Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > Australia / New Zealand
Australia / New Zealand Topics specific to Australia and New Zealand only.
Photo by Helmut Koch - Vivid autumn colors in Canada

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Helmut Koch
Vivid autumn colors in Canada



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #16  
Old 28 Nov 2006
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Levin, New Zealand
Posts: 6
My husband and I have hosted a few touring motorcyclists and are keen to continue to do so. I'd like to know more about signing up for the communities thing but I can't send a private message as I haven't posted enough! Please let me know how it all works as we've thoroughly enjoyed the three German couples and two young Swedes we've had staying here. We don't charge, we just ask that the travellers treat us and our home with respect. We live north of Levin and have a spare room/double bed and secure garaging. Keen to have more travellers!
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 29 Nov 2006
Nigel Marx's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: South Island, New Zealand
Posts: 798
Keep right on posting!

Good to see more Kiwi's on here. And also good to see someone who has one of those lovely Suzuki Gooses (Geese??). The community system is a great idea but the most common complaint is people are too shy to use them. In about three years I have only had maybe 2 people come to stay thru the community system. The direct approach seems to work best; I'm often dragging home strays I have accosted after performing mad U-turns to chase and stop. Keeping an eye on the Blogs here for people heading for NZ and offering a bed to those people is also very rewarding.
I see you are from Levin. Do you know Murray Speirs by any cahnce? He is from Levin and his and Kathy's blog can be found at www.kathyandmurray.com
Also see this thread:
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...ers-your-23895
There's a bed and a garage if you are ever down south too.

Kind regards

Nigel in NZ (Rangiora)
__________________
The mouth of a perfectly contented man is filled with . -- 2200 BC Egyptian inscription
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 29 Nov 2006
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Wellington, New Zealand
Posts: 146
gday

Hi Nigel,
Maybe you can give me a hand.

I'm doing a fare-thee-well trip of the south Island before heading off overseas.
I'll be down the West Coast from Monday 4/12/06 coming around to a Kiwibiker meeting near Mt Cook 9-12 Dec and then I have until 15/12/06 ferry back to Picton. I will be going via Christchurch to see family but can't really be naffed going down to Dunedin, although I do have family there also.

Are there any really interesting roads from Otematata/Omarama through to Christchurch as SH1 gets a little boring?
__________________
The Road To Rio - Locokiwi
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 29 Nov 2006
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Levin, New Zealand
Posts: 6
Yes, Nigel, we know Murray Spiers well - my husband has gone on trail rides and adventure rides with him and others for many years. He used to be at Waitarere Beach and we're at Koputaroa - about 10kms as the crow flies! We get most of our travellers from www.kiwibiker.co.nz where they have a 'coming and going' section for tourists to post in. We got two couples and a single guy that way, then one of the couples told us about two more who were coming and we had them to stay too. The two Swedes were broken down on the side of the road so I got my husband to go back with the bike trailer and they stayed the night while he fixed their bike. We love having them to stay - we don't have kids and live in a lovely quiet area of the country so they find it quite relaxing. My husband knows all the good rides in the area so he often takes them out if they feel like it, otherwise they are welcome to chill out and take a well-earned break.

The Goose is great - I started off with a Suzuki RG150 then bought a BMW F650CS (hence the username Beemer on Kiwi Biker), but I sold that last year and bought the Goose. Great bike, but VERY uncomfortable seat, I keep meaning to do something about it!

What is the etiquette about posting contact details on here? I wouldn't want to put our home address but wondered about a phone number or email address? I'm a journalist and photographer and work from home so having people to stay isn't usually a problem. We're non-smokers - oh, and I love to cook!
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 29 Nov 2006
Grant Johnson's Avatar
HU Founder
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 1997
Location: BC Canada
Posts: 7,296
Quote:
Originally Posted by Loose Goose
What is the etiquette about posting contact details on here? I wouldn't want to put our home address but wondered about a phone number or email address? I'm a journalist and photographer and work from home so having people to stay isn't usually a problem. We're non-smokers - oh, and I love to cook!
We have the HU Communities for that express purpose - your personal details are not exposed to anyone until after you receive an email from them, AND you choose to respond! See the Communities page - link on left.
__________________
Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.

------------------------
Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com
Reply With Quote
  #21  
Old 30 Nov 2006
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Levin, New Zealand
Posts: 6
Thanks Grant, but I can't figure out how to join the community - I clicked on the 'join a community' link but can't see how you actually do this. I notice on that page there is a comment by you about Helpful People and having your details listed there. That may be easier - I'd only want to list my email address and possibly a phone number - maybe my mobile - for people to contact me if they are in NZ. All the travellers we've had to stay have contacted me by email or private message on other forums and that seems to work quite well.
Reply With Quote
  #22  
Old 30 Nov 2006
Nigel Marx's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: South Island, New Zealand
Posts: 798
Omarama

Hi Josh. There is really only one other more interesting ride than SH1 up from Omarama, unless you get into some fairly hard-core gravel. That is to take the main route from Mt Cook, Tekapo, Fairlie to Geraldine (Nice!), but just past the one-lane bridge 5 km north of Geraldine, don't take the posted turn for Chch and SH1, but carry on straight ahead on the Inland Scenic Route (72) via Mayfield, Mt Somers, Mt Hutt and the Rakaia Gorge (Extra Nice!), then Windwhistle, and Glentunnel. About 5km after Glentunnel, leave the Inland Route (72) at Homebush and take the Chch turnings. That will spit you back out on the the boring straight road again at Darfield on the road to Chch from the West Coast, about 30km from Chch. It's more simple than it sounds.
Watch for speed traps around Twizel, Tekapo, Fairlie and Mayfield esp. Other than there I have never seen a cop on patrol *wink*.
There's a bed and a shed for you here if you need one. I'm about 25km north of Chch. You lucky bastard, you are in for a very nice trip.

Kind regards

Nigel in NZ (Rangiora)
__________________
The mouth of a perfectly contented man is filled with . -- 2200 BC Egyptian inscription
Reply With Quote
  #23  
Old 30 Nov 2006
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Wellington, New Zealand
Posts: 146
Arrow

Quote:
Originally Posted by Nigel Marx
There's a bed and a shed for you here if you need one. I'm about 25km north of Chch. You lucky bastard, you are in for a very nice trip.
thanks Nigel
Have lodgings in Christchurch but would be interested in having a or lunch with you if time permits.

This trip's just the warm up! Check out what we have planned www.locokiwi.com

Josh
__________________
The Road To Rio - Locokiwi
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Africa Twins/Transalps @ travellers meeting? Del Boy Honda Tech 6 21 Jun 2006 09:37
HU Travellers meeting North Carolina canada gsa Travellers Seeking Travellers 10 12 Jun 2005 03:26
Bolivia HU Travellers Meeting!! Nov 8, 2003 Grant Johnson SOUTH AMERICA 0 20 Oct 2003 10:23
Travellers meeting in Portugal!! GPais HU Travellers Meetings - Europe 7 7 Feb 2003 01:43
July 12-14 UK Travellers Meeting - Update on presenters! Susan Johnson HU Travellers Meetings - UK 0 14 Jun 2002 03:54

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

  • California: April 18-21
  • Virginia: April 25-28
  • Germany Summer: May 9-12
  • Québec: May 17-19
  • Bulgaria Mini: July 5-7
  • CanWest: July 11-14
  • Switzerland: August 15-18
  • Ecuador: August 23-25
  • Romania: August 30-Sept 1
  • Austria: September 12-15
  • France: September 20-22
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 31-Nov 3

2025:

  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025!
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • France: September 19-21 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 19:48.