mhohol

I am planning a 3 wk trip to the SI in Nov/Dec. I like hiking, very into photography and a little relaxation as well. I would like to see some wildlife but not sure where or how to fit it in (penguins, etc). My main concerns are: am I leaving the right amount of time to get from place to place (knowing I will stop to take photos), is there enough diversity in the places I've mentioned for hiking (mostly Milford sound/Mt. Cook differences) and any suggestions for the places I haven't quite figured out yet what to do in that area!

Here's my draft itinerary:

1. Flight into Auckland, transfer to Christchurch and drive to Blenheim. Recover from jet lag.
2. Blenheim wine tour
3. Queen Charlotte Drive and possible mail delivery boat trip (feasible in one day?)
4. Abel Tasman - kayak trip (what else is good to do as well?)
5. Abel Tasman - hike, maybe catamaran trip (any recos for best hiking area?)
6. Drive Abel to Punakaki. Check out Motukiki beach for sunset.
7. Do something around Hotika - not sure what to do ... any ideas? Again do motukiki beach for sunset (I want two different night options to hit this beach as it looks amazing and you never know with the weather. If the tide comes in around sunset how long do you realistically have on either side of that before you get into trouble? Two hours?)
8. Fox Glacier, Lake Mathenson
9. Drive Fox to Wanaka
10. Drive Wanaka to QT
11. Milford Sound Guided Hike (any tips, side trips along the way, comments about it are appreciated!)
12. Milford Sound Guided Hike
13. Milford Sound Guided Hike
14. Milford Sound Guided Hike
15. Milford Sound Guided Hike
16. QT activities (canyon swing, jet boat ride - must do!)
17. QT - check it out, luge on hillside - what else to do?
18. Drive QT to Mt. Cook - hike around
19. Mt/ Cook/Lake Tekapo hike around, Lake Tekapo night observatory for night photography. (Do you think I will be tired from Milford Sound hike? Is the scenery that different? Would my time be better spent somewhere else?)
20. Drive Tekapo to Christchurch and sadly fly home.

thanks so much for your help!
Michelle

longhorn55

I don't know anything about the Milford Sound guided hike, but a number of years ago, we did the Hollyford Track guided hike and it was great! We liked the fact that it was limited to 16 participants, went on a scenic, but less traveled route than the Milford Track and included a flight to Milford Sound. (At that time, it was by a small plane; now they apparently use a helicopter.)

You might be interested in doing this hike because it's only 3 days long and it would free up some more time for you to sightsee in New Zealand.

http://www.hollyfordwilderness.co.nz/guided-walk/

LilyAnnFouts

My husband and I did the South Island for 6 weeks in Feb./Mar. 2013. Some thoughts:

- Abel Tasman-beautiful hike; be sure to reserve in advance if you plan to stay overnight--hut or camping--unless you hike on the inland track which does not require reservations (and is quite beautiful and much less crowded).

- If you're in Wanaka overnight the Cinema Paradiso is a fun activity.

- If you are doing the Milford Track be sure to make your reservations well in advance. Carry plenty of strong DEET to ward off the annoying sandflies

- We did the luge in Queenstown; it was fun. The paragliding looked like fun too, though I did that in Nelson. If you're watching your budget, you can ride up the gondola and just do some hiking up there; we saw some keas on our hike. Get a trail map for the area or download a New Zealand or download an app like this one--we got this and used it a lot on our many hikes:
https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/mapa...404976091?mt=8

- I recently wrote a few details about our trip in my annual Christmas letter. It's on my personal blog--you're welcome to read it for more ideas and inspiration if you wish: http://www.lilyannfouts.com/holiday-letter-2013/

Have a great time!

Diamantina

Did you mean that you will fly into Christchurch, rent a car, drive to Blenheim and then recover from jet lag all on your first day? Please don't drive all this way if you are tired and jet lagged. Consider flying into Blenheim directly from Auckland.

Is this because your car rental will be cheaper in Christchurch? Will you be driving or taking the bus?

You should be aware that the weather in November/December can be wet, wet, wet.

Diamantina

Or consider flying into Queenstown from Auckland and doing Queenstown activities and Milford Track hike toward the beginning go your trip--because bad weather can affect road conditions and your road trip might not go according to schedule.

It can also be cheaper to rent a car in Queenstown and make your way north to Christchurch.

Melnq8

Hi mhohol -

Christchurch to Blenheim is a long drive (4.5 hours according to the charts, much longer based on my personal experience as we stop a lot to explore and take photos).

You don't say where you're coming from, but this isn't wise after an international flight, particularly an overnight one and if you're unaccustomed to driving on the left.

<3. Queen Charlotte Drive and possible mail delivery boat trip (feasible in one day?)>

Yes, feasible if you plan well.

<Abel Tasman - hike, maybe catamaran trip (any recos for best hiking area?)>

We really enjoyed hiking the section between Tonga Bay and Torrent Bay. This section of the track is undulating with a few hilly bits, and offers some great views, especially during the decent to Torrent Bay - 7.25 mile walk - just under four hours.

Motukiekie Beach is located 15 km from Greymouth, you'd have to backtrack from Hoki to go back (about a 45 minute drive). Hokitika Gorge is about 30 minutes inland from town, very worthwhile. There are also a lot of hikes and a lake walk, in addition to the jade galleries and the National Wildlife Center, where you can see kiwis.

mhohol

thanks everyone. Yes, I'll be coming from the states but flight is thru Tokyo. I've driven on the left multiple times but it's good to know that its a longer drive than originally anticipated.

Thanks for the advise on Abel Tasman in particular!

I wish I could go in February but due to my job and vacation days I have to go in late Nov/early December.

Question that I have is if I flew into QT from Auckland, wouldn't I need to back track to go to Mt. Cook/Lake Tekapo and then hit the west coast? I am worried about weather but I'm hoping over 3 weeks I'll have some good weather ... I looked up monthly rainfall and in some areas it's not great but others it appears to be fairly decent.

thanks
Michelle

Melnq8

Are you spending any time in Tokyo, or just connecting there? Regardless, it's still a 12 hour flight, I suggest you limit your first day's driving to a couple of hours, if any. If not for your own safety, then for that of others.

Maybe drive as far as Waipara (40 minutes north of Christchurch) but not as far as Kaikoura 2.5 hours for the first night. Hanmer Springs is a possibility too, about 90 minutes. That would give you a head start for the next day, but not be pushing it. Or just play it safe and stay in Christchurch for the night to rest up.

Yes, flying into QT messes things up a bit, as it makes doing a loop more difficult, which is why we personally usually fly into CHC.

mhohol

Sadly just a couple hour connection in Tokyo. Hanmer Springs could be good way to kick off the vacation with relaxation. I like that idea - thanks!

Is the Mt. Cook/Tekapo area good for a day and a half right after milford sound hike do you think? I've enjoyed your posts Melnq8!

Melnq8

Sure, Mt Cook and Tekapo work well after Milford, but don't overlook the time it takes to get from one to the other if you bypass QT - it's an eight hour drive from Milford to Mt Cook. The scenery is massively different. There's loads of great tracks around Te Anau too, if you're looking for more to do in the area, but that would depend on how wrecked you are after the Milford walk.

I'm not clear on why you're going from Wanaka to QT then on to Milford. Have you considered Wanaka to Milford, then back to QT before Mt Cook instead? It's about an hour longer dirve, but would prevent breaking up your QT stay.

Diamantina

I’m sorry. Yes, you are absolutely correct. it would be impractical to fly into Queenstown from Auckland—I had forgotten your routing. I was just thinking it looked as if the Milford Track guided walk would be the highlight of your trip and I am aware of the expense of the guided walk. it looks like the trip of a lifetime.

Because it can be extremely rainy on November-December-early January (any time of the year, really), roads can sometimes unexpectedly (but temporarily) close for repairs. When this happens, travelers can fall behind in their plans and be delayed for scheduled activities. The chances of this happening to you are slight, but it is something you should be aware of as you are in still in the planning stages.

For instance, Haast Pass is one of the areas that can be affected by slips. You plan to drive through here on the way to Queenstown, which is where I am guessing you will join your group for your guided hike on Milford Track. Are you using Ultimate Hikes? Do you know their policy if you are delayed due to road conditions, weather, etc.?

Things can happen:
http://www.odt.co.nz/regions/west-co...ose-haast-pass
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/ar...ectid=11171821

mhohol

Tanks Diamantina - yes, milford hike is the highlight (lets hope it's still a go and not shot down due to weather reasons).

I'm driving from Wanaka to QT bc I need to leave my luggage at my hotel in QT as well as register with ultimate hikes in QT the day before the hike. I guess I have two days to get to QT from the west coast if there is trouble before my hike starts.

Also, Mel8 yeah, I am going back to QT bc the bus w/ ultimate hikes takes me back there and i'll need to pick up my luggage. so that's why i'll have to pass back thru there on way to mt cook ... could break it up after being on bus from milford.

Good to know Tekapo/Mt. Cook area is different enough from milford. I just wasn't sure if it was worth the while or if i should hit somewhere else! but i have to be back in Christchurch not long after QT so not a ton of options!

Diamantina

Good to know. You should be fine if you're budgeting for any potential travel delays that might occur on your way to Queenstown. The Ultimate Hikes trip sounds fantastic.

You'll catch the gondola to do the luge in Queenstown. I haven't done the luge, but the views from the gondola and observation deck are beautiful. You'll love it.

Seems you are interested in many types of outdoor recreation. If you tire of hiking by the time you get to Mt. Cook Village, you could consider:
http://www.glacierexplorers.com
Or if you feel like more kayaking:
http://www.mtcook.com/glacier-sea-kayaking/

The stargazing from Lake Tekapo is fabulous, but best when the sky is clear and most optimal when there is a new or quarter moon (because a bright full moon reduces contrast). Mt. John Observatory is also worth a visit during the day, you can drive or hike to it. There are also some hot pools in Tekapo:
http://www.tekaposprings.co.nz
Mt. John Summit hike info:
http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-rec...ekapo-walkway/
https://www.rankers.co.nz/experience..._direct_route_

mhohol

this is great - thanks Diamantina!

Diamantina

Forgot, if you have time while you are in Queenstown, do the drive to Glenorchy. Many photo ops from the roadway and in the town and its serene environs. So close to Queenstown, but it seems a world away.
http://www.roamingdownunder.com/glenorchy-road.php
http://www.nzine.co.nz/features/glenorchy_road.html
http://nz.totaltravel.yahoo.com/dest...own-glenorchy/

If you have time, don't miss the view from Rippon Winery in Wanaka.
http://www.rippon.co.nz

Amisfield Winery is closest to Queenstown. it produces excellent wine and has a lovely bistro.
http://www.amisfield.co.nz