motorcycle tours new zealand

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BMW R1250GS

One of our favourites!

Standard & Low

Triumph Tiger 900

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Wide range of latest model machines

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Ride New Zealand .... live the dream!

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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:

Mike and sandy churchill, nsw, australia, peter & dawn cawthorne, merseyside, england.

Best Motorcycling Roads! The friendliest of welcome's and very well presented bike. I had the best time exploring the fantastic roads on the South Island. Ace!

Cath Vaughan

Fife, united kingdom.

Utterly Fantastic! The tour was so well organized, from the moment of inquiry until the flight out of Christchurch. The whole crew was gracious, accommodating, resourceful, with over the top customer service. We experienced New Zealand from the tops of 2 BMW 800's. It was phenomenal, to say the least. Even with 6 out of 12 days with rain, it didn't matter, we were in NZ! The self guided GPS tour was amazingly accurate and the excursions, plus places to stop and eat, well, there wasn't a bad one in the bunch. Highly recommended to all who ride.

Dave and Maggie

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12 Day Southern Alps Spectacular Fully Guided Tour 2025

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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....

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Guided Motorcycle Tours of New Zealand

Booking now 2023-2024

Handcrafted Motorcycle Adventures

The best holiday you’ll ever have. Period

NZ Self Guided Motorcycle Tours

Bmw, triumph, harley-davidson.

Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha, Ducati

And Personalised New Zealand Self Guided Motorcycle Tours

New Zealand motorcycle tour guiding and Self Guided tour itinerary planning is a genuinely pleasurable activity for us…. We are bespoke planners and coordinators of tailor made motorcycle tour packages in New Zealand.

Our purpose comes from the commitment and satisfaction from partnering with our clients to create pleasurable, life-long motorcycle tour experiences. The very best New Zealand motorbike tour we can possibly deliver.

• We’re professionally trained motorcycle guides.
• We guide ALL of our New Zealand motorcycle tours personally – you tour with the owner.
• It’s as fun and pleasurable for us, as it is for you.

Size Does Matter

It seems that every motorcycle tour operator or rental operator self-proclaim themselves to be “ The Best New Zealand Motorcycle Rental” company, or “ NZ’s Premium Guided Tour Operator “.

We don’t aspire to be the biggest operator in New Zealand, and we’re certainly not going to use false puffery to badge ourselves as The Best   or The Premium .

We will assure you of this however. We love this business, and we love partnering with our clients to create THE BEST (oops! – there’s that word again) experience possible. Quality is more important than quantity. As our dear old Dad liked to say: “You can’t expect a diamond to be the size of a brick” . We know he was right.

New Zealand Motorcycle Rentals

We offer  a motorcycle rental options of the latest models from the world’s top manufacturers – BMW, Triumph, Harley-Davidson, Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha,Ducati, etc. If it’s hot and in demand, we add it to our motorcycle tour and rental fleet. We have models available to suit all budgets. If the latest and and greatest is important to you, we can provide that. If you’re happy with trading the latest model for a great price on a great condition, well maintained previous model, we can help with that too.

Win a 12 day guided Motorcycle tour of New Zealand

Enter GoTourNZ’s annual Survey and Competition . Fill out the complete survey you go into a draw for a  free 12 day guided tour of New Zealand .

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Our simple goal is to give you a vacation that you’ll remember with genuine pleasure and exhilaration until the day you shuffle off this Mortal Coil, and we set about achieving this in a professional and and friendly manner .

Follow these link for our Guided Tours Best of the Best and Best Value Guarantees.

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We’re proud of our tours and also of the reputation that we’ve built. Click here to read some of our client comments , and see what others are saying about us.

Our past clients’ words will mean more to you than anything we say about ourselves!

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We’d love to have the opportunity to provide you with a truly memorable New Zealand vacation.

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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

Guided New Zealand Motorcycle Tours

Ride on one of our latest model motorcycles and let our professional guides take you on a motorcycle tour of New Zealand that you will never forget. With a guide riding a motorcycle and a support vehicle for your luggage ride unencumbered

Paradise Motorcycle Tours fleet of latest model BMW motorcycles and carefully designed  New Zealand itineraries  ensure you will have the ride of your life. We are in our 16th year of providing award winning service to motorcyclists from all over the world

We are the only Official Partner of BMW Motorrad based in New Zealand.

Our professional BMW Motorrad certified motorcycle tour guides are as passionate about New Zealand as they are about motorcycles.

Our motorcycle holidays are designed to showcase the best New Zealand has to offer, and include many exciting activities and thrill-seeker options to make this the adventure tour of a lifetime.

Check Out Our Guided New Zealand Motorcycle Tours

Mike and his team do a great job making sure everyone enjoys their time in NZ - no one in encouraged to do anymore than ride their own ride and as such everyone safely negotiated the route at a pace to suit themself. If you want to experience the best in motorcycle touring, get yourself to New Zealand - it doesn’t get any better - PMCT see to that!

Airdrie, Scotland

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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

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Ultimate Adventure Moto NZ Limited

&  Kiwi Motorcycle Rentals

52o Cranford Street, Redwood, Christchurch

[email protected]

+64 21 166 2025

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Discover New Zealand

Guided new zealand motorcycle tours.

New Zealand is more than just a country, it’s a sanctuary: a place of easy-going people and beautiful scenery. When you ride here you will experience all our must-do spots – from crystal clear rivers to alpine lakes and golden sand beaches.

You’ll also get to meet a bunch of real deal Kiwis, we don’t take ourselves too seriously, unless it involves rugby, cool cars or drinking beer…

Father and son Mark and Ben Van Leeuwarden are your guides for each tour. They ensure that you always feel at home and have a laugh each day.

So, your bucket list ride awaits.

Are you going to tick it off?

Upcoming Tours

Kiwi Crusade

The Kiwi Crusade is the ultimate New Zealand Motorcycle tour. We ride over 2,000 km in 11 days, seeing all the best bits of NZ including the Burt Munro Challenge.

North & South Island Explorer

Explore every corner of New Zealand on this epic motorbike tour. Tour includes Rotorua, Milford Sound and Queenstown. This is motorcycle riding at its best!

North Island Explorer

Cultural experiences, Hobbiton, Bay of Islands, Waitomo caves, heavenly riding days and the Coromandel — a hell of a time in just a week.

South Island Explorer

The trip of a lifetime. Explore Franz Josef Glacier, Arthurs Pass, Queenstown and more. From stunning scenery to the best motorcycle roads on the planet - it’s got it all.

Committed to Excellence

Average Rating 5/5

Average Rating 4.6/5

Destinations & Highlights

Burt Munro Challenge

4x4 Adventure

Franz Josef Glacier

National Parks

Jet Boating

Waitomo Caves

Motorcycle Mecca

WHAT YOU’VE SAID ABOUT US

Independent Service Rating – Based on 80 verified reviews

Why Take a Guided Planet Chopper Tour in NZ?

Our rides are life-changing. Each day is a new adventure.

We stay in beautiful hotels, eat top-notch food, visit cultural and adventure attractions, and do it all with a bunch of great people.

With our flavour of family-run, motorcycle-focused adventures you’re bound to have a laugh, a smile and some great memories.

What’s Included?

• Late Model Motorcycle Rental
• 4 Star Hotel Accommodation
• Excursions, live music and activities (tour specific)
• Support Vehicle with driver and luggage trailer
• Spare motorcycle
• Experienced Tour Guides x 2
• Ferry’s
• Welcome and Farewell Dinner
• Planet Chopper T-shirt and Cap
• Not included: Airfares, personal health insurance and alcohol.

Our Team in NZ

Father and son Mark and Ben Van Leeuwarden are born and bred kiwis. They bring their own flare to each tour, and provide carefully crafted itineraries, ‘real kiwi’ experiences and occasionally some good humour.

Mark comes from a private investigation background while Ben used to work in advertising around the world.

The pair have hosted many New Zealand group tours, music events, and have been a part of New Zealand’s supermoto racing community for many years.

Their existing relationships give you special access to the New Zealand many tourists don’t get to see.

BEN Van Leeuwarden Guide

Mark Van Leeuwarden Guide

JOHN Devonshire Mecahnic

Denise “Diesel” Graham

Dedicated support team.

We have a support vehicle with a trailer for luggage and a spare motorcycle. The support truck driver offers additional support, and we always travel with a mechanic to keep the wheels rolling.

Our Motorcycles

We have a wide-variety of motorbikes for you to ride in New Zealand. From Harley Davidson Electra Glides to custom choppers, take your pick.

How it Works

Step 1: select and book your tour.

All of our tours can be booked instantly online. Secure your spot by paying a 20% deposit. If you like, you can pay the remainder of your balance via installments. The balance is due 45 days prior to departure.

STEP 2: WE FILL YOU IN ON EVERY DETAIL

We will send you a handbook on what to bring, what to expect and travel information.

STEP 3: TIME TO RIDE!

We greet you, go over a quick briefing and hit the road! All hotels, restaurants, gas stops, experiences, routes and the best places to stop for scenic views are waiting for us. It’s that easy. If you have any questions please email Ben here.

Area Covered

Prefer a Self-Guided Tour?

Check out our special offer.

ALL BOOKINGS MADE IN 2023 RECEIVE 5% OFF! JUST EMAIL US BELOW!

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• Unit 3 Building G/14/22 Triton Drive, Rosedale, Auckland 0632, New Zealand

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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

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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

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

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Phone: +43.5264.5690 From North America call: 011.43.5264.5690

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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. 

13-day Motorcycle Tour through the Canadian Rocky Mountains

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]

18-day South Island Motorcycle Tour

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.

18-day North Island Motorycle Tour

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.

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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.

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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).

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Motorcycle tours new zealand on a harley-davidson.

Perfect conditions for motorcyclists from all over the world await you in Paradise New Zealand : Endless roads that run through the most beautiful regions of the world, a mild climate and different landscapes of sunny white beaches to snow-capped mountains. Discover New Zealand and be enchanted by this beautiful country at the other side of the world - on a Harley-Davidson motorcycle.

There are several motorcycle tours of different lengths in New Zealand. The Paradise Tour takes you in 19 days over both islands of New Zealand and you will get to know them in detail. Starting in Auckland, the largest city of New Zealand, which is located in the northern island of the country, the road trip first goes to the Bay of Islands and the Cape Reinga, the northernmost point of New Zealand. In this picturesque area, you will enjoy cruising along on a motorbike and get used to the left-handed traffic.

After four days in the Northlands, you will head south on your Harley along the Pacific Coast Highway. In the following days you will learn about the ancient traditions of the Maori of New Zealand and come across the country's national bird, the Kiwi (there are three kind of Kiwis in New Zealand: The bird, the fruit ...and the people). You will see the Lake Taupo, the largest lake in the country and the capital of New Zealand - Wellington. Then you cross over by ferry to the south island.

Waiting for you in the deep south of New Zealand are unique nature spectacles between glaciers and deep blue lakes surrounding Mount Cook, the highest mountain in New Zealand with a height of 3754m. The highlight of every motorcycle tour in New Zealand is a visit to one of the world wonders - to the magnificent Milford Sound, where you will go on a boat cruise and see dolphins, sea lions, penguins and sometimes even wales. The motorcycle tour through New Zealand then ends in Christchurch with an option of 3 additional days back to Auckland.

For people who have less time, we offer a 15 day New Zealand Highlights Tour .

In February each year there is a Special Offer Tour including the XTRA Package - 3 days back from Christchurch to Auckland for free. We recommend early booking - spaces in Paradise are limited!

* HARLEY-DAVIDSON, HARLEY, H-D, HD, HARLEY-DAVIDSON AUTHORIZED TOURS and the Bar & Shield logo are among the registered trademarks of H-D U.S.A., LLC. Reuthers is a registered trademark of REUTHER-ENTERTAINMENTS.

We now invite you to choose from the following Dream Tours we have put together for You:

Our 19-day motorcycle tour through New Zealand is paradise for bikers at the other side of the world: You will quite intensively get to know the three amazing islands of New Zealand with us including the Northlands with its spiritual place Cape Reinga...

>   Motorcycle Tour New Zealand Paradise

On this 15-day motorcycle tour through New Zealand, you will visit the most beautiful highlights of the two islands as well as Stewart Island. Your motorcycle tour begins in the north in the metropolis of Auckland and ends in Christchurch...

>   Motorcycle Tour New Zealand Highlights

Find your Dream Tour:

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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…

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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. 

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South Island, New Zealand, 2025

13 days discovering the glorious South Island in New Zealand, in the sothern helisphere summer time!

Saturday 18 January to Thursday 30 January 2025 1 country | 13 Days Prices From £5,590 Just 8 rooms left

Getting a Harley and touring with you and your team has been one of the best things ever for me. NEIL PAINTER, KENT, UK

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Where to eat and drink in Timaru

Geraldine Cheese Company, Geraldine, Christchurch - Canterbury

By Venture Timaru

Dining out in Timaru is all about quality local ingredients and celebrating the place that produces them. Here’s where to find the top eateries and watering holes.

Restaurants

The Oxford, Christchurch - Canterbury

The oxford, timaru.

Ask a Timaru local where to eat in town and chances are they will point you in the direction of The Oxford (opens in new window) . The French bistro-style restaurant offers simply prepared dishes made with the finest local ingredients. 

Street Food Kitchen, Timaru 

At Street Food Kitchen (opens in new window) everyone is welcome, but mobile phones sort of aren't. Every aspect of the restaurant is designed to make dining social again, from sharing plates to reasonably priced food and wine.  

The Running Duck, New Zealand

Café verde, geraldine .

Café Verde (opens in new window) serves outstanding café food in a beautiful garden setting. Both the menu and the garden change with the seasons but the coffee is consistently excellent.  

The Running Duck

The Running Duck (opens in new window) café offers fantastic burgers, coffee, and milkshakes – along with cool retro vibes that even the local farmers enjoy.

Hector Black’s Lounge Bar, Christchurch - Canterbury

Hector black’s lounge bar, timaru .

Hector Black’s (opens in new window) could serve nothing but tap water and it would still be pumping. This is where locals gather, often attending quirky events that include a jam and marmalade competition and Sunday School, where locals can speak on any subject. It’s not entirely clear how, but Hector Black’s Pigeon Racing Team is involved somehow, too. The approach to Hector Black’s interior design has been enthusiastic but random. Here you’ll find a row of polo sticks sitting alongside a tortoise shell and a taxidermy of a Jack Russell called Hector. The superbly crafted cocktails are just a bonus. 

Markets and food stores

Barkers Foodstore & Eatery, Christchurch - Canterbury

Barker’s foodstore, geraldine .

Barker’s is the name you’re most likely to see printed on jams, chutneys and cordials in supermarkets and kitchen pantries around the country. Visit the Barker's Foodstore (opens in new window) to taste-test these New Zealand staples for yourself, plus a surprising number of newcomers most New Zealanders won’t have tried yet. 

Geraldine Cheese Company, Geraldine 

The Geraldine Cheese Co (opens in new window)  makes award-winning artisan cheeses out of its tiny factory in the town centre. This is where traditional cheese-making skills come together with innovative techniques and where a visit to the factory store to gather supplies is something of a local pilgrimage. 

Humdinger Gin Distillery, Christchurch - Canterbury

Humdinger gin, geraldine .

Humdinger Gin (opens in new window) sets itself apart during its first seven months of operation when it won its first international award. At the time, the brand’s owners – a twenty-something husband and wife team – saw this award as an important moment of validation. Up until then they suspected the enthusiastic support they had received from Geraline locals was just the product of a close-knit community, keen to reward the efforts of young entrepreneurs giving it ago. The couple’s new-found confidence launched a furious period of creativity that created limited release gins, such as Pinot Noir Barrel Aged Gin, Bourbon Barrel Aged Gin, and Cherry Gin Liqueur. And their signature Pink Gin and Sloe Gin just got better and better.

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