Well, that's interesting, thanks for posting the link mlgb. I just assumed crellston had it confused with something else, I had no idea there were two!

😂I am easily confused!

Bizzarely , we have been to both. Not keen on Queenstown we have stayed at a few permitted freedom camping spots along the lake. 29 mile, 27 mile etc. on our last visit we took a drive around to that Kinloch to have a look. We didn’t stay there before heading to “Paradise” location for the eponymous TV series. A stunning part of the SI!

You've gotten excellent advice. I want to suggest two links that might come in handy for your trip.
This is the NZ transport Agency's page for current road conditions: https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/highway-conditions/
And before you continue south down the West Coast beyond Greymouth, check the Wanaka app.
https://wanakaapp.nz/reports/roads?i...52b5002b03432d
As you can see from the above links, vehicles are being escorted through Haast Pass due to the slip caused by recent heavy rains. The road will be repaired soon (unless there's another storm), but this stretch of road can be problemmatic and it might happen again, possibly during your visit. mlgb significantly noted that El Niño, which is expected to bring more rain to the NZ's West Coast, could impact your trip. Chances are all will go as planned, that bad weather will not affect your planned route, but it's good you've already thought about your "Plan B".
Unsettled weather is unpredictable and changes a lot. A couple of weeks ago, here in Dunedin, the weather reached 25.5C (nearly 78F), the next day the high was 10C (50F). The weather can change very quickly. What starts out as brilliantly sunny day, could then start to pour. It's important to check that weather link mlgb gave you. Their two-day forecast is fairly reliable.

It's truly awe-inspiring how quickly weather can change. Rule #1 is to always bring the rain jacket/pocket umbrella with you when you set out on a hike, no matter how sunny it is when you start out.

On the first afternoon I arrived, we got caught out across the street from our Auckland hotel, my friend's husband was watching us and laughing. We had to hole up on the veranda of the cafe at the Parnell Rose Garden.

On my last day walking from the luggage lockers at Auckland Airport to the international terminal, I got dowsed when it opened up at a gap in the covered walkway, even though I had my umbrella up and I was running, my bag still got soaked.

Bump... booking up final campgrounds now (yes I've left it very late but I promise 90% is booked) do people recommend staying at Kaiteriteri or Marahau for access to Abel Tasman Tasman Park? Will likely need a powered site for these 2 nights.
Undecided if we will get a kayak/water taxi or just explore from base, will likely see what the weather is like slightly closer to the time before booking.

Diamantina, great thanks for those links, will get the app downloaded now!

The first time in Abel Tasman we stayed at a powered site in Kaiteriteri but wished we hadn't! The owner was the most unpleasant individual we came across in all our visits to New Zealand! Apart from that, it was very convenient for the boat trip up the coast. They dropped us off at one bay and we hiked back to another where they picked us up - some photos @ https://accidentalnomads.com/2015/08...national-park/ .

Another time we drove up over Takata Hill to Totanarui which is a fantastic site right at the northern tip of the park. Apparently it is the most popular DOC site in which to spend Xmas in New Zealand. Its a long way though.

Haven't been to Marahau but wonder whether the extra distance would be wot the effort?

I just noticed this recent article in the NZ Herald:
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/travel/so...MLC2YYHGXF4Q4/