We have finally come up with an itinerary for our 3 week New Zealand trip. I have only devoted 6 days and nights to the SI. I know that is not the norm but as I have stated before we are really going to NZ to see my son who is based in Auckland. Anyway we fly into Queenstown on Monday afternoon 11/29, we depart from Christchurch late afternoon on 12/5 to catch flight back to SFO. During this time we will celebrate anniversary and husband 60th bday. How much time to devote to each city and where to journey in between???? I don't want to move too much but do want to see what we can. (I feel we will be back so always leave something behind!) Thanks again for your help. Fodorites are the best....

Hi, kmh7.
What are you interested in? I gather you are just looking for ideas for the South Island - correct? I see you are looking at Milford Sound boat trip - that's a good trip, especially if it is a fine day. By the way, are you hiring a car?

6 days are really only a short time, Since you arrive in Queenstown I would plan at least one whole day to experience the Queenstown area (11/30), I definitely would plan a one-day-trip to Milford Sound(12/01), get a rental car and travel over Lake Wanaka to the West Coast to Haast and continue to Fox Glacier (12/02). The forth day would then be busy with hiking around the glacier, visiting Lake Matheson and make sure to do a nightwalk to see the glowworms (12/03). For Christchurch I would go over Arthur's Pass (12/04). That would leave you the last day for Christchurch. Obviously there is a lot of driving involved, but it would give you a good impression of the Southern Island.

This is all great, We will hire a car of course. We want to experience what we can in this area but we know we will be back so don't feel the need to move too fast!! I really don't like caves, am I really misssing something with the gloworms?? We like to be active but not crazy active, I like cities. Love to sit in an outdoor cafe and suck in the culture. We like off the beatan path stuff...

TravelSarah has a good itinerary but seems to me a lot of driving time, remembering that you need to allow extra time for stopping, and that many of the roads are quite windy.
We have travelled this area several times between Greymouth and Wanaka, and it is basically a whole day's travelling leaving early.
The trip over Arthur's Pass is easy and quite scenic.

Check this site out for approximate travelling times.

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

Have a great anniversary and birthday celebrations. BTW, I wouldn't be going in any caves either!