Make New Zealand your trip of a lifetime...
Is it really worth it?
There’s no getting away from the fact that flying to New Zealand for a motorcycle tour is an expensive thing to do. But if you are fortunate enough to be able to afford the trip, then yes it is definitely worth it. New Zealand offers a range of landscapes, from the black beaches and lush forests of the North Island to the wild mountains, fjords and lakes of South Island. But as it’s in the southern hemisphere, the worse the weather gets in the UK, the better it gets here. In the depths of a British winter, a riding trip in a Kiwi summer could be one of the most memorable experiences of your life.
How to do it yourself
You can Google and book everything from flights and hotels to the bikes from the comfort of your armchair. Bike hire is widely available, though you’ll have the most choice in Auckland on the North Island or Christchurch on the South Island. With all hire companies, it’s worth booking early to make sure the bike you want is available: popular models do get booked up in the high season. I rented from New Zealand Motorcycle Tours & Rentals (www. nzbikes.com) as they operate from both islands. So that made it easy to collect the bike in Auckland and drop it off in Christchurch.
Guided v solo touring
There are plenty of tour companies offering guided tours of New Zealand. The principal reason for using one isn’t that they take care of all the logistics, booking bikes and hotels and so on (though that is a plus). It’s more that you have not only a knowledgeable guide who can bring the places you see to life but also to a social group: once you’re off the bike, you have your fellow riders to chat with. This generally enhances the experience for everyone.