Twenty-one unforgettable days riding the best of Aotearoa New Zealand — North Island and South Island combined. Journey through emerald-green pastures, lush native bush, dramatic coastal cliffs, golden beaches, bubbling geothermal wonders, alpine passes, turquoise rivers, pristine lakes, soaring mountain ranges, and endless Pacific horizons — all from the saddle of a premium adventure motorcycle on a self-guided New Zealand tour.
Your adventure begins with a fully equipped, late-model BMW adventure bike delivered to your hotel. Enjoy rugged aluminium panniers, waterproof liners, seamless CarPlay and Android Auto integration, and your exclusive Wandrith Journey app for intuitive navigation, hidden gems, and optional detours.
Relax each night in premium accommodation — 4 and 5 star hotels, luxury apartments, and special handpicked retreats. Breakfast is included wherever available. Riding two-up? There’s no extra charge for your pillion.
Every Ultimate NZ motorcycle journey includes roadside support, a Garmin emergency beacon, GoPro and phone mounts, low-seat options (on request), ferry crossings with tie-down kits, and more — everything you need for a seamless, self-guided New Zealand adventure.
Spaces are limited and premium accommodation books quickly. Reserve your full New Zealand motorcycle journey today with just a 20% deposit — hit the button below to begin the ride of a lifetime.
| Start / Finish | Auckland / Christchurch |
| Length | 21 days / 20 nights |
| Rest Days | 5 (and 2 low-km days) |
| Distance | ~4,020 km (~2,498 mi) |
| Average Daily Distance | ~251 km (~156 mi) |
| Longest Leg | 373 km (232 mi) |
| Ferry Crossings | 1 |
| Surface | 99% Sealed / 1% Gravel |
| Options | Yes – Optional Side Quests (Including Gravel Options) |
Unlock your adventure!
See New Zealand in all its epic splendour on this 21-day ultimate motorcycling adventure — a seamless ride from the golden beaches of the North Island to the snow-capped peaks and glaciers of the South. Experience the perfect blend of iconic landmarks, hidden backroads, and breathtaking wilderness as you journey through rugged coastlines, ancient rainforests, alpine passes, and vibrant cities. Designed for riders who crave it all, this tour delivers unmatched variety, thrilling roads, and soul-stirring landscapes, wrapped into one unforgettable Grand Tour across Te Ika-a-Māui and Te Waipounamu.
Your journey launches from Auckland, weaving through the boutique vineyards of Matakana before reaching the rugged black sand beaches of Muriwai and Piha. Optional diversions include Goat Island marine reserve — perfect for a snorkelling stop — before heading south along the wild coast.
Roll through Auckland’s harbours and farmland toward the Coromandel Peninsula. The legendary Kopu-Hikuai Road offers twists, turns, and ocean views, leading you to the relaxed beach town of Whitianga at the end of an epic Day 2. Take a breather along the way with a soak in the famous Hot Water Beach — where you can dig your own thermal spa or visit other laid-back towns that make this region a motorcycling paradise.
Head south toward Rotorua on Day 3, the steaming, bubbling heart of New Zealand’s geothermal wonderland. Choose to detour through Hobbiton for some Middle-Earth magic if you wish. In Rotorua, soak in natural hot springs, explore vibrant Māori culture, or simply enjoy lakeside dining in this lively town. Leaving Rotorua, blast through King Country toward New Plymouth on Day 4, with an option to detour through the magical glowworm caves of Waitomo.
Ride coastal routes hugging Mount Taranaki’s shadow before diving into the remote and rugged Forgotten World Highway on Day 5 — a slice of untamed New Zealand history and one of the island’s most iconic rides. Continue through Whangamōmona’s rebel republic charm and climb the volcanic plateau of Tongariro National Park. Marvel at the dramatic volcanic peaks before descending into Taupō — a lakeside town known for adventure sports and geothermal wonders. Hike, bike, or relax along the crystal-clear lakefront. Day 6 allows for leisurely exploration of Huka Falls or mountain biking.
Ride the famous Desert Road across the volcanic plains of the central plateau on Day 7, shadowed by Mt Ruapehu (also known as Mt Doom from Lord of the Rings), then cruise south toward Wellington, New Zealand’s compact and creative capital. Dramatic landscapes give way to bustling city life. Enjoy a rest on Day 8 in vibrant Wellington. Visit Te Papa national museum, explore the colourful laneways, sip world-class coffee, or ride the cable car up to panoramic views. If you crave more riding, short loops around the Miramar Peninsula offer quick escapes.
Day 9 launches you into the South Island. Sail across the Cook Strait by ferry into the lush folds of the Marlborough Sounds. Ride Queen Charlotte Drive’s twisting coastal ribbon, cruise past Nelson to the Riwaka Resurgence, and ascend into the alpine retreat of St Arnaud for the evening where forested peaks cradle pristine lakes.
Climb over Lewis Pass on Day 10 into the historic town of Reefton, known for its gold-mining past. Continue to the alpine retreat of Mt Lyford, a perfect end to a day spent carving through alpine valleys. Your rest day 11 allows you opportunities to take part in whale-watching at Kaikōura or a leisurely soak in the hot pools of Hanmer Springs.
Ride across the wide-open spaces of the Canterbury Plains before an overnight at Mt Hutt on Day 12. Optional visit into Christchurch. Day 13 sees the road ascend to the lupin-fringed fields of the high country toward the turquoise brilliance of Lake Tekapo. Time for a brief soak in the pools or an excursion up the switchbacks to the Mt John Observatory to breathe in the quiet before heading higher still to Aoraki / Mount Cook — the roof of New Zealand.
Day 14 allows you time to ride the dreamlike shores of Lake Pukaki, with Aoraki / Mount Cook’s icy summit in the background. Explore short alpine hikes, marvel at glacier viewpoints, or take to the skies on a scenic flight before another night under the starlit skies in the heart of New Zealand’s great mountain wilderness.
Descend from the mountains on Day 15 through Lindis Pass and the golden hills of Otago. Stop to explore the towering Clay Cliffs near Omarama before reaching Queenstown — New Zealand’s adventure capital set between lake and peaks. Ride along Lake Wakatipu to Glenorchy and beyond into Paradise on Day 16, a realm of beech forests, rivers, and cinematic landscapes straight from The Lord of the Rings. Optional side quests today include the thrilling Skippers Canyon Road, a ride on the Shotover River or bungy jumping.
Cross back toward Queenstown, then up through Cromwell and Lake Dunstan, on to Wanaka for night 17. The following day sees you ride through Mount Aspiring National Park, cross Haast Pass, and descend into the rainforest realms of Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers.
The final stretch of your odyssey hugs the wild West Coast through Hokitika to Greymouth on Day 19. Visit Punakaiki’s famous Pancake Rocks or Shantytown on your last rest day before the grand finale — climbing over Arthur’s Pass and descending into Christchurch on Day 21 for the end of your Ultimate motorcycling adventure across Aotearoa New Zealand.
