We will be in Te Anau/Doubtful Sound for 2 days (jun 21-22) and had planned to spend 2 nights, but now thinking we may head back to QT the second evening after our excursion on the sound (done @ 6pm.) Is the road back to QT too hazardous at night in the winter?
Also, a little later in the week, if we hike the Fox Glacier in the morning (1/2 day), is driving back to QT the same day too aggressive of an itinerary? Is there a lot to see in between these destinations?
thx
Winter driving South Is NZ
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Well, I'm on the SI right now and yesterday we got what the media is referring to as "the big dump" resulting in a surprising amount of snow...at sea level!
I absolutely would NOT suggest you drive back to QT at 6 pm...it gets dark here around 5 pm and you're looking at a two hour drive back to QT from Te Anau. Why not spend that second night in Te Anau and head back at your leisure the next day?
Roads can get icy...black ice is treacherous. Two nights is only one full day anyway.
Regarding your second question, yes...too aggressive. You're looking at a six hour drive. Yes, there are many reasons to stop, but days are short this time of year and daylight may be more the issue, particularly along the West Coast where it feels like midnight at 3 pm.
Chances are road conditions would be okay, but if a southerly front had just been through dumping snow then the trip back could be hazardous.
With regards to your second question I agree with Melnq8, it is to far to drive at that time of year and see anything along the way. If it was summer then it would of been doable.
Why are you so keen to get back to QT, its a over priced, over hyped tourist trap.
Thanks to both of you... this is the feedback I needed. We need to get back to QT because we are flying out on the 25th @noon. I'm realizing I will need to return to NZ again because 2 weeks is not enough for the No & So Is.
True. Really need a Week for the north and three for the South to experience the 'main' attractions, but one could spend a year traveling without seeing everything.