18-day Fully Guided Motorcycle Tour of New Zealand's North Island

Day 1 Auckland - Auckland - 0

Day #1 Shuttle from airport to hotel

After arriving at the Auckland International Airport, you’ll be met at the airport and shuttled to your hotel to check in and then to pick up your bike.
Today is set aside to allow you to settle in and rest up before the adventure begins tomorrow. Visit some of the city sights. The day will include a safety meeting to review road rules and safety requirements, and a “Get to know you” dinner.

Day 2 Taupō - 355

Day #2 Auckland to Taupo 355 km / 220 mi route (Approx. 5:30 hrs. riding)

Leaving your hotel and the city behind you, you will head out on lightly traveled country roads, through rolling farmland.
Stopping along the way for breaks & lunch in small out-of-the way country towns, combined with viewing the amazing scenery will have you pinching yourself to make sure you’re not dreaming. After a relaxing lakeside dinner, a soak in the thermal hot pools will be the perfect end to the day.

Day 3 Taupō - Ōhope - 210

Day #3 Taupo to Ohope 210 km / 130 mi route (Approx. 3:15 hrs. riding)

Leaving the lakeside resort, you will travel deep into the thermal area of the island; this combined with a visit to one of the important cultural interpretive centers for the native population of NZ, will give you a firsthand look at how New Zealand’s Māori people lived in harmony with nature.
Riding the twisty roads through the lake county, you will end your day on the coast, where a walk on the white sands will be a relaxing end to the day.

Day 4 Ōhope - Napier - 580

Day #4 Ohope to Napier 580 km / 360 mi route (Approx. 9:00 hrs. riding)

Today you will follow a lightly travelled road as it hugs the coast, taking you into a part of NZ that is a mix of rugged hills, inspirational coastal seascapes, and rich farmland. This combined with a small population makes for an easy riding day. Tonight’s stop is in a seaside city full of Art Deco and amazing scenery.

Day 5 Napier - Wellington - 360

Day #5 Napier to Wellington 360 km / 225 mi route (Approx. 5:30 hrs. riding)

After a typical NZ breakfast, you will continue to follow the coast through more rugged twisty roads crossing rivers and gorges, before arriving near the North Islands southern tip. After a light lunch and a visit to local points of interest, you will continue riding on well-maintained roads towards your stop for the night. On the way, various detours provide opportunities to experience local culture.

Day 6 Wellington - Whanganui - 435

Day #6 Wellington to Whanganui 435 km / 270 mi route (Approx. 6:40 hrs. riding)

Leaving the bay city behind, you will steadily climb towards the mountainous central part of the Island. The country side becomes more rugged and the riding becomes more fun. A visit to a local Museum, followed by a lunch break, sets you up for a fast-paced ride along one of the most fun roads in the country, through some beautiful scenery.

Day 7 Whanganui - New - 205

Day #7 Whanganui to New Plymouth 205 km / 130 mi route (Approx. 3:30 hrs. riding)

Today you will have an easy riding day along the west coast, giving you a view of the black sands found on this side of the island. The horizon is dominated by the dormant volcano known as Mount Taranaki. This mountain and surrounding countryside has played significant roles in many films, such as The Last Samurai. A ride around the base of this mountain leads you to your stop for the night.

Day 8 New - Cambridge - 330

Day #8 New Plymouth to Cambridge 330 km / 205 mi route (Approx. 4:45 hrs. riding)

Heading north along the windswept coast before turning inland is a highlight of this tour; you will ride sweeping bends, rugged ranges, deep gorges, and along the tops of hills looking out over rich farmland and thick native forests, while traveling alongside deep rivers and lakes.

Day 9 Cambridge - Cambridge - 210

Day #9 Cambridge Loop 210 km / 130 mi route (Approx. 3:45 hrs. riding)

Today you will get a mix of easy riding and some local sights, including visiting a world-famous glow-worm cave and seeing native birds in a natural setting.

Day 10 Cambridge - Cambridge - 75

Day #10—Rest Day 75 km / 45 mi route (Approx. 1:30 hrs. riding)

A treat for all “Lord of the Rings” fans, you will get to walk through Hobbiton and have a drink in “The Green Dragon” tavern. This location is surrounded by some great riding roads and is a fun day.
The afternoon is free time for you to catch up on all those important things like sorting out photos, writing down all the key points and even getting that pesky laundry taken care off.

Day 11 Cambridge - Orewa - 460

Day #11 Cambridge to Orewa 460 km / 285 mi route (Approx. 7:15 hrs. riding)

After a relaxing night, you will head northeast towards some fantastic riding locations. Riding from open farm country, into twisty gorges, over bush covered ranges and alongside white sand beaches will have you saying “wow!!!” Today has lots of photo opportunities; keep your camera handy.
A short ride through NZ’s largest city brings you to your stop for the night.

Day 12 Orewa - Paihia - 245

Day #12 Orewa to Paihia 245 km / 150 mi route (Approx. 5:00 hrs. riding)

You’re now heading into parts of NZ that are rich in history for both the native population and the European settlers that followed them. The roads are lightly travelled and full of easy sweepers. Today will take you from seaside to hilly elevations, through open countryside and thick native bush. Along the way you will stop in areas where the first European settlers landed and carved out a new life as they colonized the country. Stopping for a break in the seaside town of Russell lets you walk in the footsteps of these early adventurers, while you live your own adventures. Crossing the bay on a ferry brings you to your stop for the night.

Day 13 Paihia - Paihia - 50

Day #13—Rest Day 10 km / 6 mi route (Approx. 0:20 hrs. riding)

Todays a rest day, with a planned visit to the location where the Treaty was signed between Europeans & the Māori tribes. This is a short ride from your accommodation. The rest of the day is set aside for you to explore the Bay of Islands, catch up of various tasks, walk on the beach or to deal with that laundry thing again.

Day 14 Paihia - Kaitaia - 240

Day #14 Paihia to Waitiki Landing 240 km / 150 mi route (Approx. 3:50 hrs. riding)

Leaving the seaside town of Paihia, you will ride to visit some of the local historical sites as you travel further north. The island is getting narrower from this point on and you are never far from either coast. The influence of the warmer weather is evident in the type of forest growth, parrots in the trees and the warm friendly people.
You will ride through to the most northly point of the Nth. Island and stop for a visit to the lighthouse located there. An area rich in history, this is a must stop photo stop.

Day 15 Kaitaia - Kaihu - 250

Day #15 Waitiki Landing to Kaihu 250 km / 155 mi route (Approx. 4:25 hrs. riding)

After a relaxing night you will ride south down the west side of the island stopping to walk on the “90 mile” beach, cruise through “old growth” forests, small towns and cross one of the many harbors by ferry. As you ride you will enter one of the oldest forests in NZ, home to some of the largest trees in the world. Here you can sense that time stands still. A stop to visit the largest tree in NZ is followed by a fantastic ride through to your stop for the night.
Tonight’s stop is topped off by a guided night walk through a Kauri Forest where you may see Kiwi’s, glow-worms, eels and hear the calls of the night birds.

Day 16 Kaihu - Orewa - 180

Day #16 Kaihu to Orewa 180 km / 110 mi route (Approx. 2:40 hrs. riding)

Leaving the most beautiful location you have stayed in; you will enjoy some fun riding through easy sweepers as you work your way south. Along the way you will visit a fantastic Museum showcasing the history of the area before arriving at a sleepy little seaside town for a well-earned soak in hot pools before a short ride to your seaside accommodation for the night. A short walk across the lawn and you’re on the beach.

Tonight, is capped off with a farewell dinner, of world-famous NZ cuisine.

Day 17 Orewa - Auckland - 30

Day #17 Orewa to Auckland 30 km / 18 mi route (Approx. 0:45 min. riding)

Watching the sun rise from this spot is the perfect start to a fantastic day.
After a lazy start to the day, and a short ride, you will drop off your bike and catch your shuttle to your hotel for the night. Now the fun of packing begins.

A relaxing dinner caps off the day.

Day 18 Auckland - Auckland - 0

Day #18 Shuttle to Auckland Airport 0 km / 0 mi route (Approx. 0 min.)

After a typical NZ breakfast, a short shuttle ride, will drop you off at the airport to catch your flight home. This shuttle ride is filled with talk about the adventure you’ve just had and the fun experienced. Plans start being put together for the next Pohutukawa Motorcycle Tour.

If you want to stay on for additional nights that can be arranged. Let us know before you arrive for your tour.