Feeling overwhelmed with planning, my husband and I finally went to a travel agent to finalize and book our 8 days in NZ. The plan agreed upon and booked is: Christchurch - take the TranzAlpine to Greymouth where we'll pick up a rental car. Spend the night in Hokitika, then drive to Mt. Cook where a room was booked for 2 nights at the Hermitage, then on to Queenstown. This weekend I bought a map of New Zealand and it looks as though the Mt. Cook area is not accessible from Hokitika. I've tried to contact my travel agent, but have not yet had a response from her. Am I worried over nothing, or is this a potential problem. I know very little about NZ and was relying on the expertise of the travel agent.

Thank you in advance to anyone having advice or suggestions!!

The drive to Mt Cook from Hokitika will take you about 6 hours and 30 minutes - it's 319 miles, 514 kms. It's certainly doable, but a long day, especially if you plan to make stops along the way (believe me, you'll want to make stops). Are you visiting in NZ's summer? If so, the days will be long, and you'll have plenty of daylight.

I assume you're taking the Tranz Alpine in the morning? If so, you'll reach Greymouth around lunch - Hokitika is only a 30 minute drive from Greymouth, so you might consider staying a night further south instead, such as in Franz Josef, Fox Glacier or even Haast, to make your drive to Mt Cook shorter the following day.

There's only one road in and out of Mt Cook (80)- the mountains limit accessibility, which is a big part of NZ's magic.

If you don't mind the long drive from Hokitika to Mt Cook, your itinerary is fine and will give you a nice taste of NZ.

Have a great trip.

PS - Are you flying out of Queenstown?

We'll be in NZ in September. Flying into Christchurch and out of Queensland. We are taking the TranzAlpine in the morning, but our accommodations are already booked in Hokitika, so don't know if we can change them until I'm able to talk to the agent who booked everything for us.

Thanks for your response. It eases my mind a little. I was in a state of panic when I took a look at the map. I envisioned a 12+ hour drive, so am somewhat relieved, although it isn't quite what we had thought it would be. Hopefully I can talk to our travel agent tomorrow.

Thanks so much.

Don't sweat it if you can't change your booking - we've driven from Franz Josef to Queenstown several times, which takes between 6-7 hours and it's not been a problem, even in the off season with shorter days. Just get an early start and don't rush - give yourself plenty of time to soak up the scenery.

We're going back to the SI in August ourselves - our 7th visit - can't seem to get enough of the place.

My experience in booking hotels in NZ is that cancellation policies are very good. I don't know about the Hermitage.

What is your driving route from Hokitika to Mt. Cook? Planned stops? Activies in Hokitika and Mt. Cook?

Pardon me for saying this, but the itinerary seems most strange. A <i>lot</i> of driving for little return. Of course, it is just my opinion.

Night in Hokitika? Two nights at Mt. Cook????

Jed, when we talked to the travel agent and booked the hotels, we didn't understand that we would not be able to access Mt. Cook from the west. The plan had been to drive south from Hokitika, enjoying the scenery (we love just driving and looking), stop along the way at Mt. Cook to catch our breath and just hang out, then continue the drive to Queenstown. What we didn't understand was that Mt. Cook is not on the way and that we'd need to travel a circuitous route to get there.

Since getting the map, the itinerary seems strange to me too. The original plan had been to drive from Greymouth to Queenstown, stopping along the way and enjoying the scenery. What I'm trying to do now is make the best of the situation, if I can't cancel the reservations.

Melnq8, thanks for your words of comfort! I'm trying not to get too upset and just go with whatever comes our way.

What would be the best way to access Mt. Cook from Hokitika? Go back towards Christchurch, or travel south towards Queensland?

What I'm hoping we might be able to do is cancel the Mt. Cook reservations and stay in Franz Joseph, but will have to wait until I talk to the travel agent to see if this is possible. Any suggestions on good places to stay in Franz Joseph?

Nevermind -

I've taken a closer look at my map and driving distance calculator. It appears that the 6-7 hour drive from Hokitika to Mt Cook is backtracking via Arthur's Pass. My driving distance calculator merely gives times/distances, not routes, but because it also shows the drive from Franz Josef to Mt Cook at 6:10, and since Hoki and Franz are 1:45 apart, I have to assume the route from Hoki to Mt Cook is via Arthur's Pass.

By my estimation (which may very well be flawed) if you keep this itinerary and want to see the west coast, you're looking at more of an 8 hour drive, without stops.

http://www.accommodationz.co.nz/distances2.html#

If this long route troubles you, I'd suggest you contact your travel agent, explain the situation and try to make a change or two. Here are some alternative routes that might interest you:

Christchurch to Greymouth via Tranz Apline pick up car, drive to Franz Josef (2:15). You might also consider making a side trip to Punakaiki before heading to Franz - it's about a 40 minute drive north of Greymouth, but well worth the detour.

Franz Josef - we've stayed at Punga Grove &amp; Bella Vista Motel and can recommend both. Fox Glacier is also a possiblity - smaller, quieter, fewer services - we liked Lake Matheson Motel. Suggest two nights in the area to allow time to see the glaciers, take a walk or two, etc.

Franz Josef/Fox to Queenstown - 6-7 hour drive -lots of photo stops - this is a long drive, but doable - we've done it many times - just get an early start.

If it's in the budget, you might consider a couple of nights at Lake Moeraki Wilderness Lodge instead of heading right to Queenstown.

Mt Cook can be reached from Queenstown in about 3:30, but since you're flying out of QT, you might not want to make the trek, as you'd have to backtrack for your return flight. If you want to include Mt Cook and can change your flight from QT, you could make a driving circuit - spend a night or two in Mt Cook, then drive from Mt Cook back to CH (4:15). However, the return drive to CH via the east coast isn't particulary scenic IMO.

OR you could just cool your heels in the QT area, perhaps making the trip to Milford Sound, which is a very popular tourist attraction.

Milford Sound can be done in a very loooong day from QT (four hour drive each way plus cruise time) or you could spend an night in Te Anau to break up the drive.

Glenorchy, which is a 40 minute drive from QT is also a great place to visit. It's absolutely gorgeous, offers lots of hiking opportunities and is home to the Dart River Safari. This makes an easy day trip from QT.

I realize you only have 8 days and there's no way you can do all of what I've suggested, I'm just throwing out some ideas. There's ALOT to do from the QT area - it all depends on your particular interests. Wineries, adventure activities, Skyline gondola, side trip to Arrowtown, etc. QT makes a very good base.

Wanaka also makes a good base or a side trip - it's quieter and only a 90 minute drive from QT, so you could easily access the airport on your day of departure.

I hope I haven't confused matters. NZ itineraries are always a challenge, even for those of us who've been several times. There's just so much to see and do - it's a beautiful place, you really can't go wrong.

Melnq8,

Thank you so much for your advice. I actually printed it out, so I could sit down and &quot;digest&quot; what you had to say.

I heard from my travel agent today, and she said we could rearrange our itinerary. So, my choices are to do the TranzAlpine round-trip as a day trip and stay an extra night in Christchurch (instead of Hokitika), then rent a car and drive to Mt. Cook, stay our 2 nights, then continue on to Queenstown. Or, we can cancel Mt. Cook altogether, stay in Franz Joseph/Fox Glacier for the 2 nights, and continue on to Queenstown. I'm not sure what will be best, so need to research and get back to her tomorrow.

We have a lovely place booked in Queenstown for 3 nights. We're doing a Milford Sound trip one day, then just going to relax and hang out at our &quot;lodge&quot; the second day - resting up for our journey home.

Any more advice you have before I talk to my travel agent is most welcome. New Zealand is new territory for us.

Thanks so much.
Linda

After doing a little research, I'm wondering how this looks: cancel the Mt. Cook reservations. Stay the night in Hokitika (as planned) then stay 1 night at the Westwood Lodge in Franz Joseph, then drive down to the Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki for the 2nd night. It wouldn't give us much time for exploring, but would break up the drive to Queenstown.

We enjoy driving, but don't want to overwhelm ourselves with long trips if we don't have to. The point of our being in New Zealand is to just soak in some of the beauty that we've heard about and relax.

I truly appreciate the time and thought people put into helping others on this forum. Thank you.

Linda -

Glad to hear you're not tied into your original itinerary.

I've done the round trip on the Tranz Alpine, and personally, I wouldn't suggest it. It's a long day and you backtrack, so you're seeing the same scenery twice. Besides, the drive from CH down the east coast just isn't all that pretty.

IMO you'll get the most bang for your buck scenery-wise if you take the Tranz Alpine one way to Greymouth, make the side trip to Punakaki then head down the West Coast. Personally, I dislike one night stays as there's just no time to explore, but but if you're just trying to see what you can in a short time and don't mind being on the move, it might work for you.

Lake Moeraki Wilderness Lodge usually recommends at least a two night stay and it's well worth the time if you can spare it.

We stayed at the Westwood Lodge many moons ago and didn't think it was worth the extra $$, but things might have changed since then.

If I may be frank, I think you need a clean sheet of paper to plan your trip. And if I can whisper, you need a different travel agent.

TranzAlpine both ways - why? Stay in Hokitika - Why? 2 nights in Mt. Cook - why?

I agree with Melnq- CHC, Take TA to Greymouth, car, Punkaiki, stay at Fox or FJ, but only if you plan to see the glaciers. If not, on to Lake Moeraki Wilderness Lodge, but that <i>needs</i> 2 days or skip it. We thought it was wonderful. Then on to QT as melnq wrote.

What is the 'lovely place' that you booked in QT? Why would you want to 'hang out at our &quot;lodge&quot; the second day'. You came to see NZ. You can rest up at home.

Jed, I appreciate your comments. I've read your trip report from a couple of years ago, and have noted some of your favorite places.

Thanks to Melnq8's advice, we're going to cancel Mt. Cook and drive the west coast, I'm in the process now of deciding exactly where we want to stay. Our travel agent said there won't be a problem with changing our reservations around.

We're staying in a place called Azur in Queenstown. If we decide we don't want to just relax and enjoy our accommodations, we can always go out and look for something to do. Everyone has a different travel style. We are quiet people, and enjoy simply being mindful of our surroundings. We will be at the end of our holiday, after having been to Australia and are thinking we might like to stop sightseeing and just relax. Who knows, however, we may change our minds!

Anyway, thanks for the advice, comments, and questions.

About my rant, as they say, <i>nevermind</i>.

Hi, I recently spent 2 nights in Hokitika (in January). While it's a teeny tiny place with not much to do, I borrowed a bicycle from my hostel and rode to Lake Kaniere where there is a lovely and easy trail around the lake. The drive out there is really nice too. It was 19 km each way if you're going to do it.

There's an excellent ice-cream shop near the jade shops.

By the time I got to Queenstown I was really exhausted in my 10 1/2-week trip, and in the home of adrenaline sports I did almost nothing. I stayed 3 nights at a hostel called Scallywag's, about a 15 minute walk up the hill behind the town. One quiet thing I really enjoyed was walking to the Botanic Gardens which is right on the lake. The roses are gorgeous. And I had a respectful moment of silence in front of the memorial to Robert F. Scott and his companions.

I also enjoyed a wine shop called Central Otago Wines, I think -- it's like one-stop-shopping for all the wineries in the area. That was fun for an afternoon, trying all sorts of different wines.

There's also the gondola, and various walks in the region. And, if you want, you could drive out to some of the wineries.

But I do have to say that I LOVED Mt. Cook. It was gorgeous. I stayed 2 nights at the YHA hostel and I did 2 easy-ish hikes.

actually, all of NZ is gorgeous. Even in 10 1/2 weeks I didn't see it all. Can't wait to go back.

--hikrchick

hikrchick, I enjoyed hearing of your experience in NZ. 10 1/2 weeks is a long time. Were you on holiday? Thanks for suggestions of low key things to do in Queenstown, they may come in handy should we get the urge to be active.

I'm really excited about our trip. I really think we would have loved the Mt. Cook region, but since it just isn't working out, we'll save it for another time.

Thanks to all for suggestions, comments, and help.
Linda

Hi Linda --
Yes, I was on vacation -- well, really a leave-of-absence from my job -- from 3 December 2006 through 19 February 2007. After being at my workplace for 10 years I was given 3 months off, kind of like a sabbatical. I'm in my early 40s.

I traveled solo, and didn't rent a car but rather toured the country primarily on the Intercity bus and also used the Atomic Shuttle in the South Island. I did the whole thing on a budget and had a wonderful time.

As I'm not a 25-year-old, I needed a few more &quot;down days&quot; between adventures than they did. I enjoyed spending 3 days in Napier on the east coast of the North Island, where I did an Art Deco tour and did an afternoon tour of wineries. I also enjoyed spending all of Christmas Day in the Te Papa museum in Wellington.

In the South Island, I spent 6 days in Te Anau. 2 days I hiked parts of the Kepler Track -- one day the first chunk, and the second day the last chunk, leaving out the middle bit -- and also did a Milford Sound overnight and a day tour to Doubtful Sound.

Having 10 1/2 weeks to explore really gave me time to look around and breathe and see what I was interested in. I was lucky enough to spend 2 nights at each of Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers. I also spent 7 nights in Wanaka -- kind of a vacation from my vacation!

I loved just about every single thing in Aotearoa New Zealand. I was about to say I could've done without the sandflies, but then I remembered a Maori legend that is something like this:

The Maori say that when Fiordland was created it was so beautiful. A goddess created the sandflies so that people wouldnt' stick around and destroy the beauty.

I can't wait to go back. I wish it could be tomorrow.

--hikrchick
p.s. I wrote a blog while I was in NZ, it is on www.travelpod.com, just search for hikrchick and it will come up.

nevermind, thanks to melnq8 and others i think you are on the right track. Cancel Mt Cook. My suggested tweeking would be TA to Greymouth, thence to FJ or Fox. IMO, Hokitika, while a good ice cream or lunch stop, is not worth an overnight.
Get a morning helicopter ride over Fox and FJ glaciers. If it's not too windy, one of the helicopter itineraries includes going over the top to Mt Cook.
Then the one day drive to QT. That drive through Haast Pass is very beautiful with many photo stops.
If you like driving, when you get to Wanaka, take the Crown Pass road to QT. Very interesting.
From QT you could do a daytrip to Milford Sound, which might thrill you more than Mt Cook. The day is long, but the drive is thrilling and a couple hours out on the sound is . . . priceless.
Good luck.

PS: we really liked our stay at Te Weheka lodge in Fox Village. Very nice. Two great restaurants.

Hikrchick - I've started reading your blog, starting with Chaos. I like the way you write and am looking forward to reading more. Please tell me -- how does one go about getting a phone for Australia and New Zealand? My husband and I were just talking about that yesterday, but I'm not particularly mobile phone savvy. I manage to use mine - just barely...

BillJ - I hadn't really thought about a helicopter ride. That would be a treat.

I've given the travel agent a couple of options for how we want to spend the 2 nights we'd planned on being at Mt. Cook, one of which is to spend 2 nights at Te Weheka. I'm glad that you mentioned that you liked it. We're also considering the Westwood Lodge or driving down to the Lake Moeraki Wilderness Lodge.

I'm excited to hear about how beautiful the drive is.

Again, thanks to all for the advice, information, and tips. I do appreciate it.

If you search my name here, you will find my trip report from My March 06 trip. It will hightlight the two restaurants, Lake Matheson and walking to the Fox glacier terminus. Also my pictures are at http://www.flickr.com/photos/calbill...7594209116164/
The benefit of spending two nights at Fox is this. Weather is a big factor re: the helicopter ride. If you take the afternoon after your TA ride to Greymouth to get to Fox that night, the next morning you could have a ride scheduled. If the weather stops the flight, you will have another chance the next morning.
Most flight opportunities are in the morning, as the afternoon is when the weather can get a bit dodgy.
Also, you can drive a couple of km's down to a parking lot and take the short walk to lake Matheson for the classic sunrise shot.
And, the walk up to the Fox glacier terminus is fun.
Good luck.