Proposed itinerary follows. The two goals are 2 nights at these locales: West Coast, Queenstown, Catlins and to avoid day-long drives.

1) Is the Punakiki area worth 2 nights, or should save one night for another area?
2) Any recommendations for where to stay overnight between Dunedin and Christchurch?

Mar 11 Fri - Depart LAX
Mar 12 Sat - Twilight Zone
Mar 13 Sun - Arrive Christchurch. Overnight at Arthur's Pass area.
Mar 14 Mon - Punakiki
Mar 15 Tue - Punakiki
Mar 16 Wed - Haast area (Drive break)
Mar 17 Thu - Queenstown
Mar 18 Fri - Queenstown
Mar 19 Sat - Drive to Manapouri (Doubtful Sound overnight cruise)
Mar 20 Sun - After return from cruise, drive to Catlins
Mar 21 Mon - Catlins
Mar 22 Tue - Dunedin area
Mar 23 Wed - Between Dunedin and Christchurch (Drive Break)
Mar 24 Thu - Christchurch near Airport
Mar 25 Fri - Fly home from Christchurch

Thanks,
Jeff

I think the trip with a few exceptions is very fast paced. Have you though about what you are going to be doing and how much time you may want to do it? Do you want to hike? Just look at scenery? Wine tasting?

I would take a shot at plotting out activities and drive time, not just place names.

1) Yes, well worth two or even three nights, but only if you plan to hike. Lots of nice trails in/around Punakaiki, but not much else.

2) Geraldine or Fairlie, although a bit of a detour. Oamaru makes a good overnight stop with the added bonus of penguin viewing. Do be aware that the east coast of the SI is the least scenic of the entire island - the drive from Dunedin to Christchurch isn't very pretty, the drive from Oamaru to Christchurch is almost unpleasant - industrial, flat, busy with local traffic, etc.

I suggest overnighting in Franz Josef or Fox Glacier instead of Haast. Haast is basically a spot on the road. At least at the glaciers you can do a few things in the little time you'll have there. Stopping at the glaciers will make your drive to Queenstown the following day a longer drive, which I assume you're trying to avoid by stopping in Haast.

With your current itinerary I see 1/2 day in Arthurs Pass (probably jetlagged), 1-1/2 days in Punakaiki, a few hours in Haast, 1-1/2 days in Queenstown, an overnight cruise, 1-1/2 days in the Catlins, 3/4 of a day in Dunedin, a mystery overnight and a day in Christchurch. Is that really what you're after?

Thanks for the replies. I guess when it that way, it's a bit too ambitious.

What we'd like is to mainly day-hikes/scenery and see small-town South Island. I had given thought to skipping the West Coast to keep the driving distances down a bit. Perhaps fly to Dunedin and stay in the lower half below Christchurch?

Best,
Jeff

The drive from Dunedin to Christchurch can be done inland with several overnights, the only reason to take the coast road is if you are out of time. Very scenic to go via the Maniototo (LOTS of small towns like Naseby, Ranfurly, Mt. Ida) where you may find lodging or a farmstay. Alexandra, Clyde, Cromwell are other options. If you are adept at driving on gravel, Dansey's Pass has an inn and spectacular scenery.

You might also stop at Mt. Cook somewhere along the way, and then the stretch thru Methven has lots of rural towns in that area (just hit by the big quake though, so check road conditions).

And then there is Invercargill, my favorite "authentic" NZ city, where the Fastest Indian is from. You may want to spend a night there between Queenstown and the Catlins, to get a taste of crumbed blue cod, whitebait, Bluff oysters and Southland ice cream. This is another area that has lots of farmstays. The museum in Invercargill is quite interesting and includes a "tuatarium". I also like antiquing on the main streets there.

mglb -

I'm aware of the Maniototo area - and had considered dumping the West Coast to spend a few days in this region; there's a small hotel/pub place in Omakau that I've heard some good things about.

Any recommendations for dining in Invercargill?

Best,
Jeff

Zookeepers, Jagz Cafe, Cabbage Tree

The first is downtown, had some good crumbed blue cod there

The other two are a bit out of center and you probably need a reservation and a car

just to let you know Manapouri is a high rainfall area, make sure you check the weather forecast before booking the tour. try to make your itinerary more flexible for this tour

we did the day cruise to doubtful sound with Real Journey
the trip was disappointing...rain all the time, no blue sky and a bit foggy...we couldnt really enjoy the scenery

as you probably know...doubtful sound tour start with cruise from manapori, bus tour, then another cruise to doubtful sound

when we were on the bus tour...the driver told us that the boat was broken, so the 2nd cruise in doubtful sound was cancelled....they dont have back-up boat for the tour
so they took us back to manapouri and give us a confirmation letter to get our money back from the travel agent.
however in the letter, they said the tour was cancelled because the road was closed...not because the ship broke down

What a shame for you babymocca. You are very right about the weather in Fiordland, but I guess that is why there are such big trees.

Babymocca -

You make it sounds as though the cruise is very risky! For the overnight cruise, it's not like you can count on booking at the last minute due to weather; and our schedule would be tough to devise keeping it that flexible.