Our first ‘proper’ day of touring – we were greeted by a cloudless sky. After breakfast, we were picked up on the dot at 9.30 am by our motorbike hire company, “City Motorcycle Rentals”, and driven to the hire station. This is located about 30 minutes north of Christchurch in the small town of Leithfield.
First of all, we had to ‘repack’ our luggage from the suitcases into the motorbikes’ panniers – as we’d been given three suitcases and a tank bag, this was no problem at all. We were able to leave the suitcases behind – they were then transported to our final destination, where we could collect them again.
Our rental company looked after us well – with coffee and ice-cold water – and the handover of the motorbikes was quick and painless. We just had to sign a few forms and off we went.
First, we drove back along the SH 1 towards Rangiora. Here, it is advisable to turn right onto the Scenic Highway 72. Through vast farmland and the typical
Canterbury countryside, the SH 72 took us across the Waimakariri River towards Methven. The landscape here is predominantly characterised by farmland and vast pastures. We drove through the picturesque village of Geraldine. We then kept to the right and followed the SH 79 towards Fairlie, the gateway to the Mackenzie region. Shortly after Fairlie, you cross the Burkes Pass and shortly afterwards reach Lake Tekapo, the famous crystal-blue glacial lake. Situated 710 metres above sea level, the region is renowned for having the clearest air in the southern hemisphere. In Tekapo, you can visit the Church of the Good Shepherd. From the altar, there is a fascinating view across the lake. As Tekapo is quite small, there aren’t too many restaurants. However, we found a nice little restaurant ‘right in the centre’ of the village where they served steak on a hot stone (with German-speaking staff) 🙂
Our accommodation for the day was part of a large complex, although we were situated on the very quiet outskirts, with a small balcony and a view of the lake.
Länge der Tagesetappe: ca. 300 km
Accommodation:
Lake Tekapo Motels & Holiday Park
2 Lakeside Drive
Lake Tekapo
Tel.: (03) 680 6825
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