Help with places to go in New Zealand SI
 

Hi everyone, I am traveling to NZ in June and am a bit stuck on what to do between Mt Cook and flying back out of Queenstown on the 25th. We are going primarily for photography and to hike. Any help would be greatly appreciated. We have already seen the Glaciers, and been to Christchurch. Is there anything north of this worth seeing? Any help would be greatly appreciated :)

9th - Queenstown

10th - Alexandra (to visit family)

11th - Alexandra (to visit family)

12th - Te Anau

13th - Te Anau

14th - Wanaka

15th - Wanaka

16th - Wanaka

17th - Wanaka

18th - Mt Cook

19th - Mt Cook

20th

21st

22nd

23rd

24th - Queenstown

25th - Fly Home

I take it you're flying into (and out of) QT?

Have you considered Dunedin? The Catlins?

>>>Have you considered Dunedin? The Catlins?<<<

Bingo!

As I suggested in another forum.

Sorry yes I am flying in and out of QT but am happy to change the flight to fly out of CC if need be. Have explored The Catlins & Dunedin last year but thanks for the tips!

I'm not clear on your intentions - other than family in Alexandra, are Te Anau, Wanaka and Mt Cook 'must dos' for you?

The areas north of Christchurch are very much 'worth it', but only if you have sufficient time to explore them.

If your plans and flights are flexible, perhaps fly into Christchurch (and out of QT) and head up towards Kaikoura, Picton and Abel Tasman areas (or do so in reverse, depending on your family plans), then work your way down south via the West Coast (I understand you've seen the glaciers, but have you seen the area between Kaikoura and Punakaiki, and Punakaiki and Greymouth?

Or you could do a partial loop, going as far as Kaikoura, then crossing back to the West Coast via Lewis Pass. This would allow you to at least see some new areas, but shorten the drive down south.

Any interest in Akaroa?

Just an FYI that June can be really hit and miss with the weather - expect plenty of rain and quite possibly some snow. It pays to be very flexible this time of year. The further south you go, the colder it will be.

It becomes difficult to advise when you post partial information on two different forums. Three of us on the other forum recommended you visit Dunedin and the Catlins. You never returned to advise us that you've already been there.

On the other forum, you stated that you have to be in Alexandra on those two nights and that they are "set in stone".

So now that I've pieced a bit more information together, may I suggest that on the 20th, you return to Queenstown and fly to Nelson. Spend a day or two there then make you way back to Christchurch either by way of Kaikoura or by way of Punakaiki/Arthur's Pass. Fly out of Christchurch on the 25th.

Once again my mind reading skills have failed me.

Thanks everyone for your great suggestions! I like the idea of the partial loop via Lewis Pass so will look into that. Thanks again everyone!