Come to an area in New Zealand known as having a ‘World of Difference’, during mid-winter within Central Otago and join us at the Brass Monkey Rally.

This is New Zealand’s best known Motorcycle Rally. 1500 – 2000 motorcyclists gather at Oturehua to talk and look at each other’s bikes, party and celebrate motorcycling during the winter, in one of New Zealand’s coldest places.

A large bonfire, music, cap off the event and keep the cold away before rally goers find their tents and climb into their sleeping bags.

Snow and frost are common at the Rally. Bonspiels (curling) are also held on the Idaburn Dam, which are organised by the Oturehua Winter Sports Club.

This organisation also plays an active role in the running of the rally every year.

2013 rally will be the 33rd Brass Monkey Rally with a hardy group of 15 motorcyclists having attended all of the rallies thus far.

Contact the Otago Motorcycle club on Phone: (03)4775549, fax: (028)25514828, e-mail us at: chairman@brassmonkeyrally.org.nz or sec@brassmonkeyrally.org.nz.

Cheers John Willems,Advertising Officer, Brass Monkey Rally.

The Rally is one of the last great motorcycling adventures in New Zealand.

The Rally is always held over Queens Birthday weekend at Oturehua.

Oturehua is in the heartland of Central Otago.

The reason this site was chosen was because of the climate extremes.

The site is as close as we could get to Ophir, which holds the record for both cold and heat for New Zealand.  It can get as cold as Minus 10 deg C to Minus 20 deg C. 

Cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey, hence the name.
While we cannot guarantee it, it does snow quite often over the weekend. This makes the challenge even greater.

The other reason for this location is the help we get from the Oturehua Winter Sports club people.  They provide the food for the rally.

Because of the cold you must be prepared. Warm clothing, sleeping bag and approprate tent. Remember liquids can freeze including fuel in your petrol lines and especially water in the radiator.

Ensure you have anti-freeze if you don't want a split radiator.