2026 - 28th

 

Well that day was longer than I expected.  I left Te Anau at 8:30 and arrived here in Dunedin at 4pm.

It was just low cloud for the first hour, then I got a little brighter. More and more great scenery - like riding through Telly Tuby land without the sun.    

Finally got to  Invercargill although I don’t know what I was expecting - in my minds eye I had image of a one horse town but it turned out to be anything but.  In fact I rode through to town and missed E Hayes store completely, so I turned around and rode back.

So it’s a large store with motorcycles and cars in amongst goods for sale….  And in the middle, in a glass case was Burt Munro’s two bikes.   If you haven’t seen the film “The Fastest Indian” with Anthony Hopkins then you need to do it now.  It’s a fabulous film.  

After note: I wondered why along with soaps and shampoo etc in the bathroom, there were ear plugs ….. now I know why - this motel sits right in the middle of the university student accommodation !!! Noisy buggers - I suppose it is Saturday night….

 

2026 - Fri 27th

 

 

It’s a shame that JRR Tolkien never visited New Zealand he would have loved…,

I had an 8am early start this morning and rode in the rain for the whole 2 hours it took to get to the Milton Sound.  Even so the scenery was still fantastic - the mountains, the cliffs and the low hanging barrel clouds.

I managed to find the boat amongst the vast crowds of Chinese trippers.   So many of them staring at their phones all the time,  maybe it’s not real unless it’s on a screen.  Rather like people filming at a concert and not watching it live…. Ah well.

It was very foggy most of the time, in fact I would say that the ride up and back to Te Anau was better than the boat trip.   Some very tight 180° corners and a very impressive tunnel, and very little traffic.

I am now back at the Motel trying to dry out some gear.  The Gortex is no longer water proof.   Good job I was carry my trusty old yellow jacket,  and the seal skin gloves are soaked !!!!  

I am still having issues with the Garmin - I’ve given up even thinking that its going to talk to me other than saying “drive to highlighted route”..,, then nothing!  The other issue is that whilst riding a route, and about 1 hour/100kms from the destination the counters start going in reverse (honest).   

Well it’s stopped raining here now and I am about to wander into town in search of supper.   Tomorrow is a longish ride to Dunedin via Invercargil.  

2026 - Thu 26th

-45.41826,167.71597

Good evening reader,

I set off in good time this morning, found some fuel and traffic near the airport.   A very chilled and pleasant ride today, overcast and chilly.   Later past through fog or low cloud and then sunshine.  This part of NZ is very agricultural but still has those fabulous lakes and mountains.

I think I have found Mordor or even the mountains of Toblorone.   

I stopped a couple of times for a cup of tea and a pie/sausage roll.  Tea stops and petrol stations are far apart here and you have to get it when you find it.   You also have to try and beat the Japanese camera clicking tourists to the next stop!

Found the next motel in Te Anau (very nice) and will walk about once I have finished this diatribe.

It’s a 2 hour ride to Milford Sound in the morning, and the motel manager recommended an early start.  I have my waterproofs, bug spray and camera ready.   It will be good to ride without panniers for a change.

2026 - Wed 25th

 

Good evening Reader,

After yesterday’s long day, I had a hot shower and a cup of tea, and I thought I would read up on the next leg of the tour !!!  hey presto I have a ride free day in Queenstown.

I had a brief walk down the road and it was a warm evening and then I discovered that the town is built on steep hills…. I thought it was too much bother tonight so I returned to the motel and ordered an Uber-eat pizza.

So, this morning I hiked into town and found breakfast at the Golden Arches and then explored Queenstown.

What to do first?

Jet boat, parasailing, jet ski, gentle cruise, paragliding, shark boat, skydive, helicopter flight, bungy jump, swing, ski lift, indoor sky diving or another cup of tea !!!!  The tea won out.

So much going on - they do love their outdoors and activities.   I did notice the cable car climbing up the mountain and thought “that’s for me”.  I enjoyed the one I took in Sarajevo. 

I took loads of photos, had lunch at the top and then faced the steep hill walk back to the Motel.

Tomorrow is a short ride of just 2.5 hours and a two night stop, with the second day spent riding up to Milford Sound and back and taking a trip on boat around the Sound !!

Lots of photo to bore you with below…..

2026 - Tue 24th

 

Well that was a long ride… started a 8:30 and arrived at 16:30….   With a couple of fuel stops (getting paranoid about that) and a stop for breakfast at Fox Glacier (tea and two sausage rolls)… just like Greggs?!

The ride, the roads and the scenery were all fantastic.  Lots of beautiful mountains and lakes.   Find a great view and there’s no lay-by - find a lay-by and there’s no view!!!! Plus most of the lay-by and deep gravel aarrggghh.

I was getting a bit tired towards the end as I approached Queenstown - and it was a very slow ride behind so many slow drivers and then even slower coming off the top of the mountain…. Endless hair pins and the smell of cooking brakes!!!

Managed to locate the motel… very well appointed - it’s the first with a/c.   I’ll finish this and then wander into town to find supper…

Tomorrows route