website I forgot to mention is vorb.org.nz which has some pretty active nz cycling forums for local advice.

Kiith

Chhers for all the advice folks. Definitely helping with the planning.

My visa was approved today anyway, so i'm going to book my flights later and see about getting some accommodation sorted along the way. Couple of last (or not so last once i think of more) questions if anyone knows...

1. I'm guessing i should book any accommodation along the busier spots (Otago Trail, Milford Sounds etc...) now? Just worried about having to stick to a strict deadline, as i want to explore and deviate from my route when i like. Ideally i'd wait till when i was on the road, but that might not be an option during the busy period. Will be camping most of the time, but will want to stay indoors occasionally.
2. What's the weather going to be like along the south and west of the island. I know it's summer, but i'm assuming i can expect a fair amount of wind and rain?
3. Anyone been along the route from Wanaka along state highway 6? Just wondering, as there doesn't seem to be anything for a few hundred km's, and i'm just not sure how i'll resupply if i run low on food / water.

Cookie_Monster

While I can't specifically say about the south west coast (where it always rains ) the summer here post December is usually calm enough and the wind drops dramatically from what it is at other times of the year.
Strong sunblock is a must (30+), the sun is really harsh here and you'll burn within 30 mins without it even now.

Kiith

Ah, sure I'm a factor 50 man all year round, so i should hopefully be ok :P

MrCreosote

Camping you'd be fine just rocking up, with the possible exception of queenstown/wanaka at New Years. Even hostel you'd only need a couple of days notice.

The west coast can be very wet, but can be grand as well. Summer is to too bad usually, and normally there'd be at most a couple of wet days followed by a fe nice days. You don't tend to get the weeks of grey drizzle like in Ireland. It can be windy, but it's usually worse on the E side of the alps when they westerly rushes off the tops.

That stretch isn't too bad -wanaka-hawea-makarora-fox I'd say the longest stretch is 80-90k between shops (maybe slightly more on the fox leg). There's a good few stopping viewpoints too so if you run out of water you could just pull in and ask a friendly campervan for some of theirs. Its not busy but there's always people at the stopping points.

nice_guy80

do you need to apply for a visa for NZ??? Just for holidays?

Cookie_Monster

nice_guy80 wrote: »

do you need to apply for a visa for NZ??? Just for holidays?

probably not assuming you meet some conditions
http://www.discovernewzealand.com/new-zealand-holiday/passportsandvisas/