turnjac

I've just booked our flight from Auckland to Queenstown return on the 15th of Dec for 6 nights.We arrive and leave in the afternoon of the 15th and 21st. We would like to visit Arrowtown, Wanaka, Glenorchy, Te Anau, Doubtful sound, The road to Milford Sound, Invercargill, Catlins and back to Queenstown. Does this sound doable in 6 nights, we don't want to be rushing around too much, should we perhaps leave out the Catlins and return to Queenstown from Invercargill?

Melnq8

Is there a reason you want to visit Invercargill or is it just a means ot getting to the Catlins? I ask because Invercargill isn't all that interesting, just a flat agricultural town. If you do decide to visit the Catlins, I'd suggest spending at least one night there.

Arrowtown is mere minutes from Queenstown and Glenorchy is a 40 minute drive. Te Anau is a two hour drive from QT, then it's another 1:30- 2 hour drive from there to Milford. All of the above can certainly be done using Queenstown as a base.

Getting from QT to Milford and back is a long day, but people do it all the time, so it's certainly doable.

The Doubtful Sound daytime cruise takes 8 hours and leaves from Lake Manapouri, so that too will be a VERY long day from QT, but it can be done.

Personally, I'd trim things down and I'd definitely give Invercargill a pass.

Tim_and_Liz

I would cut down your list. In six nights, we saw Queenstown, Glenorchy, Te Anau, and Milford Road/Sound.

Day 1: Check in to Queenstown hotel, Bob's Peak Gondola

Day 2: TSS Earnslaw, Kawarau Bungy Bridge, Wineries, etc.

Day 3: Glenorchy (staying in Queenstown)

Day 4: Doubtful Sound overnight or drive to Te Anau and stay overnight

Day 5: Milford Road and back to Te Anau or return from Doubtful Sound overnight and go to Catlins

Day 6: Catlins one more night or stay in Queenstown or something else...

Just an idea to get you started.

kaneda

Invercargill is a bit of a bland town, founded by the Scots in 1859 I think. It has a museum, some shops. You can drive some distance further south to a signpost with distances to places around the world. Not much to see, as Melnq8 said, but it isn't really that far away so if it was me, I'd probably go anyway.

mlgb

I am guessing OP wants to do the Southern Scenic Route from Te Anau and the Catlins, and wonders if they have enough time for all of it, or if they should just do the bit between Te Anau and Invercargill (which doesn't include the Catlins Coast)?

I would spend two days around Queenstown, then you need a full day each for Milford and Doubtful, and then you have two more days to do the Southern Scenic/Catlins and return. You can certainly do that, although it's a bit rushed. If you drive back from Milton to Queenstown you come back via the Kawarau Gorge Hwy which is scenic and goes by the Gibbston Valley Winery and other Central Otago wineries around Bannockburn.

I would probably not go to Wanaka if I were already going to Queenstown, Glenorchy and Fiordland. Catlins is another type of landscape.

mlgb

I should have added that it's better to overnight further into the Catlins than Invercargill. Invercargill is worth a few hours stop if you have time, the Southland Museum, and Dee Street shops are worth a look. Might have an easier time getting a good meal there rather than further east.

turnjac

How does this now sound. Day 1 Queenstown, Day 2 Queenstown (Glenorchy, Arrowtown), Day 3 Te Anau (Visit Milford) Day 4 Doubtful Sound Day 5 Nugget Point via Te Anau - Lumsden. Day 6 Explore Catlins Coast. Day 7 Drive from Mugget Point via Milton back to Queenstown. Is this perhaps too rushed? How long will it take us to get from Te Anau to Nugget Point and from Nugget Point back to Queenstown on day 7, our flight is at 3.15pm?

Tim_and_Liz

turnjac-
I think you still have way too much going on. Cut out one of the Sounds or cut out the Catlins IMHO.
Liz

turnjac

Revised Itinerary - Day 1 Queenstown, Day 2 Queenstown (Glenorchy, Arrowtown), Day 3 Te Anau (Milford sound) Day 4 Nugget Point via Te Anau - Lumsden. Day 5 Explore Catlins Coast. Day 6 Leisurely drive from Nugget Point via Milton back to Queenstown. Day 7 Queenstown relaxation in the morning, ready for afternoon flight back to Auckland. How long will it take us to get from Te Anau to Nugget Point? Any hotel recommendations near Nugget Point or Kaka Point?

CDJD

Check out Cardno's Accomodation near the Catlins. The host was terrific and the premises lovely. http://www.cardnosaccommodation.co.nz/

It will probably take about 4.5 hrs to drive from Te Anau to Nugget Point

mlgb

Since you are going at a more leisurely pace, don't go from Te Anau via Lumsden. It's much more scenic to head south from Manapouri on the "Southern Scenic Route".

Here's a link to a guide. http://www.southernscenicroute.co.nz/Map/Default.asp

You should be able to pick up a brochure when you are there. There's an accomodation section on the Catlin's website: http://www.catlins-nz.com/setup.html

Definitely book ahead, there are limited options. I think I stayed at JTs (a while back). Homey but the hosts were hilarious.