Help with 14 Day New Zealand S.I. Itinerary
Apr 13th, 2016, 08:23 AM
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Help with 14 Day New Zealand S.I. Itinerary
Hello! This is my first time posting in the forums; I have read multiple trip reports, so I thought it was time I joined. Currently, my husband (B) and I are planning a trip to New Zealand’s South Island this December (I know it is high season, but due to our jobs, it is the only time of year that we can both get time off). We are Montanans in our late 20s. We enjoy being active (hiking, rafting, backpacking, fishing, running, cross country skiing, etc.) but also enjoy sipping wine on our front porch.
As for the South Island, I have a rough itinerary in mind, but would appreciate input. Currently, we plan on flying into Christchurch: leaving MT on 12/21 - possibly leaving on 12/20 if flights are cheaper – which puts us in NZ on 12/23 (thanks, International Date Line…heh), and we plan on flying out of Queenstown on 1/5, putting us back in MT later that evening (thanks, International Date Line!). We plan on renting a car and staying in budget hotels/guest houses/B&Bs (any recommendations would be appreciated). So, here is what I have so far:
Itinerary #1:
23 Day 1: arrive CHC late afternoon, find our hotel, and a place to eat
24 Day 2: Christchurch
25 Day 3: Drive to Blenheim with a stop in Kaikoura for lunch
26 Day 4: Blenheim (Bike 2 Wine Tour/Golden Mile) – we love our wine
27 Day 5: Blenheim to Franz Josef
28 Day 6: Franz Josef to Wanaka
29 Day 7: Wanaka
30 Day 8: Wanaka to Te Anau
31 Day 9: Te Anau with daytrip to Milford Sound
1 Day 10: Te Anau with possible overnight kayak trip in Doubtful Sound
2 Day 11: Te Anau/finish up kayak trip
3 Day 12: Te Anau to Queenstown
4 Day 13: Queenstown
5 Day 14: fly out of Queenstown
Itinerary #2 follows #1, but with a possible stop in Punakaiki on Day 5, giving us time to explore Abel Tasman, and more time to get to Franz Josef. We would make up the time by possibly eliminating a day in Te Anau. OR, we might eliminate a day in Te Anau to add more time in the Franz Josef/Mount Cook area (skipping a night in Punakaiki, and still driving from Blenheim to Franz Josef). We are a little nervous about driving on the left hand side of the road, but we are used to traveling on narrow, winding, rocky Montana roads. Any help/recommendations you could give me would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
As for the South Island, I have a rough itinerary in mind, but would appreciate input. Currently, we plan on flying into Christchurch: leaving MT on 12/21 - possibly leaving on 12/20 if flights are cheaper – which puts us in NZ on 12/23 (thanks, International Date Line…heh), and we plan on flying out of Queenstown on 1/5, putting us back in MT later that evening (thanks, International Date Line!). We plan on renting a car and staying in budget hotels/guest houses/B&Bs (any recommendations would be appreciated). So, here is what I have so far:
Itinerary #1:
23 Day 1: arrive CHC late afternoon, find our hotel, and a place to eat
24 Day 2: Christchurch
25 Day 3: Drive to Blenheim with a stop in Kaikoura for lunch
26 Day 4: Blenheim (Bike 2 Wine Tour/Golden Mile) – we love our wine
27 Day 5: Blenheim to Franz Josef
28 Day 6: Franz Josef to Wanaka
29 Day 7: Wanaka
30 Day 8: Wanaka to Te Anau
31 Day 9: Te Anau with daytrip to Milford Sound
1 Day 10: Te Anau with possible overnight kayak trip in Doubtful Sound
2 Day 11: Te Anau/finish up kayak trip
3 Day 12: Te Anau to Queenstown
4 Day 13: Queenstown
5 Day 14: fly out of Queenstown
Itinerary #2 follows #1, but with a possible stop in Punakaiki on Day 5, giving us time to explore Abel Tasman, and more time to get to Franz Josef. We would make up the time by possibly eliminating a day in Te Anau. OR, we might eliminate a day in Te Anau to add more time in the Franz Josef/Mount Cook area (skipping a night in Punakaiki, and still driving from Blenheim to Franz Josef). We are a little nervous about driving on the left hand side of the road, but we are used to traveling on narrow, winding, rocky Montana roads. Any help/recommendations you could give me would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Apr 13th, 2016, 10:16 AM
#2
Hi cubeck -
Christchurch to Blenheim is a long drive, the driving calculator says about 4:15, but personal experience tells me it will take much longer. You'll have long days in your favor though.
Blenheim to Franz Josef is a very long haul - 6:30 hours without stops, much of the drive is very winding along narrow roads which is slow going. While Montana may have its share of narrow winding roads, you've mentioned you have no experience driving on the left, so it will still be quite challenging. The best thing you can do it take your time and not set yourself up for such long daunting drive days. Enjoy the drives, and stop along the way - that's part of what NZ is all about - enjoying the journey.
I strongly suggest you break up this drive with an overnight in Punakaiki or thereabouts. Forget exploring Abel Tasman on Day 5, you just don't have enough time. I recently drove from Motueka (near Abel Tasman) to Punakaiki and it took us EIGHT hours with a handful of stops. Please trust me when I say you've underestimated the driving involved.
With only one night at the glaciers and long drives on either side, you've left yourself virtually no time to explore the areas you've spent so much time driving to. I always suggest at least two nights at the glaciers.
As a fellow wino I completely understand you wanting to visit Blenheim (or better yet Nelson), but do you realize that Central Otago (Cromwell, on the way to Wanaka and Queenstown) makes world famous Pinot Noir, as well as some fantastic whites? (we adore their dry Reislings).
http://www.winesofnz.com/new-zealand...o-wine-region/
It seems your only reason for going north is to visit the Marlborough wineries - I get it believe me, but since you're only staying in the north of the SI for two nights and then heading down south, it seems a bit inefficient with your limited time. Marlborough wines can be found across the SI, although I do understand you wanting to experience them at the wineries. I guess I just wonder how important this is to you as you can greatly reduce your driving time and have more time to spend down south if you cut off the north bit.
<<Franz Josef/Mount Cook area>>
Do be aware these are no where near each other - they're separated by a mountain range. You must either choose the West Coast route (glaciers) or the inland route (Mt Cook).
Chances are you will arrive into Christchurch in the morning. You may not be able to check into your hotel until around 3 pm. So, my suggestion, assuming you've gotten some sleep and are mentally fresh, is to pick up your rental car and drive a few hours towards your first destination - in this case you could stop in Kaikoura for the night - this will greatly shorten your drive to Blenheim the next day. Or, better yet, you could drive a mere 40 minutes to Amberley, which is right in the middle of the Waipara wine region. You could visit a few wineries in the afternoon, have a nice lunch at the Nor'Wester Café and make it an early night.
This only works if you've slept, and are comfortable and confident with hopping into a rental car and setting off. We often do this very thing, but only because we're familiar with NZ roads and driving on the left. Don't even consider this unless you're well rested.
This would mean missing out on Christchurch, so may not work if Christchurch is a must see for you.
Christchurch to Blenheim is a long drive, the driving calculator says about 4:15, but personal experience tells me it will take much longer. You'll have long days in your favor though.
Blenheim to Franz Josef is a very long haul - 6:30 hours without stops, much of the drive is very winding along narrow roads which is slow going. While Montana may have its share of narrow winding roads, you've mentioned you have no experience driving on the left, so it will still be quite challenging. The best thing you can do it take your time and not set yourself up for such long daunting drive days. Enjoy the drives, and stop along the way - that's part of what NZ is all about - enjoying the journey.
I strongly suggest you break up this drive with an overnight in Punakaiki or thereabouts. Forget exploring Abel Tasman on Day 5, you just don't have enough time. I recently drove from Motueka (near Abel Tasman) to Punakaiki and it took us EIGHT hours with a handful of stops. Please trust me when I say you've underestimated the driving involved.
With only one night at the glaciers and long drives on either side, you've left yourself virtually no time to explore the areas you've spent so much time driving to. I always suggest at least two nights at the glaciers.
As a fellow wino I completely understand you wanting to visit Blenheim (or better yet Nelson), but do you realize that Central Otago (Cromwell, on the way to Wanaka and Queenstown) makes world famous Pinot Noir, as well as some fantastic whites? (we adore their dry Reislings).
http://www.winesofnz.com/new-zealand...o-wine-region/
It seems your only reason for going north is to visit the Marlborough wineries - I get it believe me, but since you're only staying in the north of the SI for two nights and then heading down south, it seems a bit inefficient with your limited time. Marlborough wines can be found across the SI, although I do understand you wanting to experience them at the wineries. I guess I just wonder how important this is to you as you can greatly reduce your driving time and have more time to spend down south if you cut off the north bit.
<<Franz Josef/Mount Cook area>>
Do be aware these are no where near each other - they're separated by a mountain range. You must either choose the West Coast route (glaciers) or the inland route (Mt Cook).
Chances are you will arrive into Christchurch in the morning. You may not be able to check into your hotel until around 3 pm. So, my suggestion, assuming you've gotten some sleep and are mentally fresh, is to pick up your rental car and drive a few hours towards your first destination - in this case you could stop in Kaikoura for the night - this will greatly shorten your drive to Blenheim the next day. Or, better yet, you could drive a mere 40 minutes to Amberley, which is right in the middle of the Waipara wine region. You could visit a few wineries in the afternoon, have a nice lunch at the Nor'Wester Café and make it an early night.
This only works if you've slept, and are comfortable and confident with hopping into a rental car and setting off. We often do this very thing, but only because we're familiar with NZ roads and driving on the left. Don't even consider this unless you're well rested.
This would mean missing out on Christchurch, so may not work if Christchurch is a must see for you.
Apr 13th, 2016, 11:43 AM
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Thanks for the info, Melnq8!
I am not real worried about long drive times, as we are used to it in Montana - it is normal for us to drive 3 hours after work to visit family in MT or to drive 12-14 hours in a day to visit additional family in Colorado. However, I think it will be wise for us to break up the Blenheim/Franz Josef trip by stopping for a night. We were originally going to skip this part of the trip (we have Glaciers in MT, so we won't be too sad if we don't have a ton of time in that area), but it makes sense to stop if we are driving that way anyway. Another night in Wanaka/Central Otago is also tempting. My sister-in-law loved Central Otago when she was there in September. I guess what I am getting at is that we do have mountains and glaciers in Montana, but we are limited on coastline and wineries, so those are starting to become more of a priority the more I research this trip
We do want to explore Christchurch, as we have looked multiple times at obtaining work visas in New Zealand. With most work centered around Christchurch, we thought it would be wise to see if we like the city. However, we have also discussed flying into Wellington and skipping Christchurch, but we are a little reluctant to cut it out of the trip all together.
I am going to seriously consider leaving MT on the 20th vs the 21st to ensure that we aren't traveling out of Christchurch on Christmas Day (good catch).
I am not real worried about long drive times, as we are used to it in Montana - it is normal for us to drive 3 hours after work to visit family in MT or to drive 12-14 hours in a day to visit additional family in Colorado. However, I think it will be wise for us to break up the Blenheim/Franz Josef trip by stopping for a night. We were originally going to skip this part of the trip (we have Glaciers in MT, so we won't be too sad if we don't have a ton of time in that area), but it makes sense to stop if we are driving that way anyway. Another night in Wanaka/Central Otago is also tempting. My sister-in-law loved Central Otago when she was there in September. I guess what I am getting at is that we do have mountains and glaciers in Montana, but we are limited on coastline and wineries, so those are starting to become more of a priority the more I research this trip
We do want to explore Christchurch, as we have looked multiple times at obtaining work visas in New Zealand. With most work centered around Christchurch, we thought it would be wise to see if we like the city. However, we have also discussed flying into Wellington and skipping Christchurch, but we are a little reluctant to cut it out of the trip all together.
I am going to seriously consider leaving MT on the 20th vs the 21st to ensure that we aren't traveling out of Christchurch on Christmas Day (good catch).
Apr 13th, 2016, 01:05 PM
#5
Please trust me when I say you've underestimated the driving involved.>>
We made that exact mistake and had to rejig our trip half way round as we realised that we'd bitten off more than we could chew [and our itinerary was less aggressive than yours!]
With your interests, you could well cut out Christchurch and fly into Wellington, getting the ferry into Picton and carrying on from there. You are unlikely to learn much about working in C/C in a day especially over Christmas - and just one day might well put you off for life!
This would leave more time for the places you really want to see like the wineries, glaciers and coastlines.
We made that exact mistake and had to rejig our trip half way round as we realised that we'd bitten off more than we could chew [and our itinerary was less aggressive than yours!]
With your interests, you could well cut out Christchurch and fly into Wellington, getting the ferry into Picton and carrying on from there. You are unlikely to learn much about working in C/C in a day especially over Christmas - and just one day might well put you off for life!
This would leave more time for the places you really want to see like the wineries, glaciers and coastlines.
Apr 13th, 2016, 01:31 PM
#6
It's not just the length of the drives, but the stops en route (lots of reasons to stop, photos, short walks, etc) that make the days so long...not to mention the narrow winding roads (one way in each direction) the lack of passing lanes and the abundance of one way bridges, caravans and livestock on the road. I've driven in MT, and it's nothing like NZ, I kid you not.
Driving in NZ requires attention and concentration. These are not US roads. But I've said my piece, I'll get off my soapbox. You've been warned.
If the glaciers don't interest you, you might consider crossing back over to the east side via Lewis or Arthur's Pass and then heading to Mt Cook instead. From there you can go to Wanaka, Te Anau and QT and you'll avoid the long (although pretty) drive down the West Coast.
As far as coastline, you'll see plenty of it with your original itinerary - you can easily access the Pacific near Amberley (you will have to drive east of town to see it) as well as at various other spots - just follow the signs that point east - another reason you will need plenty of time on your drive days, for those long walks on the beach!
And of course its coastline nirvana in Kaikoura, then there's a gorgeous stretch along the Tasman Sea from Westport to Greymouth (via Punakaiki) and bits and pieces along the West Coast, so if that's a priority, you're on the right track.
Wineries can be found at many places on the SI, Blenheim just happens to be the big producer for Sauvignon Blanc. It's also incredibly flat (other than the hills you pass through on the way from Kaikoura), so while the wine is wonderful, the surroundings are less than exciting. Is there a particular type of wine that you prefer?
You might enjoy a Segway tour in Christchurch - great way to see the city and the earthquake recovery in a short period of time. Several wineries around Christchurch too.
Driving in NZ requires attention and concentration. These are not US roads. But I've said my piece, I'll get off my soapbox. You've been warned.
If the glaciers don't interest you, you might consider crossing back over to the east side via Lewis or Arthur's Pass and then heading to Mt Cook instead. From there you can go to Wanaka, Te Anau and QT and you'll avoid the long (although pretty) drive down the West Coast.
As far as coastline, you'll see plenty of it with your original itinerary - you can easily access the Pacific near Amberley (you will have to drive east of town to see it) as well as at various other spots - just follow the signs that point east - another reason you will need plenty of time on your drive days, for those long walks on the beach!
And of course its coastline nirvana in Kaikoura, then there's a gorgeous stretch along the Tasman Sea from Westport to Greymouth (via Punakaiki) and bits and pieces along the West Coast, so if that's a priority, you're on the right track.
Wineries can be found at many places on the SI, Blenheim just happens to be the big producer for Sauvignon Blanc. It's also incredibly flat (other than the hills you pass through on the way from Kaikoura), so while the wine is wonderful, the surroundings are less than exciting. Is there a particular type of wine that you prefer?
You might enjoy a Segway tour in Christchurch - great way to see the city and the earthquake recovery in a short period of time. Several wineries around Christchurch too.
Apr 13th, 2016, 02:23 PM
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Have you considered flying into Nelson? There are loads of wineries in the hills around it. Plus you could visit Abel Tasman and go from there to Punakaiki. The coastline between Westport and Greymouth is wild and rugged. If you have good timing for low tide, visit Motukiekie Beach. Here's a taste of what you will see: https://www.joshuacripps.com/2012/04...d-photography/
http://winenelson.co.nz/taste/
http://winenelson.co.nz/taste/
Apr 14th, 2016, 06:30 AM
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deSchenke - I just assumed that flying into Nelson/Blenheim would be substantially more expensive, but I was pleasantly surprised when I checked fares this morning. We might consider that and revamp our original itinerary. Thanks for the tip! Also, your photos of Motukiekie Beach are stunning.
Hopefully we will be able to revamp our itinerary enough to cut out some driving. Thanks for all the help!
Hopefully we will be able to revamp our itinerary enough to cut out some driving. Thanks for all the help!
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