Potential SI itinerary- any tips??
 

My husband and I are planning on going to New Zealand in July/August. We've come up with the following itinerary. We will rent a car. Do you think the timing is ok? Especially considering that we will be there for winter.

Just to let you know, we're in our early 30s, we like to be busy on vacations, and we don't mind driving when there's great scenery.

I know it's early for planning, but I'm already excited. I would appreciate any advice. Thanks!

Day 1
Arrive from LAX into Christchurch in early morning
Drive to Greymouth/Hokitika (3 hrs 50 mins)
Overnight in Greymouth/Hokitika

Day 2
Drive to Fox Glacier (2 hrs 15 mins)
Heli-hike at Fox (11:50 am, 4 hrs)
Overnight in Fox/Franz Josef

Day 3
Drive to Queenstown (5 hrs 25 mins)
Explore Queenstown
Overnight in Queenstown

Day 4
Explore Queenstown
Drive to Te Anau (2 hrs 25 mins)
Overnight in Te Anau

Day 5
Drive to Milford Sound (1 hr 45 mins)
Milford Sound cruise (1 pm, 1 hr 40 mins)
Drive to Te Anau (1 hr 45 mins)
Drive to Queenstown (2 hrs 25 mins)
Overnight in Queenstown

Day 6
Drive to Glenorchy (45 mins)
Explore Glenorchy
Dart River jet boat trip (1 pm, 3 hrs)
Overnight in Glenorchy

Day 7
Drive to Queenstown (45 mins)
Explore Queenstown
Fly to Sydney in afternoon

You are moving way way too quickly. I would just fly in and out of Queenstown and spend all of your time in Queenstown and Fiordland.

Actually, everything from Day 3 on really is concentrated around Queenstown and Fiordland.

So the question is Christchurch and the glaciers, yes or no?

If the weather is forecast fine, go for it. You can certainly do that drive in the time allocated, but I would try to make it to Hokitika or even to the glaciers. Day 3 you'll spend most of the time on the road, if you start to run out of daylight stop in Wanaka instead.

Since you are going off season I would play it by ear for the west coast leg. If the weather is bad, spend a few days in Christchurch, or take the fast route down the east coast to Dunedin, spend a night, then continue on to Queenstown.

You will need to allow for snow and ice so have a backup itinerary.

You're going to be really tired after that long overnight flight. You may not be up for a four hour drive on your day of arrival. IMO it's unsafe for you and other drivers, especially if you're new to driving on the left. And in winter no less.

Keep in mind that the days will be much shorter too.

Is there a reason you plan to stay overnight in Glenorchy? I ask beacause it's a short drive back to Queenstown and there's not much to do in Glenorchy after dark.

Forgot to mention that helihikes are weather dependent and often cancelled, especially during the winter months. If you have your heart set on a helihike, suggest you allow at least two nights at the glaciers to improve your chances. If you're not booking accommodation in advance (and probably no reason to do so in the winter, except in ski areas) you can always move on if your first helihike attempt is successful.

Another thought -

The road to Milford is occasionally closed during the winter due to snow and to allow highway crews to set off avalanches. You'll most likely be required to carry chains, so be sure to check with your rental car agency when you arrive.

Okay, I'll shut up now.

My husband and I just did a similar trip this past August - we are also in our early 30s - and it was FANTASTIC, you're going to have the time of your lives. We had a bit more time than you, and made our way south from Wellington... but once we reached Christchurch our itinerary was very similar to yours. Here is what I would suggest.
Stay in Christchurch upon arrival on Day 1 and check out the town - go to bed early since you will be jet lagged. Wake up very early on Day 2 and take the Tranz-Alpine train from ChCh to Greymouth. It leaves around 8am. Book your car for pick up right there at the train station. Drive from Greymouth to Fox in one afternoon... this is very doable, and we even added a slight diversion North to Punakaiki to see the Pancake Rocks and then continued on to Fox. We arrived just after dark. Stay at the Westhaven www.thewesthaven.co.nz in Fox, it was one of our favorite (and cheap!) place we stayed. Do your heli-hike the next morning on Day 3 (weather is usually best in the AM), I highly recommend the Alpine Guides tour company. This heli-hike was the #1 best experience of our 3 week trip. Relax in the afternoon and evening after your hike. On Day 4, get up early and drive over (5 minutes) to Lake Matheson and walk around the lake to all the scenic viewpoints. The whole walk takes about 1 hour. Then hit the road to drive to Queenstown, you'll arrive in the late afternoon. Check out town and relax. Day 5, I'd suggest doing the Dart River jet boats that morning. The drive to Glenorchy is so quick, and you're done by lunch time and back in Q-town by 1:30 or so. Plenty of time to head up the gondola to the observatory for the gorgeous views, walk around town and shop. Then drive to Te Anau late that afternoon and stay overnight there. Fantastic italian restaurant in Te Anau called La Toscana? Really one of the best meals of our trip, actually. For day 6 I'd highly recommend taking the Real Journeys bus from Te Anau to Milford (Even though you have your own car) b/c the scenery is so gorgeous, you don't want one of you to miss out on the views while driving. The buses are very nice and modern and comfortable and the commentary from the driver is actually really great. Then when you arrive you jump right on the boat, and then afterwards the bus takes you right back to Te Anau. They even pick you up and drop you off at your motel for free. Then drive back to Queenstown and stay overnight to depart on Day 7.

Here are my reasons for this itinerary. Since you will be there in winter, I'd suggest not driving over Arthur's Pass b/c weather can make that tricky, and you just never know. Plus, you'd be doing that while very tired and jet lagged. Best to stay overnight in ChCh and take the relaxing train instead. Then, stay two nights in Fox just in case weather prohibits you from doing the helihike the first morning... you then give yourself that afternoon for a second chance, plus the following morning for the 3rd chance, if needed! And, I'd cut down on time to actually "explore" Queenstown b/c you can really see all there is there in one day. It's a tiny town, with cute shops and tons of restaurants, but town itself is touristy and not so interesting. It's the scenery around town which is fantastic -- so you'll experience the best of that while driving to Glenorchy and also Te Anau. Also, one warning, bundle up for the Dart River tour - and request to sit in the front of the boat next to the driver... less wind b/c you have the windscreen in front of you, and no risk of getting splashed. That tour leaves early in the AM when it is still FRIGID outside -- and I'm from New Hampshire, so I'm pretty used to cold. :)

Your longest days of driving will be between Greymouth and Fox, and also the drive between Fox and Q-town, but both drives are gorgeous and the time will fly by.

So sorry for the long reply, but this leg of our trip was by far my favorite and I have such great memories of it! Enjoy!

Dart River Safaris can pick you up in Queenstown and return you after a half day in Glenorchy. Their tour includes a fun jet boat experience and pretty much all you need to see of the beautiful area around Glenorchy. This was a highlight of my trip, but spending the night there would be a waste of time I think.

I agree with the others who recommend more time on the west coast, esp. around Punakaiki and the Pancake Rocks. This is amazingly beautiful coastline.