we didnt go 2 years ago, trying to plan again for NZ summer. If we have 18 days including travel does this make sense? Not interested in cities or city activities or queenstown or wildlife. Interested mainly in scenic areas- especially lakes/mountains... and short hikes up to 45 minutes in these places or near it.

Fly into Nelson airport

1. Abel Tasman
2. Nelson Lakes-
3. Paparoa
4. Hokitika
5. Lake Matheson
6. Arthur's Pass- is this worth it? didn't seem scenic when i googled images
7. Lake Tekapo
8. Mount Cook (Lake Pukaki is 30 miles/min away)
9. Milford Sound/Fiordland

Fly from Queenstown