South Island accomodations/trains

I'm afraid I can't help too much. Only to tell you that parking is definately a problem in the downtown area of Queenstown. I'd stay somewhere within walking distance.
Good luck.

Punga Cove is in the Marlborough Sounds not in Franz Josef. I have heard that it is a beautiful area.

They only have very basic snacks like packaged muffins on the TranzAlpine. And they go fast. Not to die for, but you won't die eating them either.

- Kat

Punga GROVE is in Franz Josef

http://www.pungagrove.co.nz/default.asp

Hi HMEd,
We took the trains a few years ago with a bus connection from the Tranzalpine to Franz Joseph. Agree with katkat about the food on the trains. We brought our own "picnic" and were the envey of many. We stayed 2 nights at Punga Grove and loved it! The hosts were very friendly and helpful, they have laundry facilities, we had a very large room with kitchen, and enjoyed their hot tub in a fern setting. If you are traveling by bus for part of the trip, you can be dropped off and picked up at the motel.

In queenstown we stayed a tthe Lodges.
Very nice, roomy place just a few blocks from town and right on the lake.

http://www.thelodges.co.nz/

We've stayed at Punga Grove in Franz - we liked it and would certainly recommend it.

We've also stayed at Villa Del Lago on several occasions - the following is an excerpt from one of my trip reports regarding Villa Del Lago:

We had booked a one bedroom unit at Villa Del Lago, a new complex of individually owned vacation units. We stayed in #15, which had unobstructed views of Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables, and was by far the quietest place we’ve ever stayed in Queenstown. Our biggest complaint about Queenstown on previous visits was the constant road noise. Well, this time we found peace and quiet. Our unit was similar to a condo and it had a queen sized bed in the bedroom, a bathroom with heated floor, tub and shower, a living room with a gas fireplace, TV, VCR and CD player, and a kitchen with refrigerator, dishwasher, microwave, cook top, coffee making supplies, dishes, utensils, pots and pans, etc.

Villa Del Lago is a bit off the beaten path, but only a 25 minute walk from the town center via the Frankton Arm Walkway. Alternatively, you can drive to town and park near Queenstown Gardens, which is a 5 minute walk from the center of town. Parking here is free and unlimited, whereas parking in town is metered and limited to one hour until 6 pm. After 6 pm, there’s no charge for parking in town and it’s a lot easier to find a parking space.

Hi Dick,

Did you stay in a 1 bedroom suite? What's the rate like?

Chenoa,

Although it was just the 2 of us, we had a 3 BR apartment. We would refer to it as a townhouse. On ther floorplan chart it looks like "example 1" of the 3 BR apts.

The place was very clean, well furnished and maintained.

We had a great view of the lake and it was only a short walk to town.

It's been several years ...but the price was VERY reasonable.

Dick,

Was The Lodges quiet? Constant road noise was mentioned as a problem for some places in town.

We had no problem with road noise..and we tended to go to bed early and wake up early.

The is a road in front of the building that goes around the lake...but we must have been just far enough away from town to avoid much noise.

Some of the places that were close to town..must have had a fair amount of noise from foot traffic.

We were there in November and it might have been just little early for high season.

Do you hike/walk? I have a great short hike that offers superb views.

Hi

We stayed at Hurleys in Queenstown and had an enjoyable stay. We had an apartment there and it was enjoyable to fix a cup of coffee or have breakfast in the morning. They had washers and dryers and the management was friendly. Waking up and viewing the Remarkables every morning was spectacular. Don't forget to take a cruise on the steamboat while you're there. Could not have asked for more!!

As for Franz Josef I can't comment on Punga Grove - but I can advise against Glacier Gateway as we did stay there and could not recommend it to anyone.

We also took food on the Transalpine and loved the trip. Actually you can't help but love your time on South Island.

Hi, Dick,

Yes, we do hike/walk and I would love to know any recommendations that you have. Thanks!

HMed,

In Queenstown, a fabulous short hike is the "Queenstown Hill Walk". It is a 1500 ft hike to a mountain summit with incredible views.

If you go, you MUST continue beyond the plateau( where the pool of water and large boulders are) to the summit. From the pool of water, you will see a path that looks barren. You will think that there is nothing more to see...but trust me.. take the path. We thought we had reached the top, but two locals told us to continue to the top. The 360 deg view is absolutely incredible.

We were going to take the gondola car to get a good view of Queenstown.....but then realized how much better of a view we had.

The trail head at NW corner of Kent St. & Edgar St

Get hiking maps at the Dept of Conservation at 37 shotoover st

The food on the Transcoastal is also basically snacks (although I loved those meat pastries you find all over NZ and on the train). I took the Transcoastal from Christchurch to Picton and it was a beautiful trip. Enjoy.

Thank you, Dick, for the recommended hike and tip about continuing on the path. I have noted it in our Rough Guide.

Also, thank you all for the hotel and train food info. We have booked a room at the Lodges. It looks beautiful! And now we'll be prepared with some snacks on the trains.

izzit possible for me to get the Villa Del Lago website.. i should like to go for a try. Thanzx