bebe

Although I have 2 travel guides to New Zealand, neither provides a map showing driving times between towns. (I know from my trip to Tasmania that distances are deceiving in rough terrain.) Anyone know of a website where I can find this info? Also, I have 2 tentative itineraries in mind, I'd appreciate comments so I can decide which one to choose. <BR> <BR>Alternative#1: Arrive CC--drive to Kaikoura (2 nights), Kaikoura to Motueka (Abel Tasman)2 nights, Motueka to Greymouth area (1 night), heading down to Haast (2 nights) to Queenstown (3 nights) to CC (2 nights). <BR> <BR>Alternative #2 Arrive CC (1 night), to Dunedin (2 nights), to Te Anu (1 night), to Queenstown (3 nights), to Haast (3 nights), to Mt. Cook (1 night), to CC (1 night). <BR> <BR>Alternative #3---any suggestions? (By the way, we have 2 kids, so alternative 2 looks a little cumbersome to me in terms of packing and unpacking for all of those 1-nighters). Thanks!

Hans

I can't recall a web page or any other resource that indicates the driving times. If I remember correctly, CC to Dunedin was about 3 hours. Dunedin to Te Anau was about 4 hours. Te Anua to Queenstown was 3 hours Queenstown to Mt. Cook was about 3 hours, Mt. Cook to Franz Josef was about 7 hours and Frans Josef to CC was about 6 hours. The roads, while only one lane, are quite good the thing that slows you down is the amazaing landscapes and views. We did a tour much like your option no. 2. We arrived in CC and spent two nights there--I think the kids will really enjoy the antarctic center at the airport--very cool. We then drove to Dunedin where we spent two nights-- we really enjoyed the yellow-eyed penguin reserve and the royal albatros community (both on the penninsula). If you make reservations early, you might be able to get a tour at the Cadbury chocolate factory which the kids will love. We then spent two nights in Te Anau-- we spent a full day at Milford Sound and another in town relaxing around the lake. We spent three days in Queenstown which was great--make sure you take the kids on the jet boat rides. The views from the restaurant at the top of the hill are great, and the T.S.S. Earnslaw cruise is well worth it. We spent a night at Mt. Cook which has incredible hiking and skiing and then a night at Franz Josef (there really is not much in Haast and I would not recommend spending the night there.) At Franz Josef and Foz glacier, you can walk right up to the face of the glacier--very interesting. We then headed back to CC but if you can squeeze a trip up to Abel Tasman in, it is well worth it. N.Z. is a wonderful place to visit and I think the kids will love it. There should only be a few days wheren you are in the car most of the day and often times that will be because you stop along the side of the road for a brief hike or just to take in the views. Have a great trip and feel free to write directly or post a follow up if you have any other questions. Hans

bebe

Thanks for all of the great information Hans. b

Elaine

Bebe, <BR>There is a web page for a lodge in Te Anau, called the Campbell Auto Lodge, that has a distance calculator on it. Sometimes it doesn't work, and you have to scroll down and click the Southern Hospitality link, and then scroll down to the New Zealand Distance calculator on that page. The website is www.cal.co.nz <BR> <BR>The Southern Hospitality distance calculator doesn't seem to work every time either, (at least for me),but when it does, it really is, as the kids say "neat". (actually, I don't think they say "neat" anymore, I think today's word is "cool") <BR> <BR>It is a point and drag map. I got a kick out of it, when I actually got it to work! Just place your cursor on any point on the map, drag it to your intended destination, and both the miles and the kilometers are displayed. The driving times are not shown, but you might be able to calculate them based on the distances. <BR> <BR>A far as the printed word, there is a wonderful book of maps entitled New Zealand Touring Atlas, published in 1998 by HEMA Maps, in association with New Zealand Automobile Association Inc., that has charts at the front of the book of the driving times and the distances for both the North and South Islands. If your book stores do not have it, and if they can't get it for you, you can contact the publisher by phone at (07)3290 0322 or by fax at (07)3290 0478, or by mail to 24 Allgas St., Slacks Creek, 4127, Brisbane, Australia. <BR> <BR>The New Zealand Automobile Association should be able to help you, also. I don't have the phone number, but the address is Level 17, AA Centre, 99 Albert Street, Auckland 1, New Zealand. Perhaps your own automobile association can get you the phone number. <BR> <BR>I hope this helped. <BR> <BR>

Al

See if you can get yourself a copy of "Bed & Breakfast in New Zealand," a wonderful source of information. The wife and I spent a month down there, and stayed on sheep stations, farms, and small-town motels -- and had a simply marvelous time on both North and South Islands. We walked the Milford Track, too. The most physically-challenging experience of a lifetime. Very little traffic on highways, we found. We drove west from CC, over Haast, to Franz Josef. Next to Wanaka (marvelous). Next to Qtown. Then to Te Anu and start of the Milford Track. Then back to Qtown. On to Mt. Cook. Then to CC. While at CC, make sure you drive over to Akaroa, a marvelous little town settled by French and English. A great day trip out of CC. But get a copy of that paperback -- will save you tons of money and introduce you to real people.

bebe

Thanks for all of the tips---much better than the travel agencies here in Singapore, lah!

Densie Campbell

Bebe, <BR> <BR>The approx times are as follows : <BR> <BR>ChCh-Kaikoura : 3-4 hrs <BR>Kaikoura-Motueka : 5-6 hours <BR>Motueka-Greymouth : 4.5- 5.5 hours <BR>Greymouth-Haast : 5-6 hours <BR>Haast-Queenstown : 4.5-5.5 hours <BR>Queenstown-ChCh : 7-8 hours <BR> <BR>The above times allow about 5-10 minutes for a stop every hour. <BR>I think you may be trying to do a bit much in the time you have. However, the route you take should depend on what you want to see and what your interests are. <BR>We have just (last week) completed a trip to the South Island to check out a range of accommodation, so I'd be more than happy to let you know what your best options are in the various areas....it can sometimes be difficult with a family. <BR> <BR>Let me know if I can help you with anything else. <BR> <BR>Regards <BR>Denise <BR> <BR> <BR>