Dear experienced SI ppl,

I need help! We are flying in and out of Christchurch and the dates are set. First time in NZ! Would you tell me if the following itinerary is feasible and any suggestions are appreciated. We are renting a car and will be driving everywhere:
2. May. 2011 Arrive at Christchurch at 12:20pm, drive to Oamaru,
3. May. 2011 Oamaru to Dunedin
4. May. 2011 Dunedin to Te Anau
5. May. 2011 Te Anau to Milford Sound
6. May. 2011 Milford Sound
7. May. 2011 Milford Sound to Queenstown
8. May. 2011 Queenstown
9. May. 2011 Queenstown to Mt Cook
10. May. 2011 Mt Cook to Wanaka
11. May. 2011 Wanaka to Franz Josef
12. May. 2011 Franz Josef to Greymouth
13. May. 2011 Greymouth to Christchurch
14. May. 2011 Fly out of Christchurch 6pm

Hi lilyb7788 -

This is a driving itinerary - you'll be driving just about every day, which won't leave you much time to DO anything once you arrive at each destination. Routing wise, your itinerary looks okay until May 10, then it goes a bit wonky. I suggest you choose between the inland route (Mt Cook) or the West Coast route (glaciers) on your return to Christchurch - these two routes are separated by a mountain range. Alternatively, you can go down the West Coast from Christchurch via Arthur's Pass upon arrival and then return via the inland route, making a loop.

You'll drive right past Wanaka on the drive from QT to Mt Cook...you'll be backtracking if you go to Mt Cook first and then to Wanaka, is this your intention?

Suggest you look at driving times/distances here:

http://www.aatravel.co.nz/main/td-calculator.php

Hi Melnq8,

Thank you so much for your input! I know it's a quite aggressive itinerary. If you have to pick between Mt Cook and the West coast glaciers, which is a more must-see? Also in 10 days, will Arthur's Pass still be a safe place (no snow or ice) to drive through?

I sure hope Arthur's Pass is clear as we'll be up there ourselves in June. You might ask when you collect your rental car if they think chains will be necessary...hard to know what the weather will do, but I'd think you'd be okay that early in May.

I personally prefer the West Coast route to the inland route (Mt Cook & Lake Tekapo), but I was raised in Colorado...much of the landscape along the inland route is very similar to my home state, so it's not particularly unique to me, other than the glacial blue of the lakes.

I find the drive from QT/Wanaka to Christchurch via the inland route a bit boring and short on scenic, but that's a personal observation. Poster mlgb and I routinely disagree on this point, so perhaps he/she will put in his/her two cents.

I find the scenery along the west coast spectacular - the sea meets glaciers and rainforest against a backdrop of snow capped mountains - it's an eyefull, and in 9-10 trips to the SI, it's still one of my favorite areas. BUT, it rains alot back that way, and on a foggy, cloudy day, those views can be elusive. The same holds true for Mt Cook though, as it's often socked in by clouds and it rains alot there too.

Bottom line, it's all good and you really can't go wrong.

Melnq8,

Thank you so much for your suggestions. We had a wonderful trip!

We went the west coast route and loved it. The opportunity to walk on Franz Josef glacier was marvelous.

On the day we drove from Graymouth to Christchurch, it was raining heavily at Arthur's Pass. So we didn't have much of a view and neither did we hike. I was just thankful it wasn't snowing (it was above 2000m) and slippery. However on Christchurch side it was gorgeous like California weather. We went to Taylor's Mistake and had a nice walk on Godley Head.

We wished it was a 4 week vacation instead of 2, just for south island. Hope to get back some day.

Thanks for reporting back lilyb. I hope you'll consider writing a full trip report. Glad you enjoyed Taylor's Mistake.

I think each day travel may make you feel exhausted and tiresome. The most important things that you will even not get to enjoy the proper beauty of the place and will remain in a hurry. You should definitely give some more time to some of the beautiful places and it will make your journey memorable.

Affitto Vacanza Toscana