NSZ 2601 New Zealand Tour
The time has come for a tour of a lifetime. Welcome to the kickoff of the first Edelweiss Tour of 2026 – Welcome to New Zealand 🇳🇿 Today we met the group for our tour. Some riders we already know from previous adventures, and some we had the pleasure of meeting for the very first time. We gathered in the hotel lobby and headed straight to the meeting room—everyone was curious to learn what we will see and experience over the next 15 days, and the light rain outside didn’t exactly invite us to linger. Fingers crossed that the weather will improve over the coming days. After a warm welcome, we dove straight into the welcome briefing and presentation. We went through the tour route and the incredible places we’ll be visiting. And after all that talking, it was finally time for the bike handover. So, what’s next? Time to set up the motorcycles with everything we’ll need for the riding days ahead—before meeting again for our first dinner together. And judging by the food… it looks like we might gain a little weight on this tour! The meal was absolutely fantastic. That wraps up our Welcome Day. Tomorrow, we ride on to Twizel. So stay tuned if you’d like to see what we discover next. Your Tour Guides Jan, Domenico & Axel
First day on the road in New Zealand! After our morning briefing—held under a light drizzle—we set off from Christchurch. Leaving the city was very easy: it’s not crowded, and since it was Sunday morning, we found absolutely no traffic at all! Just after leaving town, the rain stopped and we headed up to the scenic Summit Road, enjoying our first real taste of riding in this stunning country. From there, we followed a beautiful road skirting the mountains all the way to the impressive Rakaia Gorge. A photo stop there is compulsory! We then continued on to Geraldine, where we had lunch at a quite crowded Farmshop & Café—very interesting to observe local people and families enjoying their Sunday. After lunch, we rode toward the breathtaking Lake Tekapo, with its turquoise waters and wide-open landscapes. A ride up to the top of Mount John rewarded us with stunning views and a look at the astronomical observatory, before finally heading to our destination for the day. What a fantastic first day of riding in New Zealand!
Waking up and seeing blue skies and the first rayes of sunlight make it a very promising day. Several highlights, like Lindis pass, bungee jumping, Queenstown and lake Wakatipu all turn out to be beautiful! And in between the riding is breathtaking! Also mentionable is that this group is truly amazing! Lovely people with a good sence of humour and great riding skills!
Today breakfast was very early because we wanted to leave as soon as possible. The reason is that we had a boat to catch. This boat boat brought us into Milford Sound, the 8th Wonder of the natural world! Formed by glaciers millions of years ago it houses dolphins, seals and penguins. From the steep cliffs countless waterfalls come down from hundreds of meters. What an amazing place! After returning to Te Anau, we enjoyed a relaxed lunch before getting back on the bikes. In the afternoon, the road led us along the shores of the beautiful Lake Wakatipu, with endless curves and postcard-perfect views accompanying us all the way to Queenstown. We arrived in Queenstown in the late afternoon, just in time to enjoy the lively atmosphere of the town. Tonight, a well-deserved dinner awaits us in the city center, right along the beautiful lakeside promenade!
Today we enjoyed a short ride with a return to Queenstown. We followed the scenic road along Lake Wakatipu (with a couple of photo stops) to Glenorchy, where we stopped for a coffee. Back in Queenstown, we had lunch and then switched from two wheels to pure adrenaline with a ride on the famous Shotover Jet—a fast and fun experience through narrow canyons and crystal-clear water. After returning to the hotel, it was time to slow things down and recharge. We’re resting up a bit this afternoon, ready for tomorrow, which promises to be a longer and more demanding riding day!
Threehundredandfourty kilometers of pure joy! We left Queenstown in the morning and headed toward Fox Glacier, knowing it would be a long but rewarding day. We passed by the charming historic town of Arrowtown, before climbing up and over the Crown Range, twisty, scenic, and an absolute pleasure to ride. A coffee stop in Cardrona was mandatory, where we visited one of the oldest hotels in New Zealand. From there, the road flowed beautifully along the shores of the stunning Lake Hawea, with endless views and smooth curves, until we stopped for lunch. In the afternoon, we continued toward the wild West Coast. The road began to snake its way through dense forest, becoming narrower and more technical, before finally reaching the coast. Once there, stopping for photos was unavoidable—raw ocean and untouched nature! A long day on the bike, but one filled with unforgettable roads and landscapes!
We left Fox Glacier in the morning and continued north along the rugged West Coast, riding through ever-changing landscapes. Before turning inland, we stopped for lunch in Hokitika, a laid-back coastal town. In the afternoon, the road climbed toward Arthur’s Pass, one of the most scenic mountain crossings in New Zealand. Tight corners, long sweepers, and dramatic alpine scenery, an absolute highlight for any rider. We were lucky enough, during our coffee break, to spot a few kea, the curious alpine parrots that live in this area. After that, we descended back toward the west coast and continued north to Punakaiki. The final kilometers ran right along the ocean, and our day ended at a hotel by the sea, with the sound of waves as the perfect soundtrack after a full day of riding!
We left Punakaiki and, after just a few hundred metres, it was already time to stop and admire one of the highlights of the day: the famous Pancake Rocks. Here we could watch the waves crashing through the blowholes, a truly unique and unforgettable natural spectacle! From there, we continued on to Cape Foulwind, where we visited the seal colony and observed the animals relaxing on the rocks just above the ocean. This coastline is truly wild and unspoiled! Back on our motorcycles, we entered the impressive Buller River canyon, surrounded by steep cliffs and rushing water. Jan was there waiting for us with a picnic, the perfect mid-day break. In the afternoon, the road followed the river inland, with smooth curves and beautiful scenery leading us all the way to Nelson, where we arrived later in the day, ready to enjoy the evening after another rewarding day on the road!
Day 9 – Farewell To The South Island It’s Day 9, and we say goodbye to New Zealand’s South Island as we take the ferry to Wellington. That’s probably the shortest way to describe the day. But not for us. Because even though we covered only 110 kilometers, this day was an absolute treat for us as motorcycle riders. The route from Nelson to Havelock alone would have been worth riding back and forth all day long. It is one of the most beautiful and highest-quality roads on the South Island. One curve follows the next – and on a Sunday, which means no trucks and virtually no traffic at all. In short: top‑notch cornering, comparable to the Passo Gavia. Once we arrived in Havelock, we stopped for a coffee to reflect on this dream of a road. From there, we continued on the Queen Charlotte Drive toward Picton. Over just 40 kilometers, it feels like it offers twice as many curves as the previous stretch. And on top of that comes the indescribably beautiful landscape along the Mahakipawa Arm – a mix of Norwegian fjords and jungle, thanks to the lush vegetation. As you can see, we stopped several times along the way, simply to take it all in. After arriving in Picton, we took a break for lunch before boarding the ferry that carried us across the Cook Strait to Wellington. That crossing was a highlight in itself, as the 3.5‑hour journey offers stunning scenery throughout. A dream day comes to an end with a delicious dinner together. I would say it was the perfect conclusion to our time on the South Island. Tomorrow is a rest day. Some of us will explore the city, while others will head out to discover the area around Wellington by motorcycle. As you can see, we never get bored. And now it’s off to bed, because the next day is already just around the corner. See you tomorrow, Your New Zealand Tour Guide Team Jan, Domenico, and Axel
Some of us did their laundry, others slept in and went shopping. The Local Harley Davidson dealer was being visited and also the Te Papa museum (museum of National History). And there was a group who went for a ride out. Great times for everybody!!
Goodbye Wellington – you were good to us! Today’s destination: Napier. So, off we go – ladies and gentlemen, start your engines, our journey continues. Unfortunately, the day began with rain, and it followed us all the way up to the Remutaka Hill View Point. From here you normally have a stunning view on both sides of the pass. The pass itself isn’t particularly high, but it’s absolutely beautiful to ride. After a short photo stop, we continued our journey towards Martinborough, where we had more than earned a really good coffee. Warmed up and a little drier, the route continued through the wine-growing regions. But, after a couple of kilometers, they disappeared in the mirror and we found ourselves in the middle of typical sheep farmland, riding along on small, winding roads. Is an absolute dream! From here on, it was about 50% dry, and nothing stood in the way of driving pleasure. And then? Then came a surprise: Jan– none of our guests had expected to see him at lunch today. But here he is and he was moving quickly in the morning so that he served us a picnic in the heart of the “metropolis” of Pongoroa and that with sunshine onside. A brilliant moment, because some of us were already getting hungry – which is completely understandable on a 418 km ride. Refreshed and well fed, we continued to our next highlight: Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapikimaungahoronukupokaihenuakitanatahu Yes, you read that right, no typo! They really mean it down here with the longest place name in the world – a modest 85 letters. We saw it, admired it, and of course tried to pronounce it… without success. Well, and then it was time to move on, because leftover has been around 200 km before we arrive at today’s destination. If everything goes according to plan, it will be dry in Napier – which would be perfect, because architect Louis Hay left his mark here with stunning Art Deco architecture incorporating Māori design elements. It’s truly worth seeing. An intense and long riding day is coming to an end, and now we only need three things: a shower - a delicious dinner and a comfortable bed So, we’re going to enjoy our evening now and look forward to seeing you all again here tomorrow. Your Tour Guide Team Jan, Domenico and Axel
We left Napier in the morning under cloudy skies, with rain threatening in the distance, and soon we turned onto the legendary Gentle Annie Road — a real motorcyclist’s dream, with endless curves, rolling hills, and wide open views! Just when we thought it couldn’t get more “New Zealand,” a huge herd of sheep completely blocked the road. So we slowly made our way through thousands of woolly locals, a fun and unforgettable experience! We stopped for lunch at the Military Museum, a great place to take a break before getting back on the bikes. In the afternoon, we joined the famous Desert Road, riding through a stark volcanic landscape on the way to Taupō, set on the shores of its beautiful volcanic lake. A quick coffee and picture stop and then the route continued toward Rotorua along quiet secondary roads, winding through forests and open countryside. The weather improved as the day went on, rewarding us with better light and clearer views: a perfect ending to an unforgettable day on the road.
Waking up in Rotorua is always special because of the smell of sulfur in the air. Accompanied by our friend the sun we take off for a new adventure. First stop is at one of the many kiwi fruit plantations. Millions of these vitamin C bombs grow here. Coffee at the ocean, and if course a refreshing swim! Lovely! Then its off to the hot spring beach, but due to the high tide the springs are not accessible. No worries, having lunch at the beach is also an excellent option! The view at Cathedral cove is breathtaking. It's like we're in Tahiti! Another day in paradise!
We left Tairua in the morning for our last day on the bikes, following the stunning coastal road around the Coromandel Peninsula. Kilometer after kilometer, the road delivered beautiful curves and great ocean views, helped along by perfect weather. After a mandatory photo stop, we stopped in Coromandel for a relaxed coffee break before continuing along the peninsula. Lunch came midway through the ride, and in the afternoon we tackled the final stretch on the highway, carefully making our way through Auckland’s rush-hour traffic before reaching our destination. But the day was not over yet — in the evening we enjoyed a special dinner with a spectacular view over the city, at the highest restaurant in the Sky Tower! Thank you all for being part of this incredible journey. It was a real pleasure to ride together and share so many unforgettable moments on the road. We hope to see you again very soon on another Edelweiss Bike Travel tour — until then, ride safe and keep the adventure alive! Your Tourguides Axel, Jan and Domenico