Need help with New Zealand itinerary south island!
Jul 15th, 2007 | 05:16 PM
#1
Original Poster
Joined: Jul 2007
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Need help with New Zealand itinerary south island!
My husband and I are planning a trip to New Zealand's south island for 19 days this December and January. I'm really needing your help on planning our itinerary, as it has been a real challenge so far.
To give you an idea about us, here's a list of what we like: hiking, fishing, lush forests, great vistas, wine, good food, off the beaten track accomodations, and cooking our own food. My husband likes to socialize, but I like calm and quiet.
Things we do not like: tourist traps, shopping, crowded areas, hot full sun locations, fried food, eating out more than once/day.
We're scheduled on the Routeburn 12/31/07 for 3 nights in the huts. Then considering the Greenstone for 2 additional days.
Initial ideas of places to visit: Christchurch, Arthur's Pass, Paparoa National Park, Westland National Park/Glaciers, Haast/Makarora/Wanaka, Te Anau, Caitlins, Lake Tekapo area.
I'd really appreciate your input on an itinerary. If there are areas you think we'd really like, and others we could do without, please let me know. Also, we're likely going to rent a car and stay in B&B's and camping areas. Any help is appreciated.
I look forward to hearing from you!
To give you an idea about us, here's a list of what we like: hiking, fishing, lush forests, great vistas, wine, good food, off the beaten track accomodations, and cooking our own food. My husband likes to socialize, but I like calm and quiet.
Things we do not like: tourist traps, shopping, crowded areas, hot full sun locations, fried food, eating out more than once/day.
We're scheduled on the Routeburn 12/31/07 for 3 nights in the huts. Then considering the Greenstone for 2 additional days.
Initial ideas of places to visit: Christchurch, Arthur's Pass, Paparoa National Park, Westland National Park/Glaciers, Haast/Makarora/Wanaka, Te Anau, Caitlins, Lake Tekapo area.
I'd really appreciate your input on an itinerary. If there are areas you think we'd really like, and others we could do without, please let me know. Also, we're likely going to rent a car and stay in B&B's and camping areas. Any help is appreciated.
I look forward to hearing from you!
Jul 16th, 2007 | 12:03 AM
#2
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,174
Likes: 83
Hi pilates4u -
Sounds like you already have a good idea of what you'd like to see and do. None of the places you've mentioned are particularly crowded or what I'd consider "tourist traps". The glaciers do get busy during the season and Te Anau can be busy during the day, but busy is a relative thing in NZ. Christchurch is a small city, so you'll have some hustle and bustle there, but again, compared to most places one could visit, NZ has just never seemed particulary crowded to me (but I do visit in the off season).
Lake Tekapo gets alot of bus tour traffic, but once again, it's an entirely different place at night. Most visitors just stop by on their way elsewhere, but we spent three nights there and had a great time - lots of hikes and exploring. Same for Mt Cook - lots of bus traffic, but quiet later in the day.
Wanaka gets its share of the bus tour crowd, particularly around the lake. I get the impression that Wanaka is the next Queenstown, but it has a quite a way to go before it reaches the "zoo" status of Queenstown.
There's not a whole lot in Haast itself, but it's probably a good base if you like to hike. Services will be limited, but it sounds like maybe that's what you're after.
We stopped in Makarora on our last visit, and to be honest, I don't remember there being much to it - a restaurant and a few places to stay, but otherwise....
http://www.makarora.co.nz/
We're spending three nights next month near Paparoa National Park. We've been through there several times in the past and it's the epitome of sleepy, so if that's what you're looking for, it should be perfect.
You'll find the Catlins very quiet as well, and you'll no doubt find plenty to do.
NZ is full of unique accommodation and it's pretty easy to find a quiet spot near the edge of a popular area. Lots of privately owned cottages, bachs, villas, etc. Self catering accommodation will allow you to cook your own meals.
I've got a list of helpful accommodation sites buried somewhere in my computer - let me know if you're interested and I'll try to find it.
Sounds like you already have a good idea of what you'd like to see and do. None of the places you've mentioned are particularly crowded or what I'd consider "tourist traps". The glaciers do get busy during the season and Te Anau can be busy during the day, but busy is a relative thing in NZ. Christchurch is a small city, so you'll have some hustle and bustle there, but again, compared to most places one could visit, NZ has just never seemed particulary crowded to me (but I do visit in the off season).
Lake Tekapo gets alot of bus tour traffic, but once again, it's an entirely different place at night. Most visitors just stop by on their way elsewhere, but we spent three nights there and had a great time - lots of hikes and exploring. Same for Mt Cook - lots of bus traffic, but quiet later in the day.
Wanaka gets its share of the bus tour crowd, particularly around the lake. I get the impression that Wanaka is the next Queenstown, but it has a quite a way to go before it reaches the "zoo" status of Queenstown.
There's not a whole lot in Haast itself, but it's probably a good base if you like to hike. Services will be limited, but it sounds like maybe that's what you're after.
We stopped in Makarora on our last visit, and to be honest, I don't remember there being much to it - a restaurant and a few places to stay, but otherwise....
http://www.makarora.co.nz/
We're spending three nights next month near Paparoa National Park. We've been through there several times in the past and it's the epitome of sleepy, so if that's what you're looking for, it should be perfect.
You'll find the Catlins very quiet as well, and you'll no doubt find plenty to do.
NZ is full of unique accommodation and it's pretty easy to find a quiet spot near the edge of a popular area. Lots of privately owned cottages, bachs, villas, etc. Self catering accommodation will allow you to cook your own meals.
I've got a list of helpful accommodation sites buried somewhere in my computer - let me know if you're interested and I'll try to find it.
Jul 16th, 2007 | 04:17 PM
#4
Original Poster
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Hi Melnq8!
Thanks for the great info. I'm definitely interested in your list of accommodations. That would really help me in planning. Also, could you tell me a bit more about your experience in the areas where there is a lot of bus traffic during the day? What did you do in those places? Most importantly, would you add/delete locations from my list, and how long do you recommend I stay in each location? I really appreciate you help, and look forward to hearing from you.
Thanks for the great info. I'm definitely interested in your list of accommodations. That would really help me in planning. Also, could you tell me a bit more about your experience in the areas where there is a lot of bus traffic during the day? What did you do in those places? Most importantly, would you add/delete locations from my list, and how long do you recommend I stay in each location? I really appreciate you help, and look forward to hearing from you.
Jul 16th, 2007 | 05:10 PM
#5
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,174
Likes: 83
pilates4U -
The links below will take you to my most recent NZ trip reports and they should answer a few questions for you. Beware - they're long and rather detailed:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34616625
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34456211
As an example of bus traffic, in one 90 minute period at Mt Cook, my husband and I watched as 9 tour buses pulled into the Hermitage parking lot. We couldn't believe it, as this was during the off season. However, the buses unloaded, the tourists had lunch in the Hermitage cafe, took a few pictures of Mt Cook and then left. So, Mt Cook is an entirely different place after the buses leave.
The same was true of Lake Tekapo - the buses pull off the highway, the tourists take some snaps, use the facilities and grab a snack, then they're back on the bus and gone for the day.
Lake Wanaka is similiar, but there's more to Wanaka than the lake, so it's easy enough to avoid the bus traffic.
My intention was not to discourage you, just to point out a few potential crowded areas (crowded being relative of course). You can easily stay in these areas and avoid the masses.
Te Anau gets pretty busy too, as it's the departure point for trips to Milford Sound - lots of bus traffic, lots of folks milling around, but then again, it's temporary. When the buses aren't there, it's a quiet little place.
Because you'll be in NZ at the height of the tourist season, you'll no doubt run into your share of buses, but don't fret, it won't ruin your holiday.
If you're looking for a completely out of the way place, you might look into Karamea, a tiny little town virtually at the end of the road north of Westport. It's a very pretty spot and lots of hikes originate from the area, such as the Heaphy Track. It's the type of place where the locals all wave as you pass by. It's also home to the Honeycomb Caves and some interesting limestone formations.
Karamea no doubt draws the backpacker crowd during the season, but I doubt you'll see any buses.
Another out of the way spot is Okarito - it's secluded, yet not far from the glaciers. Not many lodging options there but some nice hikes.
As far as how long to stay in each location - we like to spend at least three nights in each place unless we're in transit. That way we have at least two full days to explore a given area and we're not constantly on the move. There are exceptions of course, but the three night rule has worked pretty well for us in all our travels.
Despite giving advice to the contrary about Haast, we toyed with spending three nights there on our upcoming visit. There are alot of hikes in the area, and I have a list if you'd like some ideas. In the end we just weren't sure, so we opted to stay only one night, just as a way of breaking up our trip from Punakaiki to Queenstown. I hope to have a better idea of what Haast has to offer when I return from next month's trip.
May I ask why you're interested in Makarora?
I think spending some time in Arthur's Pass is a good idea - not something most visitors have a chance to do. We've been to NZ six times and have yet to stay there, although we'd like to.
I think you've come up with some good choices (except for Makarora, and maybe I'm missing the boat on that one).
I'll get back to you with the accommodation list and a suggested route.
Fetter007 - Your son might enjoy Queesntown given his age and the fact that Queenstown is the adventure capitol of NZ. Does he ski or snowboard? Suggest he check out some NZ hostels - I've heard NZ has some of the nicest hostels in the world.
www.yha.co.nz/
The links below will take you to my most recent NZ trip reports and they should answer a few questions for you. Beware - they're long and rather detailed:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34616625
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34456211
As an example of bus traffic, in one 90 minute period at Mt Cook, my husband and I watched as 9 tour buses pulled into the Hermitage parking lot. We couldn't believe it, as this was during the off season. However, the buses unloaded, the tourists had lunch in the Hermitage cafe, took a few pictures of Mt Cook and then left. So, Mt Cook is an entirely different place after the buses leave.
The same was true of Lake Tekapo - the buses pull off the highway, the tourists take some snaps, use the facilities and grab a snack, then they're back on the bus and gone for the day.
Lake Wanaka is similiar, but there's more to Wanaka than the lake, so it's easy enough to avoid the bus traffic.
My intention was not to discourage you, just to point out a few potential crowded areas (crowded being relative of course). You can easily stay in these areas and avoid the masses.
Te Anau gets pretty busy too, as it's the departure point for trips to Milford Sound - lots of bus traffic, lots of folks milling around, but then again, it's temporary. When the buses aren't there, it's a quiet little place.
Because you'll be in NZ at the height of the tourist season, you'll no doubt run into your share of buses, but don't fret, it won't ruin your holiday.
If you're looking for a completely out of the way place, you might look into Karamea, a tiny little town virtually at the end of the road north of Westport. It's a very pretty spot and lots of hikes originate from the area, such as the Heaphy Track. It's the type of place where the locals all wave as you pass by. It's also home to the Honeycomb Caves and some interesting limestone formations.
Karamea no doubt draws the backpacker crowd during the season, but I doubt you'll see any buses.
Another out of the way spot is Okarito - it's secluded, yet not far from the glaciers. Not many lodging options there but some nice hikes.
As far as how long to stay in each location - we like to spend at least three nights in each place unless we're in transit. That way we have at least two full days to explore a given area and we're not constantly on the move. There are exceptions of course, but the three night rule has worked pretty well for us in all our travels.
Despite giving advice to the contrary about Haast, we toyed with spending three nights there on our upcoming visit. There are alot of hikes in the area, and I have a list if you'd like some ideas. In the end we just weren't sure, so we opted to stay only one night, just as a way of breaking up our trip from Punakaiki to Queenstown. I hope to have a better idea of what Haast has to offer when I return from next month's trip.
May I ask why you're interested in Makarora?
I think spending some time in Arthur's Pass is a good idea - not something most visitors have a chance to do. We've been to NZ six times and have yet to stay there, although we'd like to.
I think you've come up with some good choices (except for Makarora, and maybe I'm missing the boat on that one).
I'll get back to you with the accommodation list and a suggested route.
Fetter007 - Your son might enjoy Queesntown given his age and the fact that Queenstown is the adventure capitol of NZ. Does he ski or snowboard? Suggest he check out some NZ hostels - I've heard NZ has some of the nicest hostels in the world.
www.yha.co.nz/
Jul 16th, 2007 | 05:59 PM
#6
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,174
Likes: 83
Okay, found my list of accommodation sites:
www.cottagestays.co.nz
www.holidayhouses.co.nz
www.holidayhomes.co.nz
www.kiwinests.co.nz
www.inns.co.nz/
www.accommodation-new-zealand.co.nz/
www.placestostay.co.nz/
Upscale
http://www.friars.co.nz/listing.php?p=sti
If you need accommodation recommendations in specific areas, I can probably help with that too.
For Punakaiki/Paparoa National Park:
http://www.accommodationz.co.nz/punakaiki.html
As for your route - how about something like this:
Christchurch to Lake Tekapo - 2:45 (via Hwy 1 & 8)
Lake Tekapo to Catlins - 4-5 hours (via Hwy 8 to Alexandra & Milton then on to the Catlins)
Catlins to Te Anau - 2-3 hours (via Hwy 6 & 94)
Te Anau to Wanaka - 3:25 (via 94 & 6)
Wanaka to glaciers via Haast - 3:35 (via Hwy 6)
Glaciers to Punakaiki/Paparoa - (via Hwy 6) appeox 3 hours
Punakaiki to Arthurs Pass (backtrack to Greymouth via 6 then on over Arthur's Pass) 2 hours
Arthur's Pass to Christchurch
The drive times given are approximate. I used the following distance calculator, but it doesn't list everything, so you might want to verify the drive times, but at least this gives you an idea.
http://www.accommodationz.co.nz/distances2.html
www.cottagestays.co.nz
www.holidayhouses.co.nz
www.holidayhomes.co.nz
www.kiwinests.co.nz
www.inns.co.nz/
www.accommodation-new-zealand.co.nz/
www.placestostay.co.nz/
Upscale
http://www.friars.co.nz/listing.php?p=sti
If you need accommodation recommendations in specific areas, I can probably help with that too.
For Punakaiki/Paparoa National Park:
http://www.accommodationz.co.nz/punakaiki.html
As for your route - how about something like this:
Christchurch to Lake Tekapo - 2:45 (via Hwy 1 & 8)
Lake Tekapo to Catlins - 4-5 hours (via Hwy 8 to Alexandra & Milton then on to the Catlins)
Catlins to Te Anau - 2-3 hours (via Hwy 6 & 94)
Te Anau to Wanaka - 3:25 (via 94 & 6)
Wanaka to glaciers via Haast - 3:35 (via Hwy 6)
Glaciers to Punakaiki/Paparoa - (via Hwy 6) appeox 3 hours
Punakaiki to Arthurs Pass (backtrack to Greymouth via 6 then on over Arthur's Pass) 2 hours
Arthur's Pass to Christchurch
The drive times given are approximate. I used the following distance calculator, but it doesn't list everything, so you might want to verify the drive times, but at least this gives you an idea.
http://www.accommodationz.co.nz/distances2.html
Jul 17th, 2007 | 07:41 AM
#7
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 25,597
Likes: 0
I also found the hostelz.com website useful for evaluating smaller hostels (many of which also have private rooms allow you to cook your own food, which isn't usually allowed in B&Bs).
In Arthur's Pass I loved Mountain House (the cottages). My review is posted in the website.
I traveled last December and the weather was so bad that many travelers were abandoning their plans for camping and were struggling to find inexpensive accommodations at the last minute. Something to keep in mind. Hopefully you will be luckier. In fact I was in Arthurs Pass on Dec 1 and it snowed!
hostelz.com
In Arthur's Pass I loved Mountain House (the cottages). My review is posted in the website.
I traveled last December and the weather was so bad that many travelers were abandoning their plans for camping and were struggling to find inexpensive accommodations at the last minute. Something to keep in mind. Hopefully you will be luckier. In fact I was in Arthurs Pass on Dec 1 and it snowed!
hostelz.com
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Jul 17th, 2007 | 07:53 AM
#8
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