Advice on South Island NZ trip in September
Jul 6th, 2013 | 09:28 AM
#1
Original Poster
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Advice on South Island NZ trip in September
I've read the many discussions on NZ trips and appreciate the itineraries and comments. I hope you can help me by posting suggestions re the trip we are planning in Sept:
Sept 7: Sydney to Christchurch - night in Christchurch
Sept 8: Christchurch - Hokitika
Sept 9: Hokitika - Fox Glacier
Sept 11: Fox Glacier to Wanaka
Sept 13: Wanaka to Queenstown
Sept 15: Queenstown to Te Anau
Sept 17: Te Anau to Dunedin
Sept 19: Dunedin to Oamaru
Sept 20: Oamaru to Christchurch
Sept 21: Fly to Auckland
Sept 22: Auckland to LAX (then to NYC)
Our origination point is NYC and we are spending two days in LAX each way and two weeks in Sydney visiting family (and 95th birthday party). My husband is in his seventies and doesn't like to 'hike' (but is willing to walk for an hour or two). We do not want to take heavy coats/hats/gloves/etc as we have to pack for summer in LAX and something nice to wear to the birthday party/seeing friends and rels! We have visited NZ a couple of times before and flown from point to point (including landing on Mt Cook and having to bus back down because of the weather) but this time we want to drive. Is the above itinerary feasible in September? Should we skip Dunedin? I wanted to include Bluff but read that oysters are out of season in Sept. (I fondly remember eating dozens on a previous trip many, many years ago!) We could fly into another origination point (I haven't booked that yet) and fly out of Christchurch to Auckland.
Would we expect snow in the passes at that time of year?
I appreciate any suggestions as I need to get cracking booking hotels, etc I'm sure.
Thank you
Sept 7: Sydney to Christchurch - night in Christchurch
Sept 8: Christchurch - Hokitika
Sept 9: Hokitika - Fox Glacier
Sept 11: Fox Glacier to Wanaka
Sept 13: Wanaka to Queenstown
Sept 15: Queenstown to Te Anau
Sept 17: Te Anau to Dunedin
Sept 19: Dunedin to Oamaru
Sept 20: Oamaru to Christchurch
Sept 21: Fly to Auckland
Sept 22: Auckland to LAX (then to NYC)
Our origination point is NYC and we are spending two days in LAX each way and two weeks in Sydney visiting family (and 95th birthday party). My husband is in his seventies and doesn't like to 'hike' (but is willing to walk for an hour or two). We do not want to take heavy coats/hats/gloves/etc as we have to pack for summer in LAX and something nice to wear to the birthday party/seeing friends and rels! We have visited NZ a couple of times before and flown from point to point (including landing on Mt Cook and having to bus back down because of the weather) but this time we want to drive. Is the above itinerary feasible in September? Should we skip Dunedin? I wanted to include Bluff but read that oysters are out of season in Sept. (I fondly remember eating dozens on a previous trip many, many years ago!) We could fly into another origination point (I haven't booked that yet) and fly out of Christchurch to Auckland.
Would we expect snow in the passes at that time of year?
I appreciate any suggestions as I need to get cracking booking hotels, etc I'm sure.
Thank you
Jul 6th, 2013 | 04:32 PM
#2
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,148
Likes: 83
Hi Imaussi, welcome to the forum.
Yes, your itinerary is feasible, even in September, although the weather is anyone's guess.
September will still be cold, quite possibly snowy; I suggest you have some snow chains in the trunk of your rental (I'm traveling at the same time and will definitely have mine).
Arthur's Pass, Lindis Pass and the road to Milford (assume you're going there?) are the most likely spots for snowy/frosty roads. September is still ski season in Queenstown and Wanaka, so potentially snow there as well, although not generally an issue in town. The roads can be frosty in the mornings (black ice), so best to stay off the roads until about 9 am if at all possible.
We often visit the SI in the winter months and we manage to get by with a fleece jacket and a waterproof layer that fits over the fleece. We're hikers, so we also take waterproof pants which we wear over silk thermals, but this shouldn't be necessary for short walks. There's no need to take heavy outerwear, think layers. A warm layer and a waterproof layer will suffice, and a fleece hat will no doubt come in handy, especially if you plan to be on a boat, like Milford Sound, etc.
Whether or not you skip Dunedin really depends on your reason for going there. Penguins? Albatross? Train? City sights?
History?
You're not missing much by skipping Bluff - other than some serious wind - which will be very cold in Sept.
You definitely need to get busy booking accommodation in Wanaka and QT - ski season - expect rates to be on the high side.
Yes, your itinerary is feasible, even in September, although the weather is anyone's guess.
September will still be cold, quite possibly snowy; I suggest you have some snow chains in the trunk of your rental (I'm traveling at the same time and will definitely have mine).
Arthur's Pass, Lindis Pass and the road to Milford (assume you're going there?) are the most likely spots for snowy/frosty roads. September is still ski season in Queenstown and Wanaka, so potentially snow there as well, although not generally an issue in town. The roads can be frosty in the mornings (black ice), so best to stay off the roads until about 9 am if at all possible.
We often visit the SI in the winter months and we manage to get by with a fleece jacket and a waterproof layer that fits over the fleece. We're hikers, so we also take waterproof pants which we wear over silk thermals, but this shouldn't be necessary for short walks. There's no need to take heavy outerwear, think layers. A warm layer and a waterproof layer will suffice, and a fleece hat will no doubt come in handy, especially if you plan to be on a boat, like Milford Sound, etc.
Whether or not you skip Dunedin really depends on your reason for going there. Penguins? Albatross? Train? City sights?
History?
You're not missing much by skipping Bluff - other than some serious wind - which will be very cold in Sept.
You definitely need to get busy booking accommodation in Wanaka and QT - ski season - expect rates to be on the high side.
Jul 8th, 2013 | 04:11 AM
#4
Original Poster
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Thank you both for your replies and info. We live in layers here in Connecticut, so that is not a problem!
We were going to Dunedin to do the Taieri Gorge Railway and taste some Pinot Noir and perhaps experience some milder weather than we might find on the west coast.
BTW, any suggestions on where to stay in QT? Eichardt's was my first choice but it's way too expensive. Any opinion on the Hilton or Dairy Private Hotel? In Wanaka: Wanaka Homestead, Wanaka Springs?
Thanks again!
We were going to Dunedin to do the Taieri Gorge Railway and taste some Pinot Noir and perhaps experience some milder weather than we might find on the west coast.
BTW, any suggestions on where to stay in QT? Eichardt's was my first choice but it's way too expensive. Any opinion on the Hilton or Dairy Private Hotel? In Wanaka: Wanaka Homestead, Wanaka Springs?
Thanks again!
Jul 8th, 2013 | 04:15 PM
#6
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,148
Likes: 83
You'll find some incredible Pinot Noir near Wanaka and Queenstown in the Cromwell/Bannockburn area (Central Otago).
http://www.nzwine.com/wineries/central-otago/
Amisfield Winery near Arrowtown makes a wonderful Pinot Noir and has a well regarded bistro.
When I think Dunedin, I don't think milder weather, I think coastal wind, but that's just based on my personal experience.
Places we've liked in QT include Villa del Lago and Bella Vista Motel. We also like Orchard Cottage in Arrowtown, which is about a 15-20 minute drive from QT (we like it because it's a quieter area than QT, but still close to all that QT has on offer).
In Wanaka, we quite enjoyed our stay at The Alpine View Lodge.
http://www.nzwine.com/wineries/central-otago/
Amisfield Winery near Arrowtown makes a wonderful Pinot Noir and has a well regarded bistro.
When I think Dunedin, I don't think milder weather, I think coastal wind, but that's just based on my personal experience.
Places we've liked in QT include Villa del Lago and Bella Vista Motel. We also like Orchard Cottage in Arrowtown, which is about a 15-20 minute drive from QT (we like it because it's a quieter area than QT, but still close to all that QT has on offer).
In Wanaka, we quite enjoyed our stay at The Alpine View Lodge.
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