Please help create an itinerary in NZ's SI
 

Hi All,

A family of 4 (with 2 small kids: 3 and 5) will be flying into Queenstown in mid-November this year and flying out of Christchurch 8 days later. We'd like to see the best of what the South Island can offer, but don't know where to start. I began researching, but my head started spinning as I seem to want to do everything in no time.

I would very much appreciate if someone could help out by suggesting a family-friendly itinerary.

Many thanks!!!

8 days is too short so there is no way to see it all! Decide on some priorities and the limits of your kids. Car travel here can be pretty tedious - lots of bends and winding roads leading to car sickness.
Where are you coming from? Do you and the kids need time to get over jet lag?
Day 1 Queenstown -recover from jet lag, gondola trip
Day 2 Queenstown Walter Peak farm on the Earnslaw or Mt Nicholas sheep station
Day 3 Arrowtown and jet boat ride
Day 4 Mt Cook
Day 5 Mt Cook
Day 6 Christchurch
Day 7 Christchurch
Day 8 fly home
There's no time for the West Coast with this trip. You could consider Milford Sound if you went to Te Anau for 2 nights but then you would have to cut something else out.

Thanks so much, Tasmangirl!

We are flying in from Sydney, so should hopefully not experience jetlag. The kids are normally ok with travelling by car, and are quite adventurous. Understand that it is a bit of a stretch though.

We are mainly interested in nature, mountains, lakes, scenic drives. :)

We started in Christchurch, took the Alpine Train to Greymouth, and drove the coast to Queenstown. In less time than you have. Great trip.
Peaks Farm would be great for your kids. The town itself is fun. Save time by taking the helicopter to the Fjord.

tasmangirl has suggested a good family friendly itinerary.

There is enough in/around Queenstown to fill your entire holiday, but if you want to see some of the island, taking the inland route (via Mt Cook) is a lot more doable than attempting the West Coast route, which is longer, more winding and tiresome (and can be very wet).

The only tweak I'd make would be to add a couple nights in Wanaka in between Queenstown and Mt Cook, and give those days in Christchurch a pass. It's a city, and while a nice one, the best of the SI is well outside the cities IMO.

Or, if your flight into QT arrives early in the day, you might consider picking up a rental car at the airport and heading directly to Te Anau (two hour drive), spend your first night there, allocate the next full day to exploring Milford Sound and Milford Road, spend that second night in Te Anau, and then head to Queenstown on the third day.

Then perhaps spend 2-3 nights in Queenstown, and then head up towards Christchurch via Wanaka and Mt Cook.

If you're determined to see the West Coast, you could do something like this:

Arrive QT - drive to Te Anau - two nights (assuming your flight into QT arrives at a decent time

Drive Te Anau to Queenstown - 2-3 nights

Drive Queenstown to Fox Glacier or Franz Josef (very long drive day - allow 7-8 hours - two nights glaciers, which will give you one full day to explore

Drive glaciers to Christchurch via Greymouth and Arthur's Pass - allow 6-7 hours for this too - lots to reasons to stop along the way

Overnight Christchurch before your return flight

Wow, this is fantastic! Thank you all for such helpful advice.

I'll look into each of the recommendations and book accordingly. Will probably leave the West Coast for another holiday.

I'll run it past you once I figure it out! THANK YOU! :)

The Wanaka tweak is a great idea - probably better than Christchurch.
When in Christchurch try and get the kids to the Margaret Mahy playground. She was NZ's most famous author of kids books.

Thanks, tasmangirl, I really do like that idea too.

Here's my first attempt (turns out it's 9 nights):

Day 1: Arrive to Queenstown & drive to Te Anau (2 hours)
Day 2: Milford Sound & Milford Road
Day 3: Drive (2 hours) + Trip to Gondola
Day 4: Walter Peak farm & Arrowtown
Day 5: Drive (1 hour) to Wanaka
Day 6: Wanaka
Day 7: Drive (2 hours) + Mt Cook
Day 8: Mt Cook
Day 9: Drive (4 hours) + Christchurch
Day 10: Depart from Christchurch

Could you please let me know if anything jumps out as illogical?

Looks good to me!