Sidd

hi,

I am planning for a honeymoon trip in late Nov only to south island. Here is the itineary..

Right now i am planning to cover the whole south island by self drive and taking minimum 2 nights stopover at each location so that trip does not gets travel hectic. does this sound fine ?

Day 1 Arrival at 11am from Delhi/Christchurch
Day 2 Free in Christchurch for sightseeing/Christchurch
Day 3 Onward to Queenstown and evening free/Queenstown
Day 4 Adventure sport and queenstown sightseeing/Queenstown
Day 5 Milford Sound and back by coach/Queenstown
Day 6 Onward to Franz Josef and evening free/Franz Josef
Day 7 Glacier region Franz Josef sightseeing/Franz Josef
Day 8 Onward to nelson and evening free /Nelson
Day 9 Onward to Collingwood and back to NelsonNelson
Day 10 Drive to Kaikoura via Blenheim/Kaikoura
Day 11 Kaikoura Whale watching and other activities/Kaikoura
Day 12 Drive to CHC via Hanmer Springs/Christchurch
Day 13 Leave CHC to Delhi

2N in CHC
3N in QNZ
2N in Franz Josef
2N in Nelson
2N in Kaikoura
1N in CHC

thanks,
sidd

mlgb

Hi Sidd

I think I might go to fewer places as your driving times may be more than you think. I would definitely check the driving distances such as on http://maps.aa.co.nz/directions. I would add another hour or so to their times to allow for picture taking and sightseeing. Be careful with distances, you really cannot drive 100km per hour in most places. There are other slow moving vehicles, curves, bridges etc where you are slowing down (plus the picture taking).

Also since you are going Christchurch to Queenstown I do recommend a stop at Mt. Cook if the weather is good (and you like the classic NZ scenery of mountains and lakes). You can either stay in Twizel and drive into the park, or if you have a bigger budget stay at the Hermitage or http://www.aorakialpinelodge.co.nz/ for a night. I know you said no one-night stays but I think it is worthwhile.

Also although I know Christchurch will appreciate your business be aware that you may be in the middle of recovery from the earthquake, which may mean aftershocks. Hard to say how hotel and motel space will be affected, also.

dotty

Franz Josef to Nelson is a pretty long drive - approximately 7 hours minimum, and the area you would be driving through is worth a look so you would probably be on the road for about 9 hours.
Just wondering what you are heading to Collingwood for. It is an interesting place and a jumping-off point for the Farewell Spit tour, or for passing through to Wharariki Beach and the Archway Islands / Pakawau / and Puponga, but is not on many people's "must-do-must-see" list.
Other than those comments and those of mlgb I think you have a pretty reasonable basis of a trip, although I would add the South Island does not stop at Queenstown!

Sidd

thanks mlgb & dotty.

i think i will modify itinerary and have a stopover night at aoraki alpine lodge. that makes sense.

wrt to nelson, i want to experience abel tasman. other than that pls suggest other activities in and around nelson. actually does it makes sense to spend 2 nights in nelson ?

Songdoc

Abel Tasman is at least a 90 minute drive from Nelson. My recommendation is to spend the night at Ocean View Chalets (literally just outside the park) so you'd have time to really experience Abel Tasman. The walking trails are beautiful -- and I highly recommend a water taxi ride to experience the beauty from the water -- as well as to get to see more of the park.

FYI, my preferences are scenery and beautiful walks. For me, Abel Tasman was a highlight among highlights -- and the pink sunrises and sunsets were spectacular. It's not the kind of place you look at and check off your list. You have to walk or take a water taxi to see anything.

Hope you have a great trip -- and I'm sure you will.

susncrg

If you want just a taste of Abel Tasman, there are several companies that do a kayak, water taxi and hike tour for the day. You generally kayak to Split Apple Rock and back, have a quick lunch and then take water taxi along the shore, getting off and hiking an hour or two, and catch the taxi back to your starting place (probably Kaiteriteri).

Otherwise, you can do this on your own, but if you are pressed for time, this might give you what you need.

kiwi_rob

Christchurch is much quieter now than it was a week ago. We have had more than 500 aftershocks, but the last three days have, mercifully, been comparatively quiet (only 16 in the last 24 hours with the strongest only 4.5). The city is functioning again and there seems to have been only one hotel and one motel that have suffered significant damage.

There have, however, been a lot of houses that have been badly damaged (a report today suggests that as many as 2000 may be damaged beyond repair), and I suspect that is going to put a lot of pressure on accommodation for a long time. It would be prudent to make sure that accommodation that you are wanting anywhere in Christchurch, or in the wider Canterbury region, is booked well in advance.

Rob.

Sidd

Thanks all for inputs. Considering that trip is only 12 days and its a honeymoon so i am taking out the whole nelson part and modifying the itinerary to as below:

Have taken pit stops so that driving is not hectic for a single day plus added kinloch to have the beautiful countryside experience.

will start from CHC and end at CHC as we have flight connections from there.

Day Hotel
Day 1 CHC/Novotel
Day 2 Mt Cook Alpine Lodge
Day 3 Kinloch/Kinloch Lodge
Day 4 Kinloch/Kinloch Lodge
Day 5 QNZ/Oaks Shore
Day 6 QNZ/Oaks Shore
Day 7 QNZ/Oaks Shore
Day 8 FJ/Glenfern Villas
Day 9 FJ/Glenfern Villas
Day 10 Punakaiki/Punakaiki Resort
Day 11 Kaikoura/Fairway
Day 12 CHC/Sudima

so how does it sounds ? is it relaxed ?

mlgb

Looks good!! I know you will relax at Kinloch Lodge. Be sure to pack your insect repellent. Although I didn't have any issues that is near the water so you can expect it to be buggy.

indiancouple

Sidd, we were there last October/November. Your itinerary looks good for a honeymoon. Would suggest a few modifications and additions :
1. At Mt Cook, consider staying at Twizel (which is 30 mins away by car, and on the way). We stayed at Omahau Downs, and cannot stop raving about the place. You will love it, esp on a honeymoon. And while you are at Mt Cook, do take the Glacier Explorer Tour (book atleast 1-2 days in advance over phone).

2. While at Queenstown, remember to make a short trip to Arrowtown (30 mins drive), which is very quaint and beautiful. And you must drive to Glenorchy one day; the drive is gorgeous.

3. When driving from CHC to Mt Cook, take the scenic-72 highway, which is marginally longer but much more scenic. And do stop at lovely places on the way, esp Lake Tekapo, Geraldine, etc.

4. At Punakaiki, where lodging options are limited, we stayed at a wonderful B&B place called Bluewaves Homestay. The couple who own the place are fabulous people, and the place is wonderful too. However, maybe your Punakaiki Resort is just as good.

As such your itinerary is good and I am sure you will have a great time.

Sidd

Thanks for the suggestions, have neatly noted them !

1. Thought twizel is on the way but to go to Mt. Cook we will need to drive to Aoraki anyways, so i thought of staying there itself, as we will be driving to Queenstown in evening next day, so will do glacier explorer tour in morning and save on driving.

2. Bluewaves Homestay at Punakaiki looks good, havent really booked hotels yet. i am confused now