South Island Itinerary questions
Apr 23rd, 2006, 05:31 AM
#1
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South Island Itinerary questions
It's the end of the trip (Nov 30) that I'm a bit stuck on!
Here's my current plan:
Nov 19: arrive Auckland
Nov 20: fly to Christchurch
Nov 21: Christchurch
Nov 22: Christchurch
Nov 23: Drive either to Twizel or Lake Tekapo. Probably Twizel for LOTR sites.
Nov 24: Drive to Wanaka (visit friend)
Nov 25: Drive to Te Anau
Nov 26: Drive to Milford Sound, do short cruise, return to Te Anau (I don't think it's feasible to drive to Queenstown after the cruise)
Nov 27: Drive to Queenstown
Nov 28: Queenstown
Nov 29: Queenstown
Nov 30: Drive to Franz Joseph (6 hours) OR
Drive to Dunedin (4 hours)OR
Stay in Queenstown
Dec 1:
a) drive to Christchurch to return car (6 hours from FJ, 5 hours from Dunedin). Not really worried about rental/air expense - the real issue is whether the drive to Christchurch is too scenic to miss, OR
b) spend another night at FJ, OR Dunedin OR Queenstown (and therefore skip the drive back to Christchurch)
Dec 2: Fly to Wellington (if stay at FJ, might need to get to Greymouth for flight)
Dec 3: Wellington
Dec 4: Wellington or somewhere in area
Dec 5: Fly to Auckland
Dec 6: Fly home to USA
I'm afraid I'm trying to cram a little too much in, but then again, I may never have the opportunity to come back to NZ! I realize I will only get a taste of FJ or Dunedin if I go that route.
Comments or suggestions, please. Thanks.
Here's my current plan:
Nov 19: arrive Auckland
Nov 20: fly to Christchurch
Nov 21: Christchurch
Nov 22: Christchurch
Nov 23: Drive either to Twizel or Lake Tekapo. Probably Twizel for LOTR sites.
Nov 24: Drive to Wanaka (visit friend)
Nov 25: Drive to Te Anau
Nov 26: Drive to Milford Sound, do short cruise, return to Te Anau (I don't think it's feasible to drive to Queenstown after the cruise)
Nov 27: Drive to Queenstown
Nov 28: Queenstown
Nov 29: Queenstown
Nov 30: Drive to Franz Joseph (6 hours) OR
Drive to Dunedin (4 hours)OR
Stay in Queenstown
Dec 1:
a) drive to Christchurch to return car (6 hours from FJ, 5 hours from Dunedin). Not really worried about rental/air expense - the real issue is whether the drive to Christchurch is too scenic to miss, OR
b) spend another night at FJ, OR Dunedin OR Queenstown (and therefore skip the drive back to Christchurch)
Dec 2: Fly to Wellington (if stay at FJ, might need to get to Greymouth for flight)
Dec 3: Wellington
Dec 4: Wellington or somewhere in area
Dec 5: Fly to Auckland
Dec 6: Fly home to USA
I'm afraid I'm trying to cram a little too much in, but then again, I may never have the opportunity to come back to NZ! I realize I will only get a taste of FJ or Dunedin if I go that route.
Comments or suggestions, please. Thanks.
Apr 23rd, 2006, 07:43 AM
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Hi susanwr,
I've been to both FJ and Dunedin, and prefer the drive down/up the West Coast and FJ to Dunedin. I did really like the city of Dunedin though, and if you want to see the penguins, your decision will be tough.
Are you definitely visiting your friend in Wanaka on the 24th, or can that be changed? I personally would (and did) skip Twizel and Lake Tekapo.
My suggestions:
23rd: Drive CHC-FJ
24th: FJ
25th: Drive to Wanaka
26th-27th: Queenstown
28th: Queenstown; Afternoon/Evening drive to Te Anau
29th: Te Anau/ Sounds
30th: Drive Te Anau - Dunedin
1st: Dunedin
2nd: Fly Dunedin-Wellington
I've been to both FJ and Dunedin, and prefer the drive down/up the West Coast and FJ to Dunedin. I did really like the city of Dunedin though, and if you want to see the penguins, your decision will be tough.
Are you definitely visiting your friend in Wanaka on the 24th, or can that be changed? I personally would (and did) skip Twizel and Lake Tekapo.
My suggestions:
23rd: Drive CHC-FJ
24th: FJ
25th: Drive to Wanaka
26th-27th: Queenstown
28th: Queenstown; Afternoon/Evening drive to Te Anau
29th: Te Anau/ Sounds
30th: Drive Te Anau - Dunedin
1st: Dunedin
2nd: Fly Dunedin-Wellington
Apr 23rd, 2006, 08:04 AM
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I agree with TimandLiz.
They have suggested an excellent plan.
DOn't miss the drive up (or down) the west coast between FJ and Queenstown. It is too beautiful to miss.
I also agree, I liked Dunedin, but if you aren't going to see the penguins, your time might be better spent on the west coast.
They have suggested an excellent plan.
DOn't miss the drive up (or down) the west coast between FJ and Queenstown. It is too beautiful to miss.
I also agree, I liked Dunedin, but if you aren't going to see the penguins, your time might be better spent on the west coast.
Apr 23rd, 2006, 09:10 AM
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A suggestion for the beginning:
If you are arriving in AKL at around 5 AM, consider going right away to CHC. That way you won't be getting to a hotel in AKL at 7 AM, and will get to CHC at a reasonable time. You will also save time and money going forth and back to the airport. That's what we did.
Add the day in AKL at the end, if you want to see AKL.
If you are arriving in AKL at around 5 AM, consider going right away to CHC. That way you won't be getting to a hotel in AKL at 7 AM, and will get to CHC at a reasonable time. You will also save time and money going forth and back to the airport. That's what we did.
Add the day in AKL at the end, if you want to see AKL.
Apr 23rd, 2006, 10:05 AM
#5
I've been to NZ 5 times and am planning my 6th trip. I agree with Jed and prefer to continue on to the South Island directly from Auckland airport the first day, if the timing works out. It usually does, as most transPacific flights seem to arrive early enough in the morning.
If you Drive Christchurch -Tekapo-Wanaka you will have done the most scenic route between Christchurch and Queenstown (stop in Fairlie for a great meal at the Library Cafe). The coastal route between Christchurch and Dunedin is not that scenic although it is fast.
I personally do not agree that Lake Tekapo/Twizel is "worth skipping" and don't know how one could make that judgement without seeing it. Mt. Cook NP is a 1/2 day detour from L. Tekapo and is worthwhile if the forecast is clear.
If you are most interested in spectacular scenery, the west Coast glaciers are worth seeing, assuming of course that the weather permits. I would try to work the west coast in to the trip. Since you are not traveling in the busiest season, you could consider keeping that leg open. Opt for the glaciers if the forecast for the west coast is good, and Dunedin if it is not so good.
You ideally need two nights to go Wanaka/Queenstown-Glaciers-returning thru Arthur's pass to Christchurch. One night at the Glaciers and one around Hokitika.
Your itinerary does not look rushed to me.
If you Drive Christchurch -Tekapo-Wanaka you will have done the most scenic route between Christchurch and Queenstown (stop in Fairlie for a great meal at the Library Cafe). The coastal route between Christchurch and Dunedin is not that scenic although it is fast.
I personally do not agree that Lake Tekapo/Twizel is "worth skipping" and don't know how one could make that judgement without seeing it. Mt. Cook NP is a 1/2 day detour from L. Tekapo and is worthwhile if the forecast is clear.
If you are most interested in spectacular scenery, the west Coast glaciers are worth seeing, assuming of course that the weather permits. I would try to work the west coast in to the trip. Since you are not traveling in the busiest season, you could consider keeping that leg open. Opt for the glaciers if the forecast for the west coast is good, and Dunedin if it is not so good.
You ideally need two nights to go Wanaka/Queenstown-Glaciers-returning thru Arthur's pass to Christchurch. One night at the Glaciers and one around Hokitika.
Your itinerary does not look rushed to me.
Apr 23rd, 2006, 10:54 AM
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Thanks all for such good and prompt! suggestions.
We arrive Auckland 10:30 AM from Bangkok or 5:20 AM "our" time. My original plan was to fly to Christchurch that day and not add another travel day, but my husband is balking. We never sleep well on the plane, so crashing in Auckland right away is OK.
I don't have to be in Wanaka on Nov 24, but I DO want to drive through Twizel to get there. (There are several LOTR sites to see in the area.) If I drive from Christchurch to Wanaka (6 hours), I probably won't have time to take sidetrips to LOTR sites, right?
So, you've convinced me NOT to go to Dunedin - FJ it is. However, we do not plan to go on the glacier. NZ AA says it's 5 3/4 hrs from Queenstown to FJ, and 5 1/2 hrs from FJ (via Arthurs Pass) to Christchurch. So I don't understand why I would need to stay in Hokitika...is there something especially nice to do/see there?
If we need to take another night, what about stopping in Arthurs Pass - assuming there are places to stay there? Then it would be a 2 hour drive in the morning to Christchurch and we could still catch a flight to Wellington in the afternoon on Dec 2.
Thanks again for your help.
Susan
We arrive Auckland 10:30 AM from Bangkok or 5:20 AM "our" time. My original plan was to fly to Christchurch that day and not add another travel day, but my husband is balking. We never sleep well on the plane, so crashing in Auckland right away is OK.
I don't have to be in Wanaka on Nov 24, but I DO want to drive through Twizel to get there. (There are several LOTR sites to see in the area.) If I drive from Christchurch to Wanaka (6 hours), I probably won't have time to take sidetrips to LOTR sites, right?
So, you've convinced me NOT to go to Dunedin - FJ it is. However, we do not plan to go on the glacier. NZ AA says it's 5 3/4 hrs from Queenstown to FJ, and 5 1/2 hrs from FJ (via Arthurs Pass) to Christchurch. So I don't understand why I would need to stay in Hokitika...is there something especially nice to do/see there?
If we need to take another night, what about stopping in Arthurs Pass - assuming there are places to stay there? Then it would be a 2 hour drive in the morning to Christchurch and we could still catch a flight to Wellington in the afternoon on Dec 2.
Thanks again for your help.
Susan
Apr 23rd, 2006, 11:16 AM
#7
I agree with mlgb
I just returned 3 weeks ago and visited all the places you have mentioned.
You can drive from Queenstown to Milford Sound , do the cruise and then drive back to Queenstown.
We made a few stops along the way going there but coming back , we only stopped once...it was dark when we got back to Queenstown (7:30 PM)
We drove from Christchurch via Arthurs Pass to Franz Josef and to the Fox Glacier and stayed over night at the Haast Pass World Heritage Resort...
You do not need to stay over night in Hokitika,( nice place to have lunch) but you have to overnight somewhere if you are leaving from Queenstown.
I would do to half day "detour" trip to Mount Cook, take some pictures have lunch at the Hermitage Resort and then move on.
The scenery is nice both ways from Christchurch ,so when you make your "loop", take in as much as you can, because like you said..
"I may never return."
Percy
I just returned 3 weeks ago and visited all the places you have mentioned.
You can drive from Queenstown to Milford Sound , do the cruise and then drive back to Queenstown.
We made a few stops along the way going there but coming back , we only stopped once...it was dark when we got back to Queenstown (7:30 PM)
We drove from Christchurch via Arthurs Pass to Franz Josef and to the Fox Glacier and stayed over night at the Haast Pass World Heritage Resort...
You do not need to stay over night in Hokitika,( nice place to have lunch) but you have to overnight somewhere if you are leaving from Queenstown.
I would do to half day "detour" trip to Mount Cook, take some pictures have lunch at the Hermitage Resort and then move on.
The scenery is nice both ways from Christchurch ,so when you make your "loop", take in as much as you can, because like you said..
"I may never return."
Percy
Apr 23rd, 2006, 03:19 PM
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Sorry to be so slow to understand. NZ AA says it takes 5 1/2 hours to drive from FJ - via Arthurs Pass - Christchurch.
So, if we stay one night at FJ, we should be able to drive to CCH the next day, right?
So, if we stay one night at FJ, we should be able to drive to CCH the next day, right?
Apr 23rd, 2006, 05:41 PM
#10
There is no particular reason to stay in Hokitika other than it is more interesting than Greymouth. It's got the glowworm dell and jade factories. Arthur's Pass is certainly an option.
It's a long but not impossible day from Wanaka to the Glaciers. If you try to make it all the way to Christchurch in one day you don't have much time for sightseeing. It's interesting to at least walk up to the face of one of the glaciers, and the walk around L. Matheson is worthwhile if the weather is clear (beautiful reflections if there is no wind).
It's a long but not impossible day from Wanaka to the Glaciers. If you try to make it all the way to Christchurch in one day you don't have much time for sightseeing. It's interesting to at least walk up to the face of one of the glaciers, and the walk around L. Matheson is worthwhile if the weather is clear (beautiful reflections if there is no wind).
Apr 24th, 2006, 03:09 PM
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Susan, either I'm confused or eveyone else is. Are you staying in FJ and then want to carry on to Christchurch the next day? If that is the case, then I'll stick to my original answer...yes you can do it.
BUT if you mean you are going to drive from Wanaka right through to Christchurch, then , no I agree with the other posters..it's too far for one day. You won't enjoy anything along the way. Hopefully you do mean you are stopping along the way at FJ for one night.
BUT if you mean you are going to drive from Wanaka right through to Christchurch, then , no I agree with the other posters..it's too far for one day. You won't enjoy anything along the way. Hopefully you do mean you are stopping along the way at FJ for one night.
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