Bill, I enjoyed your pictures and have quickly skimmed your Trip Report, part 1. I'm going to print it out so I can digest it. How cool that your son works in Antarctica. We are planning to make that our next journey (after Australia & New Zealand).

Is there a part 2 for your trip report? I couldn't find it.

Thank you for your suggestions! We think we may take a helicopter ride over the glacier. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity!

If you search BillJ you will find Part 2 and Part 3 about number 29 and 30.

Thanks, Bill - I found them and have printed them out for easy reading.

I will have to slightly disagree with the emphasis on Fox Glacier. After seeing massive glaciers in Alaska, I found NZ's to be quite underwhelming. The west coast of the South Island is beautiful and the Pancake Rocks are very cool. However, the Hokitika and Greymouth area are economically depressed. I would strongly suggest a few days more in Queenstown and Te Anau. My husband and I have been four times and can not get enough of both Doubtful Sound and Milford Sound. We kayaked in the Milford Sound. Incredible not to be missed experience. We hiked a portion of the Milford track. We also took a float plane from Te Anua to Doubtful Sound and that was an incredible experience. There is so many things to see and do just in an around Queenstown and the Sounds. I also found Christchurch to be just another place to arrive/leave from. Just my two cents :)

Hi wanna - Maybe nevermind hasn't seen glaciers before, so Fox or FJ might be interesting. We don't know, do we?

I've seen glaciers in Alaska, Norway, Antarctica, Argentina, Iceland, Greenland, Canada, and Russia. Still, walking on the Fox glacier was <i><font color="blue">the best</font></i> experience of our 3 week trip in NZ. ((*))

We had never seen a glacier up close and personal before, let alone helicopter or walk on one. So it was a big thrill for us.
Besides, I assumed that nevermind didn't want to change their TA trip from Chc to GM, and that put them on the west side.
QT has much to offer, including fiordland. But since they were already on the west side, well, the glaciers made a whole lot of sense. Anyway to me it did.

Thanks BillJ and Jed~ We will be back this Christmas again so I will take up your suggestion and try the helicopter tour. The West coast is VERY beautiful and has none of the tourist crowds of the Queenstown area. This is a big plus. A lot of locals told us they go there on vacation because it is a lot less expensive and a lot fewer tourists. We really enjoyed the Catlins for this reason as well.
I am little partial to the Queenstown area because I really like, in addition to the fabulous nature, the opportunity to visit some good restaurants and wineries. Having said that, it is almost impossible to make a &quot;wrong&quot; decision in NZ. You will have a fabulous time. Cheers

I've been out of town for a few days. We've resolved our problem by booking 2 nights at the glaciers. We'll have 3 nights after that in Queenstown, so I think we have our bases covered.

Thanks to all for your suggestions and advice!

Have a great trip Nevermind. Please consider posting a trip report when you get back.

Terrific decision, IMHO. I think you will like your itinerary.
Bon Voyage.