satrijoe

Hello Travelers.

We will be landing in Christchurch in late June and are planning to drive to Franz Josef (or Fox) glacier next day. Google says it is a 381km drive and estimates 5h. I checked Intercity Coachlines and apparently they don't even offer a direct route between these two places.

So, I am wondering if it actually can be done (it takes 73 thru Arthur's Pass NP all the way to the coast and then 6 South. Looks straight forward but I am wondering if it is advisable or not, considering (1) it is winter, (2) we are not experienced drivers in icy conditions, (3) it is our first time in New Zealand.

We could potentially try a different travel plan (going to Wanaka or at least in that direction) but it might be more time consuming overall and we only have 6 days to tour the region.

I would appreciate any insights you can provide about driving vs. taking buses, road conditions, best routes, etc.

Thanks!!!

stormbird

Why don't you take the TranzAlpine train across and pick up a hire car in Greymouth and drive down to Franz Josef from there?

We did that trip about 3 years ago in August and we thoroughly enjoyed it. We drove back up to Greymouth and caught the train back.

Whilst in Franz Josef we did the glacier hike and thought that that was an excellent adventure.

satrijoe

stormbird,
excellent suggestion!
It sounds like a must do. I didn't like the price but I guess there is no way around it. It does make sense to rent a car from Greymouth and drive South to Franz Josef (or Fox).

Please keep the suggestions coming!

stormbird

That is a bit expensive isn't it? I actually got a fantastic bargain when we went - I'm pretty sure it was close to half price or something but August (when we were there) probably isn't a busy month but not sure.

You could always just go one way on the train and drive back though there may be one way drop off fees but it's worth doing the exercise. I can't comment on what the drive is like though.

We had some beautiful meals at a restaurant called Beeches in Franz Josef and loved our accommodation at Punga Grove. I found Punga Grove on wotif.com and got a fantastic deal.

satrijoe

stormbird, what kind of bargain was that? Was it offered to all passenger or you had a promo code?

Thanks for the wotif.com reference and the restaurant, will look into those too.

kiwi_rob

Where are you going after Franz and where do you intend to finish your trip? The drive from Christchurch to Franz in one day is certainly possible, but at that time of year there is always the chance that Arthurs Pass may be closed for a while because of snow or ice. Generally, it is not too bad, but you would probably have to carry snow chains, just in case.

I always enjoy the drive over to the Coast, but I think that the stretch between Arthurs Pass Village and Kumara is one of the nicest bits.
Rob.

satrijoe

Hi Rob (kiwi_rob),
I never used snow chains...
When Arthur's pass closes, does it affect the train tracks too?

The plan is to go from Franz Josef on to Wanaka and visit wineries. Then Queenstown/Te Anau for some more sightseeing in the region. The finally head back home. We have 6 full days in total to cover the region.

Is there any website that provide road conditions? Or any cell phone app?

Thanks!

stormbird

Hi Satrijoe,

Re the Tranzalpine - when I went to book they were having the special online - perfect/lucky timing.

kiwi_rob

In answering questions on the matter of TransAlpine v. driving from Christchurch to the Coast, I am conscious of the fact that I am answering as a local, whereas people from overseas may have a different agenda. The Transalpine is, without a doubt, a worthy venture, and the scenery is spectacular. On the other hand, I would always prefer the flexibility of being able to stop when and where I want to that driving affords, the scenery being equally, if not more, spectacular.

If you are arriving at, and departing from, Christchurch, you might be better to hire your car from Christchurch and return it there. You do seem to have a fairly ambitious itinerary for six days. Have you checked the driving times for the various legs of your journey? It can be done in six days, but you would be driving for a fair amount of the time.
Rob.

satrijoe

Thanks stormbird.

kiwi_rob, I concur with you on the benefits of driving on your own. The driving times seem doable although I am still not 100% confident as I understand driving times generally increase during winter depending on the rod conditions. Yes, we packed a lot of things to do in 6 days but we need/want to make it happen. It is one of those "not sure if I will ever have a chance to come back" things. Really appreciate your candid comments!

kiwi_rob

Go for it, then. I would have no hesitation in planning such a trip at that time of year. Very occasionally, we get a heavy snowfall that might close some of the Alpine passes for a while, but these are usually later in the season and seldom is this for long. The roads are cleared quite quickly.

You just need to check the weather reports each day . There is a MetPhone line for this -- 0900 999 03. Weather conditions are unlikely to affect your driving times down the Coast and back up from Central Otago significantly. It is likely that your only possible problem areas would be over Arthurs Pass and through the Haast.
Rob.

nelsonian

I would take the train to Greymouth and pick up a rental car from there. You will not have the stress of driving over the Arthurs Pass, and also won't have to worry about the weather. You will also be able to watch the scenery all the time, which you won't be able to do if you are driving.

Kay2

I have not taken that bus, but I have taken long distance buses Christchurch-Mt Cook, Dunedin-Te Anau, Rotorua-Auckland and they were all ontime, decently comfortable (for a bus), and clean. No stops for photos etc. unless it is a tour rather than the intercity bus. I used them because the price was so much less than the train or flying.

I see on your other thread that you are running into the same high air prices to/from Queenstown as I did on last trip, so I used CHC and bus. On my previous trip about 5 years ago, I got a good price ZQN-AKL, but not this year.

satrijoe

kiwi_rob/nelsonian/Kay2,
thanks for the comments! Set my mind into taking the Tranzalpine, despite the prices. Will probably by the final air tickets today and then concentrate on lodging.

gkaounis77

Hi everyone,

I will be visiting Christchurch in May 2012. I am seriously considering to visit Franz Joseph Glaciers. May i ask, (i tried googling, but results)... whether there is such a thing like a direct flight from CHristchurch to Franz Joseph?

From what i can read above, it seems like TranzAlpine is the only way to get to Joseph Franz... well at least more economical. ChristChurch --> Greymouth.

From Greymouth, is renting a car the only way? i am not a strong driver and is hoping there are other means to travel from Greymouth --> Christchurch.

Hope to hear from you all soon. Many thanks
Georgia http://georgialivelaughlove.wordpress.com/

gkaounis77

Hi everyone,

I will be visiting Christchurch in May 2012. I am seriously considering to visit Franz Joseph Glaciers. May i ask, (i tried googling, but results)... whether there is such a thing like a direct flight from CHristchurch to Franz Joseph?

From what i can read above, it seems like TranzAlpine is the only way to get to Joseph Franz... well at least more economical. ChristChurch --> Greymouth.

From Greymouth, is renting a car the only way? i am not a strong driver and is hoping there are other means to travel from Greymouth --> Christchurch.

Hope to hear from you all soon. Many thanks
Georgia http://georgialivelaughlove.wordpress.com/

Melnq8

Hi gkaounis77.

The Tranzalpine will get you as far as Greymouth, then you must rent a car or take a bus to get to the glaciers. Or you could just rent a car in Christchurch and drive yourself. I personally prefer the drive to the train trip.

There are no direct flights from CHC to the glaciers, just scenic charter flights. More info here:

http://www.tourism.net.nz/region/chr...cenic-flights/

gkaounis77

Many thanks Melnq8

Kay2

If you want to have it all organized by someone else (will cost more than piecing it together on your own through public transport), you can get a tour operator for arrange bus to Greymouth, bus to glacier, overnight, bus to Greymoth and train back to CHC, reverse, or bus both ways. Or a circuit tour of bus CHC-Queenstown-glacier, overnight, then bus/train back to CHC.