Hi All,

My wife and I are travelling to NZ and Australia in February/March 2017. We know what we're doing on the North Island, but the Kaikoura earthquake disrupting the S Island east coast rail line has changed our plans. We'd welcome your advice on the below itinerary which now takes in the west coast instead. We will rent a car one way from Picton to Queenstown.

The only confirmed dates we have are when we will be in Wellington, and when we fly to Sydney from Queenstown. This leaves us with the best part of 8 days to enjoy the west coast.

Thanks in advance!
Tim

FEBRUARY
20 Fly to Wellington from Auckland
21 Wellington
22 Interislander Ferry to Picton, stay in Nelson
23 Abel Tasman kayaking / drive to Westport (anywhere else to stay on route?)
24 Westport to Hokitaka via Punakaiki
25 Hokitaka to Lake Wanaka
26 Wanaka
27 Wanaka to Te Inau
28 Milford Sound cruise / drive to Queenstown
MARCH
01 Fly Queenstown to Sydney

The best part of eight days to enjoy the West Coast?

Hardly. You're trying to fit most of the SI into eight days, not just the West Coast!

The West Coast runs from Karamea to about Haast.

So - one night Nelson, one night Westport, one night Hoki, two nights Wanaka, one night Te Anau, one night Queenstown?

Do you really want to drive almost every day? Have you looked at drive distances and how long it takes to get from Point A to Point B?

Why stay in Nelson if your focus is Abel Tasman? Why not stay closer, say in Marahau or Kaiteriteri or Little Kaiteriteri or even Motueka?

I think you're being very optimistic in planning to visit Abel Tasman AND drive to Westport on the same day. You're looking at about a 3.5 hour drive, without stops from Abel Tasman. This stretch of road is narrow, winding and tiring.

Daylight will be in your favor, but you're still looking at some long days.

Why Westport? If it's just for an overnight, Punakaiki will work too, unless you're looking for some West Coast small town flavor or planning to visit the seal colony. Getting to Westport involves a detour off SH 6.

You could also stay in Murchison - not much there, but there's not much in Punakaiki either, other than Pancake Rocks.

Why Hoki? No interest in the glaciers or just no time?

My suggestion - fly from Auckland to Queenstown and spend your seven days exploring Queentown, Wanaka, Glenorchy, Te Anau and Milford. More seeing, more exploring, much, much less time in the car.

Hi Melnq8

Thanks for your advice. I agree that we are packing in too much, and I've now made some small changes to our itinerary. I would really value your opinion on the updated plan!

We are staying in Nelson with a family friend, and we didn't think the drive was too much to Abel Tasman the following morning.

We recently visited Iceland - so we're all good on the glaciers too!

A huge travel saving to us is to do the short flight and cruise from Wanaka to Milford Sound. We aren't so keen on the activities around Queenstown and would prefer to spend our time in Wanaka. We now have only 2 long drives on the 24th and 25th.

Thanks again,
Tim

FEBRUARY
20 Fly to Wellington from Auckland
21 Wellington
22 Ferry to Picton / stay in Nelson
23 Abel Tasman kayaking / stay in Motueka
24 Motueka to Hokitaka via Punakaiki (long drive)
25 Hokitaka to Lake Wanaka (long drive)
26 Activities in Wanaka
27 Morning flight and cruise to Milford sound / stay in Wanaka
28 Travel to Queenstown for one night
MARCH
01 Fly Queenstown to Sydney

Well, it's a slight improvement, but still very busy. Motueka to Hoki will be a very long day as will Hoki to Wanaka, as you've indicated.

If you're willing to dedicate these days to driving and fight the urge to stop en route to take photos, sightsee and explore waterfalls and walking tracks (a feat of which I'm incapable) it might work.

Your saving grace is the very long daylight hours, but don't underestimate fatigue.

Do take care - focus on the roads, take plenty of breaks, and if at all possible, switch drivers on occasion.

A thought - what time does your flight leave Queenstown? If late in the day, you might not need that night in QT at all, as the airport is about a 90 minute drive from Wanaka give or take. This will save you yet another one night stay.

Hi Melnq8

Thanks again for your advice. Appreciate your tips for the driving as well - we know it's a lot to do in two days and we'll share the driving between us!

Our flight out of Queenstown departs at midday. We didn't want to miss out on visiting the city, so we have booked a hotel near the airport. The intention is to just spend the last evening there for a nice meal, but to have a hotel handily located to leave.

Thanks
Tim