{"id":5327,"date":"2014-08-31T12:41:55","date_gmt":"2014-08-31T11:41:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.jungsi.de\/?p=5327"},"modified":"2026-09-09T09:34:46","modified_gmt":"2026-09-09T07:34:46","slug":"neuseeland-2014-tag-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jungsi.de\/en\/neuseeland-2014-tag-1\/","title":{"rendered":"New Zealand 2014 \u2013 Day 1"},"content":{"rendered":"

Our first \u2018proper\u2019 day of touring \u2013 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, \u201cCity Motorcycle Rentals<\/em>\u201d, and driven to the hire station. This is located about 30 minutes north of Christchurch<\/strong> in the small town of Leithfield<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First of all, we had to \u2018repack\u2019 our luggage from the suitcases into the motorbikes\u2019 panniers \u2013 as we\u2019d been given three suitcases and a tank bag, this was no problem at all. We were able to leave the suitcases behind \u2013 they were then transported to our final destination, where we could collect them again.
Our rental company looked after us well \u2013 with coffee and ice-cold water \u2013 and the handover of the motorbikes was quick and painless. We just had to sign a few forms and off we went.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First, we drove back along the SH 1<\/em> towards Rangiora<\/strong>. Here, it is advisable to turn right onto the Scenic Highway 72<\/em>. Through vast farmland and the typical
Canterbury countryside, the SH 72<\/em> took us across the Waimakariri River<\/strong> towards Methven<\/strong>. The landscape here is predominantly characterised by farmland and vast pastures. We drove through the picturesque village of Geraldine<\/strong>. We then kept to the right and followed the SH 79<\/em> towards Fairlie<\/strong>, the gateway to the <\/span>Mackenzie <\/span><\/span><\/strong>region<\/strong>. Shortly after Fairlie<\/strong>, you cross the <\/span>Burkes Pass<\/span><\/span><\/strong> and shortly afterwards reach Lake Tekapo<\/strong>, 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<\/strong>, you can visit the Church of the Good Shepherd<\/strong>. From the altar, there is a fascinating view across the lake. As Tekapo<\/strong> is quite small, there aren\u2019t too many restaurants. However, we found a nice little restaurant \u2018right in the centre\u2019 of the village where they served steak on a hot stone (with German-speaking staff) \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

L\u00e4nge der Tagesetappe: ca. 300 km<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Accommodation:<\/strong>
Lake Tekapo Motels & Holiday Park
2 Lakeside Drive
Lake Tekapo
Tel.: (03) 680 6825<\/p>\n\n\n\n