NZ south island suggestions

Last trip I did was to the South Island. Was also 10 days. Hilights were; taking the transapline (train) from Christchurch to Greymouth. Staying at Arrowtown (about 15mins out of queens town. Also Milford Sound (just awesome). If you enjoy driving, the South Island is pretty hard to beat for scenery. As an Aussie, I found I had to adjust my measure of distances over time because you cannot average the same speeds over there as over here, due to the windy hilly roads. What would normally take 3 hours here would take 4.5-5 hours over there at times.

I always said the next time I go I'll get a camper van. You can stop almost where you like, and there seems to be a perfect riverfront or lakefront spot around every corner. Absolutely Superb, especially in the summer. Great trout fishing. Also took a helitour of the Franz Josef & FOx Glacier as well as Mount Cook. Did that close to sundown. Was awesome to see these snow covered mountains and huge glaciers, in the mid summer mind you, and whilst only a few miles from the coast.

whatever you do, you will really enjoy this trip.

Mark

South Island is a dream holiday. Been once, dreaming of going back ever since.

West side more rugged and isolated that east side. BIG mountain range down left side, pretty impassable.

Highlights were from Greymouth south, glaciers, the pass over the mountains to Wanaka, Puzzling World at Wanaka, jet boating at Wanaka, the drive from Te Anua down to Milford - breathtaking every km, just breathtaking. Cute tunnel too. Milford Sound itself was almost anticlamatic after the drive to get there. Once on the east coast at Dunedin you head north towards Christchurch but can turn inland again towards Lake Tekapo, McKenzie high country and the other side of Mt Cook that you see from the glaciers.

We split into two groups for a day and one part of the family drove from Christchurch to Greymouth, and the others went on the transalpine. Then we swapped at Greymouth for the return. All of us then got the best of both the drive and the train ride - well worth it.

Speights brewery tour is interesting in Dunedin - www.speights.co.nz
Mini golf indoors at Queenstown pretty unique and a great for wet and horrible days, unlikely in January.
Cadbury factory in Dunedin is another must do. Cadbury in the morning, Speights in the afternoon, then make time for a BIG rest!

Northern end of south island, around Abel Tasman etc., is certainly very nice country and you can do a good tour around, but for pure spectacular, don't leave out the far south. Ten days should be fine for the south island, people do both islands in that time and are left spinning. We took 28 days for both islands and that was comfortable - about 14 each island. Stayed in youth hostels all booked ahead. Would do it again at a drop of a hat - let us know if you need a guide!
Plenty of good websites will guide you - they love tourists!

Enjoy
Tim

From the very top of the South Island (Farewell Spit) all the way down to Fiordland in ten days - hmmm, someones going to have a sore bum from all that driving.

Yes it can be done but it will be a very big rush and you will not be able to linger, remember that you have to get to the top from wherever you arrive and then back to your departure point from the deep south as well. Assuming you arrive and depart from Christchurch you will need a couple of days each way for that part of the journey so that only leaves 6 or 7 days max for the 'tour'. I know it all very well both 4x4 and family car. Drop me an email at nzrees@yahoo.com and I will fill you with all the info that you will need. Let me know when and where you will arrive, what you have on your 'must see' list, what you will be driving and when & where you will be leaving from.

From christchurch drive straight to franz joseph glacier via arthurs pass . Do a helicopter flight . You shouldnt die , only one chopper crashed while i was there . Next go on a guided glacier walk . Only one person broke there collar bone on our tour but that was his fault for falling down a small cravass . Next visit fox glacier and observe the warning signs . From here drive straight to queenstown . I went on the old steamer across the lake then i had dinner on top of the mountain , you no the one with the scary chairlift . Next go for a ride on the shotover boats . Only a handful have rolled over . From here drive to milford sound . Dont go on the boats with all the japanese , go on the sailing yacht . It also stays overnight if you want . Take your vomit bucket . Te anau glowworm caves are great (if your not claustrophobic). From here drive straight to Mt Cook village(Mt Cook chalette is expensive but great , take your platinum american express) . You can get a guided mountain climb for $800 per day + helicopter rescue . There are some great walks here . From here drive back to christchurch . You can count on spending about $800 per day to do all the scenic things and eat at the best places . Hope this helps .

Thank a lot for all the helpful suggestions. We were going to fly Auckland to Picton and rent a vehicle to explore the Abel Tasman national park, Farewell Spit, Kahurangi National Park, Nelson Lakes National Park, Kaikoura, Fiordlands etc.
What do you think about that ?

Send me an email to the address I have already posted a couple of messages back. In the mean time, here are a couple of things to think about;

1. The begining of the Fiordland (Lake Te Anau) area is two days non stop
driving from the Nelson area (about 16 hours drive at an average speed of 80
km/hr). And, that is not allowing any time for stops at the glaciers, lakes,
Wanaka or Queenstown.

2. Nearest airport to the Abel Tasman National Park is Nelson. Picton is the ferry
boat terminal for the 3 1/2 hour voyage to/from the North Island. Picton is
a little more then two hours drive from Nelson.

3. I don't think you can fly direct Auckland - Nelson so with changeing planes you
will prob. lose a day traveling. Suggest you look at using Christchurch as your
entry / departure point if you are only visiting the South Island. Also, checkout
direct flights from Australia to Queenstown as that would save at least a days
travel and would get you into Fiordland the quickest and may be cheaper.