PARADISE MOTORCYCLE TOURS: NEW ZEALAND
New Zealand bike tour experts Paradise spill the beans on the North and South Islands…
It’s far away, but totally worth the effort. Especially as their summer is our winter.
So why New Zealand? Bike magazine called riding in New Zealand ‘motorcycle heaven’. And we couldn’t agree more.
We are two main islands slightly bigger in area than Great Britain, and we have a population of around 4.5 million. Yours is somewhat more. We also drive on the left and speak a version of English similar to yours.
We welcome visitors because we know you have come a long way to explore Aotearoa – The Land of the Long White Cloud. And our summer is your winter, how perfect is that if you’re looking to swap short dark cold days, for long sunny bright ones?
We have flowing, trac-free, roads that for all the world seem like they were built for bikers. There is little that is straight or flat in New Zealand, in a spectacular landscape formed by volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. Our stunning scenery ranges from desert to rainforest, glaciers that nearly reach the sea to amazing beaches, lakes so blue you would swear they’re not real to snowy peaked mountains.
And we have the most amazing food: seasonal veg; seafood straight from the ocean and all the usual meat options from our many farms. We cater for every dietary requirement.
We are also proud to be the only BMW Motorrad approved travel partner based in New Zealand and multiple winners of international excellence awards for motorcycle tourism. We are Tripadvisor Hall of Fame members with five years of 5-star certificates of excellence
So how do you get here? If you are a UK passport holder you need New Zealand electronic Travel Authority (ETA). It costs about six quid and it enables you to stay for six months. Apply online: immigration.govt.nz/new-zealandvisas/apply-for-a-visa/about-visa/nzeta.
It takes 22 to 28 hours of travelling to get here, and the same again to get back to the UK.
Flights? There is a great choice of international flights going in and out of Auckland, and a range of prices. If your tour starts in Auckland and ends in Christchurch, book a domestic flight with Air New Zealand from Christchurch to Auckland the day after your tour finishes in Christchurch. Leave at least four hours between the time your flight is due to leave Christchurch to your international flight from Auckland. We will courier your luggage free of charge, from the start of your trip to the finish, so it’s there when you arrive.
If your tour starts and finishes in Christchurch by all means investigate direct international flights, but again your options are far greater if you take the Auckland option.
Air New Zealand domestic flights take 1 hour and 20 minutes direct and you need to book them as soon as you can to get a lower price.
‘We have flowing roads that seem like they were built for bikers’
Gear? It’s always better to bring your own motorcycle kit. Book an extra case and bring a gear bag with all your motorcycle stuff in. Carry your helmet in a good quality helmet bag that has room for whatever you normally take in your carry-on luggage.
What’s the weather like? The song Four Seasons in One Day (Crowded House) was written about New Zealand. We ride all year round although June through August is ski season, spring is September through November and summer is December to March. Autumn is April and May.
Are guided tours best? With a BMW Motorrad certified tour guide leading the tour on a motorbike, and a tourguide driving the support vehicle which also carries the luggage, you can ride with a group of like-minded people and enjoy the camaraderie. We know where to stop for the best food and drinks, and bathrooms (they’re important) and where to get the best photos. Breakfast is included and your guides will book great restaurants each evening. Of course you are always free to dine alone, or ride alone for that matter. It’s your holiday and we want it to be the best it can be for you, one size does not fit all!
What about touring independently?
Want to go it alone, but want all the work done for you? Or maybe ride with a group of friends? We can fix this for you: simply use the lift-out bags we provide to pack your stuff into the BMW luggage on your bike. Again we will courier your luggage to your final destination, so it’s there waiting and ready for you.
We will pre-programme a motorcycle GPS with all the best roads on a day-by-day basis. We pre-book your accommodation based on your options – motels, hotels, bed and breakfasts – and supply you with a tailored itinerary that tells you everything you need to know to get the most from your tour. We will book your Cook Strait Ferry crossing, if you’re on a two Island nd tour it’s included, as is a Milford Sound Cruise on tours longer than nine days that includes the South Island.
And there’s a rental option too? Your third option is rental – just like renting a car you book in advance and ride away. But we will give you as much or as little advice as you need. All our bikes come with full BMW luggage so you have room. Go explore…
What sort of accommodation can I
expect? We use great hotels, motels and bed and breakfasts, and all the rooms have en-suite facilities. The hotels and Bnbs include breakfast and you will always be within walking distance of bars, cafes and restaurants.
What to bring? Shorts, jeans and
Ts are fine everywhere. Bring layers. Everyone brings too much, most of the accommodation we use has laundry facilities where you can wash and dry a full load for around NZ$10.
What does it cost? Guided tours from NZ$9000 Ü Self-guide tours from NZ$3855 Ü Rentals from NZ$165 per day.
And Finally… We are Qualmark licenced: Qualmark is New Zealand’s quality standard for tourism and we are audited annually to ensure we have systems and procedures in place to maintain a high quality of service and safety. It also means we have insurance and independent reviews.
‘It’s your holiday and we want it to be the best it can be, one size does not fit all’