Hello HU Members!

After considerable research and several revisions, I have developed a couple high-level itineraries that I would like to share with those with local knowledge or anyone who may have completed a similar trip. Specifically, I have attempted to prepare a high-level itinerary that avoids excessive heat and rainfall, especially in India and SE Asia.

Before committing to a guided tour across Thailand and Myanmar, I would like to ensure I am not over-looking a great opportunity for an even better route/itinerary.

I have learned everything is a compromise. It is nearly impossible to plan around bad weather for itineraries beyond six months, at least for Asia. I initially hoped to include SE Asia, but have decided to postpone SE Asia for another winter.

At this time, I am interested in feedback regarding the order of the Australian and New Zealand visits.

Desired Destinations by Priority: Australia, New Zealand & India
Constraints: Start tour after October 20th; Minimize Shipping Costs by Crating M/C

Considerations:
POC near Sydney to help with retrieval, storage and delivery of motorcycle crate shipment, a short-term loner motorcycle & lodging.
I am leaning towards option A to avoid peak tourist season and less competition for campsites/lodging. Are campsites usually conveniently available during peak season?

Thanks in advance for your feedback, suggestions and extra keystrokes!

Take care & ride safely!

Koonzee

Option A:

Oct. 20th - Nov. 30th: New Zealand (Approx. 6.5 weeks; Perhaps Auckland port can hold custom crate; avoid peak tourist season & school breaks)
Dec. 1st - Feb. 28th: Australia (Approx. 2.5 or 3 months; store crate with friend; ship from Sydney to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; stay in Sydney or rent mc in KL)
Mar. 1st - Mar. 19th: Malaysia (Approx. 2.5 weeks, includes 7-10 days for shipping duration & prep for guided tour; remain in Sydney during shipment)
Mar. 20th - Mar. 24th: Thailand (5 day crossing with guided tour - new regulations)
Mar. 25th - Mar. 31st: Myanmar/Burma (7 day crossing with guided tour - guide required)
April 1st - May 31st: India (2 or more months; Northern India - Possibly explore Mountain Passes in June.)
June X - TBD: Nepal (Open to suggestions for route crossing China/Central Asia/Russia)

Option B:

Oct. 20th - Dec. 31: Australia (Approx. 2.5 months; Various M/C Rallies)
Jan. 1st - Feb. 18th: New Zealand (Approx. 6.5 weeks; limited more expensive lodging due to peak tourist season)
Feb. 19th - Mar. 19th: Malaysia (Approx. 1 month, includes 14 days for shipping duration & prep for guided tour)
Mar. 20th - Mar. 24th: Thailand (5 day crossing with guided tour - new regulations)
Mar. 25th - Mar. 31st: Myanmar/Burma (7 day crossing with guided tour - guide required)
April 1st - May 31st: India (2 or more months; Northern India - lovely weather during April & May; Mtn Passes in June.)
June X - TBD: Nepal Nepal (Open to suggestions for route crossing China/Central Asia/Russia)

For those not familiar with NZ & AUS who may be contemplating a similar visit, you may find the following information useful. I suggest planners avoid the time consuming temptation to research mean rainfall and temperatures for various cities. Simply go to your favorite tour guide publisher.

When to Go in New Zealand | Frommer's
When to Go in Australia | Frommer's

New Zealand:
Spring (Sept, Oct, Nov) -- This is a beautiful time to visit - the countryside is flush with new green grass, baby lambs, and blooming trees. Christchurch in the spring means blossoms, bluebells, and daffodils in abundance; Dunedin is a splurge of rhododendron color. The weather can still be very changeable right up to mid-October, so come prepared with light rain gear. In the South Island, it's still perfectly normal to get late snowfalls in September.
Summer (Dec, Jan, Feb) -- This is peak tourist season, so you'll pay top dollar for accommodations and airfares. Book early to avoid disappointment -- this also applies to the major walking tracks, such as Milford, for which you should make bookings 6 months ahead. The country's beaches come alive, and boaties flock to the water. Fresh fruit is falling off the trees. (You must try Central Otago cherries and apricots; the apple district is Hawke's Bay.) Everyone should see Central Otago when the lupines are flowering, with brilliant colors etched against blue skies and golden tussock.
Most Kiwi families take their main annual holidays between mid-December and the end of January, which puts enormous pressure on accommodations in major summer beach destinations.
You'll find a far greater seasonal difference in the South Island than in the subtropical North.
By comparison, the northern part of the North Island is subtropical. That means lots of winter/spring rain, and often daily light showers.
Milford Sound, the wettest place in the country, with a phenomenal 365 inches of rain a year.

Australia:

Australia’s summer is a nice time to visit the southern states, and even in winter temperatures rarely dip below freezing.
Generally, the best months to visit Australia are September and October, when it’s often still warm enough to hit the beach in the southern states, it’s cool enough to tour Uluru, and the humidity and rains have not come to Cairns (although it will be very hot by Oct).
Low Season - October through March (summer) is just too hot, too humid, or too wet—or all three—to tour the Red Centre. North Queensland, including Cairns, suffers an intensely hot, humid wet season from November or December through March or April.
Try to avoid Australia from Boxing Day (Dec 26) to the end of January, when Aussies take their summer vacations.