Hi all



First time visitor to New Zealand this October. I’m hearing spring is a nice time to be there, and hopefully it isn’t too wet. Ideally would have liked to be there later in the year but timing wise, this is really the best for us.



We are planning a 2 week drive with a toddler (below 2 years), so we don’t want to keep it too intense but don’t want to miss out of all of the highlights a well. We will have 14 nights in the South Island — where we fly into Christchurch, and will fly out of, ending the trip with 2 nights in Auckland (for food/shopping/city life).



The plan is to drive the entire trip while staying at hotels or air b&bs -- so 1 room for 2 adults and a toddler.



We plan to bring/carry the toddler while on hikes and we would like to involve some hiking but nothing super intense of streneous.



I have a few questions on my itinerary, where I am quite unsure how to plan for the most efficient schedule and hope i could leverage on some expert advice from those here who have done it before.



Here is a rough outline of my itinerary thus far:



Day 1 - Christchurch - Land Chirstchurch around noon, take it easy/explore city/visit Orana wildlife park/shopping



Day 2 - Twizel/Lake Tekapo - 3 hours drive from morning — We head off for Lake Tekapo (but also considering this city called Twizel that would be inbetween Lake Tekapo and Wanaka; also heard it is cheaper there?)



Day 3 - Twizel/Lake Tekapo - Church of Good Shepard/hot springs



Day 4 - Twizel/Lake Tekapo - Mount Cook/Lake Pukaki



Day 5 - Wanaka — Drive Lake Tekapo to Lake Ruataniwha, Ruataniwah to Lindis Pass Viewpoint, then end up at Wanaka for dinner



Day 6 - Wanaka - Explore city? Take it easy?



Day 7 - Queenstown - Drive from Wanaka to Queenstown in morning (70 mins)



Day 8 - Queenstown - Glenorchy Day Trip



Day 9 - Queenstown - Te Anau (Day Trip…?)



Day 10 - Queenstown - Milford Sound (Day Trip?)



Day 11 - Fox Glacier - Take break at Wanaka? Should I visit Wanaka on the way up instead then since I’m going to pass it.



Day 12 - Franz Joseph - Is this place toddler friendly if I skip the helicopter flight?



Day 13 - Franz Joseph - Glacier Hike/Sentinel Rockwalk/Peter’s pool



Day 14 - Christchurch



Day 15 - Fly to Auckland



Questions:

1) How do people usually do Lake Tekapo area efficiently along with Mount Cook? I guess that would be the next destination out of Christchurch. Do people use it as a base and do day trips to Mount Cook? What are the thoughts on Twizel as a base?



2 )Should I skip Wanaka FIRST, then come back on the way up towards the north of South Island, or visit it first to break up my drive? Just want to hear thoughts on this given it COULD possibly work both ways.



3 )The sites around the vicinity of Queenstown are not too far of a drive away, which makes sense to do day trips, but I’ve heard thoughts from people who say not to do that because it involves a lot of backtracking and its easier to do 1 nights at each spot. I want to visit Milford Sound, Te Anau, Glenorchy and other main attractions but not sure how I should structure these 3-4 nights in the most efficient manner. What would be the most sound thing to do?



4) Would you recommend taking the Milford Sound cruise as a way to spend a night back to Queenstown?



5 )Is Franz Joseph worth going while with a toddler? I heard quite a few of the activities would be off limits.



6) Happy to hear overall thoughts from people who have travelled with toddlers; whether I’m missing out on any key places or if my plans are too optimistic given I have a kid with me.



Thank you all!

Day 9 - Queenstown - Te Anau (Day Trip…?)

Day 10 - Queenstown - Milford Sound (Day Trip?)

You'll be driving the same route twice if you do this. Suggest you drive to Te Anau, spend a night or two, and then make the day trip to Milford. Keep in mind if you only spend one night in Te Anau, that you will have a four hour drive back to Queenstown from Milford, so a very long day. I highly recommend two nights in Te Anau, which will allow a leisurely day trip to Milford.

Better yet, drive from Wanaka to Te Anau, spend two nights, see Milford on your full day, and then drive to QT for your stay there after a second overnight in Te Anau.

The drive from Milford to Fox Glacier is well over eight hours, more with stops. Don't attempt this. If you drive from QT, you're looking at more like 5-6 hours with stops.

How do people usually do Lake Tekapo area efficiently along with Mount Cook? I guess that would be the next destination out of Christchurch. Do people use it as a base and do day trips to Mount Cook? What are the thoughts on Twizel as a base?

Lake Tekapo and Mt Cook can be combined in the same day...not a whole lot to see in Tekapo and it's just over an hour to Mt Cook. Many people base in Mt Cook for a few nights, others visit as a day trip from Tekapo or Twizel. Many people base in Twizel when the lodging is full in Mt Cook, as it's quite limited (and can be expensive). Note that Twizel is a town of about 1,600.

The sites around the vicinity of Queenstown are not too far of a drive away, which makes sense to do day trips, but I’ve heard thoughts from people who say not to do that because it involves a lot of backtracking and its easier to do 1 nights at each spot. I want to visit Milford Sound, Te Anau, Glenorchy and other main attractions but not sure how I should structure these 3-4 nights in the most efficient manner. What would be the most sound thing to do?

Glenorchy, Arrowtown and Cromwell are easy day trips from QT. Milford is not. Many people will make the long slog to Milford from QT by bus, but it's a very long day, and you'll be limited to a few stops on the bus route.

I much prefer spending a few nights in Te Anau and then self-driving (picking up the QT bus when it stops in Te Anau is also an option) and dedicating the whole day to Milford (Milford Road is the highlight and there are many gorgeous hikes and walks that you'll miss out on if you take the bus).

Would you recommend taking the Milford Sound cruise as a way to spend a night back to Queenstown?

I don't understand the question. Both the day cruise and the overnight leave and return to Milford.

Can't help with the toddler, but be aware that NZ involves a lot of time on the road...that's a lot of time in a car with a potentially tired and cranky toddler.

PS - don't believe the drive distance calculators - add more time.

So should I drive from Twizel to Te Anau straight -- about 4 hours 30 minutes, or Twizel to QTN (2 hours 30 minutes)?

If I did it this way, is it more efficient? Or am I spending too much time in this region?

• Day 6 - Queenstown - Day trip to Glenorchy? Can go skyline gondola at night
• Day 7 - Queenstown - Explore town; hot springs
• Day 8 - Te Anau - Glowworm caves; do 1 of the great walks
• Day 9 - Te Anau - Milford Sound Day Trip (Cruise); rest when back and prepare to leave next day
• Day 10 - Wanaka - After breakfast: drive to Wanaka from Te Anau (via Arrowtown), Wanaka Tree, Lake Wanaka, Wanaka Lavender farm, Lindis Valley
• Day 11 - Wanaka - Drive to Franz Joseph

So I'm thinking of this now --- from CHC (leaving at 10am) we get to Lake Tekapo (via Geraldine for lunch to break up the drive). The drive is 2 hours from CHC-Geraldine, an 1 hour from there to Lake Tekapo. That should leave us the entire afternoon for the key sights at Lake Tekapo (Lupin Fields, Church of Good Shepard, Tekapo Summit Viewpoint -- anything else notable?). Planning to spend 1 night in Mt Cook (for chance at Southern Lights) then the next 2 nights at Twizel before we head further South. So total 3 night:

• Day 3 - Spend night in Mt Cook - breakfast; tire toddler out until 1000hrs then drive to Geraldine for lunch then head to Lake Tekapo (Lupin Fields, Church of Good Shepard, Tekapo Summit Viewpoint), drive to Mt Cook for the night (because of sunset scenery/sunrise/Southern Lights)
• Day 4 - Spend night in Twizel - Spend day in Mt Cook area (Hooker Valley Track/Kea Point, Tasman Lake, Tasman Glacier) before heading to Twizel down to spend night
• Day 5 - Spend night in Twizel - Lake Pukaki, Lake Ruataniwha then drive to Queenstown (QTN) for dinner (skipping Wanaka first)

Or am I spending too much time in this region?

Not possible.

More later.

Do you think I should do 3 nights Queenstown, 2 nights Te Anau, 2 nights Wanaka or is that too long?

Not too long at all. Your two nights at Te Anau will be taken up with a trip to Milford Sound. Plenty to do in and around Queenstown which will easily fill in that time. Wanaka is a lovely town in a great location and I'm sure you will enjoy that time there.

One night in Dunedin makes sense as a convenient ovenight stop between Te Anau and Oamaru. If you would like to do a little sightseeing in Dunedin, I suggest you leave Te Anau early, 8 to 9 a.m. (sun rises around 6 a.m. and sets around 9 p.m. in November).This will give you enough time to see a couple of Dunedin attractions as well as take a break along the way.

Gore, a small town about mid-way between Te Anau and Dunedin, would be a good place for a break. It has public restrooms, supermarkets, restaurants, a public botanic garden, a small but nice public art gallery (free admission), and the Hokonui Moonshine Museum, which, obviously, would not be so interesting for a 3.5 year old. I suggest just a brief stop in Gore because Dunedin is bigger, thus with far more attractions for your family.

If you are not interested in sightseeing in Dunedin, then consider taking part of the Southern Scenic Route with a detour to Nugget Point Lighthouse in the North Catlins. It's a short walk to the Nuggets, about 10 minutes each way. Does your daughter enjoy walking? This is one of the most striking sights along the southern east coast of the South Island. Only go here if the weather is fine, not if it's wet or windy. You can check the forecast on Metservice. The Southern Scenic Route from Nugget Point to Dunedin will take around 90 minutes.

Though Dunedin is one of the least rainiest towns in NZ, November is one of our wettest months, when it's windy, cloudy or wet about half the time. Even on a brilliantly sunny day, wind chill can bring mild disappointment. Please pack wind and water-proof jackets for this time of year--and not just for Dunedin.

What follows are suggestions for a few indoor and outdoor attractions, one or two of which you can explore during your one afternoon here, if this is what you decide you want to do..I'm not going to mention attractions that can't be done or visited in the short time you have or might not be as doable for a 3.5 year old, such as Tunnel Beach.

I'll optimistically start with outdoor, good weather suggestions. If the weather is fine, visit the Dunedin Botanic Garden (free admission). The lower garden has a duck pond (the visitor centre provides free bird food pellets), while the upper garden has an aviary with many colorful birds — "Sid", the Australian Sulfur Crested cockatoo, might even speak to you (though he has a limited vocabulary). NZ's oldest public garden (founded in 1863) is beautiful, with its rhododendrons being of particular significance. These peak in October, but some should be in bloom in November. If you don't feel like walking, shuttles service both the upper and lower gardens (small fee). On a clear day, don't miss the view from the Mediterranean Terrace.



Mediterranean Terrace, surrounded by many plants from the Mediterranean.


Duck Pond, probably in late winter/early spring.


Parrot in the aviary.


Lower botanic garden on a shady afternoon, rhododendrons on the right. Probably late winter/early spring.

Baldwin Street, the world's steepest street (or one of the world's two steepest streets) is close to the Botanic Garden — your daughter might be a little too young to enjoy it, but you may be curious to see it.

Dunedin is known as NZ's wildlife capital beause it's home to little blue penguins, yellow-eyed penguins, fur seals, NZ sea lions (world's rarest sea lion), Northern Royal albatrosses, and an abundance of sea and land birds. The best way to see some of these animals is to drive out to Dunedin's Otago Peninsula. At the end of the peninsula, Taiaroa Head is home to the Royal Albatross Colony, the Southern Hemisphere's only mainland albatross colony. These endangered birds generally breed on NZ's more remote Chatham Islands, but in 1938 the first albatross fledgling hatched on Taiaroa Head, which looks like an island as it's on the tip of a peninsula The Dunedin colony is small, but it's a privilege to see these birds with their magnificent wing spans flying overhead from land. You must pay to tour the Royal Albatross Centre, which allows for a closer viewing of albatross nests. Older kids would enjoy this tour, but because your daughter is so young, she might not yet be able to fully appreciate it to make it worth the expense. Luckily, you can still see albatrosses flying overhead from outside the Centre for free. The views are stunning from this headland, but only if the weather is fine.



Taiaroa Head lookout.


Albatross flying above the Royal Albatross Centre

Link to Department of Conservation Royal Albatross webcam.

FYI: Tairoa Head also has a Little Blue Penguin colony at Pilots Beach In your case, Oamaru is better because its colony is right in town (next to the historic Victorian Precinct), has seating, and has a much larger penguin population. I also remember a room where you can look into a few nests (through glass), but it's been years since I've been there. If you get there before dark, you'll probably see fur seals. Oamaru also has the largest Otago shag colony, though numbers have been decreasing. These rare birds can also be seen around Dunedin and all along the Otago coast. They build distinctive "pedestal" nests.

Another way of seeing the Northern Royal Albatross, fur seals, and many other seabirds is by taking the Monarch Cruise, which sails around Taiaroa Head and, if conditions are favorable, beyond. Kids seem to really enjoy it.

Northern Royal albatross as seen from the Monarch Cruise.


A good place for seeing NZ sea lions is Allans Beach, which is also on the Otago Peninsula and not far from Taiaroa Head. However, like Taiaroa Head, this long, gorgeous beach is often windy in November. I only visit when it's sunny, clear and when winds are mild. Sandfly Bay is also good for spotting NZ sea lions, but requires walking down steep sand dunes. All beaches are best visited at low tide.

The organization Wild Dunedin offers advice for viewing NZ sea lions:"Whenever you see fur seals, sea lions or leopard seals at the beach, you should stay at least 10 metres away from them. But if the sea lion is on the move, then keep 20 metres away, and if you encounter one in the water, stay calm, move slowly away and don’t engage with it."


NZ sea lions playing in the surf at Allans Beach. Most can be found taking a much-needed nap on the sand,

NZ fur seal dozing on the rocks at Allans Beach. The fur seals prefer to nap on rocks at the shoreline. It's unusual to see them napping on the sand.

Fur seal swimming the bull kelp at Allans Beach. Unlike the NZ sea lions, they have pointy noses and whiskers. They are also smaller than sea lions.

Indoor attractions include the Otago Museum, which offers a planetarium and a kid "discovery" science center that includes an indoor tropical forest and butterfly garden. General admission to the museum is free, but you must pay admission to the planetarium and kid's science center. The free exhibitions might also interest you, especially the Southern Lands, Southern Peoples, Nature, and Animal Attic galleries (lots of taxidermy, and whale and rare moa skeletons). This museum is across from NZ's oldest university.

Toitu Museum, which tells the story ot the region's first settlers to its latest immigrants, has many interactive displays that kids enjoy, that they can touch and climb into, such as a vintage trolley car, a fire engine, a police car, and as lifesize replica of an Immigrant sailing ship's steerage. The grand lobby has a nice cafe, gift shop and steam locomotive. Admission is free.

On weekends, there are usually free activities for kids at both the above museums.

Toitu Museum is next door to the Dunedin Railway Station, NZ's most photographed building, which on Saturday mornings hosts a lively farmers' market.If you come to Dunedin, don't miss seeing the Railway Station..h

In addition to its wildlife, Dunedin is known for its heritage architecture. You find many attractive old buildings--as well as colorful murals and street art--in the city centre near the Railway Station and the Octagon, which is just three short blocks from the Railway Station. If you'd like to see some unique stained glass windows featuring local wildlife, pop into the Octagon's St. Paul's Anglican Cathedral. For more information about Dunedin and coastal Otago, visit the Dunedin-Site Tourism Info Centre at the Octagon.

If the weather is fine, you can enjoy the area's many fine beaches, which are good for walking at this time of year, and playgrounds. St. Clair is the most popular one and only a 12 minute drive from the city centre. At St. Clair beach, you'ff find the Esplanade, an oceanfront street with restaurants, accommodation, a playground, and a public swimming pool with a toddlers pool heated to 86F. The sunrises from the beach are gorgeous (unless the weather is cloudy or rainy, in which case you can't see anything except wild waves).

If the weather is truly awful, the Reading Cinema at the Octagon, and Rialto Cinema, one block from the Octagon, usually screen the latest released kids' films.

Between Dunedin and Oamaru, you might want to stop at the Moeraki Boulders.

In addition to its penguin and fur seal colonies, Oamaru also has a pretty public botanic garden, a Sunday morning farmers' market, Whitestone Cheese Factory. On Nov. 17, they hold the Victorian Fete. Oamaru has a beautiful preserved Victorian precinct.

More suggestions on Dunedin's best attractions for kids. Note Penguin Place was sold to new owners and is now called OPERA.

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Oops. My above post was meant for "venkatsrinivasan", who will be passing through Dunedin. I was having lots of trouble posting (my laptop is on its last legs), and somehow mixed your inquiry up with his or hers, as you're both going to the South Island for 14 days and your threads were adjacent on the screeen. So sorry, I wish I knew how to move my posting!

If you are planning a 2 week New Zealand itinerary and prefer a relaxed pace while still seeing all the highlights, please refer to the attached file (or download the link 14 Day New Zealand Road Trip). This PowerPoint presentation contains tips on what to see and do during your trip to New Zealand.