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and it ’ s iconic pub , or Arthurs Pass with a bridge and viaduct that defy logic , are synonymous with riding the south island yet one seemed to standout , Mackenzie Pass .
James Mackenzie , an accused one-time sheep thief , was said to have stolen one thousand sheep and driven them into a region yet to be developed for such agriculture . He had been captured by John Sidebottom , aided by local Māori men , Taiko and Seventeen , in 1855 . Trialled , Mackenzie was sentenced to five years hard labour , yet soon escaped numerous times before being pardoned in 1856 . He left New Zealand to Australia and was thought to have never returned , and yet his legend endured .
At the time Mackenzie , was considered , more than likely still is , a hero of the common people , someone against the establishment and wealthy landowners , someone considered a Robin Hood or Ned Kelly type . Ironically , his shepherding is considered the reason the area was opened to grazing and is now known as Mackenzie Country .
Reflecting on Mackenzie ’ s monument , at the start of the pass that bares his name , it was easy to be caught up in the romanticism of it , to find the parallels between New Zealand and Australia , yet our landscapes are so vastly different that they could be different planets .
As we made our way north on New Zealand ’ s State Highway 1 , a coastal road made for motorcycling I took one last glimpse over my shoulder at Mount Fyffe , a perfect example of the differences between my home and this land . Considered a smallish peak , Mount Fyffe is higher than most on the Australian continent and would rank in the top twelve . Its thrust from the ocean is mesmerising , the power of colliding land masses yet to be whittled down by eons of erosion and named for a man who brough sheep to this region of New Zealand .
I laughed at my own joke and the absurdity of a road wedged between a mountain range and a crashing ocean , for here on the south island of New Zealand could be a landscape that offers so much to the adventurous and daring . It ’ s a land that I need to explore greater because it ' s more than just another mountain . LW
Traverse was invited to New Zealand for nine days of riding with Rumbling Adventures . Taking in the south island we explored many of the country ' s more iconic tracks and discovered a land unique in environments and cultures .
Aboard a fleet of Yamaha Ténéré 700s , taking on tracks that will challenge and roads that will please , Tim and his crew at Rumbling
Adventures will show you aspects of New Zealand that many won ' t .
More information on Rumbling
Adventures can be found at rumblingadv . com
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