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1. Despite the extreme weather, the sun did actually shine for most of
the time, but it is a reminder that Australia can have unpredictable
conditions, even in summer, so travel with rain gear as well as
high-factor sunblock. 2. I found this route, which I more or less made
up as I went along, one of the very best rides I have ever had. Everything
is available in the Land of Plenty; accommodation, scenery, food & drink,
local tourist information, wildlife, and disused railways rebuilt as cycle
tracks. 3. Australia has a great Youth Hostel network. Details can be
found on www.yha.com.au.
You are guaranteed clean, efficient, friendly and very professionally run
accommodation, either in dorms, or private rooms if you prefer. Facilities
typically include self-catering kitchens, laundries, drying rooms, TV
lounge, internet access and local information. 4. Other accommodation
options are plentiful, with every town having either a motel, hotel/inn
rooms, and a campsite/caravan park, where you can rent a cabin for an
overnight stay. 5. I originally thought I would give Australia a miss
because of it's size, but in fact the south-east corner, containing the
states of New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia is compact and
accessible. Towns and facilities are plentiful for the cycling tourist. I
would strongly recommend it as a destination. 6. The route I took was not
easy because of the amount of hills and climbing. I would describe it as
"fairly strenuous, for the experienced cyclist". If anyone wants more
details of the route, highs and lows, accommodation, coffee stops, road
numbers etc, please email me and I will oblige with further information.
1. New Zealand has stunning scenery, warm and friendly people, top- class
facilities, great accommodation....and HILLS!! If you want to cycle here,
particularly the South Island, you need a good bike, low gears, and a degree
of fitness to make the most of your trip.
2. Buy Lonely Planet's "Cycling New Zealand" guidebook, (widely available
in NZ and the UK. It will give you some idea of the terrain, the roads,
distances, eating and sleeping provisions to help plan a good cycle tour.
3. Despite the hills, many cyclists choose to tour the country. Not a day
went by that I didn't meet a number of fellow cycling tourists. It's good to
be able to swap experiences, routes etc. Many carried camping gear, adding
huge amounts to the loads and weight on their bikes. The tendency for the
weather, and ground to be very wet meant that often I saw these cyclists
sleeping in youth hostels like me. I would give serious thought to carrying
camping gear here; there is enough "backpackers" style cheap accommodation
to make it unnecessary.
4. You must visit Milford Sound, BUT I think that to cycle there and back
from Te Anau (the only road), is for the hardy or foolhardy only. It is a
difficult ride, 70 miles each way, with very limited supply points en route.
The Homer Tunnel is a cyclist's nightmare, and coming back from the Sound,
you have to ride this part uphill. I did this part of the journey in a hired
car, and had no regrets as the weather was very wet. Another option is to
cycle to the Sound, and hop on a shuttle bus with your bike for the return
journey. Either way, plan before you set out!
5. The route across country form Christchurch, over Arthur's Pass, is
scenic and pleasant; and the return trip east through the Buller Gorge is a
definite cycle-friendly road. Watch out for the trucks as you return south
to Christchurch - their drivers don't seem to be the most wide-awake bunch
of people I've come across.
6. Lastly, I would recommend that you don't visit in high season. The one
thing I found frustrating was the sheer number of tourists in the country (2
million compared to the 4 million residents!) and all accommodation books up
well in advance. As a cyclist, it reduces your flexibility having to reserve
hostel and motel beds at least 3 or 4 days in advance. April may be a
quieter time to visit, and rainfall can be less than in the summer months of
December to March.
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