alexsst

I been reading thru some posting and still need to feedback from people who is staying there or been there on May:

1) What is the weather like during May? Lot of rain? cold?
2) Is it recommended to drive from Christchurch to Mt Cook? Is there any place worth to stop for a night before going to Mt Cook?

Appreciate some help here!!!

Melnq8

May is autumn - the weather can be unpredictable, but the weather is unpredictable year round in NZ, so that's not saying much. I personally would not hesitate to visit NZ in May. How 'cold' it feels will depend on what you're accustomed to. Where are you coming from?


If you give us an idea of how many days you have to work with, whether or not you plan to drive and what your interests are, you'll probably get more responses.

alexsst

I'm from Singapore. My travel period from 11-May till 27-May and will rent a car. I will fly direct to Christchurch and still planning the itinerary, not sure where can make a 1 night stop before continue after landed. I'm thinking to skip Christchurch and only back on last few days of my trip.

Here my current itinerary and need some advise:
Day 1 - Ashburton
Day 2,3,4 - Mount Cook
Day 5 & 6 - Dunedin
Day 6,7,8 - Te Anau (visit Milford Sound)
Day 9, 10, 11, 12 - Queenstown
Day 13 & 14 - Fox glacier
Day 15 & 16 - Hanmer Spring
Day 17 - Chrischurch & flight back to SG

Appreciate some help!! many thans

Diamantina

This webpage might help you:
http://www.newzealand.com/travel/get...ub=Find+Routes

These are good links for travel times:
http://www.accommodationz.co.nz/distances2.html

http://www.newzealand.com/travel/get...ances-home.cfm

Diamantina

I moved to Dunedin a few months ago and people here tell me that autumn weather tends to be more settled, less changeable than summer. Late January and February were crazy: sunny and warm one day, rainy and cold the next day. March and now April have been beautiful, sunny and warm, not very windy--better than the summer!

This article that appeared in the local newspaper a few days ago says the autumn will be "normal", more settled than the erratic and often wet summer weather (which has been blamed on La Nina):
http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/20...ly-late-autumn

This being said, you can experience four seasons in a day in Dunedin anytime of year. This is probably true for most of the South Island, perhaps most of New Zealand. Even when visiting the north of the North Island during summer, I have encountered rain and cold.

When coming to NZ, it is best to be PREPARED for cold wet weather. Bring a waterproof jacket with a hood. Even if you don't encounter rain, such a jacket might be useful on windy days (like a windbreaker). You will need tee-shirts, a sweater (jumper), gloves, a woolen cap and scarf, but also a hat for the sun and sunglasses--because it can be also be bright and sunny. A fleece jacket would be great. Thin, lightweight long underwear comes in handy, too. You can buy nice woolen clothing here, though, strangely in this land of so many sheep, woolens can be expensive (unless you go someplace like the Waimate Knitwear Factory Outlet). If you plan on doing some walking or hiking, I would bring some good waterproof walking shoes or hiking boots (clean them before coming to New Zealand). Hopefully, the weather will be sunny and dry when you visit, so you won't even need your waterproof jacket, woolen hat or scarf. But as you are coming from Singapore, my bet is you will feel cold at some point.

Consider what you will be doing. Will you be going out on a cruise to look at dolphins or whales? Walking on the beach to look at penguins? Walking up a glacier or mountain? If so, you will need to be prepared for the wind and cold, maybe rain. This would be better than being uncomfortable, or not being able to participate in certain activities because you did not prepare adequately.

While you are traveling around NZ, you can check this website for weather updates.
http://www.metservice.com/national/index

Here is an overview of NZ's climate:
http://www.niwa.co.nz/education-and-...imate/overview

mlgb

Maybe you could reach Tekapo for you first night but do read the Tripadvisor reviews as the Godley is God awful.

alexsst

Thanks guys. Below is the final itinerary, decided to skip west coast because too much driving needed.

Appreciate some comments and place should not missed while around those area.

Day Date Places
1 11-May Christchurch
2 12-May Christchurch -> Dunedin
3 13-May Dunedin -> Invercargill
3 13-May Invercargill -> Te Anau
4 14-May Te Anau - Milford Sound
5 15-May Te Anau - Doubtful Sound
6 16-May Te Anau - Queenstown
7 17-May Queenstown
8 18-May Queenstown
9 19-May Queenstown
10 20-May Queenstown
11 21-May Queenstown - Mt Cook
12 22-May Mt Cook
13 23-May Mt Cook - Christchurch
14 24-May Christchurch -> Christchurch
15 25-May Hanmer Spring - Christchurch
16 26-May Christchurch

Diamantina

Of course, I don't know what your specific interests are. Maybe you mainly want to see alpine scenery and lakes, in which case your emphasis on Queenstown makes good sense. Queenstown is beautiful and offers many activities, but it is also touristy and can be crowded.

Please note that three days to get from Christchurch to Invercargill won't leave you much time to see much in between, but maybe these areas are not so important to you. Most people passing through Dunedin spend at least one full day exploring the Otago Peninsula to see the penguins, albatrosses, sea lions, and beautiful coastal scenery--but this might not appeal to you. Oamaru (penguins and old architecture) and Moeraki (more penguins and huge ancient round boulders on the beach) are about midway between Christchurch and Dunedin, and are also worth seeing if you are passing through. You will also be rushing through the Catlins (between Dunedin and Invercargill, part of the "Southern Scenic Route"). If you find yourself traveling through the Catlins on a clear sunny day, try at least to make a stop at Nugget Point to take the short walk to see the lighthouse and "nuggets".
http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-rec...-point-tokata/

alexsst

Thanks Diamantina! I'm more into scenic and something must see. Nugget point definitely will be in our itinerary.

We'd like to see penguin too, anything you can recommended for Dunedin area that must go?

Any recommended food must try too?

Due to short day time, we plan to woke up early make full of the day.

Melnq8

Just an FYI that Christchurch to Dunedin via the east coast is one of the most unscenic drives on the SI, particularly between Christchurch and Oamaru.

mlgb

Too many days in Christchurch, you do know about the earthquake devastation, correct?

Also exactly what are you doing in Queenstown on all of those days?

Penguin Place
http://www.penguinplace.co.nz/

Also Elm Wildlife Tour on the Otago peninsula, I normally don't go for tours but enjoyed this one. It does require walking back up a steep hill.

I like Dunedin and Invercargill although the latter is mostly a stopping off point. Their museum is quite good and must see the tuatara Henry who has his own blog.
http://henrythetuatara.blogspot.com/

Diamantina

Alexsst, this will be a long long response but I hope it will answer your questions about Dunedin and its surroundings and penguin watching.

As Melnq8 points out, the drive from Christchurch to Oamaru is not so scenic, but at least it is not demanding, just sort of flat and straight. At times you can see mountains in the far distance. Between Timaru and Oamaru, you can take a detour into the country town of Waimate, home of the Waimate Knitwear Outlet (which might have a satellite outlet in Christchurch). You don't need warm possum and woolen clothing in Singapore, but it's useful for NZ and other cold climates; the outlet prices are about half what you pay in the retail stores or at the Auckland Airport. The possum and woolen knitwears are so soft.

This being said, you can begin your journey in Dunedin instead of Christchurch to save time. Check with Air New Zealand (that is, if you are flying with ANZ)--maybe it won't even cost you more to pick up a connecting flight from Christchurch to Dunedin. Normally, this flight costs about NZ$100. Think of it this way, if you were to drive from Christchurch to Dunedin, you would be spending money on petrol, which is expensive in New Zealand, and there can be a lot of traffic on the roads out of Christchurch. You will still have a chance to see Christchurch on the way back before you fly out.

I don't know why more folks don't fly into Dunedin. Granted, the weather can be gray. cold and windy, but the city's Victorian architecture, and the greater area's wildlife and coastal scenery make Dunedin a place of interest. Flying OUT of Dunedin can be problematic, as the airport can get fogged in and flights are subject to cancellation, which can lead to missed connections. From Dunedin, you can drive south, following the Southern Scenic Route (Catlins, Invercargill/ferry to Stewart Island, Te Anau); or drive inland to Cromwell (the wine country, about three hours away) then to Queenstown (another hour more) or up to Wanaka and then up toward the West Coast.

From Dunedin, it is also just 90 minutes north to Oamaru or even less to Moeraki. The main reasons to go to Oamaru are to see its beautifully restored whitestone Victorian buildings in the historic center and to visit the Blue Penguin Colony (these attractions are close to one another). The Blue Penguins come ashore after sunset/early evening. The best time of the year to see them is between November and January; in May the population of the Oamaru colony is at a low. You might also see Yellow Eyed Penguins for free from the viewing hide at Oamaru's Bushy Beach, which is a short drive from the town center--less than 10 minutes. The Yellow Eyed Penguins come ashore in the late afternoon.
http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-rec...o/bushy-beach/
http://www.penguins.co.nz/?lifecycle

Among the world's rarest penguins, the endangered Yellow-Eyed Penguins are unique to New Zealand. You can see them in Moeraki (about 30 km south of Oamaru) from its viewing hide at the Katiki Point Lighthouse (also known as the Moeraki Lighthouse). I was there about two weeks ago and saw only one, but I didn't stay long. There are fur seals, too. The lighthouse is also worth visiting for its long coastal views and for its historic remains of a Maori pa (a fortified village). If you go to Moeraki, don't miss the Moeraki Boulders, which are not actually in the village of Moeraki but outside of it, at Koekohe Beach. Moeraki village also has a popular restaurant right on the wharf called Fleur's Place. To dine at Fleur's, you would be advised to make a reservation.
http://www.moerakiboulders.com/
http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-rec...raki-boulders/
http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-rec.../katiki-point/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moeraki_Boulders
http://www.fleursplace.com/

You can also see Yellow-Eyed Penguins at Shag Point, about 15 km. south of Moeraki. I was at Shag Point a few days ago and didn't see any, but I probably arrived too early and didn't stay long enough. I saw a lot of fur seals and, of course, shags (cormorants). It is a beautiful spot with impressive offshore giant kelp beds.
http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-rec...oint-matakaea/
http://www.penguin.net.nz/viewing/yellow.html

The best place for seeing Yellow-Eyed Penguins for free in Dunedin is at beautiful Sandfly Bay on the Otago Peninsula. I was at Sandfly Bay twice last week and saw penguins both times, and I wasn't even looking for them, but just out for a walk. It was amazing to see three penguins, one right behind the other, climbing up a super-steep hillside, which most humans would find impossible or terrifying to climb. They walk and climb after they've been out fishing and swimming all day. Please do not go close to the penguins; they are easily frightened. Also, if the penguins spot you on the beach while they are trying to come ashore they will just stay in the water and get tired out. To get to the beach you must walk down steep sand dunes. Nonetheless, you will see people of all ages walking up and down. The viewing hide is at the end of the beach. You are also likely to see endangered New Zealand Hooker's Sea Lions on Sandfly Bay, so take care when walking because they are well camouflaged. By the way, there are no sandflies at Sandfly Bay. It is called this because it is often windy and the sand "flies."
http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-rec...ninsula-walks/
http://www.photovolcanica.com/Pengui...yedPhotos.html

I agree with "mlgb" that the best place to see the Yellow-Eyed Penguins, if you don't mind paying for the privilege, is Penguin Place, a privately owned farm close to the tip of the Otago Peninsula that has done an outstanding job of restoring the penguin's native habitat and providing them with nesting boxes in a safe environment, relatively free of predators. Their tour lasts 90 minutes and is preceded by an educational presentation. You can get close to the penguins because you observe them from camouflaged trenches. At the same time, they won't see you and thus act natural and unafraid. Penguin Place also runs a kind of penguin hospital, where they nurse and treat injured, sick, starving or lost penguins that have been brought into them, and not just Yellow-Eyed Penguins. I think the most economical and interesting way to visit Penguin Place is to do it as part of the half-day Monarch Cruise. They pick you up from your accommodation, then drive you to Penguin Place by way of Highcliff Road on the Otago Peninsula. After Penguin Place, you catch your wildlife cruise and return to central Dunedin by boat. They go out in the morning or afternoon; the afternoon is better as this is when the penguins return from the sea. The cruise might not be good on a windy day, though, as the sea can be rough.
http://www.wildlife.co.nz/peninsula_tour
Elm Wildlife Tours, which "mlgb" mentions, is also worth considering. They offer a lot of options (their twilight tour is on my "to-do" list).
http://www.elmwildlifetours.co.nz/ou...ula-encounters
Here is a link to the Royal Albatross Colony: http://www.albatross.org.nz/
Also worth doing/seeing on the Otago Peninsula: the drive along scenic Portabello Road; the Sandymount Track to Lovers Leap and the Chasm; the drive around Hooper's Inlet; and if it is sunny and not too windy, maybe Victory Beach and Allan's Beach--but only if you have time and if the weather is fine.
http://www.moveme.org.nz/documents/O...20Brochure.pdf

When in Dunedin, don't miss walking down to Tunnel Beach. You can stop there on your way to Nugget Point in the Catlins, but allow at least one hour for Tunnel Beach, as you must walk down to the beach and then up again. Also pay a visit to the city's St. Clair Beach, where you can pop into a cafe for tea and watch the surfers in the water. The city itself also has some interesting attractions, such as the Railway Station (especially on Saturday morning during Farmers' Market--lots of good eats), the Otago Museum, the Dunedin Botanic Gardens. You can tour Speight's Brewery or the Cadbury Chocolate Factory. I could recommend more places in or around Dunedin, but you won't have time. I recommend two nights in Dunedin, to see a bit of the city and a full day for exploring the surroundings such as the Otago Peninsula wildlife and scenery.

You asked about food. Do you mean restaurants or types of food?

mlgb

Diamantina, that's a lot of good info on Dunedin. When I used to go to NZ more often (with miles and a strong USD), I liked to stay near the Octagon at Hulmes Court B&B. Once I did an overnight at Lanarch Castle in an attic type room.

In October the rhododendrons bloom and you can tour some of the private gardens. www.rhododunedin.co.nz.

There are some great classic and scenic golf courses around Dunedin and Invercargill.

For food I endorse Fleur's and was surprised when Fleur herself took my order. It's in the port. In Dunedin I liked the Good Oil Cafe on George, especially for carryout. And the coffee at Mazagran is worth buying and carrying around with for the duration of the trip.

Around Arrowtown the cafe at Amisfield has a trust the chef option and the Pinot Gris is good.

Diamantina

Mlgb, thanks for the compliment regarding Dunedin area recommendations. Hopefully, the US dollar will regain a bit of its value and you will be able to return to Dunedin and the rest of NZ sooner, rather than later.

How was your stay at Larnach Castle? Would you recommend it? How was the dinner?

Dunedin DOES have scenic golf courses. I live near the St. Clair Golf Club. I don't play, but I am hoping our proximity to a good golf course will be enough of a lure to get our overseas golfer friends to visit us.
http://www.stclairgolf.co.nz/

The Amisfield Pinot Gris you enjoyed was just rated the sixth best pinot gris by New Zealand's Cuisine Magazine, and New Zealand wine writer Michael Cooper gave it "four stars." Central Otago Pinot Noir gets most of the attention, but its Pinot Gris and Riesling are also delectable The Rosés and Sparkling can be outstanding. too (Akarua and Quartz Reef come to mind).

I definitely know what you mean about the US dollar exchange rates. We dreamed of moving to Brazil before coming to Dunedin, but it has gotten too pricey for middle-class Americans. We also enjoyed traveling to Australia, but the US dollar doesn't go far there either.

But I can't complain. The Dunedin area/Coastal Otago is beautiful, and we discover more of it charms with each passing week (yesterday, it was the Huriawa Pa at Karitane and Waitati's Doctor's Point Beach).
http://nzwalksinfo.co.nz/tracks/882-huriawa-pa-trk

In my opinion, the area's coastal scenery is comparable to California's Highway One (though California's Big Sur is in a class of its own), and Otago's wildlife viewing is fantastic. I find it disturbing the NZ govt. will permit offshore deep oil drilling off Dunedin's coast--especially given what happened with the BP oil spill and NZ's own Rena oil spill. Incredibly, the wildlife-rich coast off Kaikoura has also been eyed for oil explorations.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/indu...t-to-intensify
http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/kaik...-plans-4794425

Autumn seems to be the best time to visit NZ's South Island. It's been sunny and warm through much of March and April. The tracks that close for lambing season (August-October) are still open. Plus, for a few weeks in April the leaves of the grape vines and non-native deciduous trees can be admired in their fall glory. Last Sunday, we drove from Dunedin up to Lake Tekapo by way of the Waitaki Valley and returned via Lindis Pass-Cromwell-Alexandra-Roxburgh. The roadway was flanked by gold-, copper-, and rust-colored foliage. Just beautiful.

mlgb

I love the Lindis Pass road. If you get a bit more adventurous, you might put Danseys Pass on the weekend agenda.

http://dangerousroads.org/australia/...w-zealand.html

Staying at Lanarch Castle isn't exactly value for money but it was fun for a night, I was in the Stable guest rooms and didn't have the dinner. (You can't actually stay in the castle, but the stables also have a historic significance).

As the Pinot Noirs have gotten pricier I have migrated to the Rieslings and Pinot Gris. They are all different styles so it's fun to try them. Seifried is one that goes on regular sale at New World and I get a bottle everytime my Kiwi friends visit to the US.

You are lucky to be able to move there, I thought it was impossible if you were over 40!

Diamantina

Mlgb, I think I will give Dansey's Pass a pass! It is rated SCARY. I also noticed there is no white line in the middle of the road or paving! The Crown Range Road was scary enough (though stunning); I was absolutely terrified, gripping my door handle in distress all the way. My husband will love the dangerous roads website, though I am not sure I should show it to him, as I already would rate his driving as "scary."

My husband and I each have two-year work visas that can be extended, but we will probably leave for warmer climes eventually. He is pushing 60 but has special skills that are desperately needed in NZ. As long as he works, we can stay.

Thanks for the report on Larnach Castle. My husband has wanted to stay at Larnach Castle (it seems you cannot dine there unless you are a guest). The Stable rooms look like the best choice. We will have to stay there before we leave the area.

I have been SO curious about Siefried's white wines. I almost bought one on sale at New World a few days ago. In view of your recommendation, I will definitely do so. The Nelson wines are often overlooked by visitors, but they can be so good (Neudorf and Te Mania are two wineries whose wines that I have tried and liked).

mlgb

Lucky! I don't have any special skills ;(

We found the Seifried by standing in New World and looking at all the award stickers. Of course every vintage is also different and that one had a silver sticker at the time. Their 2011 Nelson Reisling has a gold sticker.