We've used APEX on our last few trips to NZ and have had no issues. We like the option of renting an older car that's already gotten its share of bumps and bruises. Also cheaper than renting a newer model car. I believe APEX covers the ferry crossing at no additional cost.

Winging it shouldn't be an issue that time of year...school holidays end October 15, so the kids will have gone back to school. One notable exception - Mt Cook, as accommodation there is very limited.

You've got alot of driving planned for only two weeks on the SI (I counted seven nights on the NI). We spent 21 days there last month, traveling as far north as Nelson and as far south as the Catlins, and it was way too much driving for us (over 4,000 km and our 10th visit to the SI, so we should have known better).

Here's a drive time/distance calculator that you might find helpful.

http://www.newzealand.com/travel/getting-to-around-nz/travel-times-and-distances/travel-times-and-distances-home.cfm

With two weeks on the SI and your wish list, you might consider something like this:

1) Abel Tasman (based in Marahau, Kaiteriteri or Motueka) - three nights - this will give you two full days to explore Abel Tasman and/or the surrounding wine country between the park and Nelson

2) Drive Abel Tasman to Hokitika (5.5 hours) visiting Punakaiki along the way, or perhaps overnighting in Punakaiki which would shorten the drive to 4.5 hours - one night.

Greymouth is pretty dull from a tourist standpoint. They have a good brewery there that offers tours, but really not a whole lot to do, although there are some interesting hikes near Blackball.

No need to go to Westport, unless you just want to, not a huge amount to do there, easy to visit along the way with a short detour off the highway.

NOTE: There are some nice hikes along this route, but they'd lengthen your day considerably - you'll be driving right past the Lyell Walkway between Murchison and Berlins for instance. There are also some very good walks closer to Murchison, and of course the famous Buller Gorge swingbridge.

3) Drive Punakaiki/Hoki to the glaciers - two nights - I always recommend at least two nights here as there's generally a long drive day on either side of arrival and two nights is only one full day. There's loads to do in the area, lots of wonderful hikes, easy to fill two full days, but time is usually a factor for most visitors.

4) Drive glaciers to Wanaka - two nights - once again, lots to do here, but the best walks are about an hour's drive from town, so you'd need at least on full day to explore them. If you just want to see the town and the lake, you could do so with just one night, which will also break up the long drive between the glaciers and Te Anau.

5) Drive Wanaka to Te Anau - suggest two nights again, which will give you one full day to explore Milford or, an overnight on the boat plus perhaps a night in town, as it's a four hour drive to QT. There are gobs of wonderful hikes in the area, but you need time to explore them, so your time here really depends on what all you want to do.

So, we're up to 10 nights already...and here lies the problem with planning SI drive itineraries - not enough time.

6) Drive Te Anau to QT/Arrowtown ? nights

7) Drive QT/Arrowtown to Mt Cook ? nights

8) Drive Mt Cook to Christchurch via Arthur's Pass - ? nights Some short hikes listed here:

http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/tracks-and-walks/canterbury/north-canterbury-and-arthurs-pass/arthurs-pass-walking-track/

9) Drive from Christchurch to Blenheim/Picton via Kaikoura - ? nights

So much to see, so little time.

My suggestion - skip the second ferry crossing and the drive from Christchurch to Blenheim/Picton. Drive as far as Christchurch, drop off the car and fly back to Auckland.

At Rotorua Wainmangu valley is magical.
http://www.waimangu.co.nz/

A helicopter trip to White Island is not to be missed.
http://www.frontierhelicopters.co.nz/white-island

We just booked our car for two week next Easter with Europcar. They were the cheapest of the known brands.

Rankers.co.nz offers user reviews of the different New Zealand rental companies.

You would not miss much if you do not go all of the way to Greymouth over Arthur pass. From memory it takes a little over three hours to drive from the outskirts of Christchurch to Grey mouth.

I do not see the logic for the second ferry crossing. During October you would have no need to pre-book accommodation.


I quite often drive from Blenheim to Bruce Bay (15 minutes south of Glaciers in a day), with just enough time to spend a few minutes in Greymouth and Hoki, walk to the base of both Glaicers and maybe check out a couple of other locations. Its a big day and these a lot I do not see.

The main attractions of the Westcoast.

- Honeycomb caves and arches(Karamea - not worth it. To long to drive there)
- Cape Foulwind (You would see more seals at Kaikoura)
- Punakaiki Rocks (Try and be there over high tide).
- Hokitika Gorge
- Franz Joseph and Fox Glacier
- Lake Matheson (If you can see the mountains)

Without Kayaking (or boating) Okarito is not worth the detour. Birders would probably be interested in visiting there.

The only thing Greymouth has to offer is a few historical mining sites nearby. They probably quite interesting (more so for locals I think), but have not visited them for years.

Oh my goodness...thank you all so much for all this valuable information. I can see that more trips will be needed to do justice to all that NZ has to offer. With 20/20 hindsight, Laura and I should have focused on NZ and not booked Australia. But I'm sure you all understand the original temptation never having been to either! So, we have booked a car with Apex since we were able to ferry the car for free. Melnq8 recommendation to fly back to Auck via Chch is sound and would free up 2 days! Also, the time/distance website is very helpful. I'm going to note all the hikes and stops all of you have recommended. I'm so excited I'm already planning my NEXT trip to NZ!! Karen and Laura