| Christchurch |
Re: Top 8 Destinations in the South Island Posted: Tue September 23, 2003 05:58 AM UTC
I can only speak from the experience of 14 days doing the South Island only. I'm glad we limited ourselves to only one island as you don't want to have to rush. Also, when we were there, there were a great many roads that were washed out and we were stuck for a couple of days. If you were on a tight schedule this would have ruined your holiday.
Most people I know with two weeks or less, only do the South Island as it is apparently better (Haven't seen the North so can't comment).
Here's a brief list of must sees for the South Island.
-Christchurch
-Mt Cook
-Queenstown
-Milford Sound
-Glaciers
As for the Glaciers, not sure which one is better, I think they are both pretty similar. I can't really remember which one we climbed, but it was based on the closest one to our hotel.
Enjoy
Mia
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| Christchurch |
Re: Re: Top 8 Destinations in the South Island Posted: Tue September 23, 2003 06:48 AM UTC
Hi Mia,
Thanks for your tip. Initially I was planning to skip Queenstown and Milford Sound, but now its seems we should go there! Thanks again.
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| Christchurch |
Re: Top 8 Destinations in the South Island Posted: Tue September 23, 2003 09:08 AM UTC
Hi, you must visit Queenstown, it was my particular favourite area.I agree with such a short timescale you had better just do the South Island, I had 6 weeks in NZ so was able to see both North & South, so save up and go to the North in a few years time !! You must go jet gorging too, we took an overland tour to the Southern Alps then back by Tranzalpine express train, a truly memorable day out.
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| Christchurch |
Re: Re: Top 8 Destinations in the South Island Posted: Tue September 23, 2003 09:20 AM UTC
Hey Pepples46, your NZ travel pages have actually been very helpful even before I posted this question. Will definitely do kaikoura. Would you recommend the whale watch by boat or by helicopter?
joyful sun
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| Christchurch |
Re: Re: Top 8 Destinations in the South Island Posted: Tue September 23, 2003 09:24 AM UTC
okay joanj, i'm definitely convinced about Queenstown. Oh, river jet gorging was also in the plans as well as sky diving. With 9 days, guess its just the South for us then. I envy that you got to spend a long time there. So should I just skip Nelson and Westford and Grey Mouth if we're out of time? Also got reviews that Akaroa is nice too.
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| Christchurch |
Re: Re: Top 8 Destinations in the South Island Posted: Tue September 23, 2003 01:45 PM UTC
Hi there, sorry cannot help you at all re; Nelson, Greymouth - I caught the Tranz Alpine Express train at Arthurs Pass,
You will enjoy your trip I am sure, will look out for your pages on it when you return. As for Kaikoura, the day we went the weather was just awful and Helicopters and boats were not going whale watching, best to phone beforehand for up to date weather info. Akaroa is 50 miles from C/church and is a French settlement. I have quite a write up of this place (I did not visit it) and would be pleased to copy it all out in an e-mail for you if you would like. I bought a very good book, Insight Guide =- New Zealand, it is a Discovery Channel book I think. go to www.insightguides.com maybe you could find your nearest stockist, it is a very informative book and well worth the money . Keep in touch.
Joan.
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| Christchurch |
Re: Re: Top 8 Destinations in the South Island Posted: Tue September 23, 2003 09:23 PM UTC
In my opinion Greymouth and Nelson were nice, but certainly not extraordinary. I'd skip them and spend more time at the other places.
Mia
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| Christchurch |
Re: Re: Top 8 Destinations in the South Island Posted: Tue September 23, 2003 10:10 PM UTC
I've done 2 road trips from Christchurch, about 8 days each, you can easily drive around most of the island.
I would head west through Arthurs Pass to Hokitika, and down to the Glaciers, down through Haast to Wanaka and Queenstown, Te Anau, Milford (better to drive there yourself to save time), down the Southern Scenic Route through Riverton and the Catlins, back up to Dunedin, Oamaru, and then go back inland through Mt.Cook, Lake Tekapo and Geraldine, back up to Christchurch.
If you have any time left, then you can easily visit Akaroa, Kaikoura and Hanmer Springs which are a short distance from Christchurch.
You probably wont have enough time to go to the northern part of the South Island and will have to miss out on Nelson and Abel Tasman NP
Places NOT to miss:
Queenstown
Glaciers
Milford
Catlins
Dunedin
Mt.Cook
Nothing special in these places:
Westport
Picton/Blenheim
Greymouth
Invercargill/Bluff
Timaru
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| Christchurch |
Re: Re: Top 8 Destinations in the South Island Posted: Wed September 24, 2003 07:55 AM UTC
Hey thanks a lot everyone for the great South Island advice!! Really appreciate it. I was abit worried with the distances and the time needed for driving but thanks to Wojtek R, your driving advice has eased some of my concerns. Looks like we'll be following your itinerary. Initially, I was considering doing a half and half : half coach tour and half self drive so that we're not too maxed out with the driving in such a short time, but hey, if you did it and it was okay, then I guess we do the same.
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| Christchurch |
Re: Re: Top 8 Destinations in the South Island Posted: Thu September 25, 2003 12:14 AM UTC
Even on a tight schedule like 8 days, you shouldnt end up driving more than 500km in a day, the whole circuit I think is about 2500km, less if you skip the Catlins.
keep in mind, 100km may be done in an hour or it may take as much as two depending on the terrain.
Be very careful on speeding, the fines here are ruthless ($250+ for going 20km over), never go faster than 110km/h, even though some roads will look very inviting to speed (I know, I've done 160 many times on straight stretches), be careful driving through towns with restrictions down to 50, those are just speed traps.
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| Christchurch |
Re: Re: Top 8 Destinations in the South Island Posted: Thu September 25, 2003 12:46 AM UTC
Which glacier is better to hike on ? While in the area last year, I spoke with some local guides there. They all seemed to think that Franz Josef was a better hike. The distance from the start of the trail to the Glacier terminal point is shorter, and also, it is a shorter hike up to the ice falls and pinnacles, which is the most scenic part of the glacier hike...
I did the full day hike on Franz Josef, and it was a great experience... Have fun...
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| Christchurch |
Re: Re: Top 8 Destinations in the South Island Posted: Thu September 25, 2003 03:43 AM UTC
Hi
Nelson is my hometown so I may be biased, but I quite like it. There are heaps of craft & sporty things to do. I have done the Whale Watch in Kaikoura by boat, you might see 3 whales in about two hours (but they aren't on the surface for more than about 5 minutes).. Queenstown in set up for the tourists, if you're looking for cheaper accommodation then I can recommend the YHA - its nice and the people are lovely too.. Wanaka is near Queenstown, it's lovely - though much quieter than Qtown. If you are going near Christchurch then I would recommend Hanmer Springs - totally gorgeous..
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| Christchurch |
Re: Re: Top 8 Destinations in the South Island Posted: Sun October 5, 2003 09:21 AM UTC
Hi there ,
9 days not enought but I'd say:
Dunedin
Catlins
Queenstown
M.Sound
M.Cook
Galicers
You might be really rushing .
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