Day 1: Christchurch - Kaikoura (200 km)
Riders collect their motorcycles, the others have the option to go for a walk through Christchurch. Short ride (about 2 hours) to Kaikoura along the scenic inland route. Whale watch tour (3 hours, NZ$90, optional).

Day 2: Kaikoura - Christchurch (200 km)
Back to Christchurch along the scenic coastal route. Visit New Zealand Wildlife at Willowbank or Penguins at the Antarctic Centre.

Day 3: Christchurch - Lake Tekapo (260 km)
Sea and mountains are two main features in New Zealand's landscape. Today we already reach the first mountains of the New Zealand Alps and stay the night at the shore of a magnificent turquiose coloured glacier lake. The ones who are up early might like to go on one of the offered scenic flights (NZ$200) over the glaciers next morning - it's certainly worth the extra expense!

Day 4: Lake Tekapo - Dunedin (300km)
Not less than 14 named peaks over 2000m form the New Zealand Alps. The tallest and most beautiful peak is Mt. Cook at 3754m. The Maori call him "Aoraki "which means Cloud Piercer. This sight is just amazing and will stick in your mind quite a while on the next hundred kilometres.
Dunedin - an University town with a very cruisy atmosphere - is our next stop. This afternoon you will experience true New Zealand wildlife: albatrosses, seals, sea lions and penguins - these cute little creatures! (Cost for 6hrs wild life tour: NZ$45, optional)

Day 5: Dunedin - Te Anau (310km)
After a cruisy breakfast we will make our way to the world famous Milford Sound. Tonight in Te Anau you have the option to go on a night time cave tour (cost: NZ$45).

Day 6: Te Anau - Milford (120km)
Today you have many choices: You can take your own bike to cruise into the heart of Milford Sound and where we go on a spectacular overnight cruise through the world-famous fiord built millions of years ago. The ride to the heart of the Milford Sound is one of the best Downunder. Spectacular views, spectacular scenery, spectacular windy bits - do we have to say more? There are also several other attractions awaiting you.

Day 7: Milford - Queenstown (320 km)
The ride to Queenstown will take us to beautiful back country, then along rugged mountains. Queenstown - the entertainment capital of New Zealand - is ideally placed at the bottom of a remarkable mountain range and at the shore of Lake Wakatipu. One of the oldest steamboats in service can take you across the lake to Walter Peak Station. Here you get the chance to explore New Zealand farm life on one of the biggest farms of the are. Life in Queenstown is "all go".

Day 8: no trip, Explore Queenstown
Today we just enjoy the special atmosphere of Queenstown and think of the best way to spend our time. Highly recommended is the ½-day Off-road Motorcycle Tour (for non-riders also) where you get the appropriate bike and equipment to have great fun! Other options are bungee jumping, rafting or jet boating through the famous "Skippers Canyon". (all activities are around NZ$150).

Day 9: Queenstown - Haast (270 km)
Stunning scenery makes it hard to keep our eyes on the road while we are riding along the shore of two beautiful lakes. Climbing up the Haast Pass we reach the next leg of our trip: the spectacular Rain Forest of the West Coast of New Zealand, also referred to as "Wet Coast".

Day 10: Haast - Glaciers - Hokitika (320 km)
This will be a magnificent day - in sunshine, rain or hail. The West Coast is simply naturally amazing. At lunch time we'll reach the glaciers and have the chance to stretch our legs with a short walk to the snowline. Glacierland also offers some lovely windy roads for us to take us to biker's heaven... In Hokitika we can go on a Jade Discovery Walk to find out more about this unique gem of New Zealand.
Tour participants of the 10-day South Island Paradise Tour return from here to Christchurch via the Tranz Alpine Scenic Train Ride.

Day 11: Hokitika - Punakaiki - Murchison (250 km)
Today you will reach the pancake rocks of Punakaiki. The sea has washed blowholes in the rocks which are most impressive at high tide. Through the dramatic shaped river gorge of the "Buller" river we are carrying on to Murchison, our last stop before we reach one of New Zealand's most beautiful and exotic spots - the Abel Tasman National Park.

Day 12: Murchison - Marahau (200 km)
Today we are going to see the most beautiful exotic park of the whole of New Zealand. Don't forget your sunnies and to close your mouth again.

Day 13: no trip, relax Abel Tasman National Park
Every bet that you will never want to leave again… In the meantime relax at the Lodge or enjoy a kayak trip through the heart of Abel Tasman National Park. The beauty of this park is best seen by quietly paddling our kayaks off golden beaches.

Day 14: Abel Tasman - Queen Charlotte Drive (80 km)
The ride through the Queen's Charlotte Drive with one twist after another and stunning views over tranquil bays is one of the best rides you ever had the pleasure to experience.

Day 15: Queen Charlotte Drive - Picton (30 km) - Ferry crossing to Wellington
Today we are heading through the picturesque Marlborough Sounds towards the ferry harbour for the North Island. Sunbathing on the deck of the ferry you can relive the ride in your dreams or watch some tranquil bays as the ferry goes past. Sometimes there are even dolphins to see. Tonight we are welcome at a lovely women's guesthouse with artistically decorated rooms. Enjoy!

Day 16: Wellington - Wanganui (250 km)
We are leaving New Zealand's capital and riding north along terrific coastal scenery. At lunch time we will stop at a biker's pub where we meet some interesting people. Now it's time for some vulcanoes! Our ride takes us through lovely shaped hills with twisty roads and nothing left to be desired. In the evening we reach the Flying Fox, a very special accommodation.

Day 17: Canoe trip down the Wanganui River
Wai of the Wanganui River is inviting us to a magic canoe trip down this mystical River.
Tonight we are staying at a marae, the traditional meeting grounds of the Maori community. We will share a traditional cooked meal called "Hangi" and dive into some unknown culture of the South Pacific.

Day 18: Canoe trip
Last day of our paddle adventure with Wai on the Wanganui River. Allow yourself to be enchanted by this place...

Day 19: Raetihi - Lake Taupo - Rotorua (280 km)
Time to see some vulcanoes! There are three in a row and they are quite impressive, maybe even a bit scary... They are still active... ! Not far from here we reach the famous Champagne pools at Wai-o-tapu, which means "sacred water". Tonight in Rotorua we reach the main centre of thermal activity in New Zealand. Get prepared to be amazed!

Day 20: Rotorua - Mt. Maunganui (80 km)
Today we have a look at Whakarewarewa to see geysers and bubbling mud and then we reach the sea again! And what a spot! Spectacular Mt. Maunganui - an extinct vulcano - invites you to an ice-cream at the beach promenade, a nice swim or whatever else your heart desires…

Day 21: Mt. Maunganui - Hahei (110 km)
We are heading towards one of the most enchanting places in New Zealand - the peninsula "Coromandel". The usual story: stunning scenery, twisty roads, next to no traffic - biker's heaven! The lush vegetation includes many different and terrific ferns. Tonight we will relax at the "Hot Water Beach", the best place for a hot bath - thermal active beach heating! Cathedral Cove - a famous post card image of New Zealand - is just around the corner - enjoy!

Day 22: Hahei - Auckland (170 km)
Time to go home... We are riding back to Auckland through the lush bush in Coromandel. Auckland for sure seems to be a very busy place after all the tranquility we have experienced in the last three weeks. Just around the corner from the place, where we are staying, is the rental company. We are dropping the bikes back and reminisce all the places we have seen and all the things we have done...