New Zealand touring (early 2016) - info/hire/purchase

[ActiveCampers]

Hello again!

We're planning a cross between a cycle touring holiday and a backpacking holiday around New Zealand. We've googled and bought Peddlers Paradise for both north and south island.

We've not planned a route or really looked in any detail, early stages, but if anyone has a blog or pointers please let us know!

We're thinking maybe to buy bikes there and sell before we come back, as hiring for say, 6-8 weeks may be more expensive. We're happy to backpack, camp (in pods - won't have tent) etc

Thoughts welcome

Many thanks

 

[Rooster1]

Such an amazing country, spent two weeks there on Honeymoon. Went to South Island for a bit, Christchurch, Kaikoura, then over to Wellington, then Napier and finally Auckland - was amazing. Did this by car though.

 

[Onyer]

NZ is an amazing country and I used to live there when I was younger. My wife's family live there and so we have had a number of holidays with them touring the country, but not by bike. This site is quite good and gives lots of warnings http://www.virtualtourist.com/trave...d/Warnings_or_Dangers-New_Zealand-TG-C-1.html
Not sure if all are relevant but you can make up your own mind. There is a company organising cycling tours around NZ. http://www.pedaltours.co.nz/index.cfm
You could get some ideas of where to cycle from their site.

Hope you enjoy yourselves though.

 

[Tony5a]

As a local myself, some additional website links that may be useful in your planning:
http://www.cycletour.org.nz/ (lots of excellent NZ cycle touring information on routes, elevation maps and more)
http://nzcyclist.wordpress.com/ (my personal website - check the 'tours' tab for various NZ back-country options - Molesworth, South Island and Cape Palliser)
http://acta.org.nz/ (Auckland Cycle Touring Association - lots of photos and useful information)
http://www.kennett.co.nz/ (The Kennett brothers publish many books about cycle touring and mountain biking in NZ)

Please note that NZ is known for hills and wind, so come prepared!

Enjoy your travels.