Hi, I'm just starting to think about a tour of NZ beginning Sept 2019. My first idea was to buy a bike in Auckland (I live in the UK) and travel around both islands for 6 months, maybe W.O.O.Fing my way around to keep things cheap. I want to explore other possibilities as well and wondered if anyone knew of any good organised tours? It would be good to do a bit of off road, I've been green laning on a Yamaha Serow in the UK and love it. I'm a sociable lady, so was thinking a group of likeminded bikers would be as much fun as going it solo. I want to keep the price down, so no luxury tours. Thanks in advance, Wolfy

Just remember WWOOFing requires a work visa, enjoy.

Mezo.

organised tours in NZ are very very expensive. It is easy enough to tour independently, to keep it cheap, stay in backpackers (not always full of pissed youth!) or camp at Department of Conservation campsites (these are so basic, they mainly have only a drop toilet). Every 3rd night I would stay at a campsite with facilities (like the top ten brand) to have a shower and do some washing.

When you get to Auckland airport get yourself a sim card, vodafone has the best coverage, and make sure your phone is unlocked from home network.

Two great websites for trails are
https://www.adventureridingnz.co.nz/

https://www.remotemoto.com/ (fee but well worth it)

Buying a bike in NZ is fairly easy for foreigners, insurance is not legally needed but recommended. The best place to look for bikes for sale is trademe.co.nz (NZ ebay) I think you need to be a resident to buy but I have a log in you can use if you can't seem to log in.

Terminology: Rego: Road tax, WOF Warrant of Fitness (like UK MOT or German TUV).

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p.s when I lived near Auckland, I went out riding with these guys: https://www.northerngraveladventureridersnz.com/

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Hi Wolfy, +1 on the remotemoto site, well worth the (very low) fee.

You're unlikely to find someone wanting to tour for 6 months so have a fish around facebook groups, there are quite a few, each with their own particular interests. I'm sure joining a few would give you access to some great people who would be keen to ride with you for a day/week/month.

So far as a bike goes, some rental firms do have long term rental available so that might be an option? At least that way you're working to a fixed budget, have all servicing costs covered, and the ability to swap bikes part way through if you fancy a change.

I have a friend with a blueberry farm in Te Anau who often takes on woofers, PM if you want to be put in touch.

Just a thought, while insurance is not compulsory, do bear in mind that if you injury someone/damage another vehicle you will be liable so I'd strongly recommend that you do take out Third Party insurance at least.

As mentioned above - buying a bike as a foreigner in NZ is quite easy. Even I did it actually lol. I did however only stay 10 weeks in NZ and rode around 9 of them. 6 months you will have plentiful if time exploring every road and tracks.

Campsites are plentiful and the public/government run ones costed usually only 6 NZdollars. They are quite basic though. Private ones with more facilities costs a bit more.
Wikicamps New Zealand - which is an app you can install in your smartphone will have a lot of information for travellers such as all kinds of campsites, hostels and hotels, gas stations, supermarkeds and shops etc.

There are many gravelroads, especially in the south island. But many if them have quite many gates that must be opend and shut - but good exercise...lol.

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hi Wolfy
September isn't ideal to start a tour. Sept and Oct can be blustery with a lot of rain (and snow) and summer doesn't really arrive until November. Like the UK, NZ will have days of good weather during Spring but far less than Jan & Feb. This year we've had a lot of late snowfall in the ski regions of both north and south islands & there have been storms and floods in the far north.

Buying a bike is a good idea if you intend to stay a while. Unfortunately, if you want to buy a small cc trail bike like the Serow you may be limited. NZ doesn't have a big biker population compared to the UK and imports weren't on the same scale. This also means second hand bikes are more costly compared to the UK. So when you search TradeMe, be prepared for a price shock.

You can buy the XT250 and you can also buy a Suzuki DR200's for half the price. If you're confident off-road then there are plenty of other trail bikes to choose from, but they may not be ideal for long road usage. I have a 250cc trail bike and ended up buying a BMW F650 for that very reason.

You could also consider buying a cheap car that you can sleep in (needs to be certified as "self-contained" - ie it has approved toilet and water facilities) to stay at freedom camp sites). Then hire a bike for a few days in the different regions you want to explore.

Some holiday camp sites & "domains" have basic cabins which are very reasonably priced and great when the weather isn't being kind. Hostels and AirB&B can also offer good choices for single travellers.

Get in touch if you're heading south. I live in Dunedin and would be happy to meet up & may be able to offer a bed or possibly ride with you for a weekend

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Striving to live the ordinary life in a non ordinary way

Hello
Sorry , I might just question the information put forward below.


Mezo
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Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Border Ranges Northern NSW, Australia
Posts: 1,036


Just remember WWOOFing requires a work visa, enjoy.

Mezo


Sorry but


I host for volunteers when in New Zealand long enough on the Workaway volunteer website ( WWoofing opposition ) and they don,t require a work visa. I would image WWoofing would be the same.
As a host I get review the profiles of volunteers and many are beyond back packer work visa age . Some are retirement age too.

Hello
Just answering my own last post.
Did some research this time , and yes you do need a Work visa to do volunteer work in New Zealand. Both with WWoofing and Workaway websites.


Seems they don,t police it very much at all, if at all. Based on who I see offering to volunteer.


Workaway website offers a far greater selection of hosts and variety.

We've had travelers turned away at NZ Immigration at the airport by saying they were coming to our placeunder Workaway, when they didn't have a work visa. They certainly police it at the boarder.

Cheers
Nigel

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Hi Wolfy,

As Phoenix says, Sept / Oct can be a bit "english" on the weather front - staying in the North Island will give you less chance of road closures but we ride year round in both North and South Islands, and having 6 months here is really fab.

Given your timing, this might be a bit more of a "last hurrah" but we run a social ride in late March which takes in a good chunk of both islands. Normally about 4000 - 4500 kms in a week. The trips are free to join and open to anyone to come along for all or part of the run. This is the write up from last month's outing; https://www.motorbikescape.co.nz/category/trips/ Next year, we'll start in the north of the North Island and finish in the south of the South Island. so get in touch if this kind of thing appeals.

Happy planning!

Corinne