Seeking feedback on NZ itinerary
Aug 29th, 2007, 07:17 AM
#1
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Seeking feedback on NZ itinerary
Hi, all,
Friends are leaving for NZ next month and I wanted to see if you had any thoghts on their planned itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive at Queenstown in the afternoon. Drive to Te Anu and stay overnight
Day 2: Depart Te Anu to Milford. Overnight on the water.
Day 3: Arrive back to Te Anu at 12:45pm. Drive to Queenstown
Day 4: Bunjee jump? Hike? Stay in Wanaka?
Day 5: Drive to Fox/Franz Josef Glacier. Short hike? Overnight at Fox Glacier or Franz Josef Glacier
Day 6: Hike. Overnight at Fox Glacier or Franz Josef Glacier
Day 7: Drive to Arthur's Pass. Short Hike? Stay at Arthur's Pass
Day 8: Drive up to Kaikoura. Stay overnight at Kaikoura.
Day 9: Drive up to Abel Tasman/Marborough Sounds. Stay in Abel Tasman.
Day 10: Sea Kayak/Wineries. Stay in Abel Tasman (or surrounding area)
Day 11: Drive through Lewis Pass. Stay in Lewis Pass or Hanmer Springs
Day 12: Hike in Lewis Pass? Overnight in Christchurch
Day 13: Leave Christchurch early morning for return to US
Thanks so much.
John H.
Friends are leaving for NZ next month and I wanted to see if you had any thoghts on their planned itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive at Queenstown in the afternoon. Drive to Te Anu and stay overnight
Day 2: Depart Te Anu to Milford. Overnight on the water.
Day 3: Arrive back to Te Anu at 12:45pm. Drive to Queenstown
Day 4: Bunjee jump? Hike? Stay in Wanaka?
Day 5: Drive to Fox/Franz Josef Glacier. Short hike? Overnight at Fox Glacier or Franz Josef Glacier
Day 6: Hike. Overnight at Fox Glacier or Franz Josef Glacier
Day 7: Drive to Arthur's Pass. Short Hike? Stay at Arthur's Pass
Day 8: Drive up to Kaikoura. Stay overnight at Kaikoura.
Day 9: Drive up to Abel Tasman/Marborough Sounds. Stay in Abel Tasman.
Day 10: Sea Kayak/Wineries. Stay in Abel Tasman (or surrounding area)
Day 11: Drive through Lewis Pass. Stay in Lewis Pass or Hanmer Springs
Day 12: Hike in Lewis Pass? Overnight in Christchurch
Day 13: Leave Christchurch early morning for return to US
Thanks so much.
John H.
Aug 29th, 2007, 07:51 AM
#2
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Also, any lodging suggestions up to USD120 range would be appreciated. (If you have a suggestion that might be slightly higher (say up to USD150), please feel free to suggest that, as the $120 is a target for average per night lodging costs across the entire trip.
Thanks.
John H
Thanks.
John H
Aug 30th, 2007, 07:12 PM
#4
The first week isn't really that bad. The second week I woud pick EITHER Abel Tasman or Kaikoura, and I wouldn't make any detours to pick up Lewis Pass or Hanmer Springs (although it might work out that they are convenient rest stops).
Aug 30th, 2007, 07:30 PM
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Here's a suggestion -- a more circular route with less driving and better scenery:
Days 7: carry on up the west coast, visiting Pancake Rocks and other scenic coastal spots and continue to Westport.
Day 8: Drive the Buller Gorge (more scenic than Arthur's Pass in my opinion) to Motueka.
Days 9 to whenever: Abel Tasman, Golden Bay etc. then back to ChCh via Picton/Marlborough Sounds, Kaikoura at whatever pace suits you.
Westport is a small town with several motels. There are more rustic places to stop along the road to Buller Gorge.
Days 7: carry on up the west coast, visiting Pancake Rocks and other scenic coastal spots and continue to Westport.
Day 8: Drive the Buller Gorge (more scenic than Arthur's Pass in my opinion) to Motueka.
Days 9 to whenever: Abel Tasman, Golden Bay etc. then back to ChCh via Picton/Marlborough Sounds, Kaikoura at whatever pace suits you.
Westport is a small town with several motels. There are more rustic places to stop along the road to Buller Gorge.
Aug 31st, 2007, 08:45 PM
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Thanks so much for your helpful thoughts. I have not visited the area north of Greymouth/Arthur's Pass/Christchurch, so your input on that part of the itinerary is especially helpful.
John H.
John H.
Sep 1st, 2007, 04:39 AM
#7
A few accommodation/activity suggestions:
We stayed 4 nights at the Lakeside Motel in Te Anau - really nice motel accommodations (all with kitchens, I think). There are two other motels next door to Lakeside - Campbells and Radfords - that looked very nice as well and had wi-fi if that's important to you. We paid approx $120NZ in February so good for your budget.
There's an Italian restaurant on the main street in Te Anau called La Toscana - really good pasta and pizza. Also on the main street are several cafes/bakery cafes/etc - very good looking sandwiches/pastries/etc.
If you go to Wanaka the Mexican Restaurant called Amigos is really good! Also Cafe Gusto at 1 Lakeside serves a terrific breakfast and great coffee.
I highly recommend Kaikoura and the Swimming with Dolphins tour. We stayed at a lovely B&B above Kaikoura (2 minutes drive to "town"
with a magnificent view - the prices range from $160NZ - $200NZ so within your $120US -$200US range
http://www.endeavourheights.co.nz/
Note - one of the 2 rooms has a "private" bathroom which we learned is different from "ensuite" - the bathroom is next to the room and you're on your own floor so it is private. At first that bothered me but it truly was private. The other room is ensuite and very separate from the main house - it's more expensive but still within your budget.
Swimming with Dolphins was a highlight of our trip - here's a link to the company th at organizes it
http://www.dolphin.co.nz/kaikoura/
Other lodging ideas - there is a free guide called "Jasons" (also a website - http://www.jasons.com/) we didn't have many reservations and I used this guide religiously. Our budget was $100CDN/night which was a little light but we were able to stick pretty close to it at very nice motels.
Hope this helps.
We stayed 4 nights at the Lakeside Motel in Te Anau - really nice motel accommodations (all with kitchens, I think). There are two other motels next door to Lakeside - Campbells and Radfords - that looked very nice as well and had wi-fi if that's important to you. We paid approx $120NZ in February so good for your budget.
There's an Italian restaurant on the main street in Te Anau called La Toscana - really good pasta and pizza. Also on the main street are several cafes/bakery cafes/etc - very good looking sandwiches/pastries/etc.
If you go to Wanaka the Mexican Restaurant called Amigos is really good! Also Cafe Gusto at 1 Lakeside serves a terrific breakfast and great coffee.
I highly recommend Kaikoura and the Swimming with Dolphins tour. We stayed at a lovely B&B above Kaikoura (2 minutes drive to "town"
with a magnificent view - the prices range from $160NZ - $200NZ so within your $120US -$200US rangehttp://www.endeavourheights.co.nz/
Note - one of the 2 rooms has a "private" bathroom which we learned is different from "ensuite" - the bathroom is next to the room and you're on your own floor so it is private. At first that bothered me but it truly was private. The other room is ensuite and very separate from the main house - it's more expensive but still within your budget.
Swimming with Dolphins was a highlight of our trip - here's a link to the company th at organizes it
http://www.dolphin.co.nz/kaikoura/
Other lodging ideas - there is a free guide called "Jasons" (also a website - http://www.jasons.com/) we didn't have many reservations and I used this guide religiously. Our budget was $100CDN/night which was a little light but we were able to stick pretty close to it at very nice motels.
Hope this helps.
Sep 1st, 2007, 09:31 AM
#9
Arthur's Pass lodging: Mountain House (the cottages) you can rent the entire self-contained cottage for $120 NZ thru October, more from November onward. These are in the town of Arthur's Pass set back from the main road. One of my favorite finds. Comes with a wood stove in the living room and radiators in the bedrooms.
Oscar Haus (Wobbly Kea) in town was great for dining.
Their website: www.trampers.co.nz
My review: http://www.hostelz.com/hostel/25903-...n-House-Hostel
Oscar Haus (Wobbly Kea) in town was great for dining.
Their website: www.trampers.co.nz
My review: http://www.hostelz.com/hostel/25903-...n-House-Hostel
Sep 5th, 2007, 02:24 AM
#10
Hi John -
Just returned from three wonderful weeks on the SI - just a few comments about your friend's itinerary -
Day 4 - suggest staying in QT - loads to do and they'll no doubt find that one day isn't nearly enough. Wanaka is a 90 minute drive from QT and is also a good option - if they decide to stay there instead, their drive to the glaciers the following day will be shorter.
Days 7-10 are really rushed and there's lot of driving involved. Suggest they give Kaikoura a miss and spend all that time near Abel Tasman and/or Marlborough Sounds.
Abel Tasman and Marlborough Sounds are both wonderful spots with lots to do - I could easily fill a week in each. If they like to hike, they'll want to allow time to do so. If they plan to take water taxis to walk a portion of the Abel Tasman Track, they might want to check the taxi schedules in advance - this will save time fiddling about once they're there.
Hanmer Springs is not that exciting - I've stayed there on three visits, more out of convenience than anything, and personally, I wouldn't suggest it for a first time visitor short on time as there are so many better options IMO.
I second Elizabeth's vote for Amigos in Wanaka - very good. Also, if they like Indian food, they can't pass up Little India with locations in CH, Nelson and QT. I've eaten at all of them numerous times and they're wonderful! Their sister property, Mantra, is also fabulous with locations in CH, Arrowtown and a third spot that escapes me at the moment.
Just returned from three wonderful weeks on the SI - just a few comments about your friend's itinerary -
Day 4 - suggest staying in QT - loads to do and they'll no doubt find that one day isn't nearly enough. Wanaka is a 90 minute drive from QT and is also a good option - if they decide to stay there instead, their drive to the glaciers the following day will be shorter.
Days 7-10 are really rushed and there's lot of driving involved. Suggest they give Kaikoura a miss and spend all that time near Abel Tasman and/or Marlborough Sounds.
Abel Tasman and Marlborough Sounds are both wonderful spots with lots to do - I could easily fill a week in each. If they like to hike, they'll want to allow time to do so. If they plan to take water taxis to walk a portion of the Abel Tasman Track, they might want to check the taxi schedules in advance - this will save time fiddling about once they're there.
Hanmer Springs is not that exciting - I've stayed there on three visits, more out of convenience than anything, and personally, I wouldn't suggest it for a first time visitor short on time as there are so many better options IMO.
I second Elizabeth's vote for Amigos in Wanaka - very good. Also, if they like Indian food, they can't pass up Little India with locations in CH, Nelson and QT. I've eaten at all of them numerous times and they're wonderful! Their sister property, Mantra, is also fabulous with locations in CH, Arrowtown and a third spot that escapes me at the moment.
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