We are from US, retired (I’m 72, active, but with a somewhat weak knee, wife 66 very active), arriving Christchurch from SFO at 8:30 am on 11/8, departing for Cairns 8 am on 11/19. Arriving Cairns 1 pm on 11/19, leaving for SFO via AKL at 10:30 am on 11/24.

I found this NZ South Island itinerary, posted by melnq8 to jonniew on 6/24. It looks like a good one for us, but I have some questions below it.

Day 1- Arrive Christchurch 8:30 am, overnight CHC

Day 2 - Explore Christchurch and environs, overnight CHC

Day 3 - Drive from CHC to Franz Josef or Fox Glaciers via Arthurs Pass, overnight Franz or Fox

Day 4 - Explore glaciers, overnight Franz or Fox

Day 5 - Drive from Franz/Fox to Wanaka, overnight in Wanaka

Day 6 - Drive from Wanaka to Te Anau, overnight Te Anau

Day 7 - Explore Milford Sound, walks, etc - overnight Te Anau

Day 8 - Drive to Queenstown (two hours from Te Anau) Explore QT

Day 9 – Queenstown, overnight QT

Day 10 - Queenstown area

Day 11 - Drive QT to CHC for onward flight, overnight CHC

QUESTIONS:

1. Any comments on the above that would use the time better? I would like to know the best walks to take that won’t tax my knee too much (I don’t use a cane, but my knee hurts some after a lot of activity).
2. Catlins vs. glaciers/Arthurs Pass – I was truly struck by melnq8’s latest trip report through SI, with several days in the Catlins. Can anyone give us insight to help us decide whether to drop the glaciers/pass route in favor of some days in the Catlins?
3. Rental car – I found a Corolla at APEX for the 11 days for 478 NZD, but then I found a Backpacker Compact Car for 286 NZD. Anyone have experience/comments on Backpacker vs. APEX?
4. Cairns – I will post on the Australia forum too, but we got a deal for a stopover at essentially no extra cost, so we opted for Cairns -- arriving 1 pm on 11/19, leaving for home at 10:30 am on 11/24. We have dive cards (but haven't gone for many years, so we need to take some refresher dives and updating). We want to dive the Great Barrier Reef. Any other interesting things around Cairns to see in the 4.5 days we are there?

Thanks very much!

Orion Wood

Hi Orion -

The itinerary I posted for Jonniew was an attempt to fit in as many sights as possible in the time frame she/he had to visit the SI, yet not rush through at a crazed pace and limit the amount of daily driving.

Many visitors to the SI have the glaciers, Milford Sound and Queenstown on their 'to see' list and there are only so many ways to fit all of these into a trip of 8-12 days.

If you're more interested in the Catlins, I suggest you drive from Christchurch down south via Dunedin and Balcultha, and then work your way back up as we did in March (this is the trip report you referred to).

You might consider ending your trip in Queenstown and flying back to Christchurch to bypass the long drive back and allow more time exploring the areas down south.

Be sure to allow plenty of time to see the Catlins - there's quite a bit to do if you enjoy beaches, walks and peace and quiet, but the distances between attractions are longer than one would expect.

I have a load of walk suggestions for many parts of the SI - I'd be happy to post some once you finese your itinerary.

As far as choosing between the Catlins and the West Coast - both are gorgeous and have their own charms - the West Coast is by far more popular with visitors and easier to get to, but the seclusion of the Catlins is part of its charm (for me anyway).

Both areas are unspoiled, wild and worth in-depth exploration.

I love both areas and would be hard pressed to recommend one over the other for a first time visitor.

It really boils down to you and what you're most interested in seeing.

Take the overnight cruise on doubtful sound.

melnq8 and johhj_au,

Thanks so much for your comments.

As to the car rental and Cairns questions, any thoughts?

Orion

We used APEX on our last trip and would use them again. Sorry, no experience with Backpacker - would you happen to know if they're in anyway related to Wicked? I saw their vehicles all over the SI in March.

Answered my own question - they're unrelated.

Hi there

I'm a New Zealander (from Wellington but lived and travelled South Island for about 8 years). The South Island itinerary suggestion looks great and allows you to fit in much of the best scenery in the South Island. It would be lovely if you could fit in both the West Coast and Catlins (and even Stewart Island which personally I love, with it's remoteness, nice walks, tranquility ... aah), but of course time does not often allow people the luxury of choice. Given the choice of the best to see in limited time, the itinerary suggested by Melnq8 would be good for you.

Regarding diving on Great Barrier Reef, my husband and I have just returned from a 5 day liveaboard diving trip which was fantastic (made even more fabulous by several encounters with Minke Whales as June-July is the season to see them there). We were a bit apprehensive initially because we're fairly new to diving (just got our certification in February), but the boat had plenty of instructors and guides available for anyone who wished. We did our first 2 dives with guides but after that we had gained enough confidence to dive without an instructor. We had such a good time, amazing food (and heaps of choice/quantity), with a great balance of professionalism and fun atmosphere. Age ranges on board were from about 17 to 60's, with 27 'clients' and about 8 crew. If you'd like to know the boat we took please let me know and I'll post it on here so you can contact them.

Have a great time!

Cheers, Chrissie

I think if I had a bad knee, I wouldn't mind giving the West Coast a miss for the Catlins.

Almost every hike we did in the glaciers or the mountains involved inclines that would have been difficult, particularly the coming DOWN the hill, with a "trick" knee.

There is also the rain and humidity factor, which would be painful if your knee doesn't like high humidity.

In the Catlins, you can stroll along at your own pace while your wife goes at hers and yet is always in sight of you. I know that's what I would want if the pain became too great and you had to rest.

If you've been to the Rockies and particularly Glacier and the Northwest Coast in the States, it won't be too much of a loss, especially given the tour busses you won't be seeing.

I hope you have a wonderful trip.

What good insights you all have given us! Thanks!

And Chrissie, I would love to know the company you went with. We may spend a couple of days on the reef and also visit the rainforest. Did you ever visit the rainforest near Cairns?

And kimbobb, I will be working on my knee until leaving. (It is not really the knee, but some pain in one of the calf muscles outside and just below my right knee. If I cannot resolve it in the next few months, your Catlin suggestion is a very good one. Thanks!)

Orion