stdevore

We are planning a month long trip in Mar/Apr 2017. Our itinerary looks like this right now for the South Island but I am hoping for some suggestions as there seems to be so much ground to cover. We like active trips with hiking, etc. Anything you suggest is greatly appreciated!!!!

1 night Christchurch
Drive to Mt. Cook - 1 night Mt. Cook Hermitage Hotel
Drive from Mt. Cook to Dunedin - 2 nights Southern Cross Hotel; Monarch Wildlife Cruise & Anarch Castle
Drive to Invercargill then Ferry to Stewart Island - 2 nights Stewart Island Lodge (not sure there is much to do there other than bird watching) so may cut this; is there hiking? wildlife?
Back to S Island & drive to Milford Sound - 2 nights Milford Sound Lodge
Milford Sound to Five Rivers Farmstay 2 nights
Drive to Queenstown - 2 nights at Queenstown House B&B
Drive to Haast Pass then Franz Joseph - 1 night Fraz Josef Westwood Lodge B&B - Heli Hike Tour
Drive to Punakaiki - 2 nights at Wave Watchers Retreat - hiking, knife making, cave rafting
Drive to Westport then Nelson Montueka
3 nights Nelson - Bronte Country Estate B&B - Abel Tasman Park & wineries
Drive to Picton & ferry to N Island

michelhuebeli

You'll have to leave the car in Picton, can't go to the NI, so make sure you book your one-way drop-off accordingly.

deSchenke

>>>You'll have to leave the car in Picton, can't go to the NI, so make sure you book your one-way drop-off accordingly.<<<

Huh?

Not necessarily. Apex and Go Rentals allow their cars on the ferry and with a minimum hire, will pay the fare for the car. Even if you don't use either of these companies, you have a single contract, although you may have two cars (one each island).

Diamantina

Are you accommodations already booked and can they be changed? Because I think you might enjoy an extra day in Mt. Cook Village as you enjoy hiking. Two days also doubles your chances of having good weather, as it can be cloudy/rainy. In addition to the walks, many people, including myself, have also enjoyed the Glacier Explorers tour. Mt. Cook Village is also in NZ's International Dark Sky Reserve and considered a top place for stargazing (due to lack of light pollution). Sounds like you'll be in NZ for the equinox on March 20.
For Mt. Cook Village hikes, see:
http://www.doc.govt.nz/aoraki-walking-tracks
http://www.glacierexplorers.com

Sunrise/sunset times NZ:
http://rasnz.org.nz/in-the-sky/sun-rise-and-set

I live in Dunedin. The Southern Cross Hotel is very nice and in a busy, yet convenient downtown location. It's close to the Octagon (shops, restaurants, I-Site and Dept. of Conservation office, Dunedin Public Art Gallery, Town Hall, St. Paul's Cathedral), Speight's Brewery, Toitu Settlers Museum, the Cadbury Chocolate Factory, the Railway Station. The Otago Museum, Dunedin Botanic Garden, University, Olveston House, and Baldwin Street (world's steepest residential street) are all within a few minutes drive (or longer walk or short bus ride).

If I were visiting Dunedin, my personal preference would be the Hotel St. Clair or The Esplanade Motel, as these both face St. Clair beach (I like ocean views). This area is quieter and more residential but only a 10 minute drive from the Octagon (or a 15 minute bus ride). it's also close to Tunnel Beach track, other city beaches and the Otago Peninsula.

Stewart Island is a birder's destination, no doubt about it. You can do pelagic bird cruises, kiwi spotting tours, visit Ulva Island, a predator-free wildlife sanctuary (but the main attraction is birds), and see Little Blue Penguins on the waterfront in Oban.

But there are also many great, short walking tracks around Oban and on Ulva Island. The area is still home to lush and dense native flora (such as podocarp forests and huge tree ferns). For info on walks, see:
http://www.doc.govt.nz/Documents/par...s-brochure.pdf
http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-rec...alking-tracks/

Of course, the most famous walk is the multi-day Rakiura Track, which is one of NZ's "Great Walks." It's possible to do a day hike on the track:
http://www.ruggedyrange.com/guided-w...highlights.htm

About NZ wildlife. Maybe it's helpful to understand that before the arrival of humans c. ad 1280 -1300 (the date of first human arrival and settlement is still debated), NZ was a land of birds and reptiles, with the only land-based mammals being three bats. Of course, it's beaches and waters were, and are, home to marine mammals. Critically endangered NZ Sea Lions breed around Stewart Island:
http://www.doc.govt.nz/sealion

Sea lions can also be seen around Dunedin (but possibly not on the Monarch Cruise, I've taken it three or four times, and have seen many fur seals and seabirds but sea lions are more easily seen resting on local beaches). Sea lions can also be seen on beaches along the Catlins, which is a lovely area you could consider visiting if you skip Stewart island.

According to the AA Drive distance calculator it'll take you about 4 hours to drive from Bluff to Milford Sound Lodge, but, actually, it will take much longer as you'll want to stop along Milford Road at the very least. Two nights seems like one too many to me, but maybe you have something special planned? I've not stayed there (though considered it until i read about the sandflies). Sandflies are not active at night and during the day they're slow, so if you keep moving, you should be okay.

ElendiPickle (Lee Ann) stayed there last year, so maybe you'd like to look at her trip report:
http://www.fodors.com/community/aust...-june-2016.cfm

Diamantina

Sorry for the typo. I meant "your" accommodations!

ElendilPickle

Thanks, Diamantina. I was just going to say that you only need one night at Milford Sound Lodge. If they're offering the "bed and boat" package, I recommend it. https://www.milfordlodge.com/milford...d-boat-package

Lee Ann