New Zealand

Guided 18-day motorcycle tour of New Zealand

Join us for a classic motorcycle tour to the Land of the Long White Cloud. Glacier and mountain landscapes alternate with wildly romantic coastal roads and rainforests. Maori culture, the Coromandel Peninsula, Rotorua, Abel Tasman National Park, Milford Sound, and a truly adventure-packed itinerary are the highlights.

Day 1 – Flight over Asia
Flight with a reputable scheduled airline from your chosen departure airport to Auckland (connecting flight). The flight crosses the International Date Line and therefore arrives in New Zealand two days later.

Day 2 – Flight – Date Line
Today, due to the time difference, you'll technically be spending the day flying. Take advantage of various stopover programs in Dubai or Asia, which you can inquire about with us.
OUR TIP: Check out the program in advance.

Day 3 – Arrival in Auckland – the city of sails
You'll reach Auckland, your starting point for this tour, during the day. Upon arrival at the airport, you'll be met and transferred to a well-located mid-range hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure to relax or explore the city. In the evening, you'll have a tour briefing with your guide. Overnight in Auckland.
OUR TIP: Arrive in Auckland in advance.

Day 4 – Bike pick-up – Coastal Highway – Coromandel Peninsula 215 km
After breakfast, your luggage will be loaded into the support vehicle and you'll pick up your motorcycles from our local Harley-Davidson® dealer. After a brief briefing and some time for shopping, it's off – watch out for left-hand traffic! This short leg takes you along the picturesque Pacific coast to the Coromandel Peninsula. The name comes from the merchant ship HMS Coromandel (1820), which in turn was named after the Indian Coromandel Coast. You'll spend the night in Whitianga at a beachfront lodge. James Cook raised the first British flag here in Mercury Bay in 1869.

Day 5 – Cathedral Cove – Bay of Plenty – Rotorua 230 km
After breakfast, you'll take a short walk to Cathedral Cove with its natural stone cathedral. Afterwards, you'll continue along the coast across the Bay of Plenty toward Rotorua. This thermal town is one of the North Island's main attractions and was built around its numerous hot mineral springs. Rotorua is also the center of Maori culture. At Te Puia Thermal Reserve, you'll learn all about this thermal center (optional). There you'll also find a Maori village, a Maori canoe ("waka"), and a Maori carving school. In the evening, you'll participate in a "hangi," a traditional Maori meal cooked in an earth oven, in a Maori village. Here you'll learn more about Maori mythology and stories. Overnight in Rotorua.
OUR TIP: Visit the Te Puia Thermal Reserve.

Day 6 – Lake Taupo – Hawke's Bay Wine Region – Napier 230 km
In the morning, you have the option of visiting the Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, known for its boiling mud pools, white travertine terraces, geysers, and bubbling lakes. With its "Painter's Palette, Devil's Inkwell, and Champagne Pool," it is the most colorful of the thermal areas. The main attraction is the Lady Knox Geyser, which erupts every morning to heights of up to 20 meters. On the way to Lake Taupo, you will stop at the foaming Huka Falls. Taupo is a crater lake larger than Lake Constance, formed by a massive volcanic eruption around 2,000 years ago and surrounded by mountains almost 2,800 meters high. You continue on a scenic route toward Hawke's Bay and through one of the island's oldest wine and fruit-growing regions to Napier. The sunny city of Napier was completely destroyed by an earthquake in 1931 and rebuilt in the Art Deco style. This place is perfect for a stroll. Overnight in Napier.
OUR TIP: Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland

Day 7 – Rimutaka Mountains – Wellington – Windy City 330 km
Today's tour takes you from Napier to Wellington, New Zealand's capital. The tour passes through small towns and along the winding Rimutaka mountain range, a classic motorcycle region that guarantees plenty of riding fun. Nestled in this beautiful landscape is Wellington, also known as the "Windy City." Located directly on the Cook Strait, which separates the North and South Islands of New Zealand. From Mount Victoria, you'll have a magnificent view of the city. In the evening, you'll visit one of the small breweries—just the thing after a long day in the saddle. Overnight in Wellington.

Day 8 – Ferry crossing Cook Strait – Picton – Nelson 150 km
In the morning, you'll leave Wellington by ferry and cross the Cook Strait to the South Island. Enjoy the approximately three-hour crossing over the sunken river valleys of the Marlborough Sound to the small port town of Picton. After disembarking, you'll travel along a scenic coastal road to the Pelorus Bridge and the nature reserve of the same name. In the afternoon, you'll reach Nelson, the island's oldest and sunniest city, where you can relax in one of the numerous sidewalk cafés. Nelson is perfectly located for visiting the nearby Abel Tasman National Park. You'll stay in Nelson for the next two nights.

Day 9 – Day at leisure – Abel Tasman National Park 110 km
The day is at your leisure to rest and relax. You have the option of taking a boat trip deep into Abel Tasman National Park. From Nelson, the approximately one-hour motorbike ride takes you to Kaiteriteri, where your day trip begins. You'll glide effortlessly through the clear waters and relax on board, surrounded by secluded bays, golden sandy beaches, islands, and rainforests. This unique coastal landscape is ideal for taking an easy hike to enjoy the beauty of the golden beaches and bays, or simply relaxing on the beach. In the afternoon, you'll return to Nelson. Overnight in Nelson.
OUR TIP: Boat tour to Abel Tasman National Park

Day 10 – Motueka Valley – Buller Gorge – Cape Foulwind – Pancake Rocks 350 km
After breakfast, you'll follow a side road southwest through the Motueka River Valley. After crossing the Buller Gorge, you'll experience a striking change in flora and reach the subtropical lowland rainforest of the wild west coast. The lush green of the "Mamaku" tree fern is striking along the trail. If time allows, you can visit a large sea lion colony at Cape Foulwind on a short hike. A wildly romantic landscape awaits you: the Paparoas Fold Mountains, up to 1,500 meters high, run parallel to the coast. Canyon-like gorges offer the only access to the rugged mountain landscape of this national park. The limestone cliffs of the "Pancake Rocks," near the small town of Punakaiki, are famous. There, you'll take a short walk to witness the force with which the Tasman Sea surges up through the underground tunnel systems between the rocks at high tide. Overnight in Greymouth.

Day 11 – Gold & Jade – Bushmen Center – Fox & Franz Josef Glacier 200 km
After leaving the port town of Greymouth, the landscape is characterized by pastoral and forestry farming. The route leads through historic gold mining areas to the town of Hokitika, the center of the processing of greenstone, the very hard New Zealand jade, which is transformed into beautiful jewelry. Here, you can visit one of the jade factories or the National Kiwi Center. The next stop is the Bushmen Center, where all sorts of curiosities await. You travel along the west coast through evergreen rainforest to the glacier region of the Southern Alps. As a natural weather barrier, the very nearby high mountain ridge is responsible for one of the most extreme precipitation regimes in the country. Large masses of ice accumulate above the snow line, forming fast-flowing valley glaciers. The approximately 12 km long Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers extend down to an altitude of 300 m above sea level, unique in temperate latitudes. Overnight stay in the Fox area.
OUR TIP: Helicopter flight with landing in the glacier world

Day 12 – Westland & Mt. Aspiring National Park – Queenstown 330 km
Along the beautiful and wild Tasman Coastal Highway, perpetual ice flows seamlessly into evergreen rainforest. Over the flat Haast Pass, you'll take a scenic drive along Lake Wanaka and Lake Hawea. Mt. Aspiring National Park is a hiker's paradise, offering idyllic views of the surrounding mountains. Via the scenic Crown Range, a spectacular high-alpine route in the hinterland, you'll reach New Zealand's recreational oasis, Queenstown. Overnight in Queenstown.
OUR TIP: TSS Earnslaw Steamship & Dinner on a Sheep Farm

Day 13 – Queenstown – Te Anau 180km
This morning is at your leisure. For the adventurous, there are many activities such as bungee jumping or jet boating. In the early afternoon, you will travel to Te Anau, the gateway to Fiordland National Park. Lake Te Anau is a lake in the southwest of New Zealand's South Island and a stop on the Southern Scenic Route. Because the lake lies at an elevation of 210 m above sea level, but is up to 270 m deep in places, parts of the water are below sea level. Overnight in Te Anau for the next two nights.

Day 14 – Day at leisure or Milford Sound 245 km
Today is at your leisure. You have the option of taking a day trip to the fjord landscapes of Milford Sound. The journey to Milford Sound takes you along the Milford Road. The combination of fjords, mountains, fantastic views, and an interesting road make this tour a highlight. On what is arguably New Zealand's most beautiful mountain road, you'll pass the Mirror Lakes and the sinister Homer Tunnel, and you'll even encounter parrots and keas during a stop. 14 fjords are located in the largest national park and New Zealand's most iconic landmark. On an optional boat trip, you'll see waterfalls and, with a bit of luck, dolphins, seals, and penguins. The return journey to Te Anau takes place in the afternoon. Overnight in Te Anau.
OUR TIP: Milford Sound Cruise

Day 15 – Alpine landscape – Canterbury – Twizel 360 km
In the morning, you'll head back toward Queenstown before turning into the inner-alpine basin of McKenzie County. This expansive plateau will lead you through the Canterbury Plains in the afternoon. At nearby Lake Pukaki, you'll have the opportunity to admire the magnificent glacial landscape of Mt. Cook once again. The Maori call New Zealand's highest mountain, at 3,724 meters, "Aoraki," meaning "cloud piercer." Overnight in Twizel.

Day 16 – Lake Pukaki – Lake Tekapo – Christchurch 320 km
Today, unfortunately, marks your last day of riding. Along the turquoise Lake Pukaki, from where you'll enjoy fantastic views of the mountains, you'll head to the secluded Lake Tekapo. Afterwards, you'll experience a stunning change of vegetation through the fertile land of the South Island. The farms stretch out there like a patchwork quilt, and you'll reach your final destination, Christchurch, in the early afternoon. Once there, you'll return the motorcycles to our local rental partner and have time to explore the South Island metropolis a bit. In the evening, you can reflect on the tour over dinner together. Overnight stay in Christchurch.

Day 17 – Christchurch – Return flight to Europe
The morning is at your leisure. In the afternoon, you'll be transferred to Christchurch Airport and board your return flight to your booked departure airport.
OUR TIP: Extend your tour in Christchurch or the South Seas.

Day 18 – Arrival in Europe
Arrival at your departure point in the morning. End of the trip.

Program subject to change.

Included services

• Included services
• Scheduled flight with a renowned airline in economy class from/to Frankfurt to Auckland/Christchurch (connecting flights possible)
• All flight security fees
• All flight safety fees and fuel surcharges as of 05/2020
• Air traffic tax for departures from Germany
• 14 nights in good tourist/mid-range hotels according to the itinerary
• 14x breakfast
• all necessary transfers airport/hotel/rental station on site
• Motorcycle rental (BIG TWIN) for the specified period including free miles, liability insurance
• TOP PROTECTION: LDW/CDW insurance (exclusion of liability for self-inflicted damage or theft) WITHOUT excess***
• TOP PROTECTION: 2 million euros additional liability insurance
• TOP PROTECTION: Exclusion of liability for tire damage
• 24 Std. Roadside Assistance
• DOT approved half-shell helmets
• German-speaking tour escort from/to Orlando during the motorcycle tour by an experienced motorcycle guide
• Support vehicle with a second guide throughout the entire motorcycle tour
• Welcome Dinner
• Souvenir photo in DIN A3 format
• 1 exclusive tour T-shirt/polo per tour participant
• Travel guides and maps

• * In case of accident/tire damage or theft, any deductible on site is waived.
  Info: Any recovery/rescue costs are not covered and must be borne by the customer in any case.

• BCT offers additional insurance here.

• Personal expenses
• Gasoline, oil
• Entrance fees for the attractions or parks
• Hotel parking fees
• Motorcycle and rainwear
• Travel insurance etc.