South Island Travel Forum

In September 2008, we are two families consisting of 9 people (4adults,5kids) travelling to Christchurch from Australia, we will be spending a whole day/night in Christchurch, what is there to do there? We will be picking up our motorhomes and travelling around for 11 days. The route we take is so undecided, but we need to lay out some sort of itinerary, as we need to book certain things, such as Milford Sound Day Cruise, Fox Glacier Walk etc. We wanted to take the TranzAlpine train one way, but there are no motorhome depots in Greymouth, and doing the return trip would be too long (8hrs i think) and considering we will be probably travelling a similar route when we cross over with the motorhomes at the start of trip or at the end we didnt think it would be worthwhile. Basically what I am asking can anyone give any advice as to some sort of itinerary, that doesnt include hours upon hours of driving, obviously there will be a fair bit of driving, but we are hoping to do 3 to 5hrs a day at least. What is the weather usually like then? What are the roads like, especially trying to drive these motorhomes around? Any tips, advice, thoughts would be much appreciated.

We want to move to New Brighton to live shortly and would like to know from people who live there where they would consider to be the most favourable spots to choose a home in and possibly any parts to avoid for any reason, eg boy racers, noise, flooding etc. We flatted by the beach in the 70's but it's so different now. Would apprieciate the locals advice.

Hi

2 adults, 3 children (13,11,5) will be visiting relatives (Christchurch) in late July, early August.

Is it too cold to travel around in a 6 berth camper van? We'd like to travel around a bit, but as the boss is pushing me to book soon, I'd rather check with the experts first before forking out several thousand NZD and then having a miserable 3 weeks!

Thanks in advance

J Pig

We have planned a day trip up to Milford Sounds into our short stay in South Island in August, but have recently read concerning information about Avalanches.

We have rented a 4x4 in the hope that this would be more suitable for the journey and had planned a day trip, leaving Te Anau and getting back to Queenstown for that night. I am aware thats about 5 hrs of driving in good conditions - that bit doesnt worry me. However, what are the chances of the road being closed or high avalanche risks at the end of August (28th/29th)? , The website i saw mentioned 4 months of risk but is it higher or lower in August.

I hadnt planned on getting chains, but saw that this is sometimes a legal requirement (not sure if i want to drive in such bad conditions). I really dont want to miss out on the beauty of Milford Sounds, but need some advise.

Hi, where's a good place to visit in the South Island right now? It has just turned autumn (though I swear it's more like winter).

I'm currently visiting Dunedin and would like to travel but it's too cold for summer activities and yet not cold enough for winter stuff!!

Where should I go?

Thanks in advance.

Hi All,

My husband, myself, and son (14), will be arriving in Christchurch on the 25/11/08 and departing on the 7/12/08 (13 days), and we want to hire a motorhome (6 Berth), I would like the extra room. I live in Perth and have gone to look at Apollo, Maui,and Britz, but none of these really stood out for the money they wanted. I have scoured the internet and books to try and find out about other homes but I dont seem to be having much luck, they all look great on paper, but when you see them for real they are dirty and daggy. Does anybody have any info on other 6 berth homes that they have had wonderful experiences with, things like tv and dvd that run on 12 volt, gas heating in the back, I don't mind paying for creature comforts.
Cheers
Kim

Hi,

Do u know - to rent-a-car thru internet VS. rent-a-car at the Airport - which option offers cheaper rate ? I'm going to Queenstown this Monday.

Can u suggest which reliable, economical rent-a-car company should I choose ?

Tx :)

I am planning a 3 week's family (2 adults/2 kids) trip to NZ for this July. One friend recommended me by campervan, which is the way I haven't experienced before. But is it OK to drive further south in NZ winter time? Will it be too cold to sleep in the Campervan in July?

Thank you in advance.

My wife and I are planning to fly in to Christchurch in late July-early August and are considering renting a car to take in some of the sights. My question is whether most of the better sites will be accessible at that time of year or are likely to be closed due to snow and ice conditions.

Has anyone taken small children (ages 4 & 6) river rafting on the Shotover river with Family Adventures?

Hi
I have posted a couple of questions re the Milford Track but wanted to know if anyone can give me any indication of how difficult the river crossings are in the 'winter season' when the bridges are removed (we are planning to go in early May)? Obviously they are not inpassable as otherwise DOC would not keep the track open at all but does anyone know how deep the rivers are? Is the water fast flowing?
Thanks.

We're going to be in Australia in July and August and were wondering whether a trip to Christchurch and surrounding area would be worthwhile in August or woujld it be really cold there at that time of year. Would it be advisable to rent a car or would many of the roads be impassable due to snow?

Any advice will be appreciated.

Hi
Everyone has been warning me about the sandflies on the Milford Track and saying we should take insect repellent (which we would anyway) but what are the sandflies like in May? Are they still around or is it starting to get too cool for them?
Thanks.

Hello,

Me and my boyfriend are travelling around New Zealand in April, and are planning to do the Routeburn Track in the South Island. We want to find out if it is possible to leave some of our baggage in a self storage locker or something in Queenstown, so we don't have to lug all of our stuff over the track, only taking the things we need for three days. Does anyone have any information on any storage facilities, or recommendations for ones they've used? There doesn't seem to be any information about them in the guidebooks.

Thanks

Anna

Hi
We had such an amazing time in Christ Church and most especially with the Cochrans at Cochran's Potato stand. Their food was delicious, but their hospitality was even better. we have a great Photo of us all together. We left them our email address, but forgot to get a way to reach them. Would you please forward a way we could send them this wonderful photo

Sincerely,
Kathryn Katz
Dennis cochran

What is in the center of New Zealand Island?

Hi
My husband and I are going to hike the Milford Track in May but it seems a lot of transport companies don't have scheduled transport 'out of season'. Can anyone recommend a transport company that will take us from Queenstown to the start of the track? I found one transport company (Topline Tours) who advise that their service operates between Queenstown and Te Anau only (departing Queenstown at 2pm), but we need to get to Te Anau Downs and then get boat transport to the start of the track.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

Hey there,
Does anyone know if they are going to do flights in the dc3 plane for the public, if so how much does it cost and can you pre-book or do you just do it on the day? I went to the Warbirds over Wanaka a few years ago now but we paid to do a short senic flight over lake Wanaka and I would like to do it again this year.
email at holysmokes_2121@hotmail.com if you know!
Cheers,
Bryah

Hi,
I realise that the 'season' for tramping Milford or Routeburn ends in April but has anyone done it in May? Although there appears to be spaces available at the end of April, for work reasons we can't go until first week of May 2008. Would anyone recommend NOT doing it then? Is it that much colder than April and is the risk of avalanche that much greater? I know that the huts are stripped of a lot of the facilities such as gas cookers etc but we are happy to carry in whatever is required.
Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

My friend is in NZ now..what are the must see places? or things to do?where to shop and where to go....

Friends are planning to drive from Nelson to Queenstown in one day, via the west coast. Firstly is this practical and roughly how long a drive is it? Secondly would they be better going via Christchurch,and is this a quicker route?

Are there any places or markets in cch that sell the latest movies on dvd?

Thanks!

Hi there,

I shall be travelling around in a campervan/motorhome commencing 1st March for 2 weeks, just wondered what campsites are like and where can I find a list of campsites for the South Island, How much to the campsites charge per night? plan to arrive in Christchurch, pick up camper, head north to Nelson, down the west coast, do Queenstown, Milford Sound etc, across to Dunedin, Mt Cook and back to Christchurch, thanks.

Linda

Prolyl a silly question but NZ has the same power as Australia?

Hi,

Based on experiences, I would like to know the best vantage points around for landscape photography on Routeburn track and Milford Sound (for a Mid February tour).

Just part of my pre-visit research.

Thanks
Srujan

Hi,

Due to my car doing its head gasket I will be on a super budget. Can someone work out an easy way with not much walking to see the city on public bus?

Thanks so much!

from hotel so.....

Hi,

What is the cheapest and easist way for one person to hotel so? WHat would a taxi cost be?

Thanks!

Hi, I'm just about to start planning next vacation (doesn't the approaching year end always do that?) and my wife has always wanted to go to New Zealand. Having seen and read a bit about it I know why. I'm looking for some initial ideas on 'does my thinking look right' etc.

We prefer to make our own way, using hire cars and staying in B&B/small hotels and I've bought a Greenwoods guide to help with the latter. My first concern though is getting to New Zealand from the UK. I can get three weeks vacation in a straight run and would like to go late 08 or early 09. From first look it seems like we'll use two days each way for travel, can we do better?

I selected South Island specifically as, with three weeks I thought it would be rushed to try to visit both, and it gives us an reason to go back (hopefully) to visit the North Island. But getting to Christchurch seems difficult by air.

So, first questions....
1: Is it a good time of year we are thinking about?
2: South Island only for three weeks, good approach?
3: What is 'best way/route' to travel, to reduce stopovers

Any suggestions, I really appreciate.
And for those of you having a holiday at this time of year... have a great time.

robin