nz motorcycle tours

Welcome to Motorcycle Paradise

Ride exhilarating routes through stunning scenery, see all the postcard panoramas and enjoy an unforgettable guided or self-guided New Zealand motorcycle tour that has to be experienced to be believed. It's the world's greatest motorcycle ride, Henry Cole toured with us!

View Tours View Rentals

New Zealand Motorcycle Tours

Paradise Motorcycle Tours are the experts in New Zealand motorcycling, with a great selection of self guided and guided motorcycle trip options - and the latest model motorcycles.

In 2013 we were chosen by BMW to be their original Travel Partner in New Zealand, at that time there were only 15 in the World so it really meant something. We won the Luxury Travel Guide award two years running for best Motorcycle tourism company in Australasia and Asia, and are in the Tripadvisor Hall of Fame, 6 years of primarily 5 star reviews. ?

At Paradise Motorcycles we have handpicked our motorbike tour fleet and designed trip itineraries to ensure that you have the ride of your life. Every aspect of the service we offer demonstrates our team’s commitment to you and to making your motorcycle tour the trip of a lifetime, you can be assured that your New Zealand tour is in the hands of experts.

Our range of Superb  guided New Zealand motorcycle tours and self-guided New Zealand motorcycle tour itineraries are designed so you can enjoy your ride time, while having the freedom to see the sights, explore the lesser known routes and meet the locals. There are plenty of opportunities to learn about New Zealand, its landscape, culture and people. At night, relax in the accommodations that we have carefully selected for their comfort and great service.

Featured Tours

Why is paradise different, only official bmw partner in new zealand, because paradise knows....

• The best roads for riding
• The best coffee at stops
• The best view points
• Excellent accommodation
• Safety, comaradery and great fun

Check out our Videos

See More Videos

Follow us on Facebook

Mike was a fabulous guide and Jo did an awesome job making sure our luggage was waiting for us at our destination. They took care of all the details so all we had to do was get on the bike and go. Excellent restaurants and hotels. Enjoyed getting to know them and the rest of the members of our group. This was our second trip with Paradise Motorcycle and looking forward to a third!

Lisa K., Michigan

• See more guest comments

Call us now (International) +64274880005

on two wheels

book a bike online

request a quote

Email us: [email protected]

BMW R1250GS

One of our favourites!

Standard & Low

Triumph Tiger 900

Honda cb500x, view all our motorcycles.

Superior Rentals

Wide range of latest model machines

Motorcycle rental.

Ride New Zealand .... live the dream!

Fully guided tours.

No hassle, no worries!

Self-guide tours.

Friendly family business

South island specialists, south pacific motorcycle rentals & tours - motorbike rental new zealand, superior motorcycle rental | self-guided tours | fully-guided tours | club/group tours, new zealand's premier motorcycle rental & tour specialists.

• Motorcycle Rental  - Hire one of our late-model low mileage touring motorcycles from our family business based in Christchurch, South Island. Choose from Triumph, BMW, Suzuki or Royal Enfield;
• Self-guide Tours - Receive an itinerary with Google Route Link and recommended accommodation list - completely free of charge;
• Fully-guided Motorcycle Tours - Join our legendary exclusive small group 12 day Southern Alps Spectacular fully-guided motorcycle tour in January 2025 - taking bookings NOW;

    "New Zealand's a world beyond belief - with South Pacific Motorcycle Tours it's an adventure beyond imagination !"

"Our fleet of stunning road-touring motorcycles is based in Christchurch, South Island, and in our opinion the best place in the world for starting your ride. Not too far away empty ribbon roads stretch for mile upon mile around our glorious Southern Alps, spralling for your pleasure from the Tasman Sea to the Pacific Ocean. And in between you'll discover pristine lakes, fjiords, ancient rainforests, waterfalls, mountain ranges and tranquil sheep-filled plains. There's no need to ride un-sealed roads to get up close to New Zealand's idyllic and totally unspoilt natural scenery. Choose  motorbike rental only and we'll show you the way with complimentary route maps and recommended activities and accommodation. Choose our fully guided motorcycle tour and you're in safe hands with our experienced guides.

Check out our new book ! 

• Our Motorbikes

What South Pacific Motorcycle Tours Customers say:

Shelley egerton, worcestershire, united kingdom, garry vaughan, minnesota, usa, cindy & duncan bennett, manly, australia, david gross, hawaii, usa.

• Get a quote / book online

12 Day Southern Alps Spectacular Fully Guided Tour 2025

• Limited availability!
• View Tour Details & Pricing
• View All Tour Packages
• View Special Offers

Our Range of New Zealand Motorcycle Tours

At south pacific motorcycle tours, we have a tour perfectly suited to you. whether it's fully guided, self-guided or a motorbike rental - we have plenty of great options available....

Self-Guide Itineraries

• View the available tours

• View rental information

• View our Special Offers!
• Our range of Motobikes
• Custom tours are available!
• Find a local ambassador
• New Zealand Riding Tips
• Terms & Conditions
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Our New Zealand locations
• View our Testimonials

Guided Motorcycle Tours of New Zealand

10 day twin island discovery tour.

14 Day Twin Island Discovery Tour

15 Day South Island Spectacular

24 Day Twin Island Discovery Tour

3 Day Self Guided Tour - Cape Reinga & the Far North

Enjoy new zealand's best roads with open road motorcycle tours.

Open Road Motorcycle Tours' Lance Mitchell will personally guide you through the sweeping roads and vistas of New Zealand on our extensively researched guided tours, delivering the ride every motorcycle adventurer wants; a unique and unforgettable riding experience.

We explore the most beautiful and remote parts of New Zealand in our small tour groups with Lance guiding you along every part of the way.

From the time we meet you at the airport, to the day you leave, let us take care of all your arrangements so all you have to do is get here and enjoy the journey. Imagine riding one of our well maintained near new bikes through the verdant New Zealand landscape by day, enjoying true Kiwi hospitality in your carefully selected hotel by night, indulging in delicious Pacific Rim cuisine and the finest beers & wines. It's a little touch of heaven in the Pacific.

Come and join us on a journey to remember.

Our Motorcycle tours

22 DAY TOUR (New Zealand – Forgotten World)

• Dates & Prices
• Book the tour
• New Zealand

Ever wanted to explore everything that New Zealand has to offer from the seat of a Motorcycle? Then look no further! Our Guided Motorcycle Tour of New Zealand is the ultimate New Zealand adventure ride!

This tour is sure to excite your senses with all the delights of one of the most diverse and accessible countries in the world. Your route will take you from beautiful fjords and ancient alpine glaciers in the South Island to stunning sub-tropical beaches in Northland, with a huge variety of magnificent scenery and experiences in between.

Starting in Christchurch and ending in Auckland, traveling the full length of New Zealand from Bluff in the deep South to Cape Reinga in the far North, your 5,700km (3,500mi) route includes the best of what New Zealand has on offer and promises not to disappoint!

Suited to a wide range of rider experience and ability, from intermediate riders to experienced pros. You will be fully supported by our riding tour guides, supplied GPS routes, and a luggage & support van so you can ride freely each day without the hassle of cumbersome gear on the bike.

We can guarantee at the end of each day you will have a different, amazing, and unique experience to discuss with your friends over a well-earned refreshment, and great New Zealand food. Don’t delay, the tour is limited to 12 riders maximum for an exclusive experience and group safety.

Immerse yourself in Nature’s wonders – parrots, seals, dolphins, whales, albatross, rainforests, glaciers, the world’s best unspoiled natural scenic beauty is here in New Zealand. And no one offers all of this and the time to enjoy and savor each location more than Big Bike Tours!

Join  Big Bike Tours for a ride you will never forget!

This Guided Motorcycle Tour of New Zealand showcases a great selection of the country’s spectacular landscapes, remote wildernesses, and hidden treasures. The roads in New Zealand are excellent with flowing deserted highways, sweeping curves, and some great twisty sections, perfect for the ultimate riding experience.

You will not be disappointed with the scenery with a diverse range of jaw-dropping vistas, unforgettable natural landscapes, and spectacular views, you will experience many different highlights every day!

Tour Highlights: Rakia Gorge; Lake Tekapo; Mount Cook Views; Hydro dams; Moeraki Boulders; Catlins Coast & Lighthouse; Bluff – bottom of the South; Classic Motorcycle Museum; Te Anau & Milford Sound; Glenorchy & Queenstown; Crown Range; Southern Lakes; Haast Pass & Waterfalls; West Coast Glaciers; Punakaiki Pancake Rocks; Hanmer Springs Thermal Resort; Kaikoura Coastline; Queen Charlotte Sound; Interislander Ferry; Forgotten World Highway; Moki Tunnel; Lake Taupo; Rotorua Geothermal Areas; Maori Culture; Martha Mine; Coromandel Peninsula; Bay of Islands; Cape Reinga & Lighthouse; Hokianga Harbour Ferry; Tane Mahuta; Whangarei Falls; Auckland City of Sails

Please be informed, that we offer the best cost-benefit ratio for motorcycle touring in New Zealand. You can completely focus on your holiday, the adventure, the riding, and the incredible New Zealand. Come ride with us – the real deal !

CHRISTCHURCH – LAKE TEKAPO – DUNEDIN – INVERCARGILL – TE ANAU – MAGICAL MILFORD SOUND – QUEENSTOWN – FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER VILLAGE – WESTPORT – HAMMER SPRINGS VILLAGE – PICTON – WELLINGTON CITY – STRATFORD –  FORGOTTEN WORLD HIGHWAY – TAUPO – GISBORNE – ROTORUA – THAMES – PAIHIA – AHIPARA – AUCKLAND

(Distance: approximately 5,700 km / 3,550 miles)

Day 1. Christchurch, Arrival

Day 2. Christchurch – Lake Tekapo (266 km, 4 hours)

Day 3. lake tekapo – dunedin (317 km, 5-6 hours), day 4. dunedin – invercargill (266 km, 4-5 hours), day 5. invercargill – te anau (238 km, 4 hours), day 6. te anau - milford sound - te anau (235 km. 3 hours riding - or rest day), day 7. te anau - queenstown (172 km, 2 hours - optional 263 km, 5 hours), day 8. queenstown - franz josef glacier village (353 km, 5-6 hours), day 9. franz josef glacier village - westport (273 km, 4 hours), day 10. westport - hammer springs village (216 km, 3 hours), day 11. hammer springs village – picton (337 km, 5-6 hours), day 12. picton ferry & wellington city (ferry trip, 4 hours), day 13. wellington – stratford (384 km, 5-6 hours), day 14. stratford - taupo (via the forgotten world highway) (292 km, 4-5 hours), day 15. taupo - gisborne (359 km, 5-6 hours), day 16. gisborne - rotorua (274 km, 4 hours), day 17. rotorua (rest day), day 18. rotorua - thames (350 km, 5-6 hours), day 19. thames - paihia (339 km, 5-6 hours), day 20. paihia - ahipara (367 km, 5-6 hours), day 21. ahipara - auckland (345 km, 5-6 hours).

Day 22. Auckland, Departure

Some of the very best motorcycling roads in the world are to be found in the South Island of New Zealand thanks to the Southern Alps spine that runs virtually down the middle. Roads are often empty, with fantastic sweeping bends and great visibility. In contrast, the North Island also offers great riding, with its volcanic plateaus, rolling hills, beach-lined peninsulas, and thermal highways.

QUICK FACTS

• 21 Days & 5,700km+ motorcycle riding
• Motorcycle hire
• Riding Tour Guide
• Support Staff & Luggage Van
• Side Paniers or Top Box (if required)
• GPS Routes if required
• Mechanical breakdown assistance
• Technical and medical support
• Accommodation for 21 nights
• Daily breakfasts
• Welcome dinner on the first night
• Farewell dinner on the last night
• Transfers, Ferry Crossings, Road Tolls
• Full comprehensive motorcycle insurance
• Tour T-Shirt

TOUR PARTICIPANTS

• A minimum of 8 riders are required for the tour to proceed.
• The maximum number of participants is 12 riders.
• Riders are accompanied by a riding tour guide and a support/luggage van.
• The tour guides are locals with international participants, the tour language is English.
• Solo participants will be allocated a ½ twin shared room. The room will be shared with another participant of the same sex.
• Single room option is available for an additional cost, please see the pricing page.

TRAVEL, EXPLORE, DISCOVER…

On arrival in Christchurch on Day 1, transfers have been arranged from Christchurch Airport to the accommodation for the first night. A welcome dinner is included in the tour package on the first night where you will meet the staff, tour guides, and other tour participants. Day 2 will start with a transfer to our depot where we will have our Pre-Tour Briefing, this includes:

• W elcome & Introduction – tour overview
• Tour check-in – final paperwork and any extra payments
• Bike handover – individually run over each bike setup and functions with each rider
• Tour Description – outlining the route and some of the sights and activities
• Riding in New Zealand brief – road rules, conditions, hazards, and what to expect
• Health & safety briefing – what to do in case of any emergencies.

After the Pre-Tour Briefing and morning tea, we will then gear up ready for the first day’s ride to the stunning turquoise waters of Lake Tekapo!

DEPARTURE/RETURN LOCATION

S t art: Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand Finish: Auckland, North Island, New Zealand

TOUR DEPARTURE TIME

Please arrive in Christchurch at least one day before the tour starts. We recommend two days before the tour start date to acclimate and avoid jet lag.

TOUR RETURN TIME

The tour will finish in the afternoon in Auckland. You will need to depart Auckland on the following day or afterward.

We recommend bringing your gear for the best comfort. All your excess luggage will be transported in the support van which will accompany the group for the duration of the tour.

WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING

While we provide most things you need for the 3-week tour of New Zealand we can’t supply absolutely everything, particularly personal items. You will need to bring with you the following items:

• P ersonal Clothing – At the end of each day’s riding you will want to change out of your riding gear into something a little more comfortable. Please bring with you changes of clothes for 3 weeks of travel. New Zealand has very changeable weather so make sure you have packed some warmer clothing if it gets cool. Most of our accommodation selections will have a laundry service or laundry available for you to do your own clothes washing when required.
• P ersonal Toiletries – All accommodation will have towels and basic toiletries such as soap and shampoo.
• P ersonal Items – e.g. wallet, mobile phone, camera, GoPro, chargers
• P ersonal Medicines – Any prescription medicines, asthma inhalers, etc
• Motorcycle Riding Gear – It is best if you bring your riding gear to ensure accurate fit and comfort.

We do have a selection of riding gear for hire at an additional cost however for your comfort we suggest you bring your gear. We do not hire boots. We suggest bringing the following as a minimum:

• Armored Jacket
• Armored Pants
• Warm Touring Gloves
• Lightweight Gloves
• Suitable motorcycle riding boots
• Base layers, thermal pants & top
• Warm removable mid-layers
• Waterproof outer shell

Recommended

• Neck warmer/Buff
• Hydration backpack

We have a selection of new riding gear and accessories available at our online store and in our depot in Christchurch. If you would like to order any items we can have them ready for you at the start of your tour. Please contact us for more information.

PAYMENT POLICY

A non-refundable deposit of USD 2,000 is required to secure your place on the tour and confirm your motorcycle selection from available models.

• Once the booking is placed we will send an invoice for deposit payment. Payment can be made via Direct Credit bank transfer or Credit Card.
• An invoice will be sent to you for the outstanding balance with full payment due 60 days before the tour departure. Payment can be made via Direct Credit bank transfer or Credit Card.
• If Big Bike Tours Part. Ltd. has not received your final payment within 60 days before the start of the tour, the deposit will be forfeited and the booking canceled.
• A Bond of USD 2,000.00 is required per motorcycle hire at the commencement of the tour. (See Insurance terms and conditions below.)
• All prices shown are in United States Dollars ($USD)
• All prices include New Zealand Government Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 15%

CANCELLATION POLICY

If canceled 60 days before the start of the tour we will refund you 100% of the paid tour cost, less the non-refundable deposit.

• If canceled within 60 days of the start date 100% of the tour cost will be forfeited.
• If you are a no-show at the scheduled start time of the tour for any reason, 100% of the tour cost will be forfeited.
• We advise taking out your travel insurance for any unforeseen circumstances that would prevent you from attending the tour.

MOTORCYCLE INSURANCE

• Full comprehensive motorcycle insurance is included in the tour fee for all motorcycle hires.

SECURITY DEPOSIT (BOND)

• At the commencement of the tour, a bond of USD 2,000.00 is required to be held for each motorcycle rental in the event of any damage or loss to either the motorcycle, any accessories, or third-party property. This sum is fully refundable if the motorcycle and any accessories are returned after the tour without any damage, loss, or expense. Any damage will be deducted from the insurance bond with the balance being refunded. The hirer’s maximum liability is limited to the full insurance bond plus any cost of recovery of the motorcycle. (All damages paid by credit card will incur a 2.9% credit card surcharge.)
• The bond must be taken in the form of a pre-authorization on your credit card at the commencement of the tour and is held for the duration of your hire. Please ensure sufficient funds are available on your Credit Card for the bond pre-authorization hold at the commencement of your tour. Note: Pre-authorization holds can only be charged to a Credit Card. Debit Cards are not valid.
• After the bond hold pre-authorization is canceled it may take up to 3-5 working days for the funds to be available again on your Credit Card depending on your bank.
• No transaction fees apply to Pre-Authorisation credit holds. If damage is deducted from the bond, standard credit card fees will apply to the charged portion.

TOUR PREREQUISITES

• Minimum age 25 years old
• Full motorcycle license valid for riding in New Zealand, or an international driver’s permit.
• If your driver’s license is not printed in English then an international driver’s permit is required.
• Experience – This tour is not suitable for beginner riders.

MOTORCYCLE CHOICE & AVAILABILITY

• Kiwi Motorcycle Rentals provides the motorcycles for the tour.
• There are limited numbers of each make and model motorcycle available for each tour.
• Motorcycles are available on a first-come first served basis and your first-choice motorcycle may not be available for the tour at the time of booking.
• Models available are shown at the time of booking on the website booking system in the motorcycle selection dropdown menu.

RIDER FITNESS, HEALTH & SAFETY

All tour participants enter into a tour contract with Big Bike Tours and in doing so state that they are in suitable physical and mental condition and that they are capable of participating in the tour without risk to themselves or others.

Big Bike Tours participants:

• are responsible for riding at their own pace and level of experience at all times during the tour, and
• should at no time exceed any of the local traffic laws and speed limits or their riding experience level, and
• are prohibited from exceeding laws about the consumption of alcoholic beverages while operating any vehicle/ motorcycle during a tour, or the taking of ANY drugs that may impair judgment while riding.
• Big Bike Tours reserves the right to cancel a participant tour and motorcycle rental agreement at once by giving either verbal or written notice for any infraction of the above, or if we reasonably believe that your driving is negligent, careless, or will likely cause danger to themselves or anyone else.

Big Bike Tours reserves the right to accept or deny anybody from participating in any Big Bike Tours tour. Big Bike Tours does not and will not discriminate against any sex, race, or religion.

Big Bike Tours owners, operators, or tour guides may for any reason deny a participant(s) continuance of the tour if they feel that the participant(s) is a danger or disruption to himself or herself, the tour group, or the general public. Any participant(s) denied continuance of the tour is responsible for his or her accommodation, meals, airport shuttle services, or any other costs incurred as a result of their denial. No refunds will be issued to any participant(s) who are denied continuance of a Big Bike Tours tour.

New Zealand has various rules and mandates in place in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. These rules and mandates change with the current COVID response level in New Zealand. The official response rules can be found on the NZ Government Covid website   https://covid19.govt.nz/

TOUR CANCELLATIONS

Big Bike Tours reserves the right to cancel any scheduled tour at any time due to lack of participation, severe weather, natural disaster, world unrest, pandemic, or any other given reason whatsoever.

If any tour is canceled, Big Bike Tours will:

• immediately notify tour participants of any such occurrence, and
• offer the possibility of rescheduling another tour on another date, or will refund the tour cost less any deposits paid to cover pre-booked accommodation, activities admin fees, etc. which will constitute a full settlement. All deposits required at the time of booking are non-refundable,
• not be liable for any additional cost or losses incurred by the participant due to a cancellation of any tour.

This may include, but not be limited to:

• personal airline tickets,
• other accommodation reservations,
• any other pre-planned trips/travel and/or associated expenses.

EX TRA FEES & CHARGES

• All motorcycle fuel for the duration of the hire is at the tour participants’ expense.
• At the end of the tour, the motorcycle must be returned with a full tank of fuel. Failure to return the motorcycle with a full tank of fuel after hire will incur an extra charge for the refilling of the motorcycle fuel tank plus a $25.00 administration fee.
• Traffic and/or parking violation fines that come in after the hire has ended will also be charged to your nominated card.

P RIVACY POLICY

Big Bike Tours values our customers and respects their privacy. We recognize the trust you place in us through your dealings with us. We take all reasonable steps to maintain that trust. Under the law, your privacy rights are also protected. Privacy laws place requirements on us to treat certain information collected as confidential, to store information securely, and to allow you access to check and correct your information. We comply with the Privacy Act 2020.

RENTAL AGREEMENT

All participants will be required to read and sign a Vehicle Rental Agreement to participate in the tour. This will be given to tour participants at tour check-in for signing. You can download a copy of the Vehicle Rental Agreement at https://www.kiwimotorcyclerentals.com/rental-agreement

5 TIPS FOR MOTORCYCLE TOURING IN NEW ZEALAND

• Allow time to get over jetlag, you may have just crossed 10 time zones in just over 24 hours. Not many of us get the chance to go to New Zealand more than once in our lives, so don’t rush it.
• Stopover en route, how many times in your life do you get to visit Asia? Depending on who you fly with, why not use this opportunity to visit places like Singapore, Bangkok, Dubai, Hong Kong, Sydney, Los Angeles, Hawaii, or the Cook Islands? Ask your flight agent.
• Speed cameras, the myths are true! They are hidden in bizarre places. And they are NOT painted in bright garish colors, so you can spot them a mile off. You have been warned.
• ‘Metal’ roads are gravel, not tarmac. Many side roads in New Zealand will show a sign stating metal road. We do not encourage riding on metal or un-made roads – in New Zealand, you can get up close to unsurpassed scenery of imaginable beauty without leaving the tarmac.
• The sun is deceptively strong, so wear plenty of sun cream to prevent yourself from getting burnt, especially your face.

ROAD CONDITIONS

The famous New Zealand motorcycle touring roads make for terrific riding, in some districts, it looks like the designer who created the roads has a phobia of straight lines! Due to a small population, the roads are empty and the surfaces on the routes we choose are fantastic. We avoid the main truck routes and stick to the bendy inland highways, we take you to the best biking roads this country can offer, and some that many other companies don’t know or have time for.

ROAD RIDING Motorcycle riding in New Zealand is generally relaxed, so you can take in the scenery and see this wonderful country at a comfortable pace, it’s certainly the most important thing to us in the world that everyone enjoys the ride. This is why we use the best bikes, maintain them to exacting standards, and equip them with the best touring tires to provide the best grip possible, we never cut costs and are proud of our high-quality service. Some routes are challenging, so you will need some degree of experience with riding the size of the motorcycle you have chosen for your trip.

WEATHER CONDITIONS

New Zealand’s North Island is subtropical and the South Island is temperate, to get the most enjoyment out of the weather December through to March is the best time to visit. June, July, and August are the coldest months, and the mountainous areas often close due to snow. During our summer our temperature ranges between 20 – 40 Celsius Degree (68F – 104F) During winter it can be anything between 0 – 20 Celsius Degree (32F – 68F) The summer sun can be fierce so sunscreen is highly recommended, also wear layers and be prepared to ride in both hot and colder weather.

BASIC ROAD RULES It is important to view the road rules before you ride, below are some brief tips, we’ll always give you a safety briefing before you depart, but for the official New Zealand road code visit the NZ Transport Agency website.

• Speed Limits: 100 km/h max on the open road and 50 km/h in built-up areas, all speed signs are well signposted.
• Giving Way: In general, give way to the right. When at a STOP sign you must stop completely and give way to all traffic until it is clear to proceed.
• Traffic not turning at cross junctions (going straight) have the right of way over turning traffic.
• Signs at single-lane bridges advise who has the right of way, to slow down, and be prepared to stop.
• Corner Speed:  There are speed recommendation signs on most bends in New Zealand and can be used as a rough guide to judge your speed into corners.
• Driving Licence: You must hold a full motorcycle license or be able to legally ride the requested size motorcycle in your country of residence, proof will be required in the form of your physical driver’s license. Any overseas licenses will need to be translated before arriving (check with your travel agent).
• Safety: When riding in New Zealand you are required to wear a helmet by law, we can provide all your motorcycle gear, but for comfort purposes, you can bring your own. Tinted visors are okay during the daytime but bring your clear with you.
• Alcohol:  Riding/Driving in New Zealand while intoxicated is a very serious offense and random breath testing happens very often all over the country, even in rural areas. The legal limit is 80 milligrams of alcohol for every 100mls of blood, in other words, you could go over the limit with two pints of normal-strength beer or a large glass of wine. If you have a heavy night drinking you may still be over the limit first thing in the morning so delay your riding till later, if you are caught drinking you automatically lose your license, and the bike, and will incur a large fine or be imprisoned until your court hearing. i.e. Vacation Over.
• Overtaking: You may not cross a solid yellow line to overtake, they are there to warn of hidden dangers so abide by this rigidly. Broken white lines are fine and you should stay within the speed limit. You are not allowed to cross the center line if you are not overtaking and must keep left when driving normally.
• Parking: Consider your parking carefully, for your convenience remember to park the back wheel down to the curb, this will make it easier to ride away, it is also illegal to park on the opposite side of the road facing traffic.
• Beware of Kea Parrots.  If you are near the mountains keep an eye out for Kea parrots as they will happily peck a hole in your seat within seconds (we’re not joking), and their sharp talons will instantly damage your seat if they land on it. We provide kea parrot insurance options to reduce damage costs.
• New Zealand is generally a very safe place, but make sure your motorbike is tucked away at night or even kept under cover if at all possible. Lastly, be aware of Kiwi drivers generally, they are used to driving in a quiet country on very empty roads and many do not have the same experience with motorcycles as in other busier countries.
• Roadworks: Roadworks are seldom motorcycle-friendly in NZ. Whilst some are easy to navigate, others can be a little daunting. Slow and steady.

Big Bike Tours reserves the right to alter or amend any details, pricing, routes, and inclusions which may be amended at any time and without notice.

Tour Highlights: Christchurch, the ‘Garden City’; Lake Tekapo; Aoraki Mount Cook; Pacific Ocean; Otago Peninsula; Catlins Coastline; Classic Motorcycle Mecca; Burt Munro’s legendary ‘World’s Fastest Indian’; Fiordland National Park; Magical Milford Sound; Devil’s Staircase; Lake Wakatipu; The Remarkables; Queenstown, the ‘Adventure Capital of the World’; Mount Aspiring National Park; Haast Pass; Tasman Sea; Franz Josef Glacier; Tree Top Walk & Café; Hokitika; Punakaiki Rocks; Buller River; Reefton; Southern Alps; Lewis Pass; Hanmer Springs; Seaward Kaikoura Ranges; Kaikoura; whale-watching; Marlborough wine region; Marlborough Sounds; Wellington, New Zealand’s capital city; Te Papa; Rimutaka hills; Pukaha Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre; Tongariro National Park; Forgotten World Highway ; a tour of the Hobbiton set in “Middle Earth”; Rotorua; Mitai Village; Coromandel Peninsula; Hot Water Beach; Whitianga; Auckland, the ‘City of Sails’

Day 2. Christchurch – Lake Tekapo (270 km)

Day 3. Lake Tekapo – Dunedin (254 km)

Day 4. Dunedin – Invercargill (244 km)

Day 5. Invercargill – Fiordland National Park (191 km)

Day 6. Magical Milford Sound (240 km)

Day 7. Te Anau – Queenstown (213 km).

Day 8. Queenstown – Franz Josef Glacier Village (351 km)

Day 9. Franz Josef Glacier Village – Westport (273 km)

Day 10. Westport – Hammer Springs Village (216 km)

Day 11. Hammer Springs Village – Kaikoura – Picton (337 km)

Day 12. Rest Day: Picton Ferry & Wellington City

Day 13. Wellington – Stratford (384 km)

Day 14. Stratford – Taupo (via the Forgotten World Highway) (292 km)

Day 15. Taupo – Gisborn (359 km)

Day 16. Gisborn – Rotorua (274 km)

Day 17. Rest Day in Rotorua

Day 18. Rotorua – Thames (350 km)

Day 19. Thames – Phaihia (339 km)

Day 20. Phaihia – Ahipara (367 km)

Day 21. Phaihia – Auckland (345 km)

2024 Tour Starts | 04. March – 23. March | | 25. March – 14. April | –> Sold Out!

2025 Tour Starts | 03. March – 22. March | | 24. March – 13. April | 

KTM motorcycle rider on an adventure motorcycle tour in New Zealand

NZ's Leading Adventure Moto Tour Company

At Ultimate Adventure Moto NZ we uniquely specialise in fully guided 'off the beaten track' adventure motorcycle tours that will excite your senses and blow your mind! 

From years of combined adventure riding experience in NZ we have developed a selection of amazing and unique tours, from 1 day to 3 weeks, we have something for almost everyone!

We provide everything you need for an epic motorcycle adventure including top quality KTM Adventure motorcycles, experienced and knowledgeable guides, GPS units on every bike with routes pre-loaded, quality accommodation, and riding gear hire if you need it.

Check out our tours, or read on to find out more about us. You've come to the right place if you're after adrenaline-filled moto adventures!

Multiple Options

View our Tours Page for our different tour offerings, pricing, and full details.

From two days to three weeks, we have many tour options.

Please click below for more details.

Motorcycle tours in New Zealand

Guided motorcycle tours in New Zealand

Guided motorbike tours off road in New Zealand

Back country motorcycle and off road motorbike tours nz

South and North Island motorcycle motorbike tours

Ride The Dream!

Ultimate Adventure Moto NZ is the leading adventure motorcycle tour operator in New Zealand

Picture yourself on an awesome KTM adventure bike ripping thru New Zealand's back-country wilderness with epic scenery and amazing vistas, big mountains, and awesome lakes!

How would you like to do it with other like-minded adventure enthusiasts, without all the hassle of figuring out where to go, where to stay, what to take, and how to do it? 

No other tour operator in NZ provides an epic back-country riding experience like ours! Our tours and routes are so good we are contracted by leading motorcycle brands and dealerships in New Zealand to provide adventure rallyes and tours for their customers.

Hassle Free - The Ultimate Guarantee!

You wont have to worry about a thing. Our guides are highly experienced and will assist with getting the group through any technical terrain, sort out all bike issues such as punctured tyres or mechanical problems, provide first aid assistance or arrange professional medical help in the event of any accident or emergencies, and of course provide the experience of a lifetime with plenty of fun and laughter along the way! 

We love meeting new people and showing off New Zealand's hidden treasures from the seat of an adventure motorcycle. Whether you’re with us for a day or weeks, you are bound to have an "Ultimate" adventure motorcycling experience that you will remember for years to come.

Join one of our epic tours now to fulfill your New Zealand adventure riding dream without the hassle, stress and cost of figuring it all out yourself!

How much is it worth to ride amazing off-road capable KTM adventure machines with experienced and knowledgeable guides on epic pre-ridden and proven routes? Staying in quality accommodation with breakfast included? What about the cost of adding technical riding support?, mechanical assistance?, and medical help in emergencies so you can ride with the knowledge that everything will be taken care of in any situation? This is an amazing amount of added value. If you could even find similarly capable bikes for hire in NZ and tried to organise a group ride like these, then added up the cost of providing this all yourself it would far exceed the amazing value of our tour offerings.

Pay only a deposit now to secure your place.

Pricing varies for each tour depending on tour duration and route. Pricing can be found on the individual tour details page. To secure a place on a tour is as simple as paying a deposit, then we will email you with a full tour information document and details for final payment.

Don't leave it to chance, select your tour date now and secure your place before they disappear !

Our tours are exclusive and are limited to a maximum of 10 riders per tour. There are also limited numbers of each KTM motorcycle model available on each tour. The places and bike models are allocated on a first-come first-served basis. Once the tour spots are sold out there are no more until next years tour calendar is released!

The Ultimate Guarantee!

We guarantee our customers will experience epic riding, amazing scenery and fantastic customer service on some of the best scenic highway, gravel roads and back-country routes on offer anywhere. If you aren't 100% satisfied we will refund your deposit, or provide you another tour absolutely free!**

Check out the tours page now to find the tour and date that best suits you.

**subject to terms & conditions

Instagram Feed

Ultimate Adventure Moto NZ Limited

&  Kiwi Motorcycle Rentals

52o Cranford Street, Redwood, Christchurch

[email protected]

+64 21 166 2025

Thanks for submitting!

• Buy voucher
• Tour calendar
• North and South America
• The World Tour
• Info and overview
• CLASSIC tours
• ADVENTURE tours
• ROYAL tours
• RIDE4FUN tours
• THE WORLD TOUR
• TRAINING tours
• CUSTOM and PRIVATE tours
• Add-on programs
• E-Bike tours
• Motorcycle insurance
• Tours on BMW
• Tours on Ducati
• Tours on Harley-Davidson®
• Tours on Honda
• Tours on KTM
• Tours on Suzuki
• Tours on Triumph
• Tours on Vespa
• Tours on Yamaha
• Trip Essence
• Tour guides
• Worldtourer program
• Jobs@Edelweiss
• Trade shows

Tours on: BMW / Ducati / Harley-Davidson® / Honda / KTM / Suzuki / Triumph / Vespa / Yamaha » 2.350 tours in over 180 destinations and over 40 years of experience! «

Recommend this tour

Fox glacier.

The two major attractions here are the glaciers - Fox and Franz Josef. The mighty cascades of ice, tumbling down the valley into the rainforest, are a sight to behold and are best viewed from the air; we highly recommend a helicopter ride (from app. 230 NZ$/person). Like most other glaciers these days Fox and F.J. are retreating, even though the amount of snow falling on the mountains increases year after year. Global warming brings warmer air across the Tasman Sea, warmer air can hold more moisture, more moisture means more rain and more snow up on the mountains. The feeding ice fields of our two glaciers here receive about 100 ft of snow per year, and the resulting pressure makes the ice advance by around 3 ft per day, but all of that and more melts off.

Often referred to as the Harbor City, Wellington is built around the natural harbour of Port Nicholson. New waterfront developments and a proliferation of new bars, cafes and restaurants are constantly changing the inner city’s skyline. If you are exploring by foot, take a cable car to the viewpoint at the top of the Botanical Gardens for a stunning vista. Mt. Victoria Lookout, on the opposite side of the harbour, is an even better spot for harbour views. Wellington’s ‘must-see’ attraction is Te Papa - New Zealand’s national museum, which boasts an interesting blend of interactive and traditional exhibits. Other key attractions include the Botanical Gardens and the new Museum of Wellington City & Sea, located in the restored Bond Store at Queens Wharf. For an inside look into the country’s political scene, free public tours of the distinctive ’Beehive’ are available. The Old Government Building is the world’s second-largest wooden building. Those with a literary bent can visit author Katherine Mansfield’s birthplace in Thorndon, which celebrates the life of this famous writer. If you enjoy shopping, Wellington won’t disappoint you. Serious shoppers should check out The Golden Mile – the local nickname for the main downtown shopping area of Lambton Quay. It’s reputed to be one of New Zealand’s best shopping miles and is renowned for its high-fashion stores.

The town sits on the shore of crystal clear Lake Wakatipu among dramatic ranges. The lake and mountain landscape make it suited to all kinds of adventure. There’s skiing in the winter and activities such as bungy jumping, sky diving, canyon swinging, jet boating, horse trekking and river rafting all year round. If hardcore adventure is not your thing, there are plenty of mellow options available. Experience one of the many walking & hiking trails, sightseeing tours or indulge yourself with spa treatments, boutique shopping and excellent food and wine. The T.S.S. Earnslaw cruises the lake every day. Complete with a bright red, 12 meter funnel, white hull and kauri timber decks, this vintage paddle-steamer - built in 1912 - is a New Zealand icon.

West Coast South Island

The West Coast is a rugged, salt-sprayed stretch of wild rocky beaches and bush-clad hills sweeping up to towering icy peaks. Often the narrow coastal strip is nothing but dried-up swamp, but the contrast on either side between the energetic wash of the ocean and the hilly heights is striking.

There are more than a dozen thermal areas around Rotorua. Wai-o-tapu ("sacred waters") is the most famous and most popular one, while Orakeikorako ("place of adorning") is off the beaten track and more relaxed. Also Rotorua itself often has an intense smell of sulfur, but you get used to it quickly. The city center has been spruced up in the last years, there are many cosy restaurants and you can take a nice walk.

Lake Pukaki

The neighboring lakes Tekapo and Pukaki are of the same striking blue colour, but Pukaki is more than twice the size of Tekapo. Major highlight here is the sterling lookout that on a clear day gives a picture-perfect view of Mt. Cook and its surrounding peaks, with the ultra-blue lake in the foreground.

Cape Reinga

Cape Reinga is usually regarded as New Zealand's northernmost point. Despite the fact that this is not the case - Surville Cliffs is about 1.8 miles further north - it is a very special experience to stand here, at the Cape Reinga lighthouse, where the Pacific Ocean meets the Tasman Sea. It feels like the end of the world, and for the Maori it certainly is, because in their mythology this is the place where the spirits of the dying leave Aotearoa and journey back to their homeland, Hawaiki.

Coromandel Peninsula

Coromandel Peninsula looks like a finger, jutting out into the South Pacific Ocean. It is only 50 miles long, but the coastline is rugged and the road that follows it is curvy. Very curvy!

New Zealand Tour NSZ

New zealand, tire-gripping road surfaces, glaciers, volcanoes and palm trees.

New Zealand, also known as the “Paradise Down Under”, offers everything you could possibly look for in a holiday destination: mountains and glaciers, wild coasts and long sandy beaches, a rainforest and hot springs. It is home to an interesting indigenous culture and to the friendliest people you can imagine. New Zealand is heaven for motorcyclists, because the roads are beautiful, well-maintained, and mostly empty. This motorcycle tour will introduce you to all the major highlights of New Zealand: the Sky Tower in Auckland, the hot springs in Rotorua, the Art Deco district in Napier, museums, the most beautiful corners in Wellington, the ferry-cruise across Cook Strait, the spectacular Queen Charlotte Drive, the wild West Coast, the rainforest and the glaciers which run through it, the amazingly beautiful Milford Sound and the breath-taking view to Mount Cook, New Zealand‘s highest mountain. You want to stay longer? The tour extension starting in Auckland will take you further North up to Cape Reinga and from there back to Auckland.

• At a glance
• 14 days vacation

Tour prices & motorcycles 2024

Tour prices & motorcycles 2025, tour prices & motorcycles 2026, new zealand tour, new zealand tour incl. north island extension, prices start at € 8.150,-.

Motorcycle category 1

The daily riding kilometres are approximate distances and may vary. The first and last days mentioned in the itinerary are the arrival and departure days; there is no riding on these days. Bear in mind the time difference between your country of origin and your travel destination. This tour starts in Christchurch and ends in Auckland. Book your flights accordingly! Route and overnight places may change due to unforeseen events.

Included services

• All overnights (comfortable middle-class hotels) during entire tour
• Breakfast every day
• 2 (*3) picnics/lunches
• 11 (*16) dinners
• Motorcycle rental with unlimited mileage
• Third party liability insurance for motorcycles
• Comprehensive vehicle insurance for motorcycles with deductible according to the booked motorcycle model
• Tour information package in English or German including safety tips, details about the hotels, the route and the sights
• English and German speaking tour guide on motorcycle
• Support van for luggage transportation (1 piece per person) and space for passengers (limited) on entire tour
• Ferry ride South Island-North Island
• Edelweiss Riding Tips

Services not included

• All services not mentioned as included and all items of a personal nature.

Optional Services

• optional deductible reduction on included motorcycle insurance (Cover All / Cover Plus)
• additional rental options prior or post tour on request and availability

Please note

• This group tour is not suitable for people with limited mobility.

*applies for bookings of New Zealnd Tour and the North Island Extention

Testimonials

Neuseeland Tour Report

Download report

Tour finder

New search tour finder tour calendar.

MAKE IT PRIVATE!

Tour grading.

■□□□□

The entire route is on tarmac roads in good condition, to some extend curvy but mostly easy to handle. A minimum of 5.000 miles of motorcycle riding experience is required.

■■□□□

The majority of the route is on well-developed tarmac roads with some curvy parts. A minimum of 7.500 miles of motorcycle riding experience is required.

■■■□□

The route is very twisty, occasionally on narrow tarmac roads. A minimum of 10.000 miles of motorcycle riding experience is required.

■■■■□

The majority of the route is on very demanding, very narrow curvy roads, and sometimes on single lanes. A minimum of 15.000 miles of motorcycle riding experience is required.

■■■■■

The entire route is permanently on very demanding, extremely curvy, very narrow, partly on single lanes. A minimum of 20.000 miles of motorcycle riding experience is required.

RIDING TIME/DAY

Average driving time per day.

Some of our participants enjoy riding as many miles as possible, whereas others preferred to arrive early at the hotel to enjoy the amenities before dinner. The stated driving times include breaks and photo stops, but not the time spend for lunch (between noon and 2pm, usually 1 hour). A riding day usually starts around 9 am, if necessary a little earlier.

6,0 – 7,5 h

6,5 – 8,0 h

7,0 – 8,5 h

7,5 – 9,0 h

8,0 – 10,0 h

SIGHTSEEING

Average sightseeing per day.

The time we spend for sightseeing per day varies greatly from tour to tour, from:

sightseeing every couple of days

sightseeing on every day, sometimes even several times a day

Support vehicles

Luggage van

A van for luggage transportation will be available. Since it does not follow the tour group route, it will arrive at each day’s hotel approximately around 5 pm. There is limited space for tour participants to ride in the van on certain days, however, the van will not go the same route that the group does.

Back-up van

On these tours there is a support van for luggage transportation. As a matter of safety this van will follow the motorcycle group on most of the riding days. Therefore, participants luggage will not arrive at the hotel prior to the group. On some tours the support vehicle is an open pick-up. In these circumstances, participants will have to re-pack their luggage into waterproof luggage bags. On some days there is limited space for tour participants to ride in the van.

Expedition van

These tours will be accompanied by an escort vehicle for safety, service and first-aid only. The participants need to pack their belongings on the bike.

On these tours there is no van available. The participants need to pack their belongings on the bike.

Tour guide in van

On these tours the group rides on its own (there is no motorcycle mounted tour guide) while the tour guide brings up the rear, driving the support van and transporting the luggage. The tour guide will be at each stop to fulfill his/her travel accompaniment duties. No tour guide on the motorcycle accompanies the group.

Luggage transport

Edelweiss will transport the luggage of the participants from hotel to hotel.

No tour guide

This is a self-guided tour without a tour guide.

Tour Support Van

Should you need support while climbing an incline or simply need a break, then our support vehicle is always at your disposal. It will be there within a few minutes so that you can relax. There is only a limited number of seats available!

Tour design

One-way trip.

We will start from spot A, stay in different accommodations and end our tour at spot B.

We will start from spot A, stay in different accommodations and return to our initial spot A at the end of the tour.

We will stay in one base hotel during the whole tour and start our daily rides from there every day.

Hotel category

Casa Particulares

3 star hotel

3 to 4 star hotel

4 star hotel

4 to 5 star hotel

Travel blog

New Zealand Tour '24

Embarking on the Kiwi Adventure: A 12-Day Motorcycle Journey Across New Zealand Welcome to the land of ...

NSZ 2302 New Zealand Tour

Welcome to the New Zealand Tour  with ...

NSZ 2301 New Zealand Tour

14 or 21 days - doesn’t matter this place got some magic places - that’s the master plan for our tour

All posts of this tour

Impressions.

Sign up now to stay in the loop and receive great travel inspirations.

Call us today

For questions or bookings just give us a call.

Phone: +43.5264.5690 From North America call: 011.43.5264.5690

Order a free catalogue.

More than 80 motorcycle and scooter tours all over the world can be found in our travel program!

Social Media

"Like" Edelweiss on Facebook or use our YouTube channel to watch amazing videos from our worldwide tours.

FAQ Contact Imprint Data privacy Terms and Conditions

Self Guided New Zealand Motorcycle Tours

New zealand self-guided motorcycle tours.

One of our most popular motorcycle packages, a Self Guided Tour (SGT) involves us planning and pre-booking your New Zealand (NZ) itinerary after we learn about you and your preferences, and you ride unaccompanied by a guide. No worries about missing the best roads, the best accommodation and hosts, the best restaurants and perhaps most importantly, avoiding the worst of them. Quite simply, we remove the fish-hooks from your holiday. All you do is ride your motorcycle and enjoy.

If you’re a strict ” I travel alone” sort of person, or perhaps the price of our New Zealand Guided MotorbikeTours is more than you’d like to spend, then don’t forget our Self-Guided Tour packages. These packages give you many of the benefits of a Guided Tour (fully booked itinerary, touring notes etc.) but you save some money by not  having a guide with chase van, included meals etc. You will still have the peace of mind of knowing you’ll have guaranteed accommodation in the best places each night, you’ll know where the best restaurants are, the best roads are, the best vistas and viewpoints are. And you’ll be able avoid those long queues of hopefuls on “standby” waiting to get on the jetboat or dolphin swim excursion, cos you’ll have a guaranteed booking…

How does a New Zealand Self Guided Motorcycle Tour work?

Totally flexible and customisable – Custom SGTs are totally tailor made, handcrafted to suit your special preferences and needs.

With a GoTourNZ.com Custom Self Guided tour, it’s a bit like having a personal chef cook a special meal for you, just to your liking.Upon contacting us and booking your Custom SGT, you’ll be asked to complete our pre-tour survey (which gives you a chance at a winning our Free Tour Prize), and letting us know your preferences, likes, dislikes etc. (e.g. food, accommodation preferences, interests, level of fitness etc). Once you’ve filled in our survey, we can tailor an itinerary that suits your preferences – if you’d like to sample the best Kiwi farmstays and walk some of our famous national park walkways, or perhaps scuba dive, or play golf, we can put together a package that concentrates on these aspects.

Given this information we then spend a considerable amount of time designing, and handcrafting and tailoring a personalised itinerary just for you, but in many ways very similar to that given to those who choose our NZ Guided Tour option. We then email the outline back to you for your approval, and after you’ve approved, we finalise the booking and preparation of your itinerary. You’ll get a full briefing before you set off on your personalised motorcycle odyssey, plus maps, our personalised and detailed itinerary “Bible” (usually over 60 pages of specially prepared info) and information on alternative routes and things to do. Over the duration of your Self Guided tour we stay in touch with the places you’ll be staying at, just to make sure that all is going as planned. We’ll even contact you during brekky just to ask if all is well. We can book accommodation, meals and activities in advance for you, a ferry crossing – even a Church and celebrant if you want to renew your wedding vows (been there, done that..) . In case you need to contact us urgently, we’re only a Toll Free telephone call away (7 days, 24 hours). We don’t just take your money and leave you to it – we watch out for you every day you are here. We have selected farmstays, homestays, B & B and hotels where we have found the operators to be particularly helpful and personable.

Features & Benefits of a GoTourNZ.com Self-Guided Motorcycle Tour:

Our Self-Guided Motorcycle Tours (SGT) are for those who want to be sure they’re not going to miss out on the best roads, the best sights, the best activities, the best restaurants… but who don’t feel they want a guide. Think of them as a Monty Pythonesque package – a Guided Tour without the Guide (remember the Spam Sandwich skit?).

Professionally booked and planned itinerary:

You won’t have to worry about missing out on the best accommodation, the best restaurants, the best roads and scenery… and, perhaps more importantly, you won’t have to worry about the bad restaurants and accommodation. It all flows together seamlessly without stress of having to rush.

Guaranteed accommodation at the best, most interesting, hard-to find places:

We spend each and every off-season looking for new places for you to stay, checking that our old favourites are still up-to-par and the hosts still on-the-ball and not burnt out.

Save on your holiday expenses – no guiding expenses:We’re not so sure we should be encouraging you on this one… 🙂

Comprehensive personalized daily touring notes:

The daily touring notes give you maps, distances, alternative routes, contact information for your accommodation, where to stop for the best food and coffee, activities you’re booked onto.

Avoid missing out on the popular activities – you’re prebooked, no queues:

The best activities and restaurants can be booked out 2 – 4 months in advance. By allowing us to prepare an NZ Self Guided Tour for you, you’ll avoid disappointments. You’ve travelled too far to take a gamble.. We can provide you with a Custom Self Guided Tour of any length to suit the time you have available – if you’re wanting to weave in some off-bike activities, like golfing, skiing, diving or hiking ,or perhaps some very special off-the-beaten track lodgings, and you’d like all this woven in to your motorcycle tours, then this package could be for you.

Personalised

Your Custom SGT Itinerary is tailor made, and personalised to suit you. If you’re wanting special  activities like golfing, diving or hiking etc or to stay at special off-the-beaten track lodgings, and you’d like all this woven in to your motorcycle tours, then this package could be for you. More detail on Self Guided Motorcycle Tours, including pricing is available here “Pricing”

Guided Motorcycle Tours of New Zealand

The best New Zealand Guided Motorcycle Tours .

NZ Self-guided Motorcycle Tours

Pre-booked pre-planned and personalised New Zealand motorcycle tour itineraries .

Motorcycle Rentals New Zealand

Economy to luxury.  Triumph , BMW , Harley Davidson , Honda , Suzuki , Yamaha , and Kawasaki .

Go TourNZ Links

• Client Testimonials
• WIN AN NZ VACATION
• GoTourNZ’s Code
• Pickup Locations
• Hints and Tips
• NZ Food & Wine
• What to Bring
• Terms & Conditions
• General Enquiry Form
• Payments Form

New Zealand Guided Motorcycle Tours

• Guided Tours
• Guided Tours Overview
• Best of the Best Tour
• Best Value Tour
• Your Guides
• GT Motorcycles
• Start booking
• Self-guided Tours
• Self Guided Tours
• Customised Tour Pricing
• SGT Motorcycles
• I’ve booked, what now?

New Zealand Motorcycle Rentals

• Motorcycle Rentals
• Motorcycles Overview

• New Zealand
• Western USA
• Western Canada
• Motorcycle Tours

Serious Rides for Serious Riders

Pohutukawa motorcycle tours new zealand & north america.

Canyon & Mountain Motorcycle Tour

Join Company Founder & Tour Director Colin Rowe on this 8-day tour through the canyons of Utah, open spaces of Arizona and mountains of Colorado. Beginning and ending in central Colorado, this tour takes you into the Rocky Mountains where you will get a close-up view of beautiful scenery highlighting some of the finest mountain riding in North America. Ranging from open mountain meadows to majestic mountains mixed with peaceful woodlands.

Motorcycle Tour of the Colorado Mountain Giants

Experience Western USA on this 12-day tour, beginning in Aurora Colorado and looping through the fantastic Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Picking up your bike and leaving Aurora CO, you will ride the Mountain Giants of Colorado, cruise through the rugged beauty of pristine evergreen forests while soaking in the amazing scenic views, at the same time as sweeping through remarkable corners on fantastic roads.     While this loop can be ridden throughout the summer, if taken in late summer, you will ride through the Fall Majesty of the mountains of Colorado. At this time of year these areas are well into the cooler weather of autumn, and frosty areas can be found, giving the mountains a bright golden covering as aspen leaves change color. Relax in natural hot springs in mountains settings while you enjoy the beautiful scenery. Ride over multiple 12,000 & 14,000-foot passes and visit some of the outstanding National Parks located in this Western riding paradise.

Motorcycle Tour through the Canadian Rocky Mountains

Experience Western Canada on this 13-day self-guided tour of Southern Alberta & British Columbia in Western Canada which will give you a close-up view of beautiful scenery ranging from rolling prairie to rugged mountains. You will experience riding through the rugged Canadian Rockies, rolling foothills, endless northern forests, while enjoying great roads ranging from gentle sweeping corners to twisty sections intermixed with fantastic scenery.

Lynette's Motorcycle Tour of the Wild Frontier Trails

Join us on this 13-day motorcycle tour. Personally lead by Lynette Rowe [co-founder of PMT], you will ride through the rugged prairie beauty of Nebraska and South Dakota and sweep through the Black Hills of South Dakota, before climbing the world-famous passes leading to Yellowstone NP in Wyoming, giving you a close-up view of the amazing scenery. 

Experience Western Canada on this 13-day tour of Southern Alberta & British Columbia which will give you a close-up view of beautiful scenery ranging from rolling prairie to rugged mountains. You will experience riding through the rugged Canadian Rockies, rolling foothills, endless northern forests, while enjoying great roads ranging from gentle sweeping corners to twisty sections intermixed with fantastic scenery.

Kiwi Trails: 13-days on the North Island of NZ

Ride out on this self-guided motorcycle tour of the North Island of New Zealand which gives you a close-up view of beautiful scenery ranging from rolling pastures to white sandy beaches to rugged mountains. You will experience riding through old growth sub-tropical forests, along sweeping costal roads, through rugged hill country, all while enjoying gentle sweeping corners mixed with twisty back roads. [and maybe a Hobbit or two]

Weka Trails: 18-days on the South Island of NZ

Join PMT company founder Colin Rowe to experience New Zealand as he personally guides you on this 18-day fully guided motorcycle tour of New Zealand's South Island, which gives you a close-up view of beautiful scenery ranging from rolling pastures to white sandy beaches to rugged mountains. You will experience riding through old growth temperate rain forests, along sweeping coastal roads, through rugged hill country & mountains, and lush pasture lands, while enjoying gentle sweeping corners mixed with twisty back roads. Join us for this motorcycle tour of the Southern Alps in the South Island of New Zealand.

Kiwi Trails: 18-days on the North Island of NZ

Join PMT company founder Colin Rowe to experience New Zealand as he personally guides you on this 18-day fully guided motorcycle tour of New Zealand's North Island, which gives you a close-up view of beautiful scenery ranging from rolling pastures to white sandy beaches to rugged mountains. You will experience riding through old growth sub-tropical forests, along sweeping coastal roads, & through rugged hill country, and lush pasture lands, while enjoying gentle sweeping corners mixed with twisty back roads.

Why Ride With Us

Call: 909-764-4696.

Our goal is to give you the absolute best riding and touring experience you can have without any worry, hassle or headache. A motorcycle tour with Pohutukawa is exhilarating, fun and completely planned through an through from the moment you arrive to the moment you leave by experience road captains. We have been touring for 3+ decades and have clocked nearly a million miles in all sorts of weather and terrain. With Pohutukawa motorcycle tours you get all the experience and all of the fun. Join us, we can't wait to show you everything!

Beautiful Well Planned Tours

Based on decades of ridding experience we plan the perfect tours that balance the ridding enjoyment with the experiences of the area.

All inclusive! You Ride & Enjoy.

No worries, no hassle. From the moment you arrive until the moment you depart we take care of everything. You ride, experience and enjoy. We do the rest.

Diverse Location Options

New Zealand, United States, and Canadian motorcycle tours ready to go all year long. Experience more with us!

Western US Motorcycle Tours

Ride the big beautiful roads of the Western United States on a motorcycle tour that will take you through the most iconic and legendary scenery available.

New Zealand Motorcycle Tours

A motorcycle tour in New Zealand is like no other. Oceans, mountains and forests await you for the ride of a lifetime.

Western Canada Motorcycle Tours

Ride the magnificent roads of Western Canada and enjoy some of the most beautiful scenery in North America.

• Special Events

Subscribe to our newsletter

I did the North Island, New Zealand tour in November 2011 with the team from Pohutukawa Motorcycle tours. Colin and Lynette were great tour guides, their organization was impeccable and the accommodation was comfortable and affordable. Their route took in some of New Zealand's most scenic sights and the roads were some of the best in the world to ride on. Looking forward to joining the 2016 tour.

"Excellent Adventure " This was a once-in-a-lifetime excellent adventure! I had a great time with Colin and Lynette, they really made me feel comfortable on my bike and I learned a lot. Wonderful camaraderie! Couldn’t ask for nicer people. All the mountain passes and the switchbacks were really great. I am a much better rider now after this adventure. Saw many amazing lands- rolling fields, landmarks (Devil’s Tower, Mount Rushmore, Black Hills, Yellowstone...). Animals too! Buffalo, deer, antelope, elk, bear, moose... Thank you for a great adventure!!

A 10 "Fantastic" Overall Impression - Perfect, Accommodation & Facilities - Perfect, Food - Perfect, Location - Perfect,​ Value for Money - Perfect, Quality of Activities - Perfect.

​​​​A big thanks to the team at Pohutukawa Motorcycle Tours. Another gre...at trip organised to the South Island of New Zealand. Weather at times was challening but the organising of accommodation and rideing times was excellent. A great bunch of riders and many laughs had by all. Seen some of New Zealands great sights. Looking forward to another trip with them. Thanks again.

​​​​Did a tour around the North Island (Te Ika a Maui) of New Zealand (Aotearoa) with Colin & Lynette on a Pohutukawa Tours Motorcycle Tour. Had an absolute blast. Great Company. Great accommodation. Great scenery.

Fantastic roads, beautiful scenery and terrific tour guides. Colin & Lynette showed us some of the most enjoyable countryside we have ridden through. Native bush, sandy beaches, fantastic hills made for motorcycling, wonderful people and some of the best food we’ve ever eaten. New Zealand is a motorcyclist dream and Pohutukawa Motorcycle Tours did a terrific job of showing it to us. Rain forests, rugged mountains, thermal areas, a fantastic show by the native Maoris, wonderful accommodations (I’m torn between the 200 year old hotel with the most amazing chef or the boots on the ground stay on a working sheep farm [station] to decide which was the best), Pohutukawa Tours lived up to their claim of at least one wow factor a day and gave us the tour of a life time.

​​​​​This was my first organized tour and my first-time riding in New Zealand, and it was amazing. The scenery was great, and the roads were terrific. Colin and Lynette were fantastic tour guides and provided lots of interesting information about the countryside we rode through; this made the tour really interesting. Pohutukawa Tours did a wonderful job and provided me with a well-planned and organized tour. I will be going on another of their tours in New Zealand.

​​​First, we are so grateful to Colin and Lynette for putting together such a wonderful trip. They really did their best to share the best of the North Island with us: great roads and scenery and sightseeing, fascinating museums and cultural displays and the glowworm cave, terrific food, and -most of all- wonderful people. We enjoyed it all more than we can say. Our stay at the sheep station was probably one of the most memorable and enjoyable of the trip. What a gem of a country! I especially appreciated the fact that you can still find good roads that go right along the water's edge, so you can actually see the ocean, and pause at a beach or a bay to enjoy the sand and surf and wildlife without having to dodge high-risers or go in and out and back and forth. And the Southern Alps - wow! Our time on New Zealand's North Island was very well planned by Colin and Lynette, so there wasn't much more that we could have hoped for.

​Great rides lined up and could not ask for a better Road Captain and Staff.

Pohutukawa Tours My wife and I booked an 18 day tour to explore both islands of New Zealand with Pohutukawa Tours. We had initially planned on a guided tour but decided to do a self guided tour instead. Colin and Lynette made all the arrangements from airport transfers, hotel rooms and ferry boat tickets. We arrived a few days early to get acclimated to New Zealand time and Colin was able to get our bike 3 days early so we could have a 19 day adventure. We were given a wonderful itinerary that outlined each day’s ride and restaurant recommendations and places to stop and explore on each day. We were advised of which attractions we would need to make reservations at so we would be able to get the most out of our trip. The roads he mapped out gave us a thrilling ride and beautiful scenery every day. The trip was definitely a once in a lifetime adventure. Todd and Donna.

Popular Motorcycle Tours

To check out all tour dates, please click here . Please don’t hesitate to contact us at any time in case of further questions.

8 Day Tour (Western United States)

12 day tour (western united states), 13 day tour (western canada), 13 day tour (western united states), 13 day tour (new zealand), 18 day tour (new zealand).

Our Gallery

MOTORCYCLE TOURS AND RENTALS

View all Motorcycles

The Ultimate New Zealand Motorcycle Tour

This short guide has a downloadable Google map of our full seven week motorcycle route and ride around stunning New Zealand. We reckon this is the ultimate New Zealand motorcycle tour…

After five years of riding from the UK, we finally made it to New Zealand. It marked the halfway point of our round the world motorcycle trip and we had been looking forward to it since we first left.

We had a solid seven weeks to cram in as much as we could, so we plotted a route that would cover the best roads we could find and the top recommendations we received – as well as fitting in all the sights and activities we wanted to do along the way.

This guide plots out and explains our entire route through the country. Hopefully you can use the roads and points we covered to plot your own brilliant ride through New Zealand. We recommend checking out our Best New Zealand Motorcycle Routes and our NZ Travel Blog after so you can tie this route in together and save the areas you’re most interested in riding. 

New Zealand Motorcycle Tour Downloadable Map

New Zealand motorcycle tour route explained

We started the tour in the North Island during the month of April. We originally wanted to ride the South Island first because it’s where the best riding is and we were about to head into winter and the South would get colder than the North.

But, the ferries had all been cancelled and we couldn’t get a crossing for a few weeks so we went north instead. Ironically, we had bad weather the further north we went and had brilliant weather by the time we reached the south.

The route starts in Hamilton and heads north. We wanted to ride to the tip, but that’s when the heavens opened. So we spent our time visiting Russell and criss-crossing the bucolic green north. There’s a lot of beauty – and culture – in the north, and it shouldn’t be missed.

The South has the most spectacular views, sights, roads and things to do. So, it’s definitely where you want to allocate the mass majority of your time. Your main routes here are crossing the Southern Alps passes (Haast, Arthur’s Pass, Lewis Pass), the west coast road, the insanely beautiful ride to Mount Cook, Glenorchy, Rainbow Road and stunning Akaroa.

What are the best motorcycle routes on this tour?

We wrote a dedicated guide to answer this question in more detail. The guide has Google Maps of specific routes and what makes them so brilliant. Here’s the link.

READ MORE: The Best Motorcycle Routes in New Zealand

What non-motorcycling activities do you recommend?

We listed our favourite activities in the New Zealand Motorcycle Travel Guide and explained what’s so good about them and how to book onto them.

How long does this tour take?

This ride took us just over seven weeks at a leisurely pace. You may not have time for such a long ride, so just pick and choose your favourite parts.

When is the best time to ride?

We rode between April and May, which is heading into the cold season. The best time is December, January and February.

How to ride this route in New Zealand

You have a few options here. You can ship your own motorcycle to New Zealand using a Carnet de passage. Or fly in and rent a motorcycle or join an organised or self-guided tour.

Shipping your personal bike in makes sense if you are here for a long period of time (but under 12 months because otherwise you will need to import your bike), or if you’re on a round the world trip etc.

For info on how to do this, visit our Motorcycle Travel Guide for New Zealand and check out the shipping area.

Renting a bike is a great option if you’re planning a short tour of the island. And joining an organised tour takes all the stress out of plotting a route if you’re strapped for time or want to ride with others. You’ll find a selection of companies below.

• Motorcycle Travel Guide: New Zealand
• Rental and Tour Companies in New Zealand

Read more on motorcycle travel in New Zealand

Thanks for checking out The Ultimate New Zealand Motorcycle Tour guide. We hope you enjoyed it! Here’s a few more articles on motorcycle travel in New Zealand and Australia that we recommend you read next. 

• All New Zealand Guides
• The Best Motorcycle Routes in New Zealand
• Motorcycle Travel Blog New Zealand: We Made it!
• New Zealand’s Motorcycle Mecca Museum Guide
• Australasia Motorcycle Travel Guides

Try these next…

Motorcycle Riding Gear Guides

Motorcycle Luggage Guides

The Best Motorcycle Touring Helmets

The Best Motorcycle Bluetooth Headsets

How to Go on a Motorcycle Adventure

Top 5 Travel Apps for Motorcycle Travellers

Are you planning a motorcycle tour in New Zealand? Do you have any questions, tips or suggestions? Let us know in the comments below. 

Leave a comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

  Notify me when new comments are added.

EXPERIENCE YOUR DREAM RIDE

Planet chopper combats a world full of norms, technology, restrictions and red tape. this phenomenon nods to an earlier time but is a new force bringing together riders, machines, adventure and travel., new zealand, guided tours, self-guided tours, united states, what you’ve said about us.

“Second time riding with Planet Chopper. The team are knowledgeable, relaxed and treat you to a bloody good time! These are truly life-changing trips. Couldn’t recommend enough.” — Karl Johnson, Australia

Independent Service Rating – Based on 80 verified reviews

Our Most Popular Tours

Route 66 Reborn

From East to West Route 66 is historical, beautiful, demanding and inspiring at every mile.

Sturgis Stampede

We include Nashville and the Blue Ridge Parkway in one epic journey to motorcycle mecca.

New Orleans, Nashville Memphis, & Daytona

It’s hard to imagine how much fun this tour is, experiencing the ‘real America’ is a once in a lifetime adventure.

Kiwi Crusade

The ultimate New Zealand motorcycle tour. We see everything New Zealand has to offer including the Burt Munro Challenge

North & South Island Explorer

Our longest guided motorcycle tour delivers the most complete journey on two-wheels. See all the best bits and in absolute luxury.

Discover The Himalayas

This ride feeds the spirit of daredevils and adventurers. Run by our sister company, Giant Leap. delivering the best motorcycle tours in India.

As Featured By

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Grand Canyon Heli Ride

NEW ORLEANS

Burt Munro Challenge

MIlford Sound Cruise

4x4 Adventure

Franz Josef Glacier

Committed to excellence.

Average Rating 5/5

Average Rating 4.6/5

Learn About Our Destinations

New zealand.

Looking for deals

Take time to enjoy the countryside

Explore coast and country along The Great Taste Trail

Tasman Explorer - Unplug to Recharge

A three day cycle tour with the emphasis on 'pedal and pause'. Slow down and give yourself the gift of time. Short bike rides, delicious local food and beverages and beautiful quiet accommodation locations.

Pricing and Conditions

Cancellation up to 30 days of arrival date: forfeit the booking fee and any third party charges. Cancellation within 30 days of arrival date: 100% forfeit of the total booking price. There will be no charge for changing to another date (when made at the time of cancellation) and assuming the third parties involved in your booking make no changes to the price of their service, the tour price will remain the same. Making changes to an itinerary after booking, relevant charges will apply.

Allow yourself to enjoy the simple pleasures of ‘Slow Travel’. Surround yourself in nature. Take time to watch a sunrise or sunset. Stargaze. Sit with a coffee outdoors and listen to birdsong. Enjoy silence or the background noises of the countryside. Short bike rides will get you to nearby locations where you can connect with local people, food and changing landscapes. Experience a part of New Zealand where you will meet more locals than tourists. Slow down and enjoy simple pleasures for a few days where the focus is on recharging you, not your bike. What's included: 2 nights accommodation, carefully selected to help you relax and unwind, 2 days bike hire, luggage transfers, route notes and maps.

Opening times

Open in larger map

• Share on Facebook
• Share by email

The content on this page was created by Tasman Explorer - Unplug to Recharge

This website helps visitors connect with providers of great New Zealand tourism experiences. It is not intended to give any assurance that any particular provider meets certain quality standards or legal obligations. Please contact this business for more information. See also: newzealand.com terms of use (opens in new window) .