NEW ZEALAND SOUTH ISLAND -

Background Information

A leisurely 2.5 month cycle camping tour over most of the south island with a total cycling distance of approx 3700kms. Undertaken by a married couple (52yrs and 50yrs) with lots of previous cycling experience including other shorter term cycle camping trips. Our first trip to NZ. We wanted to see as many places as possible and take our time to enjoy them, we were not concerned with just doing the mileage. We also found that daily mileage is dictated to a large extent by the availability of accommodation etc, even when camping. Distances between suitable places can be 50-70kms and more, and you will not find shops/cafes another 20kms down the road as you can in the UK. We went from Christchurch to Queenstown and the Southern Alps, down to the south coast at Invercargill, through the Catlins region onto Dunedin, across the central Otago plateau to Wanaka, over to and up the West Coast to the Nelson area, across to Picton and down the east coast to Kaikoura back across over Arthurs Pass to the West Coast and returning to Christchurch via the Lewis Pass and Hanmer Springs.

Air Travel:

We used Singapore Airlines from Manchester to Christchurch with a stopover in Singapore on the way out and a stay in Sydney, to see friends, on the way back. Cost approx £1,000 each. You can get direct flights for less. Note that prices tend to drop after mid-Jan, the end of the high season. Our weight limits were 20kgs each. We packed the bikes in proper bike bags and had the rest of the gear in a large travel bag plus 2 bags as cabin luggage. We were definitely over the weight limit (especially coming back, when the large bag itself, with all the presents, weighed 25 kilos), but no problems encountered. We had arranged beforehand with the left luggage place at Christchurch Airport to store our baggage there (we put the bike bags and padding etc into the large bag) for the duration of the holiday for a special fee of £40. In hindsight we could have left them at the first campsite we used. The Backpacker places and Youth Hostels also generally will store baggage long term for you for a small fee.

Bikes Used:

We used our Bob Jackson standard touring bikes and wheels with Michelin World Tour tyres, one bike with 32mm and the other with 28mm. We only experienced 3 punctures, all in the last week. The tyres were still in good condition on our return. We cycled approx 150k on gravel roads and only had trouble riding them on a few occasions. Unless you intend to cycle more than say then 30-40% of your distance on gravel roads we see no reason to take mountain bikes or have wider tyres on. The normal roads were in excellent condition. Helmets are compulsory in NZ. We had no mechanical problems.

Accommodation:

We camped for about 90% of the time. mainly because we wanted the flexibility of camping and also because we enjoy it. We saved the campsite cabins/Youth Hostels/Backpacker places for bad weather, which wasn’t that often. Basic cabins usually slept up to 4, a few had crockery and cooking utensils. Generally the more you paid the better equipped the cabins were. All the campsites have kitchens and eating areas, generally with fridges, cookers, some with microwaves, a few with cooking utensils and crockery. Some of the campsites also had TV room/rest areas. You could travel light using a combination of Backpacker/Youth Hostels and the better equipped campsite cabins and/or motel units.

Cost of living:

Cheap! We were getting approx 3 NZ dollars to the £. Campsites were approx £5-6 a night. Basic cabins from £8 - £12 a night, and motel type units (i.e kitchens, crockery etc ) from £15-£20 a night, generally for up to 4 people. Backpacker/Youth Hostels were approx £5-8 a person. Food was cheap, especially take away meals. If you love meat pies then you will be spoilt for choice.

Weather:

We experienced the best summer that the South Island has had since 1870 with only about 8 days of rain, though when it rains it can be heavy, so be prepared. Above all else be aware that the sun is very intense. Wear a hat at all times and use a sun block with a SPF of 20-30. The wind when it picks up can get very strong so if it is a head wind then considering stopping for the day, or not even starting out.

Sandflies:

The one disadvantage with NZ, tend to be concentrated in the south and west areas, though be prepared for them anywhere. Get some spray and anti-histamine from any chemist. They tend to bit your ankles and wrists, where there is minimum fat so cover up or be ready to itch for a day or two.

General:

The people are very friendly, we were invited to 2 separate homes within the first week. Unfortunately they are not amongst the best drivers in the world, especially when overtaking you on a narrow road. You will however enjoy lots of quiet roads, even the major roads at times. You can use buses/trains to get you and your bikes further down the road if needed. Go to the local Information Centre for the best advice. Take extra money for those special trips, NZ is a haven for all sorts of outdoor activities i.e jet boating, rafting, plane/helicopter flights, whale watching, bungy jumping etc etc. The choices are endless, if you have the money and a sense of adventure. If you enjoy walking then there is everything available from one day trips to multi-day bush and mountain walks. Consider taking suitable shoes and rucksack if you want to do this. We met a number of cyclists who were geared up for this.You can hire equipment there if required.

Highlights:

Everywhere! This is the best place we have ever visited but if we had to pick some of the not be missed places then consider: Mt Cook and the Southern Alps , Fiordland and Milford Sound, the Catlins region on the south coast, the West Coast, especially above Haast, and between Greymouth and Westport, the Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers, the Abel Tasman National Park area around Motueka and the Marlborough Lakes region near Picton.